MAN CITY INFO VIA THE ALPS "McVittee!" #414

DATE Monday 13th July 1998

Firstly, thanks to Paul for taking over at very short notice whilst I was away in Spain - cheers. Secondly, Steve Sayer would like to inform everyone that the Torpoint and Newquay games on City's pre-season tour were not (and have not been) cancelled, as has been touted elsewhere on the Web.

The news is that Eddie McGoldrick has been forced to retire due to a bad back, and Alex Gibson - a respected coach - has agreed to join City as head of youth coaching. City apparently won 3-1 against Torpoint with Alan Bailey getting 2 (reported as Alan Taylor earlier by TeamTalk) and Lee Bradbury the other (anyone go and can do a match report?). This issue has news of moves to rehouse Blue View (see below); a good start for the second incarnation of McVittee FC, only just getting beaten by the favourites for the upcoming WorldNet event; more celebrity teams; and opinion. I have no more Why Blues so please consider writing your own and sending it in.

As far as Internet news goes - Blue View in particular - several sites seem to be springing up and this issue has the offer of disc space and help in finding a new home. At the moment I'm unsure as to how this is being addressed, though Bob Young is making an appeal on behalf of Doug Bennett. It seems to me that if Doug can hang on to the webmaster's rôle then this must be the best outcome for all; perhaps Doug could write something for MCIVTA to update people on how they can help and how things are proceeding?

This one reaches 2,130 mailboxes; any suggestions for how many individuals?

EASTLANDS - UPDATE

I have written to Mr Bernstein asking him to clarify how MCFC intend to include fans' groups in the new stadium development. Thanks to everyone who has contacted me with their comments/opinions on the proposed move to Eastlands.

Opinion is divided fairly equally between staying or moving. Some common themes have emerged though and these and the results of the survey will be posted on MCIVTA once the research is complete (end July '98).

City fans are encouraged to have their say by contacting me at the address below. All comments will be passed onto the Directors in the near future.

BLUE VIEW - AN APPEAL

I reckon we need £1,000 to ensure Blue View stays on the Internet.

I think this is the most important "communication link" we have as City fans.

I know Svenn, Sikpupi and Wookie have websites as I do with mancity.net. I know we have McVittee run by Ashley, Paul and Steve, but I still think Blue View is the best "website" on the Internet. I may be biased being a big fan of Manchester City!

You will see my address on http://www.mancity.net/bob/. I will be happy to receive any contribution to help Doug and Blue View maintain its fantastic presence on the Internet for City fans.

Manchester City Football Club may not understand the power of the Internet just yet but the 30 or so City fans that have emailed me recently expressing their desire to help Blue View obviously do.

This message board is very important to City fans whether you live in Manchester, Jersey, St Lucia or Australia. I don't think we would ever get one as good as Blue View.

Please send me your contributions and I will pass them on to Doug to ensure he can keep the best football message board going for the forseeable future.

OFFER - BLUE VIEW DISC SPACE

My wife and I own a web design company in San Diego and can have access to server space so we may be able to help. I would need to know exactly what scripts would be running and how much space etc. If you need help with the web design too let me know.

LE TOURNOI DE DERBY!

On the build-up to the WorldNet98 Internet Football tournament on the 18th/19th July, a mini-tournament with 4 teams was played on Sunday. The participants were Derby, Leicester, Leeds and Man City.

This was our first match and first tournament rolled into one. The format was for each team to play each other once, 15 minutes each way.

Our first match was against Leeds, who are one of the top seeds to win the WorldNet tournament at 8-1. We are (or should I say were) 80-1 to win. The game was fought out well from both sides and we scored first. They levelled shortly after and scored the winner close to the end. If this wasn't our first match (ever), from the attempts we had on goal and the way we battled we would have won.

The second match was against Leicester. It was a closely fought match, one of the closest I have ever seen in fact. The fact we won 7-0 didn't do Leicester justice! Our first win as an Internet team and well deserved.

The third match was against Derby. Tiredness, injury and cramp started to creep in, which resulted in a well fought out win for the Blues. 3-2 was the final score which placed us second in the overall tournament with Leeds winning.

Well done all the lads who turned out, 16 in all. For our first match/tournament as a reformed Internet football team we played with real spirit and fought hard in every match. We all look forward to playing in the WorldNet tournament in 2 weeks time.

Well done Jonathan Jones for scoring about 6 goals (if not more) - shame you're going to be in Australia for the WorldNet tournament... you've been described as our s**t-hot stiker - well done lad.

On the back of this tournament, Roger who is running the book on the WorldNet tournament has reduced our odds from 80-1 to 20-1. Should have sent my bet in last week. Damn!

NEW KIT?

I was in that sports shop in Carnaby Street the other day and saw what I think is the new City away kit, but after reading this morning's MCIVTA, I'm not so sure. It was dark blue (similar to the blue that Argentina wore against England) with white stripes under the arm (or was there a flash of yellow in there somewhere?). The badge, though the same as last season, was really small, and it had the traditional Kappa logos on the sleeves. There was no sponsor's name on the shirt. The reason why I thought it was the away kit was that they were selling the old laser blue as well. I really like the shirt, a million times better than some of the away kit disasters we've had over the years (and better than some of the home ones too), but I'll be disappointed if it is the home kit. I'm fond of the laser (blue or turquoise, it doesn't matter, it looks like the 'real' Man City blue to me, the one I wore proudly as an eight year old) colour. Also, how many kits are we supposed to buy? That will be four new kits in two seasons (laser, yellow and black, black and white, this dark blue), are Kappa being a bit Umbroesque in their frequency of kit changes?

The other thing is, I'm moving to Bristol shortly, so Bristol-based Blues (especially any working at UWE), get in touch.

AN UPDATE ON THE CITY SQUAD FOR MCIVTA

Lots of changes this month, too many to mention!

To confirm, Foster did sign for Carlisle.
Ian Brightwell free transfer to Coventry.
Ian Bishop transfer listed.
Neil Brisco released.
Danny Tiatto signed for £300,000 from FC Baden.

Tommy Wright
Nick Weaver
Martyn Margetson          Released
Michael Brown             Released
Richard Acton             Released

Gerard Wiekens
Tony Vaughan
Richard Edghill
Anthony Fenton
Nick Fenton
David Morley
Murtaz Shelia
Richard Jobson
Danny Tiatto
Kit Symons                Transfer Listed
Paul Beesley              Transfer Listed
Scott Hiley               Released
Kakhaber Tskhadadze       Released
Ben Burrows               Released
Anthony Callaghan         Released
Benn Gallagher            Released
Rae Ingram                Released

Kevin Horlock
Jamie Pollock
Lee Crooks
Gary Mason
Jeff Whitley
Jim Whitley
Michael Brown
Eddie McGoldrick          Transfer Listed
Ged Brannan               Transfer Listed
Nigel Clough              Transfer Listed
Martin Phillips           Transfer Listed
Neil Heaney               Transfer Listed
Ian Bishop                Transfer Listed
Scott Thomas              Released
Neil Brisco               Released
Chris Pridham             Released

Paul Dickov
Lee Bradbury
Chris Greenacre
Barry Conlon
Shaun Goater
Alan Bailey
Mikhail Kavalashvili      (on loan to Grasshoppers Zürich)
Gerry Creaney             (on loan to WBA)
Craig Russell             Transfer Listed
Ray Kelly                 Transfer Listed
David Wills               Released
Aled Rowlands             Released

Second year trainees:

Lee Daly (goalkeeper)
Greg Duff (defender)
Stephen Rimmer (defender)
Adam Allcock (midfield)
David Laycock (midfield)
Joe McNab (left wing back)
Neil McNab (midfield)
Neil Morley (midfield)
Ged O'Keefe (right wing back)
Darren Garfield (striker)
Michael Julien (striker)
Jason Kneen (striker)
Alan Reilly (striker)
George Doherty            Released

First year trainees:

Steven Hodgson (goalkeeper)
Shaun Holmes (defender)
Stephen Jordan (defender)
Tony Dunfield (midfield)
Andrew Pavey (midfield)
Andrew Porteous (midfield)
Leon Mike  (striker)
Stephen Parkhouse (striker)
Shaun Wright-Philips (striker)

MAGIC MOMENTS

Everyone sees something different as their Magic Moments at Maine Road. However, a common theme seems to be people's first visit to The Academy. It's something about Maine Road that makes you want to go back there. More than often it's the old Kippax Stand that people remember. This is an account of my first experience with the Kippax and a few other feelings.

I first went at the age of 7, back in 1983. It was a cold November day (the Saturday after my birthday) and my dad and uncle were telling me about the halcyon days of the seventies and how they were about to return. I just felt cold as we walked the streets down to the ground. My dad had parked the car about 5 minutes walk away from Maine Road but even from there you could hear the noise emanating from the Faithful. I couldn't believe how many people were outside the ground; for a little lad it was quite scary!

I paid my money to get in; back then it was about a quid something to get in, not 15 quid like today. Having successfully got through the turnstile I was in the yard behind the Kippax. Next stop the toilets. These were something else, hundreds of blokes standing in a line and the smell was horrific. You could still smell it 5 minutes later. Eventually we headed onto the terrace. Past the Pie stand and down the tunnel. At first all I could see was people's backs but then I caught a glimpse of the Main Stand. Thousands of people filled my view. Shock took over, I didn't feel the cold, the noise was something else, something you never forget. The rest of the game I have forgotten but not my first reaction. I'd caught the bug.

Last year I took my nephew for the first time and my memories came flooding back. I wonder if it was the same for him? The crushing feeling as the Kippax swayed he'll never experience. The sheer noise as Blue Moon rang out from the Kippax, as if nothing else in the world was making a noise. The tears of numerous relegations, the joys of promotion, all felt on that bit of concrete. The Kippax last Stand came and went. I missed it, but I saw it on the telly, 200 miles away in Swindon. The tears came back. In 14 years of visiting Maine Road I have forged a passion inside myself for the club. A passion to stick with the team. I feel it all came from that first encounter with the Kippax.

CELEBRITY TEAM I

I'd like to thank all the people who emailed me with all the great suggestions. In fact I'm having trouble deciding who to leave out: I've stuck with a 4-4-2 for now. I'll welcome all tactical advice.

		                Manning

Nick Leeson, Mark E. Smith, Mark Radcliffe, Howard Davies (Deputy Governor: Bank of England)

Billy Duffy (guitarist, The Cult), John Stapleton, Johnny Marr, Stuart Hall

	                 Gallagher N, Gallagher L.

And On the Subs' bench:

Andy Peebles (Radio 2) (Lacks pace?)
Lard,
Curlie off Corrie (You can have too much flair in a side)
James H. Reeve
Eddie Large
Les Battersby (He's off Corrie as well isn't he?)
Jason Orange (Straight swap for Stuart Hall I reckon)
Bonehead (Must have a defensive rôle surely?)

So once again I've gone for a solid presence in the goal but the back four is now strong financially, as well as musically, although I feel Leeson may be better going forward on the overlap than covering back. I see John Stapleton as my ball winner with his solid current affairs background, Marr may be a bit lightweight but his arpeggiating flair on the fretboard makes me feel that he's a match-winner. I see Duffy and Stuart Hall streaking down the wings in the final minutes to snatch that last gasp winner à la Barnes and Tueart. Call me old fashioned.

Quite a team I think you'd agree. I'm sure we could stuff any combination of Zoë Ball, Angus Deayton and Mick Hucknall etc.

CELEBRITY TEAM II

Just a few suggestions to fill in the gaps in Jim Sim's Celebrity team:

                            Manning

          Eddie Large, Mark E. Smith, Mark Radcliffe, Lard

    Curly Watts, Johnny Marr, Frank Sidebottom (Capt), Rick Wakeman

                      Gallagher N, Gallagher L

                (Subs Little Frank, Stuart Hall)

Johnny Marr has produced a few impressive solo performances in his time, and Sidebottom - what can I say, the man commands respect, and that huge papier mâché bonce of his could produce the kind of headers from corners that demolished Brazil this weekend. Wakeman - the guy can play two keyboards simultaneously, and that's got to be worth a game. Little Frank as a sub. gives us strength in midfield if Watts has an off day, and Hall won't be fazed by the new "navy and citrus" away kit 'cos he's made a career out of wearing dodgy coloured shirts.

KINKY MONEY

I don't know if anybody has made the point but if we don't spend the Kinky money on some class players, we will simply become a run of the mill 2nd Division team. The board needs to give Joe Royle the money required to guarantee promotion at the first attempt. If not, and the early results go against us, we may end up in another relegation struggle. Ask Preston and Burnley fans, whose teams have narrowly avoided demotion out of the League, due to short-sighted management, who thought that big support would get their teams back in the big time.

Take note Mr Bernstein!

OPINION - THE DEMISE OF BLUE VIEW

I've just about got used to the idea of playing in the same league as Gillingham and Walsall, when Oh no! Alas and Alack! Whoa Is Me! Blue View, the City net chat site, has gone down too! And it looks like it's permanent! Oh Gawd!

This is terrible news, it means I may have to do some work. Apparently Dave Bennett says "My ISP, Enterprise has removed the right to run programs on their homepages server." How are City fans going to chat on the net now? How I can I abuse fellow Blues and the Rags on the net now? Seriously, how can Blues all over the world, talk to each other, get the latest news, listen to each other and cut out the bulls**t served up by the Club and the media? Even small clubs have their own chat sites, it's unthinkable City not having one. So as our fellow Blue (not Red), Comrade V.I. Lenin wrote "What Is To Be Done?"

Dave Bennett has done a magnificent job in maintaining the site, in what has obviously been a sometimes hostile atmosphere. Why have Enterprise removed the right to run programs on their server? I really have not got much a clue about the working of the net, but when a club like Swindon have their own site, it seems to me ridiculous that Blues are to be deprived of their chat page. It appears that finances were the main problem and that MCFC were surprise, surprise "un-helpful". What, the club un-helpful to the fans! You could have knocked me down with a feather! Cor, love a duck! Blimey! etc.

It appears to me that this is a time to get active. Firstly, if we cannot get sponsorship for Blue View, could it be paid for by subscription? I for one would be willing to pay to have a site up, what about others? Secondly, the bloody club. Time to stick the boot in and get writing. The club, even with its perilous finances could surely offer some support? What do other Blues think? Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to our Sitemaster Doug Bennett for the work he has put in during the last two years to keep Blue View going. Blue View must return! Blue View will return!

BLUE HUMOUR

Snow White, Arnold Schwazennegger and Quasimodo are having a conversation. Snow White says "Everybody tells me I am the most beautiful, divine woman that any man has ever laid his eyes on, but how do I know?"

Arnie says "I know what you mean. Everybody tells me I am the most muscular, hunky man that has ever lived, but how do I know?"

Quasimodo says "Yes. Everybody tells me I am the most disgusting, despicable, grotesque creature that has ever roamed the earth, but how do I know?"

Snow White says "Let's go and see the wise man!" So off they go. Snow White goes in first and five minutes later she comes out and says: "It's true. I am the most beautiful, divine woman that any man has ever laid his eyes on."

Arnie goes in and five minutes later he comes out and says: "It's true. I am the most muscular, hunky man that has ever lived."

Quasimodo goes in and five minutes later he comes out and says: "Who's this David Beckham character then?"

BLUE HUMOUR

David Beckham walks into a bar, and the barman asks if he would like a pint. Beckham replies: "No thanks. I'll have a half, then I'll be off!"

Ashley Birch, mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com