Newsletter #304

This issue is heavily focussed on Shota Arveladze; there seems to be a realistic chance that we will sign him and there is some very interesting opinion on this player from Tor-Kristian. The other major news is the publication of the fixture list for next season; its relationship to the actual fixtures played is still to be determined though!

There’s also a rumour on the new Kappa kit, the background to the Georgian kit, or rather absence thereof, and Why Blue from Spain!

This one goes out to 1,476.

NEWS – ARVELADZE

Frank Clark has been enthusing about transfer target Shota Arveladze after seeing the Georgia versus Moldova game last weekend. The Georgians’ number one striker came “strongly recommended” by Gio Kinkladze and seems to have impressed the City boss. “No disrespect to Mikhail [Kavelashvili] but he is quicker and stronger in the box,” said Clark. Arveladze was the top scorer in Turkey last season with 25 goals for Trabzonspor.

However, the Blues face stiff competition for Arveladze’s signature; Turkish champions Galatasaray would like to sign him, and the latest side to be linked with him (and his brother Archil) are the mighty Ajax of Amsterdam. Saturday’s MEN reported that the twins were having talks with the Dutch side, which sounds ominous as far as City’s interests go.

NEWS – VAUGHAN SIGNS

Defender Tony Vaughan finally signed for City on Friday afternoon, though a fee has still to be agreed with Ipswich – it could yet go to a tribunal. Vaughan was on City’s books as a 13-year-old schoolboy but he said “I thought I stood a better chance going to a club like Ipswich to establish myself, and that’s how it has turned out. City are a massive club and I was just another youngster. I thought I could progress better elsewhere and I went to join Ipswich at 16. I think I have proved myself right. I made around 80 first-team appearances for Ipswich and I think I was able to get on quicker there. Now coming home to the club I supported as a lad is a dream move. I am a Manchester lad and proud of it. I was brought up down the road and went to Lostock High School. I played locally for a team called Victoria Boys in the Timperley League.”

Vaughan has played twice for Ipswich at Maine Road but has yet to complete a game at the Academy – he snapped a ligament after half an hour in his first game and had to go off after a clash of heads with Uwe Rösler in his second game. “I told Frank Clark and he said it might be better if I only play in away games! My favourite position is in the centre of defence but I understand the boss wants me to play at left back. That’s no problem. I am relishing the thought of playing for City anywhere.”

Frank Clark said that Vaughan was just the type of player he wants to bring to Maine Road, “a young, English player.” He added “We are still looking for players but we also have to move a few players out. It’s not just a question of the wage bill but getting the balance right – 43 professionals are too many to work with.”

One of the players set to leave seems to be Peter Beagrie. City have agreed terms with Steve McMahon’s Swindon Town, and Beagrie is considering the move. Sunderland are also thought to be interested but the Wiltshire club seem to be the favourites to sign him. “Peter has been talking to Swindon and now it’s up to him,” said Frank Clark.

NEWS – ARVELADZE SCORES

City transfer target Shota Arveladze scored the Georgian goal in their 4-1 defeat away to Poland in the World Cup on Saturday. He converted a chance from a narrow angle in the 24th minute.

NEWS – 1997/98 FIXTURES

These fixtures are subject to rearrangements due to television and international commitments.

August 1997

Sat  9 Portsmouth    (H)
Sat 16 Sunderland    (A)
Sat 23 Tranmere      (H)
Sat 30 Charlton      (A)

September 1997

Wed  3 Nottm Forest  (A)
Sat  6 Crewe         (H)
Sat 13 Bury          (A)
Sat 20 Norwich       (H)
Sat 27 Swindon       (H)

October 1997

Sat  4 Ipswich       (A)
Sat 11 West Brom     (A)
Sat 18 Reading       (H)
Wed 22 Stoke         (H)
Sat 25 QPR           (A)

November 1997

Sat  1 Oxford Utd    (A)
Wed  5 Port Vale     (H)
Sat  8 Huddersfield  (H)
Sat 15 Sheff Utd     (A)
Sat 22 Bradford      (H)
Sat 29 Stockport     (A)

December 1997

Sat  6 Wolverhampton (H)
Sat 13 Birmingham    (A)
Sat 20 Middlesbrough (H)
Fri 26 Crewe         (A)
Sun 28 Nottm Forest  (H)

January 1998

Sat 10 Portsmouth    (A)
Sat 17 Sunderland    (H)
Wed 28 Charlton      (H)
Sat 31 Tranmere      (A)

February 1998

Sat  7 Norwich       (A)
Sat 14 Bury          (H)
Wed 18 Ipswich       (H)
Sat 21 Swindon       (A)
Tue 24 Reading       (A)
Sat 28 West Brom     (H)

March 1998

Tue  3 Huddersfield  (A)
Sat  7 Oxford Utd    (H)
Sat 14 Port Vale     (A)
Sat 21 Sheff Utd     (H)
Sat 28 Bradford      (A)

April 1998

Sat  4 Stockport     (H)
Sat 11 Wolverhampton (A)
Mon 13 Birmingham    (H)
Sat 18 Middlesbrough (A)
Sat 25 QPR           (H)

May 1998

Sun  3 Stoke         (A)

What a bummer, away to Crewe on Boxing day… I guess no big party then.

Bit of a tough run in as well:- Wolverhampton (A), Birmingham (H), Middlesbrough (A), and QPR (H)!

NEWS – DUTCH HAPPENINGS

According to a Dutch newspaper, Ajax Amsterdam had talks with Shota Arveladze after Georgia’s WC-qualifier against Moldova in which he scored once. The paper reported that Arveladze is out of contract, and therefore on a free transfer, but the UEFA recently decided not to expand the Bosman Treaty for players from outside the EC.

However, if Shota only wishes a twin-transfer with his brother, Ajax will be sure of work permits for both. But Ajax is not a club to buy-two-need-one.

I haven’t read nor heard anything about a Feyenoord or Fc Twente striker to join City. If I am to speculate, it has to be Twente’s International Johnny Bosman, but he is not allowed to leave at any price.

NEWS – ARVELADZE DEVELOPMENTS

The TeamTalk web site today (Monday) reports that Shota Arveladze would be in Manchester later this week for talks about a possible move to Maine Road. City are reported to have made a bid of £1.25 million for the player, a bargain for a player of his quality if it is accepted.

City’s first away game of the season against Sunderland is almost certain to be postponed due to international matches involving Wales and Northern Ireland the following week. It would have been the first game in Sunderland’s new Wearmouth Stadium, prompting Peter Reid to say “We wanted a big-name club and I am delighted to have my old team for our first game in a new stadium.”

RUMOUR – THE NEW KIT

The latest rumours regarding the new shirt are: it is a silver blue with a shadow stripe. The new badge incorporates a phoenix (rising from the ashes?).

Man U had a phoenix rising etc. as their badge for the post-Munich 1958 Cup final, the symbolism being a bit more obvious in their case. We might not have the Kappa logo down the sleeves, as I believe there is a problem with the Football League over this. However, I may be completely wrong about all of this.

It doesn’t seem to have occurred to everyone that we will also be wearing a new away kit. Given Kappa’s penchant for experimentation in this area, viz Juve’s Blue, with yellow stars and Barca’s green, I’d welcome some inventive speculation as to what we’ll be spending our fifty quid on.

As I’m on holiday during our pre-season tour, I’d appreciate it if anyone could get me a programme from each game in Scotland. Please e-mail me if you are prepared to keep me a set, crease and beer stain free, and I’ll send you the money. Thanks.

GEORGIAN KIT – THE TRUTH, THE HWOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT…

The full chapter and verse on the Georgia strip is as follows: The Georgian F.A. signed 2 separate deals, one with Adidas and one with Kappa. They wore the Kappa one last year once (this is the flashy kit worn by Shota Arveladze on the back cover of the MUEN 13 June 97). Although still contracted to Kappa, they reverted to a brand-new Adidas strip (worn in this current World Cup campaign). There was the potential for litigation on Kappa’s part, but this has not materialised so far. Most importantly, the Adidas strip is seemingly not commercially available, and despite being in their sales catalogue, neither is the Kappa one… the plot thickens.

Peter Beagrie is on the verge of signing for Swindon, a fee is yet to be decided. You can guarantee that Mr. Beagrie will play a blinder against us in 97/98 and will doubtless be knocking on the door of the England squad. Swindon is a lot closer to the channel islands than Manchester.

The 97/98 fixtures are being published on Monday June 16.

IT’S A FAIR COP

OK I admit it, I got Moss Lane (Altrincham) and Moss Rose (Macclesfield) mixed up earlier this month, but in my defence I’d say I wasn’t the only one – the Teamtalk web site and the Manchester Evening News made exactly the same gaffe.

Regarding Jason Van Blerk, Josh said in MCIVTA 303 “Apparently he had work visa troubles and then the club didn’t pursue. As a loyal Blue (and Aussie) I plead for the City management to forget Vaughan and go after Van Blerk. He is a superb defender (watch the aforementioned game to see him outclass Robbie Slater), and his heart belongs to the Blues. I am sure his dedication is greater than anyone from Ipswich. He would probably play for bugger all money too.”

The reason Van Blerk didn’t get a work permit is that City weren’t prepared to make him one of their top 5% wage earners, which is apparently one of the conditions for a work permit to be granted. Thus playing for bugger all money was the problem! I’m sure Van Blerk is a quality player and would love to play for City, but let’s not forget that Vaughan is a Manchester lad, he’s not from Ipswich, and I’m sure he’ll give his all for the Blues now.

VAUGHAN’S RECEPTION

The continuing on, off saga of Mr Vaughan and the question, is he a money grabbing git, begs this question: What sort of reception will he get when he first steps out at Maine Road?

City supporters at MCIVTA and those that write to the Blue View all seem to have a pretty low opinion of the bloke. So if, as now looks probable, he does sign I don’t think that he will receive a very sympathetic reception from the City faithful. Has Mr. Vaughan made a rod for his own back?

OPINION – ARVELADZE

It’s been a good half year since my last posting to the list. However, the joy and euphoria of City’s attempts to sign Shota Arveladze made me find some time to write again.

It might sound over the top and beyond, but I for one think we’re about to sign one of the greatest strikers in the world. Arveladze might not be the player who’s got most press in England, but we’re talking about a highly talented prospect.

A contact I have got in a Turkish club says Arveladze has been absolutely awesome in the Turkish league, which is better than most people would think. He also says that there are not many stronger finishers in the world. The first year Shota Arveladze played in Turkey he instantly banged the goals in. Can’t remember how many he scored, but he was a complete revelation – top scorer in his first season. The next season he became top scorer again, this time without taking penalties, as Shota wanted to prove that he could finish top scorer even without taking the spot-kicks. Last year he was named the best foreigner ever to play in Turkey, which is not bad at all.

Every year, thousands of Georgians travel to Trabzon (on the new motorway from Trabzon to Tbilisi) to watch Shota Arveladze and his fellow Georgians (Nemsadze, Archil Arveladze and Jamarauli). Arveladze is an attraction – a superstar in Turkey and Georgia.

I’m actually surprised that nobody have picked up Shota Arveladze before, because we are talking about one of the finest strikers in the game (believe me!). It’s probably down to the fact that players from smaller countries are being ignored. The only trouble with signing a Georgian striker is make him fit in well with the tactics. Georgians are extremely possession-minded, they don’t like to shoot before they are inside the six yard box. It looks sometimes as if they like to pass the ball over the line. They never cross the ball. Actually, the Georgian national team could probably be one of the best in the world, if they only learnt to play more direct. It almost hurts to watch them play as their style of play is so utterly inefficient.

Shota Arveladze is a slightly different to Mikhail Kavelashvili. Kavelashvili is more a provider than an out and out striker, though City never understood that. Kavelashvili was considered as one of the best players in the Russian championship before he came to City… It’s a nuisance that we’re getting rid of Kavelashvili. If City had done a bit more research before they signed him, they would probably have accustomed the play a bit more to his demands. But there you go.

LAKE’S OPPOSITION?

I have received information that the proposed testimonial game for Paul Lake in July has fallen through as they are unable to come up with decent opposition. Can anyone confirm this? Seems strange when Bradford are playing Santos of Brazil.

HEREFORDSHIRE BRANCH?

Living in the footballing wilderness of Herefordshire, as I do, could anyone please tell me where are the nearest branches of the supporters’ clubs are?

If there are any in this area it would be fabulous to get involved with any trips to Maine Road they may be organising, and save me considerable frustration, drivng back down the M6/M5 alone.

Keep up the good work!

WHY BLUE?

My first recollections of a sporting event is of being taken to Station Road to watch Swinton RLFC play and I was definitely not hooked. My father has been a Swinton fan all his life and I suppose naturally wanted me to follow the Lions.

When I was about six, I can remenber seeing my cousins, all with blue and white scarves waiting for a bus in the Langworthy Road area of Salford to take them to Maine Road. When I asked my mother what they were doing, and where they were going dressed like that; I got the reply “We are all City fans in this family.” And that was that.

I must admit at that time in my life I was not too interested in football (more interested in steam trains and submarines etc.) but those words were engraved in my mind for all time.

The first opportunity I had of declaring my loyalty for the Blues was after the Munich air crash, after chanting “City” around the school playground for half an hour I was given a black eye for my allegiance (was this a taste of things to come in later life? – Yes). As nearly all my friends were Reds I started to go to OT with them. We used to go to a place called the Paddock, and it was totally boring. So 1966 arrived and I finally made it to Maine Road for my first game; it was a second division match against Preston N.E. and it was a draw. I was not very impressed but at least I could say that I had been to Maine Road. It was not until the end of the 1968 season when City won the championship that I decided to start taking the Blues seriously. For the following three or four years I went to every match, even getting Wembley tickets through the token system, and life was good.

It was around this time that football violence began and after a few scary moments and getting knocked out at Anfield I began to have second thoughts about being an active supporter, but what really put me off was the sight of Colin Bell driving around in a Jaguar, or Watson in his big house in Hale. This because I was spending nearly all my cash on beer and the Blues and not getting anywhere in life. While our heroes were rolling in it (some things do not change). Two years later I married and moved abroad and I changed to passive Blue. I got back to the UK In 78-79 for a couple of matches but I was preoccupied with other things in life and the Blues took a back seat in my life.

So, I had not been to Maine Road for about fifteen years when I found myself in Manchester, it was the last match of the season and City at home to Derby County. I went to watch the match (Quinn saved a penalty) and I was hooked once more; to this day I still do not know why. Since then my life has revolved around MCFC, I manage to get to at least two matches a year, and get all my info through Sky, King of the Kippax, the Pink, and of course the Internet.

The only downside to being a new born Blue is that when things are not going right for the Blues (i.e. Coppell, relegation etc.) a big black depression overcomes me, something that never used to happen in the seventies. I wonder why?

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