Newsletter #748

Another 3 points and a 3-0 win on Tuesday night against a poor Walsall at Fortress Maine Road (probably jinxed Saturday now). Will we break the magical century this season?

Tonight’s issue contains match reports on Walsall and the reserves, Mike’s news, plenty of opinion and a few requests.

Roll on Wimbledon then.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Well, here we are, first of my all-new weekly summaries. Many apologies for the weekly format but unforeseen circumstances have limited my available time. I shall try my utmost to keep this as informative as possible.

City are currently in goal crazy mode after two successive victories since the abject misery of the Coventry game. A thumping 6-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday followed by Tuesday’s 3-0 home stroll against Walsall. I’m sure the Wednesday game has been covered extensively by reports but to recap, after going a goal down within two minutes we were 2-1 up at half time due to Bernabia and The Goat. Yet another pre/post half/full time break opposition goal and it was 2-2, then we mullered ’em Granville, Wanchope, The Goat again and a Wanchope pen and it was a nice and comfy 6-2. Roll on Walsall and by all accounts we did. Yet again Bernabia scored followed by the now familiar names of Goater and Wanchope (another pen). 3-0 and strolling. Welcome back on Tuesday to ‘Bob Brightwell and Fitzroy Simpson, both on the Walsall books.

Derby Day: Wednesday October 3rd. City reserves take on The Red runts from the Swamp. The game will take place at Hyde United and kicks off at 7.30pm. The competition is The Manchester County FA Senior Challenge. Tickets will cost £4 for adults and £2 concessions.

No More Splayer Unrest: After rumours of a bust up between Danny Tiatto and KK at half time in the defeat at Coventry, Tiatto has stated that he has no intention of going anywhere. The row was allegedly to do with Tiatto failing in his defensive duties and not giving enough support to Dickson Etuthu. The row though has apparently alerted West Ham and Aston Villa, who would be interested in signing the Aussie. If any indication was made that Danny was available then watch out for Newcastle and Tottenham mounting bids as both were heavily linked with the midfielder in the summer. In an interview with GMR over the weekend KK commented that Richard Dunne has also apologised for his behaviour. His attitude in training led to him being included on the bench at Sheffield Wednesday despite earlier indications from Keegan that he wouldn’t even be in the squad. Dunne’s performance as sub for the injured Richard Edghill led to a full recall in Tuesday game against Walsall. KK said after the win over the midlanders “Richard was very good. He’s got tremendous talent. I don’t know what has happened to him in the past but certainly in the future he can achieve more than he has already. He is only 22. I know when you look at him you think he is a lot older but he is still a kid. Because he is built like a man, people think he is a man but he is still learning. I am a big fan of his and that is why what happened a couple of weeks ago disappointed me so much. That has gone. He has answered any criticism the only way footballers can and that is out on the pitch. I take my hat off to him.”

Reserves Still Unbeaten: City reserves earned a creditable draw with the reigning reserve league champions Everton. The scousers took the lead through Joe Max Moore and led at half time 1-0. An improved second half performance saw an eventual equaliser from Glenn Whelan. The team was as follows Carlo Nash; Nicky Summerbee; Stephen Paisley; Glenn Whelan; Rhys Day; Paddy McCarthy; (Dick)? Barton; Terry Dunfield; Paul Dickov; Leon Mike; Terry Cooke. Subs were Hodgson; Browne; Elliott; Furnival and Hogan. This was the second string’s 17th consecutive game without defeat.

Edgy Out: Richard Edghill will be out of action for several months after being stretchered off at Hillsborough last Saturday. Whilst fortunately not as serious as his previous cruciate injury, the injury is diagnosed as knee ligament damage.

Financial Reports: Reporting on the official website http://www.mcfc.co.uk/, chairman David Bernstein has announced that we have has a £5 million operating profit. This includes an 85% increase in turnover and higher TV and sponsorship deals. Our turnover for the year to May 31st went up from £17.5 million to £32.4 million. Bernstein said “We are a Premiership club in all but name and we have made immense progress over the last three years. Our infrastructure, quality of management, new stadium, training facilities and Academy are all of Premiership quality.” He added, “Our support is unique. We have a strong squad and therefore a great opportunity. We need to deliver.”

Fixture Changes: City’s trip to Millwall on Saturday week has been postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday, November 20. The game at The New Den that night will kick off at 7.45pm. City are planning to install a large screen at Maine Road to beam back pictures of the game as away fans have been banned from attending. The original date was postponed due to likely international call-ups.

Keegan No to Hamburg: After mounting speculation that Hamburg was approach KK for their vacant coaching rôle, Keegan has totally dismissed the idea. In an article in the Sun comic, KK said it was a ridiculous notion and that he was fully committed to leading City back to The Premiership.

Ins and Outs

A fee has apparently been agreed with St Etienne for Lucien Mettomo. This will involve a downpayment of £1.5 million followed by further payments based on appearances and promotion. Mettomo still has to conclude severance off talks with his current club but is due for a medical at Maine Road shortly. Mettomo’s agent is confident that the deal will be done in time for Mettomo to go straight into Saturday’s squad to play Wimbledon. Initially St Etienne wanted £4.5 million for the player but due to their recent relegation and subsequent financial problems they have been forced to accept a lower offer.

Chris Killen has gone out on loan to Port Vale and scored on his début last night in a 3-1 win at Wrexham. Ironically enough Killen was on loan for the Welsh outfit last season, scoring 3 times in 12 games for them. Killen, 19 is the first of the youngsters that KK has allowed out on loan despite a flood of enquiries for our talented second string.

Those of an angry and bitter disposition (quite like myself) please think before reading on! One of the latest players to be linked with our beloved club is the despicable former ManUre midfielder Paul Ince. The ex (toe)Rag is now 33 and has been linked with several moves away from the smog monsters from the Riverside. Fortunately Boro have strenuously denied the rumour.

Despite his recent kiss n’ make up, Richard Dunne has been linked with a £2 million move to Southampton. This follows the £8.1 million departure of Saints’ centre half Dean Richards to Tottenham. Dunne, 22, is probably in Keegan’s last chance saloon and with the imminent arrival of Lucien Mettomo the Irishman will have to stay on his best behaviour or be off.

Terry Cooke looks like he will finally be on his way as he has failed to even make the City bench all season. Keegan will apparently sell if the right bid comes along, probably in the region of £500,000. Cooke, 25, first and foremost is an out and out winger and therefore doesn’t fit into KK’s current 3-5-2 formation, secondly he has been overtaken in the pecking order by Chris Shuker and Shaun Wright-Phillips. KK said “We had an inquiry for Terry Cooke, but it was never a bid. A lot of clubs want to take our players on loan, but I am against it. In the past clubs have seen that we have a had a big squad and taken our players out on loan to get them out of a crisis, but I am not willing to do that.” He added “If anyone comes in and makes the right sort of bid for Terry Cooke he knows that he can go. We have had that one inquiry, but it is nothing to get excited about.” City are set to give a trial to the latest new ‘Peter Schmeichel’ (does this mean that he is an objectionable thug with a nose related pimple problem?). The trial was due for this week but will now start next week. Stuhr Ellegaard is 18 and currently plays for Farum. Reports say that he was initially on a first come basis to Tottenham but they let Farum down and we are now top of the queue if the Danes agree to sell. If a deal is done then the fee is thought to be for an initial £200,000. Also on the goalkeeping front, City have been linked with a move for Partick Thistle ‘keeper David Klein.

MATCH REPORT: MCFC 3 WALSALL 0

City Line Up:

Weaver
Granville (Shuker, 75)
Dunne
Pearce
Howey
Wiekens
Tiatto
Etuhu
Benarbia (Horlock, 80)
Goater (Huckerby, 75)
Wanchope

City kicked off against a Walsall side complete with ex-Blues Fitzroy Simpson and Ian Brightwell. Attacking the North Stand, City had most of the possession for the first half and were camped in the Walsall end. As I was seated between the Kippax and the Platt Lane, I couldn’t fully appreciate the depth of play (I know what I mean) and how close some of the attacks were.

City’s first real chance came on 20 minutes with Wiekens being put through by Benarbia. Wiekens took one touch too many and his shot was blocked. Walsall retaliated with their first (and only?) attack when Byfield put a weak header wide.

The first goal came on 25 after a good cross from Dunne was hit against the post by Wanchope. Benarbia hit home the rebound for his 3rd goal in 4 games.

From this point on until late into the 2nd half, the match turned into a City exhibition passing match, with Benarbia at the centre of everything. Walsall were completely mesmerised and couldn’t seem to get near the ball and it was no surprise when a neat passing move between the tricky Algerian and gangly Costa Rican put the hungry Bermudan through to make it 2-0 on 40 minutes.

As the half drew to a close City were cruising and they had yet to get out of first gear. Ray Graydon was going to have to come up with some pep talk if Walsall were going to get anything out of this game.

Both teams returned for the second half unchanged and so did the pattern of the game. On 60 minutes Dunne (in for the injured Edghill) cut in from the right and had a great shot saved. Two minutes later Wanchope was clean through when he was brought down for an obvious penalty. Wanchope took the spot kick himself and made no mistake sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 3-0 with half an hour left to go; it seemed City could repeat Saturday’s tally of 6.

Surprisingly it was not to be. However, City did have some more good chances, with Goater having a one on one well saved, Huckerby was harshly ruled offside when clean through and Pearce had a late free kick saved.

Benarbia showed what a class act he is again and illustrates the difference between a team working hard and a team working smart. Keegan would have also been pleased with another competent display from Etuhu and the 3rd clean sheet of the season. If only City could play like this every week.

MATCH VIEW: WALSALL

Strange game last night – basically, Walsall didn’t show up. One free header sent wide was your lot. With 5 minutes to go and to the tune of Bread of Heaven, their fans were singing ‘Will you let us have a shot’ followed by ‘Attack-attack-attack!’ Each time a Walsall player got the ball during this period, they shouted ‘SHOOT!’ irrespective of where they were on the pitch.

Apart from the goals and the cultured build up, that was the entertainment. City stroked the ball about confidently, all players worked hard and looked to get involved – the game plan was ‘give and go’ and found people like Howey tapping the ball forward to Benarbia and then hareing forward into the box to receive the unerringly accurate return pass – very interesting.

The crowd were generally quiet, we could hear the players calling to each other! It was a bit like attending the theatre, with plenty of applause for the many instances of good play. Our rôle as the urgent voice in the ears of the players, warning them of danger and prompting them to make the play, was rendered unnecessary by opposition that had the ball prized from them by efficient defenders and then kept from them by flowing movement taking City into their penalty area.

Goater continues his excellent form and should certainly have had a second goal. Having been put through, he strode forward and into the area but hit the ball against the legs of the advancing Walsall ‘keeper. If he’d have been running in at an angle instead of head on, he would probably have scored.

Wanchope enjoyed himself and seems more relaxed (in a positive way) than I can remember him being since his Sunderland hat-trick. Etuhu gets better with each game and, as well as getting more involved with the build up, used his strength to reclaim any ball lost in tackles or through inaccurate passing, this being his only failing as far as I can see and that’s being harsh.

Maybe there was an element of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s Show’ following the Sheff Wed game; we were all, players and fans, still living off that and what we got last night was a thoroughly business-like performance that delivered a clean sheet and 3 points.

This was no rollercoaster, more like the waltzer, with City twisting and turning and Walsall feeling sick.

MATCH VIEW: MCFC 3 WALSALL 0

A few observations from Tuesday’s game.

You might think this is being picky, it’s really not meant to be but after years of watching the Blues it’s a little hard to adjust to this new style of entertainment being served up for us.

The 1st half seemed a little boring, only 2 up at half time and not a shot on goal from the visitors, just a couple of awkward moments from Weaver to get us on the edge of our seats. The first 20 minutes of the 2nd half was like watching Brazil – well almost – until we scored the 3rd, game over! Oh for the days of going 0-1 down in the 1st half, equalising with 10 minutes to go and then Goater getting the winner in the 3rd minute of injury time. Didn’t hear the 2 behind whinge once!

A very shrewd move by KK playing Dunne as wing back; all that running up and down and he will soon shed those excess pounds. I know playing alongside Ali B must have an effect on the other players but to see Dunne set off on a Kinkladze type run leaving three Walsall defenders for dead before unleashing a well struck shot from 25 yards only to be deflected from goal at the last second was amazing.

Memories of City 0 Asenal 4 style humour when the Walsall fans’ chants of “Attack, Attack, Attack” after they finally crossed the halfway line brought spontaneous applause from the City faithful and likewise when they sang “We can see you creeping in” to the City fans with 5 minutes remaining is to their credit.

Roll on City vs. Wimbledon.

MATCH REPORT: EVERTON RESERVES vs. MCFC RESERVES

Went along to the Autoquest Stadium in Widnes to see this game on Monday night. City lined up Nash, Summerbee, Paisley, Whelan, Day, McCarthy, Barton, Dunfield, Dickov, Mike, Cooke. Everton had a few 1st teamers playing including Simonsen in goal, Unsworth, Max-Moore and Cadamarteri.

We opened the game quite well but most of the early chances went Everton’s way – it was quite a high-tempo game. City were sticking to the 3-5-2 line up that KK now advocates. Terry Cooke was getting into some good positions down the left (?) but I felt he was not being given the ball early enough. Everton had a free kick which just flew wide on about 15 minutes; there followed a nice link up with Leon Mike and Dicky which the ‘keeper just managed to clear. City’s general play was now of the patient build up type – nice, crisp passes and Dicky running around like a dervish. Having said that, we were not making any real headway on goal. Eventually Everton got the breakthrough on the half hour mark. Terry Dunfield lost the ball about 20 yards out and a nice pass through on the inside right of the area put Joe Max Moore in on goal who finished well from a fairly tight angle. The shot just beat Carlo’s outstretched right arm and flew in off the post. 1-0 to the Toffees.

Shortly after Dicky went in the book for a late tackle – you got to give the lad credit, he does try no matter what the match, he gives it his all, be it Wembley or Widnes. A Cooke curler went just wide as did a further shot from TC. He was certainly our most dangerous player.

City dominated the 2nd half in terms of possession but were not creating enough clear cut chances to underline their hold on the game. Finally, with just under 15 minutes to go, we got the deserved equaliser; a quick move down the left involving Dicky and Summerbee led to a knock down and shot rifled in from Whelan or Barton. I was surprised how many cheers went up around the stand, there must have been 40 or so City fans dotted around the one stand that was open. Carlo Nash had a quiet but effective comeback game. He makes sure to let the defenders know what to do, which is good to see. I was a bit disappointed with Terry Dunfield but perhaps he missed the understanding built up with some of the regular reserves who are now in the 1st team squad, like Etuhu and SWP. On balance a draw was a fair result and at least it kept the unbeaten run going.

OPINION: TAKING SHAPE

After Tuesday’s results the league table is taking shape and apart from Coventry the other 2 teams who have beaten us this season are in the top six. However, after closely scrutinizing the individual teams’ home and away form, Wolves appear to be the team to keep a close eye on and not just because they have Kennedy who will note doubt score in the games against us.

They appear to be the opposite to our form this season, Won 4 Drawn 1 away from home, but only W2 D2 at home. Which offers the thought that they play on the break, can defend but have difficulty breaking down defences when they have to at home! They are also the only undefeated team.

So apart from Wolves I can not see anyone capable of putting a ‘season’ together or being able to match our scoring potential.

As for us so far, KK congratulations on realizing our urgent need for a player who can make us play and then securing another when the first was injured. I am sorry to say if Joe was still in charge he would still be buying centre halves instead of the Ali B’s of this world. Goater if fit should smash Frannie’s season scoring record or maybe Ali B? Now Mr. Keegan, let’s sort out defence, get a big, mobile and hard man for the centre of defence and put Carlo back in net ASAP.

Let’s hope the goals don’t dry up.

OPINION: REG

The Prosecution wraps up the case.

Dave Clinton says that Edgy received “nothing more than rallying and support” on that day last year against Coventry. It is true. He did receive ‘nothing’ more than rallying but he received much more barracking than the ‘nothing’ he received.

He did have a shocker that day but, as I seem to remember saying then, he was being asked to play right-back, right wing-back, right-wing and right anyone-else-who-knows-me whilst the rest of the team shared the left half of the pitch. I wasn’t all that surprised when he sometimes couldn’t quite carry it off.

Readers of this fine journal are entitled to be disgruntled by under-performing players and to voice such opinion as vociferously as they like through these columns. And, we do sometimes need to get our irrational dislikes off our chests (I always thought Trevor Francis a pompous, injury-prone prat – still do, too). Fine. This is the place to do it.

What I objected to were the morons amongst our fans who barracked him at the game. And, did it every time he got the ball. He was made a scapegoat for every misfortune or piece of bad play we suffered. Nothing he did was good enough even when it was better than some of the rest.

I was looking for some of those who had berated him via McV to eat humble pie now that Edgy is a great player once more, but really I would have liked to have had apologies from the morons who gave him such a hard time of a Saturday.

And, David, you’ll never make even a bar-room barrister, if you persist in addressing the judge as ‘M’Lord’. As any drinker knows, the correct form of address for such eminence is ‘M’Lud’.

OPINION: AN AUSSIE EYE VIEW

In July 1998 I was lucky to be sent to Sydney, Australia by the Bank of Scotland, on what was then a 2 year contract. As this was just after relegation I wondered (as did most of my workmates) whether when I returned, City would be in the Vauxhall Conference or back in the Premiership. However, I could not have anticipated what was to come whilst I was away, the famous Gillingham play off comeback, the surprising but appreciated immediate promotion from Division 1 and the brief flirtation with the Premier League. All through this though I was reliant on the City web site for information on my beloved Blues, fleeting comments from friends during phone calls to the UK, as well as during last year’s campaign Australian’s equivilent of Sky TV, ‘Foxtel’. Last February I was home working for 3 weeks and managed to take in the Spurs and Soton games at Maine Road only to be horrified by the inept standard of football. Whilst I am not an avid knocker of Joe Royle (particularly as he got us out of the Division 2), I was brought up on Merseyside surrounded by Liverpool and Everton fans and was always surprised how much the Everton fans hated Royle. Having seen some of the games on TV last year, I think I now know why; at least it looks like KK is going to try to play football. Which brings me to my point: I would just like to compliment your magazine and its contributors for the excellent match reports – at least it gives me an insight to exactly how City are shaping up. If there are any City fans in Sydney who fancy a beer or two sometime, let me know, any excuse to wear my City colours!

OPINION: LOCAL TEAMS

South-eastern radio station Capital Gold offers extensive coverage of local football. Apparently this involves regular commentaries on Premiership and Nationwide matches involving all teams from Greater London, as well as fleeting mention of those just on the periphery (Watford, for example).

When stumbling upon this station I was shocked to learn that Champions’ League hopefuls, Deportivo La Coruna, were in fact a London-based team. I’d always assumed – probably because of their foreign sounding name – that they were Spanish.

It still sounds strange to me as I’ve no idea whereabouts in London they play. It must be true, though, given that Capital Gold had full live coverage of their game against Manchester United…

OPINION: DEEP PAN WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS

Left Hillsborough very happy (of course), got back to the car and then made our way back to Manny.

Bizarrely enough on the way back on to the motorway, I had to drive past Pizza Hut near the ground. Sat outside on a mobile whilst smoking a tab is none other than the flying spud Nicky Weaver. Fitness regime going well as ever then Nick? This was about 5.20pm, erm yes 5.20 pm. How the hell did he make it to there so quick? Perhaps we could entice him to shift across his area quicker by dangling pizzas on each end of the crossbar? What do you think?

Incidentally, Ali B is a sensation; City have needed that type of player for over twenty years, long may it continue.

OPINION: SHORT MEMORY

In answer to Ashley Birch’s questions in MCIVTA 747.

1. The last time we scored six away was at Burnley three seasons ago (another Goatfest).
2. Yes, it was a league game.
3. Ali B is an illusion. There are previously recorded incidents of masshysteria following shared hallucinatory experiences. There is noother explanation for a player who costs nothing, has all the skill ofKinkladze without having to demonstrate it and yet is on the samewavelength as his team mates.

This is the really anoraky bit which you can ignore if you want but you did ask for it – previous 6-2 away wins. We were 6-2 up at Luton in an FA Cup tie in 1962 with all six goals having been scored by Denis Law when the ref abandoned the game due to a waterlogged pitch in the 69th minute. Our only previous away league wins by that score were at Everton and Brentford in the 1930s.

Sorry you asked?

OPINION: THE GRAUNIAD’S VIEW

From The Guardian

Rubbish Managers Who Are Great

1. Kevin Keegan
   According to the so-called experts Kevin Keegan is naïve. Apparently hethinks a tactic is the noise a French clock makes. Well, that’s just sonot true. He’s got the all out attacking tactic, the defending for a bitthen going all out attacking when it doesn’t work tactic, and the lettingin a few goals just so you’ve got the excuse to attack tactic. Admittedlythe last two are a bit similar – but all the better to confuse theopposition!

OPINION: PRIDE OF MANCHESTER

If ever you needed proof that City are “The Pride of Manchester” this site is the place to go:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/business/econfacts/sport.htm#MCFC

After you have read this, look below City’s entry… read the first nine words of the entry given to that other team at Old Trafford. Word number seven is the killer.. 🙂

What’s the betting the webmaster is a City fan!

OPINION: GOATS

Got a bit of a surprise last week as I saw the same item of possible Goat merchandise twice in a couple of days. For all the wine drinkers amongst us there is a little red number on the market called, fittingly enough, ‘Goats-do-Roam’… I kid you not (groan!)… I’m going to get a bottle and see if it lives up to the sparkling precision and depth of finish of its great namesake.

REQUEST: CENTENARY SUPPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING

A meeting of all the CSA branches will be held before the Wimbledon game on Saturday 29th September, at South West Manchester Cricket Club, Ellesmere Road (off Wilbraham Road) Chorlton starting 11.00am.

This is an open meeting and all CSA Members are invited.

REQUEST: WEST YORKS BRANCH CSA

Next meeting Tuesday 2nd October 8pm at Morley Cricket Club, Scatchard Lane, Leeds. Our guest is confirmed as the former Southampton, Hull, England Under 21 Star Steve Moran who enjoyed an illustrious career playing alongside King Kev. All are welcome. Further details via the address below.

REQUEST: PROGRAMME SALE

I have over 300, the bulk of which are home matches from 1987-88 to 1997-98 inclusive and some away programmes.

I also have a few programmes from the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s including Cup Finals and testimonials.

If anyone is interested or would like further details, I live in North Manchester.

REQUEST: FLAT CAP MIKE

When I lived in Manchester, I got use to hearing Flat Cap Mike on the Piccadilly phone-ins, always made me laugh… over the top, but good fun, and talked sense! If he’s not a member of our wonderful MCIVTA newsletter, then he should be! Unless, he’s are dear Mike currently providing news and rumour! Because I never did know his surname!

REQUEST: YORKSHIRE BLUES

I will be talking and answering questions about “Atkinson For England” and my other books (including “Manchester: The Greatest City”, and “Football With A Smile: The Authorised Biography of Joe Mercer, OBE”), at Waterstones (Leeds) on Thursday October 4th from 7pm. The format of the evening is similar to the events at Manchester and Birmingham whereby Mark Brown (my co-author on “Atkinson”) and I give a general overview of the story and why we wrote it, and then we have a question and answer session. Dave Cash did an excellent review of our Manchester event in MCIVTA 699, and we hope this will be similar.

Waterstones are keen to have an idea of how many are likely to attend (they intend providing some wine!), and tickets can be reserved via Ian Oldfield at Waterstones (93 Albion St, Leeds; 0113 244 4588).

I look forward to seeing a few Blues on the night.

RESULTS

Recent results from 25 September 2001 to 26 September 2001 inclusive.

26 September 2001

Preston North End     4 - 0  Norwich City          12,014
Watford               3 - 3  Birmingham City       13,091

25 September 2001

Barnsley              1 - 1  Coventry City         11,692
Bradford City         2 - 4  Stockport County      12,940
Burnley               3 - 3  Crewe Alexandra       13,964
Grimsby Town          1 - 2  Gillingham             4,859
Manchester City       3 - 0  Walsall               31,525
Portsmouth            1 - 2  West Bromwich Albion  17,287
Rotherham United      1 - 1  Sheffield Wednesday    8,679
Sheffield United      1 - 3  Crystal Palace        14,180
Wimbledon             2 - 2  Millwall               7,020
Wolverhampton Wndrs   1 - 0  Nottingham Forest     24,350

League table to 26 September 2001 inclusive.

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  GD Pts
 1 Burnley         10  3  1  1 16 11  4  0  1 11  6  7  1  2 27 17  10  22
 2 Wolves           9  2  2  0  6  4  4  1  0 11  5  6  3  0 17  9   8  21
 3 Norwich City     9  5  0  0 10  2  1  1  2  2  9  6  1  2 12 11   1  19
 4 Manchester City  9  4  0  0 14  2  2  0  3 13 14  6  0  3 27 16  11  18
 5 West Brom A.     9  3  0  2  7  2  2  1  1  6  5  5  1  3 13  7   6  16
 6 Crystal Palace   8  3  0  1 11  4  2  0  2 10 11  5  0  3 21 15   6  15
 7 Portsmouth      10  3  0  2 11  8  1  3  1  6  7  4  3  3 17 15   2  15
 8 Grimsby Town    10  2  2  1  5  4  2  1  2  7 12  4  3  3 12 16  -4  15
 9 Bradford City    9  3  0  2 15  9  1  2  1  4  4  4  2  3 19 13   6  14
10 Coventry City    9  2  1  2  6  5  2  1  1  5  3  4  2  3 11  8   3  14
11 Gillingham       9  3  0  1 12  4  1  1  3  4  9  4  1  4 16 13   3  13
12 Wimbledon       10  1  3  1  9  8  2  1  2  8  7  3  4  3 17 15   2  13
13 Millwall         9  3  0  1  9  3  1  1  3  5  9  4  1  4 14 12   2  13
14 Birmingham City  9  3  0  2 10  5  1  1  2  6 10  4  1  4 16 15   1  13
15 Nottm Forest     9  3  1  0  8  3  0  2  3  1  4  3  3  3  9  7   2  12
16 Preston N.E.     9  2  2  1  8  4  1  1  2  3  9  3  3  3 11 13  -2  12
17 Watford          9  3  1  1 12  8  0  0  4  1  8  3  1  5 13 16  -3  10
18 Crewe Alex.      9  3  0  2  4  7  0  1  3  5 11  3  1  5  9 18  -9  10
19 Barnsley        10  2  3  0  8  5  0  0  5  1 12  2  3  5  9 17  -8   9
20 Sheff. United    9  0  3  2  5  8  1  2  1  4  5  1  5  3  9 13  -4   8
21 Sheff. Wed.      9  0  2  2  4 10  1  2  2  4  6  1  4  4  8 16  -8   7
22 Stockport C.     9  0  1  3  4  8  1  2  2 10 12  1  3  5 14 20  -6   6
23 Walsall          9  1  1  2  3  6  0  1  4  5 13  1  2  6  8 19 -11   5
24 Rotherham Utd.   9  0  3  1  5  6  0  1  4  4 11  0  4  5  9 17  -8   4

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 Subscriptions (Geoff Donkin)   : subscriptions@mcivta.city-fan.org

 Technical problems (Paul)      : paul@city-fan.org

Comments concerning this FAQ should be sent to David Warburton using the address: mcivtafaq@warburton.org

[1] MCIVTA Deadlines

Deadlines for issues are nominally Monday and Thursday evenings.

[2] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page

http://www.uit.no/mancity/ is the unofficial Manchester City Supporters’ home page. Created in 1994, it is the longest running of the Manchester City related web sites. Back issues of MCIVTA are also hosted on the site.

[3] Club Web Site

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/

[4] Supporters’ Clubs

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mancity.net/osc/index.html); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.callnetuk.com/home/sef/) and “The International Supporters’ Club” (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/extra/fanzone/isc.asp)

[5] Fans’ Committee

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. It has its own website, http://www.mcfc-fans.com/ containing info about forthcoming meetings as well as minutes from previous gatherings.

[6] City of Manchester Stadium Progress/Web Cam

The latest information regarding the progress of our new home can be found at http://www.commonwealthgames.com/

[7] Match Day Broadcasts

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found here: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/comment.asp. An alternate live commentary service, hosted by Yahoo, is located at: http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/foot/audio/live/schedule/index.html. GMR Saturday Sport is also available live online between 1-3pm, and 4.45-6pm at http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/sport/index.shtml

[8] 01/02 Season Match Day Theme Tune

The music the teams run out to at Maine Road this season is “Nightmare”, by Brainbug, and is available on the Positiva label.

[9] Acknowledgements

Thanks go to John Arnold for providing the information regarding match day music and to Ian Bell for pointing out the alternate live match commentary service.

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.

Heidi Pickup, heidi@mcivta.freeserve.co.uk

Editor: