Newsletter #651

The fur’s been flying in the media in the wake of George Weah’s parting of the ways with our beloved club, and this issue has the predictable range of opinion on the affair. In fact there’s been so much input I can honestly say I’m sick of cutting and pasting the words George Weah (aargh there they are again!). The debate about whether or not Joe’s the man for the job continues, with plenty of support for the big man.

On a more positive note, it seems that defenders at Maine Road are suddenly like buses. You wait for what seems like ages and then suddenly two come along. OK so one’s still in the process of negotiation, but Blue View was full of witty postings about how it’s Joe’s strategy for the derby to field 11 defenders; mind you, at 15 st 4 lbs (apparently) Richard Dunne could almost count as 2! Personally, I reckon we’ll have enough cover at the back with Charvet – what about someone to score a few (I know, I know … the Goat’s on his way back)?

Before I sign off, a small plug. The Beverley & District (i.e. the whole of East Yorkshire!) CSA (Centenary Supporters’ Association just to put any ‘absent father’ Blues’ minds at ease!) branch will be meeting up to watch the Southampton game on Sky at the Beaver, North Bar Within (off Saturday Market), Beverley on Monday, with a bit of branch business after the game. Meeting attendance has dropped a bit of late and it would be nice to see faces from last season we’ve not seen for a while. I believe the landlord is providing butties to soak up the beer, so a good turn out would be especially welcome. New faces are welcome too, so get in touch if you need more info or just turn up on the night.

Don’t forget, all inputs to Ashley from here on until further notice.

NEWS SUMMARY

Weah’s Parting Shots

The Weah story is covered extensively elsewhere in the opinions in this McVittee so I won’t labour the point here. In a suspiciously quick move to Marseille, to whom he’s given his word that he will finish his career with them (sound familiar?) Weah said: “I’ve come to the club to help them, for the simple pleasure to play and bring my experience, not for the money. I gave them my word that I was ready to finish my career at Marseille.”

The last few days have seen claim and counter claim. Joe was quoted “He brought some moments of magic with him but it was always going to be a delicate situation with him. He’s 34 years old and he just wants to play all the time. I can understand that fully but I have to do what I think is best for Manchester City. It is always regretful when things do not work out between club and player. George is a true professional who has a great stature throughout European football and we wish him well.”

George was less circumspect with his views, branding Joe “unprofessional and disrespectful”. He also claimed that, after being dropped for four of City’s last six league games, he felt like “the worst player that ever existed”. “I’m not willing to subject myself to feeling small in front of the younger players that I hope to be an example and an inspiration to. I will not accept being at a club where the manager names me in the team and then calls me five hours later to tell me that I am not in the team. In my opinion that is unprofessional and disrespectful and shows a lack of confidence in me.”

He denied that being left on the bench was a problem for him and that he had come back to England – after a loan spell at Chelsea – purely for the £25,000-a-week wages which made him City’s highest-paid player ever. “I’m not upset just because I’m not playing. I do accept because of my age that I won’t play all the games. I didn’t come for the money. I could have stayed at AC Milan but instead I sacrificed $2m [£1.4m] from them in order to come here. I didn’t leave that for somebody to tell me to shut up and f**k off. I was made to feel old and of no real use to the club. I felt I was being used for publicity to attract other players.” Weah went on: “I respect the people I work with and I expect the same in return. My reasons for leaving are the lack of respect, the lack of communication and the dishonesty shown to me by Joe Royle.”

Meanwhile, David Bernstein did stand up for his manager. “I am disappointed that following an agreed statement George Weah should find it necessary to immediately put out contradictory and negative messages through the popular press. We propose to deal with this matter in a proper and dignified manner.”

“Joe Royle is a manager with great experience and many strengths. These include a continuing passion for the game and the ability to build, hold together and motivate a squad of players. He has shown this at other clubs and this has been one of the main reasons for Manchester City’s recovery and success over the last two and a half years.”

“It goes without saying that Joe has complete control over team selection and related matters. I know that his selection criteria are driven by the desire to produce a winning team. He has the strength to pick players, irrespective of reputation, that he and his colleagues believe will do the job.”

“I am sorry that things did not work out with George and wish him every success in the future, be it in football or the wider areas on which he is involved. We will continue to develop our club and our squad on focussed and professional lines,” concluded Bernstein.

Contrary to some reports, an official statement from the club said that George had not been paid £500k, but that his contract had simply been ‘ripped up’. Time to move on.

Dunne Deal

Richard Dunne is the latest defensive addition to the City squad, after agreeing terms with City in a deal that is initially worth £3 million to Everton. City’s offer for the 21 year old Republic of Ireland international was accepted by the Goodison Park club on Monday, and Dunne subsequently agreed personal terms and passed a medical at Maine Road. A lunchtime press conference on Wednesday at City’s Carrington training ground completed the process.

Dunne’s signed a five year contract with the Blues and is said to be delighted at the chance to work with Joe Royle again, the manager who gave him his first professional contract. Dunne looks set to make his début in a City shirt against Southampton, the team he played against in his last game for Everton. He won’t however be featuring in any of City’s Worthington Cup games, having played for Everton in their aggregate defeat by Bristol Rovers.

He’s denied falling out with Everton boss Walter Smith and said that there is no animosity between him and the Everton manager and that his only regret is that Smith never offered him a regular chance to play in his proper position at Goodison Park. “The manager knew I was a centre-half but said he needed me to cover at right-back, but I have no problem with him. I got on well with him, the Press blow things up, but there’s no problem between us.” Dunne said that he is looking forward to the new challenge at City, working with Joe Royle again. “It’s great to be working with the gaffer again, he brought me over from Home Farm when I was sixteen and gave me my début when I was seventeen. He treated me great when I was at Everton and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

Royle returned the compliment by saying: “He’s twenty one and has got a lot of years in front of him and I think three million pounds for a current international centre-half rates as good business for us. I remember telling Mick McCarthy when Dunne made his début for Everton that we had a centre-half for the future and it’s always nice when that comes true.”

Royle explained why Dunne had to wait until he was seventeen for his Everton début. With tongue very much in cheek Royle said: “He had to wait until he was seventeen because he wasn’t going to break my record at sixteen.”

In closing, it’s interesting to note, according to http://www.midassoccer.com/, that Everton had allegedly agreed a fee of £1.5m with Wimbledon last month but Dunne didn’t want to move south. Have we paid over the odds?

Charvet Next?

With the ink barely dry on Richard Dunne’s contract, Joe has continued his search for defensive reinforcements, and this time his approach for Newcastle’s Laurent Charvet appears to be more than just media speculation. The defender arrived at Maine Road for talks this evening after a fee was agreed between the two clubs, ranging between £1.5 and £2m depending on which report you believe. The 27 year old Frenchman has seemingly on Joe Royle’s wanted list for most of the season, although with Charvet not arriving until early evening on Thursday, it could be Friday at the very earliest before his signing is completed, if not the weekend.

Charvet is out of contract at the end of the season and Newcastle are looking to cash in now. He’s presumably the solution to our troublesome right back position, enabling Alfie Haaland to move into his more preferred midfield rôle. He’s be renewing acquaintances with Danny Granville who was in the same Chelsea squad which won the European Cup Winners’ Cup two years ago when he was on loan from Cannes. Injuries last season restricted him to just a handful of appearances, so here’s hoping that given Steve Howey’s medical history, we’ve aren’t buying the Toon sick bay!

Goater Back in Business

Shaun cracked in a two-goal salvo in City’s 7-1 romp at Altrincham last night. He was joined on the score sheet at Moss Lane by Shaun Wright-Phillips (2), Chris Shuker (2) and Dickson Etuhu. Goater’s comeback from a knee injury suffered in pre-season gives Joe Royle the option of starting him up front for the game at Southampton on Monday although the likelihood is he will remain in reserve on the substitutes’ bench with Paulo Wanchope and Paul Dickov forming the twin spearhead at the Dell. City paraded several of their fringe players against the Unibond League outfit to give them match action. Lee Crooks, Gary Mason, Richard Jobson and Danny Granville were all in the City side, but Ian Bishop missed out with a slight knee injury. With George on his way, the sooner Shaun’s back in full action the better!

… And Loaners in Action

Although the Premiership was quiet midweek, our assortment of loan players were in action. Andy Morrison was at Craven Cottage for Crystal Palace vs. Fulham – no Stan Collymore to kiss this time! – but couldn’t stop them winning 3-1 to equal Newcastle’s divisional record of 11 straight wins at the start of the season. I’ve no news of Jim Whitley and Terry Cooke’s involvement, but their respective hosts both lost on their travels so they can’t have done much for their chances of a move to either Norwich or Sheffield Wednesday respectively. The squad’s beginning to grow a bit again, so we could do to move a few of the transfer listed staff.

City Linked with Kiko

The first name out of the hat for George Weah’s replacement at Manchester City is Atletico Madrid striker Kiko. The Mirror claims that the Spanish international is being chased by several clubs across Europe but that City are favourites to sign the £3m-rated forward, whose move to AC Milan fell through recently. But Chelsea, Newcastle and Aston Villa are all also being linked with the Spaniard. Bit of a long shot methinks.

Arsenal on the Telly

City’s visit to Arsenal on Saturday, October 28th will be beamed back live to Maine Road. With the game sold-out a while ago, demand has been so great that the club have decided to show the match to all those City fans without tickets on a giant screen at Maine Road.

Just a reminder that any news stories should be sent to me in Pete Brophy’s absence for publishing on Monday 23rd.

BRIEFING – STANDING AREAS FOR EASTLANDS

The following article may be used for fanzines etc. Please distribute far and wide. Contact Mark Longden (longden@nightboat.freeserve.co.uk) for more information.

S.A.F.E. – Standing Areas For Eastlands
Spokesperson Phill Gatenby.
Tel 07887 884 653
E-mail safestanding@hotmail.com

Introduction.

This is a briefing sheet designed to inform individuals and supporters’ associations of the above campaign with the aim of Eastlands becoming a central focus of a national campaign to see safe standing areas created in stadiums throughout Britain.

The Eastlands Stadium, is currently being built in East Manchester for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The stadium will then be given to Manchester City FC who will move in August 2003.

The original aim of the campaign was to see if areas that allowed fans to stand up in countries such as Italy and Spain (large concrete steps) could be built into stadiums in Britain. This was quickly dismissed as UEFA have stated that as from 2000-01 season, no such areas shall exist. However, it was brought to our attention that clubs in Germany had sections of the ground that had terracing for league matches, but were converted to seated areas for matches in European competitions. UEFA do not have any ruling that states that league matches must be played in all seated stadiums – only for games organised by UEFA themselves.

I wrote to Kate Hoey MP, Minister for Sport, receiving a reply including a copy of a statement written by the former Minister for Sport, Tony Banks MP. Mr Banks firmly stated that the all seated stadiums in England was crucial to the 2006 World cup bid and the Government would not consider any standing areas being permitted in any of the top two divisions in England.

To bring you up to date, the doomed England 2006 World Cup bid has given the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the success of safe standing areas. With superb irony, as stated above, Tony Banks MP, highlighted the fact that the quality of England’s stadiums was the trump card for the bid. Yet the German stadiums were marked technically superior. More importantly, is the fact that FIFA were clearly not concerned about three of the German stadiums having safe standing areas for domestic games, that will be converted into seated areas for World Cup games to comply with UEFA and FIFA requirements. Thus, all Mr Banks’ arguments have become obsolete. It is clear that the technology is there to have safe standing areas implemented into British football grounds and the only thing standing in our way (pun intended!) is the British Government.

A meeting was arranged, in August, attended by members of the FSA, Manchester United Independent Supporters Association (IMUSA), a journalist from a national newspaper and SAFE.

The aim of the meeting was to plan for a national campaign for the introduction of safe standing areas in British stadiums.

The meeting was successful and we all have been assigned tasks to carry out and agreed to meet again in September to look at what information and support we have gathered.

It was felt that the campaign should keep the SAFE name with the Eastlands Stadium becoming the national focus of attention. The reason for this is quite clear. It is anticipated that the majority of clubs would hide behind the fact that their stadiums had been converted to all seated arenas and could not be converted back to standing areas. With Eastlands currently under construction and the two ‘ends’ behind each goal not being built until after the Commonwealth Games in 2002, time is on our side.

But why should fans of other clubs want to get behind this campaign? Well, it is about using Eastlands as a test case. We only need approval from the Government to allow such an area into one stadium and then they can hardly refuse to allow similar areas in other stadiums. Therefore, keeping a high profile stadium in the spotlight should ensure maximum publicity. Also if fans pool all their resources together, a large campaign will have much more effect than small local campaigns. It is time for fans to stand together on this issue (pun intended again!).

Currently, as well as Manchester City, Coventry City and Southampton are moving to brand new stadiums. Other clubs in the Premier League are also looking seriously at moving too, clubs such as Arsenal, Everton, Leicester City and Liverpool. Not to mention the rebuilding of Wembley Stadium too!

Of course, The Taylor report is always mentioned when the subject of standing is raised. Yet other issues highlighted in the report are conveniently forgotten. Taylor commented that the implementation of seated areas should not be an excuse for increasing prices of admission to attend football matches. Safe standing areas will increase the capacity of stadiums, allowing for those fans economically excluded, to watch live football, as the increased attendances should not result in a revenue loss via the gate money.

It is to be hoped that fans of all clubs will realise that the benefits of supporting this campaign will, if successful, have a benefit for them too in the long run.

Now is the time to ask for your support by supporting the campaign in any way you can. You can help through one or more of the following ways:

• Attend SAFE meetings (to be arranged).
• Organise a local meeting with fans from your club / area.
• Write to Kate Hoey, Minister for Sport or your local MP. Remember, there is an election due in the next 18 months!
• Publicise the campaign through your club fanzines, unofficial websites, supporters’ groups, local media and radio phone in shows.
• Organise publicity stunts / banners etc. for games shown live on TV.
• Pass on addresses of contacts you have that may wish to support the campaign.

Don’t assume that someone else will do it. Otherwise, no one will do it!

The next newsletter (hopefully in September) will detail information collected and areas of support from individuals and groups.

OPINION – GEORGE WEAH (1)

In reply to John Mcfarlane’s article where he passed opinion on George Weah’s acrimonious departure from City. Do you actually know what was said in the room between JR and Weah? Or are you going by press reports and George’s opinion that he was insulted and sworn at by JR? I don’t personally think it’s fair to say that City treated him badly and had an “agenda to get rid of him” when you probably don’t know the full facts of the case, and what went on within the confines of that room yesterday. And to suggest that we were paying that much for someone to cover whilst Goater got back to fitness, and whilst Paul Dickov hit form (obviously part of the plan) is pretty stupid.

I think you might find that the real reason was that we had the chance to sign a top quality player, and JR took the gamble. I agree with City’s line that no player is bigger than the club. No player should think he can walk into the starting line-up week in week out. I read that George Weah said that this whole incident was “a situation I couldn’t see arising”. Was it then that he thought that due to us just getting promoted we would play him every week because we ‘needed’ him? I can understand his desire to seek first team football. Every footballer wants to be playing regularly, but surely they can also understand that the modern game is changing? Squad rotation is becoming more regular. Other top name, expensive players seem to be quite happy at other clubs, Bergkamp, Kanu, Yorke, to name a few. In the modern game players have to understand that the rotation is required. If George Weah expected to be playing nearly every week, did he seriously think that he could last upwards of 40 games? That’s quite a lot to ask for younger players, and no disrespect to GW here, but he isn’t the youngest player around; he may still be fit, but even so.

My main concern is the lack of depth that we have up front now. Dickov is not a 15+ goals a season man. He has the best work rate in the world, but he is not an out and out striker. Wanchope is probably our best hope, and someone that GW described as having the potential to go and be one of the best. He is still only 24. Goater is still a way from fitness, and unproven, but I have no doubt that when he’s back he will go out there and prove his doubters wrong once again. So I think we need to go and buy another striker. Who? I don’t know, but it can’t be any two bob player. We’re up with the best, and if we want to stay here, then we are going to have to spend. How about reopening our interest in Jan Koller? As for Dunne, he’s young, and has been playing in the Everton team for a few seasons now. He recently got rave reviews for his performances against Holland and Portugal. £3m may be too much but then we are (hopefully) buying for now and the future. And as for John’s opinion here, Goater: unproven at 1st Division level, yet helps get us promotion. Also George Weah was unproven in the English league; did you complain?

OPINION – GEORGE WEAH (2)

I would like to totally agree with the comments of Chris March regarding the George Weah ‘saga’ in MCIVTA 650. Whilst the skill and ability of Weah cannot be questioned, his attitude, I feel, most certainly can. It appears from all reports including the most recent one in the Rag supporting Daily Mirror which allegedly was an ‘exclusive’ with Weah – his attitude is frankly, a joke! He claims JR ‘disrespected’ him at half time during the Newcastle game. Big deal! Joe’s the manager, he calls the shots. I’m fairly sure Ferguson down at the swamp has ‘open and frank discussions’ with his players at half-time, regardless of who they are, if he’s not happy – and rightly so.

It’s important to keep the ‘team’ ethic within the club. It’s this change of attitude which has seen us go from 2nd Division (old 3rd Division – remember!) jokers to mid-table respectability in the Premiership. It’s this ethic which saw us change a lost cause at Wembley 2 years ago into an amazing victory. It’s this ethic which galvanised a team on the wrong end of a hammering at Blackburn last season into the promotion party it became. It’s also this ethic which took a 4-0 drubbing on the opening day of the season at Charlton and turned it into a stunning 4-2 victory over Sunderland. And it’s this ethic which will hopefully, keep us afloat in the Premiership for the rest of this season.

George Weah, simply, did not fit into this ethic. It is better he has gone now, rather than it drag on and begin to affect the whole attitude and morale of the squad (e.g. Collymore, Van Hooijdonk et al). Plus the fact the £28,000 a week pay packet can be used to bring another quality striker to Maine Road.

Mr Royle and Mr Bernstein have transformed this club beyond all comprehension. It’s not perfect by any means, however, as football fans we all tend to have short, very short (not to mention selective) memories. Think back this time 2 seasons ago. The very mention of George Weah playing for City would have had you locked up and the key thrown away. The fact is, 2 years later, he’s not good enough to play his way into the side. That, in anyone’s language is progress! The progress of Joe Royle and his staff. Don’t knock it. Rejoice!

OPINION – GEORGE WEAH (3)

If I had a child who asked me the question “Daddy, will you take me to Old Trafford?” this would be my answer: “Who are you calling Daddy?”

On the subject of Weah, the problem is that once Weah expressed his opinion, being selected for the starting line-up would have made Joe Royle look as if he was giving in to ‘player power’. By refusing to do this, Weah was clearly not sticking around. Bad or, er, not very good.

I ultimately agree with his contract being terminated because Royle has aimed to strengthen City for a long-term future in the Premiership. Of City’s four leading strikers before Weah’s exit, Dickov, Wanchope and now, pleasingly, Goater are younger than him. To me, it makes more sense for these three to develop a rapport on the pitch because they are the ones likely to be at City longest.

As for Weah’s reaction in the press … annoying an undoubtedly influential man (player is secondary here) may or may not have a negative effect on City. I really doubt it would harm the club. What about how it shows Royle as a manager? Prepared to stand up to anyone, no matter who they are: I think this is nothing short of excellent… our managers, as a rule, used to offer our good players cheaply and buy crap at expensive prices. Then Royle arrived.

Royle is the first City manager in all the 20 years since I attended my first game who has a player for sale at a certain price and he sticks to it. He buys a player at the price he asks, refuses to be blackmailed and goes elsewhere à la Ugo Ehiogu. He prefers a player hungry enough to want to perform for City more over proven players at elevated prices. He stands up for City and he instils the same idea in the squad, who have responded to this on many occasions.

His overall message? No-one should be allowed to take the p**s out of Manchester City.

It’s what I always dreamt of for the club. Never thought I’d see the reality though…

GEORGE WEAH (4)

Sad as I was to see George Weah depart, it was good to see that, rather than hang on to his £32,000 a week for the next 2 years sitting on his backside, he retained his pride and walked. Compared to some of the swamp dwellers who arrive as internationals and remain forever entombed in the Rag reserves (Brian McClair, Van der wotsit, Sheringham etc.). I find this refreshing. Only problem now is lack of cover for Wanchope and Dicky. Told you we shouldn’t have sold SBT.

GEORGE WEAH (5)

According to the BBC Sport Website (this page to be precise: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/europe/newsid_977000/977483), Weah has signed for Marseille on Wednesday. Does anyone else recall the ‘I need two or three weeks to think about things’ comment, or the idea that he would finish his playing days in the States? It was only what, Sunday or Monday that he quit the club, that’s like two or three days, not two or three weeks. Something stinks; did he leave because he was offered a better deal at Marseille (admittedly more adapted to his kind of playing style, probably more adapted to his wallet too), but Marseille didn’t fancy paying a fee for him? Has he pulled a fast one on us?

Ed – Does seem a bit quick. Perhaps he visited them as part of his last trip to Italy?

OPINION – MANAGING DIFFICULT PLAYERS

I have to write commenting on some of the posts from Mr McFarlane and the follow up by Neil. I have to agree with Neil that comments like “Are you a Red” are inexcusable and that Mr McFarlane has the right to speak.

With regard to the “difficult” players – Brown, Cooke and now Weah and their relationship with JR.

Brown was a player with potential who never really performed consistently (yes he was player of the year one year but if I’d been playing for 15 games that season I’d probably have won it!) and there were many rumours about what was going on in the background.

Cooke did some good stuff while he was on loan but from the day he signed he stopped performing and seemed to expect to be in the team. It would seem that Cooke is not hungry enough and from the lack of ability to get into the current Sheffield Wednesday team I would question that he can do the job for us. However, we are desperate for the balance on the right hand side.

Weah – was a class player, showed some wonderful touches totalling about 90 minutes of play, was not up with the pace of difficult games, did not hack it at Chelsea last year (ask a Chelsea fan). I don’t know what it was but he was just not right in the team.

When JR joined City we had a massive squad of underachieving players who did not talk to each other and was in too bad a state to pull round and avoid relegation in a short time. Now we have a smaller squad all performing to (or above in some cases) their potential. JR would seem to be a disciplinarian but it’s worked – we are now in the Prem. Now Joe has another task which is different to those before – but let’s face it would any City fan be upset if we finished in 15th place this season; I’d be over the moon! Consolidate and build up.

So anyway none of you know what is going on in the background. JR, Willie, Chris Bird and David Bernstein are the people so work inside the club every day and those are the ones who know the story behind the above issues and act in the best interests of the club – not an individual. So can we please let them get on with their jobs.

Oh final bit – the Milton Keynes District branch of the OSC will finally be officially launched on November 30th with a very impressive contingent coming from MCFC so anyone who would like to attend or join the club please email me. We’ll also be meeting up to watch the Southampton game next week – again email for location etc. (we’re still sorting both!)

OPINION – JOE ROYLE / DIVIDED LOYALTIES

Much as I dislike the simplistic tabloid sentiments of John McFarlane, I agree the guy should have a voice and it does him a disservice to label him as “Red” simply because he doesn’t rate Joe. It’s dangerous to place any football manager, however able, above criticism. Even The Blessed Joe Mercer dropped a b*ll*ck when he wouldn’t go another £15 grand for Rodney Marsh first time out. Had he done so, we would have had an exciting player, two years younger, a lot fitter and much easier to integrate into the set up than he eventually proved. I pointed this out at the time and got crucified by my mates. Nothing changes.

JR has got a number of jobs to do. He has to keep us up, first and foremost; he has to create an aura around the club so that good players will come and join us; he has to put a team out that will entertain us – let me ask, would you watch Middlesbrough? He also has, under DB’s astute chairmanship, to play his part in balancing the books; and eventually, if he’s to consolidate success, his team has to win something. A big job, Mr McF.

Signing Weah was a bold stroke, one that Joe was entitled to make, his call. Considered only as a PR stunt it was bloody brilliant – it put us back on the lead sports pages of the tabloids after years of hiding beneath the ad for Germaloids on page 23. And it could have worked. Georgie boy could have been bamboozling defenders and banging ’em in from all angles. But I think we all knew, watching, in our heart of hearts it wasn’t going to come off. So JR didn’t “betray the City faithful” – although I do feel sorry for the guys who bought the named and numbered shirts! Credit to JR, or whoever, for trying and also credit to George for not just sitting it out and trousering the 23 grand – the man obviously has pride. Nor was there much “insult and humiliation”. So he was on the bench, so what? If you replace the emotive “world class player” with “ageing star” it puts the whole thing in perspective. Figo, Zidane, George ain’t.

I must admit, I find some of Joe’s decisions pretty perplexing. Like his earlier faith in Reg to hack it as a Premier defender. Like his lack of a playmaker (or 2nd winger, but I’d prefer the former). Like it seems blindingly obvious that we need a right back and fast. At the same time, we’re 12th in the PL (about where I’d expect us to finish this year) so let’s keep our powder dry, Mr McF, and save our bullets for real enemies. JR’s done bloody well so far; he’s surely entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

On another matter – Daley vs. Francis.

Dave, the main reason we remember Francis is because he was an England international, a class player, who spent most of his time at Maine Road chasing after his arrears of wages. If we remember Steve Daley at all it’s because he was in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive donkey in captivity! Hopefully both those scenarios are history.

On the subject of divided family my genealogy is:

Grandfather: Blue.
Father: Blue.
Brother: Blue, 2 sons Red, Step-brother; Red. Step-sister: Blue, son Blue.
Me: Blue. Daughter 1, Red. Daughter 2, Son in law, grand-daughter and grandson (thus far) all Blue.

Daughter One is a sad case. Born in the midst of our greatest triumphs, 1969, at the age of four she decides to become a Liverpool supporter. Goes to primary school at Woodheys, Sale and is too weak to resist peer pressure so becomes a Red. I take her to Maine Road for Joe Corrigan’s testimonial, even leap skywards and sideways to catch an autographed football kicked into the crowd. Present it to her and she loved me for it but I knew in her heart of hearts she would rather have a Captain Tampax shirt. So I cut her out of my will. Anyhow, the above does make for interesting family reunions.

OPINION – JOE’S MAN MANAGEMENT

James Walsh in MCIVTA 650 appeared to be thinking along the lines that I have been pondering since hearing of the departure of George Weah.

Season soon to start, only one signing, what to do! Then came George Weah, wow, we were all thrilled, excited and suddenly Joe was getting signatures like he was collecting autographs. Goater was injured: no one, come on admit it, no one thought Paul Dickov could cut it in the Premier League, that’s why we were prepared to let Wigan have him for £1,000,000 if they’d have been able to afford it! So where was our attack? Super Bob? No. Weah’s signing I believe persuaded Wanchope to join, and gave the nod to Howey and Richie, that City meant business.

So looked at in this way, Weah did his job, he helped to bring other players to the club, something that had never been easy to do, well, not good players anyway.

Dickov’s playing out of his skin, the Goat’s back, and then don’t forget Mr. Wright-Philips! So all-in-all the Weah signing seems to have been a good move, but I am sorry to see him go, I still think he could change a game, but probably from the bench, well no, he’d have to come on!

As for Joe not keeping us up when he joined the club, he was not just dealing with average players, he was inheriting an atmosphere and attitude, because by that time city were so low psychologically that not even sitting round in a circle talking about their childhood would have changed much, apart from perhaps some of them learning that they were still in it.

Joe took that bunch of no hopers, and turned them round within a season, and it must say something for his man management. He got them playing again, look at the difference now regarding how you feel about the Goat. What did you think of him in his first season? Yep so did I! Now he’s a star, and so is Dickov.

We love flair players at City, but primadonnas are not good for the club. Remember, Rodders, came towards the end of his time, didn’t stay. Trevor Francis, came towards the end of his time, didn’t stay. Kinkladze, ok, not the end of his time, but didn’t stay, and now George Weah, didn’t stay. And then there is Clive Allen, very sad all that, he wanted to stay. The point here is that we take to our hearts those who show they really want to play for the club, and those we take to our hearts, like Tueart, Paul Walsh, and of course the big Irishman, to name but three, stay loyal to the club.

The point I’m making is that as much as we would like the biggest names and flair players, it’s not what our club is about, we like home-grown, and or committed players, hence our affection for Nicky, Dicky and the Goat, and Mark if he’ll really do it for us!

I think Joe understands this, and won’t stand for any I’m it players, and quite right.

OPINION – CRITICISM OF JOE

In response to Neil Haigh’s defence of John McFarlane’s criticisms of our manager:

Of course John has a right to free speech, and it is unfair to abuse him over his views, and I can sort of see where Neil is coming from. However, I do struggle to understand why any City fan would want to criticize Joe Royle. Neil believes that Joe should have kept us up in ’98. It is true that he made mistakes back then, especially letting Beardsley go (playing very well) and chopping and changing the team (Neil Heaney at Port Vale).

However, do not all managers make mistakes sometimes? I hate to say it, but many would rate Ferguson as one of the better managers of all time. Yet he spent £4.5 million on that joke Taibi, also bought the likes of Poborsky and Silvestre, and recently he left out half the team at PSV. Joe has made the odd mistake. He bought Prior later than he should have last season. He perhaps should have bought a right-back in the summer. However, he has overall done as good a job as you have hoped from any human being. His transfer dealing have been inspirational, while the quality of the coaching (WD) is apparent in the improvements in the likes of Goater and Weaver. The whole losing culture of City has been transformed, we are no longer a joke, we are a well run and respected club.

The chances are we will stay up this season, and comfortably. On the back of two successive promotions, it is difficult to argue with this achievement.

Those who hark on about Kinkladze, Cooke, and Weah, and JR’s mismanagement of players need to look at the level of commitment of these players. Most recently, Weah simply let the games pass him by, great skills though he had. His departure keeps the excellent team spirit intact, and is only a good thing. Ditto Kinkladze in creating this spirit. We don’t want of need prima donnas, however individually talented.

Neil claims that JR made spiteful comments about Cooke ‘allegedly’. The one thing about Joe is that he is not like Alan Ball or Gregory, he does not slate players ever. The only exceptions I can think of are when Kinkladze and Weah had a pop at him, and he simply defended himself. To say “JR could even relegate City to Division Two, and do you know what, they wouldn’t even bat an eyelid”, is completely absurd. The man has proved himself a hundred times over in the last couple of years. Over a whole season, I don’t believe he could ever relegate City. He and WD are quite simply the best British management team around, let’s just hope the FA continue not to notice this.

I have seen so many average and terrible managers come and go from Maine Road. To finally have one who makes sense, who you find yourself agreeing with, and who buys the right players at bargain prices and then improves them beyond recognition, I mean let’s just appreciate what we have here.

Of course he makes mistakes. But what separates him from the likes of Bryan Robson, Gregory, Redknapp, and other so-called ‘England manager contenders’ is that he, like Ferguson, does not make very many of them. I challenge any of the JR critics to list the things that JR has done in the last 2 years that they would have done differently, that they honestly think would have improved the team’s performance. A very small list.

OPINION – JOE IN A CONSPIRACY?

There is always somebody ready with a conspiracy theory to explain events but Neil Haigh’s explanation of recent football history really does take some beating.

To suggest that Joe Royle ‘pulled strings’ so that we beat Gillingham in the greatest ever match and that we beat Blackburn too because of some hidden deal Joe had done (with Lord knows who) suggests to me that Neil is as incisive, knowledgeable and rational as Paddy Crerand.

As far as my opinion of Joe Royle goes, I recognise that he has failings. I think he finds it hard to accept criticism. He’s much too quick to blame others (usually referees) for poor results. He’s a bit too glib in the media. He may not always get the tactics in matches right. He tends to work transfers on the ‘numbers’ principle (i.e. sign enough players and eventually one or two will come through).

On the other hand, he has a quality worth much more than any his detractors can accuse him of lacking. He has the ability to engender the most fantastic esprit de corps amongst the players. He has created team spirit; the will to win, sometimes against the odds; self-belief. As we should know, that is worth more than any number of ‘big names’ on the team sheet.

I too wonder whether Joe has the ability to take us up the next step and wonder whether we can start competing meaningfully for trophies but, right now, I’m pretty happy to be at least playing regularly against the teams that are.

OPINION – RECENT ISSUES

Weah’s gone. Good Riddance. He claims he got no respect. Well respect is earned, not just given with £30,000 a week. His ego couldn’t handle being a squad player but we now have a Scottish international to replace him. Keep improving Dicky! We still need another top striker but Joe will already know this.

Mr Cheshire Cat McFarlane must have the biggest grin ever as he writes his stuff. C’mon John, you know you are only doing it to see how many people jump in with both feet.

Going to the Dull on Monday (nearest Prem. ground), but have to sit with the Scummers. Pleasure… Pain. Give us a wave. Won Div 1 with City on Championship Manager. Sad I know, but it is made by Eidos! Now in the Premier, I bought a certain Richard Dunne just before real City indicated an interest. Spooky or what? For the record he’s doing good. I’ve also just bought Barry Hayles from Fulham. Watch the papers!

Are there any websites that have any more detail about the new stadium and how it’s getting on? The Commy Games site has had the same picture since day one.

Thanks to all the MCIVTA lads (Ash, Peter, Geoff et al), keep it up!

OPINION – TERRY COOKE

Regarding recent comments from Neil Haigh, John Mcfarlane and James Walsh about Joe Royle and Terry Cooke. I do not think Joe was being spiteful as Neil states, merely correctly pointing out that we have gained promotions without TC being in the side. TC was a good player for us in the Second Division. In the First Division his attitude clearly showed that he thought he was above playing for us at that level, and he has not cut it for the Premiership. I follow the reserve games and have to say that whenever Cooke has played he has been a disappointment. He is not prepared to muck in and play, behaved in a surly manner, irrespective of whether scouts are there or Joe to impress. He clearly feels he should be in the first team and not lowering himself to reserve status. The fact is that he was only in the reserves at Manchester United, he’s a good First Division player (probably) but I would hesitate to call him ready for Premiership action. Compare his attitude to that of Dickov, Pollock, Morrison, Wright – all first team players – who have given their all when playing in the reserves and busted a gut to get back to first team action. Sorry guys but Cooke just isn’t good enough and his behaviour speaks volumes.

DREAM TEAM

For those that didn’t see it, last Saturdays’ Times football magazine (appropriate copyright acknowledged) had Dennis Tueart as guest picking his dream team. His selection and comments as follows:

Dream Team

Maine Road legend Dennis Tueart selects his greatest Manchester City team.

1. Bert Trautmann
One of the great goalkeepers, fearless and heroic, especially when playing on with a broken neck in the 1956 FA Cup Final.

2. Tony Book
Right back who started late as a professional, captained Joe Mercer’s great team of the late 1960s-early 1970s.

3. Willie Donachie
A cultured left-back and team-mate of mine from the mid-1970s.

4. Colin Bell
A great midfielder for England whose career was effectively ended at 29 by injury just as he was reaching his prime.

5. Dave Watson
Centre back and huge favourite at Maine Road who captained us to our League Cup triumph in 1976.

6. Roy Paul
Strong Welsh central defender who lifted the FA Cup as captain in 1956.

7. Mike Summerbee
A hard, aggressive right winger in the Mercer era.

8. Bobby Johnstone
Creative Scottish midfielder and tireless runner who played in the 1950s.

9. Francis Lee
A tough goal scoring forward and king of the penalty kick.

10. Niall Quinn
Fantastic touch for a big striker, still doing the business.

11. Roy Clarke
Goal scoring Welsh left-winger from the 1950s

I will resist the temptation to give my own dream team at this stage, but I would have to say that Dennis is being extremely modest in leaving himself out of the team. I would also suggest that Niall Quinn could be replaced by any number of forwards in the last 30 years including Joe Royle, Trevor Francis (when fit), or Neil Young (personal hero). And elsewhere, what about Revie – bit before my time but still a legend.

P.S. Watch the Bell, Summerbee, Lee legends video and look at the football we played in the championship year – how could you improve on that quality of football – pick ’em all (especially Neil!).

HARRY DOWD

A 3 part question for anybody out there who can help.

1. Feb 8th 1964 City vs. Bury, score 1-1. Harry Dowd scored his one and onlygoal for City. Apparently he injured his hand and had to come out of thegoals and play up front (no subs at this time). My question is, which Cityplayer went in the goals for him? Was this also Colin Bell’s Bury début?
2. Does anybody know if there is to be a reissue/update of the brilliantbook “Manchester City a Complete Record” by Ray Noble and Andrew Ward as itis now nearly 10 years out of date (well at least the copy I have is)?
3. Last week as I was driving home from work I pulled up behind someone andI noticed that the rear number plate on the car had M.C.F.C. along the twoends of the plate (in the style on the club crest) and in the middle at thebottom of the plate had City Till I Die on it. Anybody out there know wherethese can be purchased from? Manchester area if poss.

INTERNATIONAL MEMORY LANE

While sorting out some old programmes I recently came across one from the UEFA under-18s championships of 1993. The tournament was held in England as a warm up and practice for Euro 96 and one of the games played was England vs. France at the Victoria Ground.

Given that these players were the cream of each nation’s footballing young talent, and that now they should be nearing their peak I thought that it may be interesting to see where are these players now.

At the time the only player I had heard of was Julian Joachim, a promising youngster who had broken into the first team at Leicester City. None of the others were familiar:

Goalkeepers

Chris Day                 Tottenham        now Watford reserves
Neil Hopper               Southampton      now unknown
Andy Marshall             Norwich          still Norwich

Defenders

Sulzeer (Sol) Campbell    Tottenham        still Tottenham
Chris Casper              Man United       now Reading
Darren Eadie              Norwich          now Leicester (forward)
Gary Neville              Man United       still a Rag
Graham Potter             Birmingham       now York City
Kevin Sharp               Leeds United     now Wigan Ath
Mark Warren               Leyton Orient    now Notts County

Midfielders

David Beckham             Man United       still a Rag
Robert Bowman             Leeds            now unknown
Nicky Butt                Man United       still a Rag
Darren Caskey             Tottenham        now Reading
Mark Ford                 Leeds Utd        now Torquay
Danny Hill                Tottenham        now Cardiff
Paul Scholes              Man United       still a Rag
Aaron Skelton             Luton            now Colchester
Mark Tinkler              Leeds Utd        now Southend

Strikers

Jamie Forrester           Leeds Utd        now Northampton
Robbie Fowler             Liverpool        still Liverpool
Kevin Gallen              QPR              now Huddersfield
Julian Joachim            Leicester        now Aston Villa
Neil Shipperley           Chelsea          now Barnsley
Noel Whelan               Leeds Utd        now Middlesbrough

England were trailing 1-0 as I remember until a certain Robbie Fowler came off the bench with 15 minutes to go to score 2 goals and win the match for England 2-1. England went on to win the tournament. France are now World and European champions. England are not.

A few points worth noting:

It almost hurts me to say it but our neighbours have done better at keeping and developing their talented players than anyone else. Beckham, Scholes, Butt and Neville have all prospered at OT and only Casper from that squad has escaped the evil empire. Compare this with Leeds who had five players in the squad all of whom have now left. This is probably testament to the benefit of continuity in management; while the Rags kept Alex Ferguson, Leeds jettisoned Wilkinson and brought in “Honest George” Graham.

So many of the players have just stagnated, and are now playing in the lower divisions. Please bear this in mind when any of our academy players are touted as the next great thing.

Does anyone know what became of Neil Hopper the Southampton ‘keeper and Robert Bowman the Leeds midfielder? I can find no record of Hopper and Bowman has disappeared after being released by Carlisle last season. I have no need to know except to update my records.

CALLING BLUES IN SOMERSET

Can I first say what a first class service you provide for a ex-Mancunian living in Somerset – it’s really good to get all the news as it happens in the North and is not watered down when in reaches darkest Somerset.

I have lived here for approx. 12 years and always showed my colours proudly – even when times were bad. I live in a small village (350 people) and when they hear my voice the say – “oh you must be a Red fan!”. Since they now know I am a Blue I can’t go into the village shop without somebody mentioning about City’s last game.

I have now met 4 other Blues in and around this area of Somerset and was wondering if there are any other Ccity fans in this area? I live in Brent Knoll, near Burnham on sea.

MATCH REPORTS – A PLEA TO SHARON

Please do a match report every week; MCIVTA 650 had one of the funniest reports for ages. Keep up the good work.

BLUE HUMOUR – MORAL DILEMMA

This is a hypothetical moral question for you. It is an imaginary situation but you have to decide what you would do!

You are in Manchester and on the canal in a small boat. It is daytime and there is a huge flood in progress. Many homes have been lost, water supplies compromised and the infrastructure of much of Manchester is destroyed.

You are a photographer out in a small dinghy getting still photos for a news service, travelling alone, looking for a particularly poignant scene.

Suddenly you stumble across a car crash. It is Phil Neville (!) and he’s struggling to keep from being swept away in the raging flood waters of the canal.

There is enough space for one more person in your boat. You have a choice of rescuing him, or getting the Pulitzer-prize-winning photograph of the death of a famous English footballer.

So, the question…

What shutter speed would you use?

WANNA BE THE ENGLAND MANAGER?

Would you be interested in playing 11-a-side football? I’m looking for local guys to play regular 11-a-side football for a team in central London. I urgently need new players as the team frankly at the moment is crap. We’ve only just started the season and already we’re bottom of the league. In fact the situation is so bad I’m now willing to pay new players to join. We’re a young, friendly side, with plenty of social activities outside of football – regular team p***-ups if you’re into that sort of thing, plus several weekends away a year. Players also get free use of the local gym, and I can get you a discounted rate at an exclusive golf course. We even have a sponsor who funds us to travel abroad to play competitive games, but frankly if we keep playing as craply as we do at the moment it’ll just be embarrassing and we’ll have to knock that on the head. Match fees will be paid based on ability. If you’re interested come down and see me. We usually train, Thursdays 8 o’clock, Wembley Stadium.

P.S. To be honest, above ‘set-up’ is not as cosy as it could be, and I desperately want to get back to my regular ‘cushy number’. Anyone fancy a job?

RESULTS

Recent results to 18 October 2000 inclusive.

16 October 2000

Middlesbrough         1 - 3  Newcastle United

15 October 2000

Derby County          0 - 4  Liverpool

14 October 2000

Arsenal               1 - 0  Aston Villa
Coventry City         2 - 1  Tottenham Hotspur
Everton               1 - 1  Southampton
Ipswich Town          1 - 1  West Ham United
Leeds United          3 - 1  Charlton Athletic
Leicester City        0 - 3  Manchester United
Manchester City       2 - 0  Bradford City
Sunderland            1 - 0  Chelsea

League table to 18 October 2000 inclusive.

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  GD Pts
 1 Manchester Utd   9  3  1  0 14  3  2  2  1  9  5  5  3  1 23  8  15  18
 2 Arsenal          9  5  0  0 11  4  0  3  1  4  5  5  3  1 15  9   6  18
 3 Newcastle Utd    9  2  1  1  5  3  3  0  2  6  5  5  1  3 11  8   3  16
 4 Leicester City   9  2  2  1  4  5  2  2  0  3  0  4  4  1  7  5   2  16
 5 Liverpool        9  3  1  0  8  4  1  2  2  8  9  4  3  2 16 13   3  15
 6 Leeds United     8  3  0  2 11  8  1  2  0  3  2  4  2  2 14 10   4  14
 7 Aston Villa      8  2  1  0  7  2  1  2  2  4  6  3  3  2 11  8   3  12
 8 Ipswich Town     9  1  3  1  5  5  2  0  2  7  6  3  3  3 12 11   1  12
 9 Charlton Ath.    9  2  2  0  8  3  1  1  3  7 13  3  3  3 15 16  -1  12
10 Sunderland       9  3  2  0  5  2  0  1  3  3  9  3  3  3  8 11  -3  12
11 Tottenham H.     9  3  1  0  7  3  0  1  4  5 10  3  2  4 12 13  -1  11
12 Manchester City  9  2  1  2  8  6  1  1  2  4  8  3  2  4 12 14  -2  11
13 Coventry City    9  1  1  3  3  9  2  1  1  7  6  3  2  4 10 15  -5  11
14 Middlesbrough    9  0  2  3  5  9  2  2  0 10  6  2  4  3 15 15   0  10
15 Chelsea          9  2  1  1  9  6  0  3  2  4  7  2  4  3 13 13   0  10
16 Southampton      9  1  1  2  7  8  1  3  1  5  5  2  4  3 12 13  -1  10
17 Everton          9  1  2  2  7  9  1  1  2  5  7  2  3  4 12 16  -4   9
18 West Ham United  9  0  3  1  4  5  1  2  2  7  7  1  5  3 11 12  -1   8
19 Bradford City    9  1  2  1  3  2  0  1  4  1 12  1  3  5  4 14 -10   6
20 Derby County     9  0  4  1  8 12  0  1  3  6 11  0  5  4 14 23  -9   5

WWW MANCHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS’ HOME PAGE:
http://www.uit.no/mancity/

MCIVTA ADDRESSES:
Contributions: Ashley – mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com
News & Rumours: Peter – brophy_peter@hotmail.com
Subscriptions: Steve – sbolton@buxtonrd.u-net.com
Technical Problems: Paul – paul@city-fan.org

DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in MCIVTA are entirely those of the subscribersand there is no intention to represent these opinions as being thoseof Manchester City Football Club, nor of any of the companies anduniversities by whom the subscribers are employed. It is not inany way whatsoever connected to the club or any other relatedorganisation and is simply a group of supporters using this mediumas a means of disseminating news and exchanging opinions.

Geoff Donkin, mcivta@donkin.freeserve.co.uk

Editor: