Newsletter #1816

Happy Easter one and all, welcome to this Good Friday edition of MCIVTA. An interesting read it is too with the goalkeeping theme of the past few editions being taken to a new level by the historical font of knowledge that is Gary James and a piece on our ‘worst’ keeper, Jack Crompton, courtesy of Phill G.

All of which serves as a nice side order to the main course of Sunday’s game against the Gooners. In the ‘real’ world I work closely with the operational staff at the Emirates and a jolly nice bunch of people they are too. The mood with them though is that they are ‘well up’ for the game and it is going to be a tough one but, hey, heads up… let’s not forget… we are actually quite good… So come on Blues, stick it to ’em!

ARTICLE: JACK CROMPTON

Yes, it was the same Jack Crompton who went to go on to play for United. This piece is edited from WikiPedia:

John “Jack” Crompton (born 18 December 1921). Born in Hulme, Manchester, he was a goalkeeper for Manchester City and Manchester United between 1944 and 1956. Having played for Oldham Athletic as an amateur and Stockport County as a guest player during the Second World War, Compton turned professional at Old Trafford in 1944 after one season at City and was in the United team that won the 1948 FA Cup.

He later dabbled in management, taking charge of Luton Town for one week in 1962 before deciding his heart lay with United, who he served for 32 years in various capacities. He coached and later managed Barrow in the Fourth Division between 1971 and 1972, when they lost their League status.

He was assistant manager-coach at Bury in 1972 and No 2 to Bobby Charlton at Preston North End in 1973-74. In May 1981, back at Manchester United, Crompton was interim manager between the dismissal of Dave Sexton and the appointment of Ron Atkinson.

Now aged 90, he is one of the oldest surviving former Manchester United player and the only survivor from either team in the 1948 FA Cup Final.

ARTICLE: PIZARRO

Have to say, I agree with Ernie. I’ve liked the look of Pizarro in the cameos he’s played so far and against Sunderland that was an almost match winning performance.

How did he accomplish this?

Well he has the Silva turn to create space for himself, which helps, but the most noticeable thing in the game against Sunderland was his ability to consistently hit quick, long passes to the wide man that put us on the front foot and bearing down on the Sunderland defence before their whole team had got behind the ball. Something we’ve been guilty of all season. Surely it’s no coincidence that this swift, attacking football suddenly got us back into the game.

Will he start against Arsenal?

We’ll see. That might require Mancini to have a plan B and I’m not sure he has. Pizarro probably got a rollicking when he went back to the dressing room for being too inventive and moving the ball too quickly, missing out Yaya on several occasions, how dare he!

ARTICLE: PERSPECTIVE

Worst case scenario, City come second…

Think to a couple of years back and this is a major improvement over the past couple of decades.

Still have Champions’ League next year. Better chance to win a trophy of any sort as the nucleus of the team will still be there.

United now know that they have serious trouble from the noisy neighbours but the thing is, City need to keep hold of Mancini for the foreseeable future; this is where teams are made, by being consistent with the back room staff.

Keep the faith.

TICKETS: ARSENAL

Hi all,

Just a quick request to see if anyone has a spare ticket for the Arsenal game on Sunday?

I’ve just moved South (from the Scottish highlands!), and would be delighted if someone has one. If they could email me on the address below, I can meet them wherever suits.

AND FINALLY… STATS DON’T LIE

Following on from the mention of goalkeepers in previous MCIVTAs here’s some info on a few of the ‘keepers mentioned.

These profiles come from my book “The Big Book Of City”, which includes profiles of all City’s League ‘keepers up to publication in 2009.

Jack Phillips Played 1 / Conceded 4 (-4 Goals to games ratio) = League ‘keeper no. 22

An injury to Jim Mitchell in September 1925 gave Jack Phillips his first City game on 23rd September 1925. City were defeated 4-1 by West Bromwich Albion and Welsh Youth international Phillips never played a first team game again.

In the reserves though Phillips excelled, earning a Manchester Cup medal for the Blues. Sadly, just as he was starting to be considered for first team duty again a wrist injury in a reserve match against Bolton on 18th December 1926 forced him to quit the game. The Blues settled his compensation claim in 1929 and Phillips took a job in the insurance business. By the end of World War Two he was a trainer with Oswestry.

George Hutchinson 7 / 23 (-3.29) = League ‘keeper no. 5

George Hutchinson joined the Blues on 7th December 1893 and made his début against Woolwich Arsenal in September 1894 – a 4-2 defeat. He went on to play in the following six games, only two of which ended in victory.

In his seven matches he conceded a total of 23 goals and was soon replaced by Charlie Williams. His whereabouts after the 1894-95 season are unknown but it’s clear he did not appear in the Football League for any other side.

Frank Higgs 1 / 3 (-3) = League ‘keeper 28

Frank Higgs had found success in Northern Ireland winning the Irish Cup and in 1931 he joined Barnsley from Linfield, after previously having a spell with Chelsea. In June 1932 he joined City as the Blues looked to strengthen their squad.

On the face of it the Club had a variety of ‘keepers at this time, but it has to be remembered that Len Langford had not been brought in to be City’s first choice and so the Club management clearly felt a replacement for Barber was still needed. As a result both Higgs and Jim Nicholls arrived during the 1932 close season with Higgs being the first to get his chance in the first team.

On 3rd September 1932 his big day arrived and Higgs replaced Langford for a Maine Road game with Middlesbrough. It was the Blues’ third game of the season and City had won one (home) and lost one (away). It was important home fans saw another victory. Sadly, despite two goals from Bobby Marshall the Blues were defeated 3-2. It’s fair to say that fans were not impressed.

Higgs never got his first team chance again and after conceding 32 goals in 15 reserve matches he moved on at the season’s end. Spells at Aldershot, Walsall, Carlisle, Southend and Barrow followed. He passed away at the age of 41 in 1948.

Simon Tracey 3 / 9 (-3) = League ‘keeper 56

Sheffield United goalkeeper Simon Tracey arrived at Maine Road during Brian Horton’s managerial reign. The 26-year-old was brought to City as the Blues were enduring a bit of a goalkeeping crisis with injuries and suspensions forcing Tony Coton and Andy Dibble out of action.

Tracey’s début saw City defeated 1-0 by Coventry on 29th October 1994. This was a highly disappointing result, particularly as the previous match had seen Horton’s side thrill against Tottenham, winning a highly entertaining match 5-2.

A 3-3 draw with Southampton followed the Coventry match but then the worst result of Horton’s City reign came on 10th November when the Blues were humiliated 5-0 before an Old Trafford crowd of 43,738.

Inevitably Andy Dibble returned for the following game and Tracey moved on. After City, Tracey managed a small number of first team appearances for Norwich and Wimbledon in other loan spells. The Norwich loan period in 1994-95 was particularly upsetting for the player as he was stretchered off in the second of three first team appearances.

It is reported that during a game for Sheffield United at Norwich in 2000 Tracey made a charge out of his area to limit the danger of a Norwich attack. Unfortunately, this allowed Norwich striker and future City star Craig Bellamy to score.

Tracey ended his career in League football after appearing in over 330 League games for Sheffield United, and later became goalkeeping coach at Rotherham United.

(Ed – His career record was the more respectable: Played 390, Conceded -488, Ratio -1.25)

Frank Davies 6 / -18 (-3) = League ‘keeper 11

Birkenhead born Frank Davies joined City in June 1906 from near neighbours Glossop North End, where he had kept goal for two seasons in the League.

It was a daunting task for Davies to replace the experienced – but suspended – Hillman and Edmondson, but his City début was made much worse by the conditions. His début was the highly unusual 1st September meeting with Woolwich Arsenal – unusual because the temperature (recorded as 90 degrees in the shade) had caused several players to collapse. At one point City only had 7 players on the pitch. That match ended in a 4-1 defeat and then two days later Everton beat City 9-1 at Goodison. It was no surprise that Frank was dropped for the next match.

Occasional appearances followed with his last coming in September 1909 (a 3-2 defeat) but he was never really given enough of a run to see whether he could regain his Glossop form or not. He left in 1910.

George Thompson 2 / 7 (-3.5) = League ‘keeper 38

George Thompson was a month short of his 30th birthday when he made his City début on 18th August 1956. That début came because Bert Trautmann had suffered his horrific neck injury in the 1956 FA Cup final and Thompson, an experienced ‘keeper, was signed in July knowing that he was to be City’s first choice until Trautmann returned to fitness.

Prior to City Thompson had made 140 League appearances for Preston and had also enjoyed spells at Chesterfield and Scunthorpe. He was recognised as a reliable ‘keeper and the Blues paid £7,500 for his services.

His début game saw the Blues suffer a 5-1 defeat (Revie scored a consolation penalty!) at an extremely strong Wolves. Thompson’s second game ended in a 2-2 draw, however the ‘keeper broke his leg during the match. This blow caused Thompson to spend many months trying to regain his fitness and, inevitably, by the time he returned to action Trautmann was back in the first team himself.

Thompson suffered a further blow when he broke his collar bone during his spell in the reserves.

Almost a year after arriving Thompson moved to Carlisle for a fee of £1,000. It turned out to be a good move as the ‘keeper went on to make over 200 first team appearances for the club before retirement.

(Ed – He had previously played at Maine Road in the 1954 FA Cup Semi-Final, which Preston won and George kept a clean sheet to boot, though they lost to West Brom in the Final)

Apart from Arni Arason (who made no League apps, just cup), the other ‘keepers listed all made wartime appearances for City:

Jack Crompton Played 1 / Conceded 5 (Goals per Game Ratio -5) Wartime guest – opening game of 1941-42 season. Possibly United’s Jack Crompton (not checked)
Jack Breedon 2 / 8 (-4) F Wilson 1 / 4 (-4) Doug Daniels 3 / 11 (-3.67)
William Carey 9 / 30 (-3.33)

RESULTS AND TABLE

2 April 2012

Blackburn Rovers      0 - 2  Manchester United     26,532

League table to 04 April 2012 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  31 12  1  2 40 15 12  3  1 36 12 24  4  3  76  27  49  76
 2 Manchester City 31 15  1  0 47 10  7  4  4 28 15 22  5  4  75  25  50  71
 3 Arsenal         31 11  2  2 34 12  7  2  7 28 29 18  4  9  62  41  21  58
 4 Tottenham H.    31 11  3  2 34 15  6  4  5 22 21 17  7  7  56  36  20  58
 5 Chelsea         31  9  3  3 31 19  6  5  5 22 17 15  8  8  53  36  17  53
 6 Newcastle Utd   31  9  5  2 24 15  6  3  6 22 27 15  8  8  46  42   4  53
 7 Everton         31  7  3  6 17 14  5  4  6 15 18 12  7 12  32  32   0  43
 8 Liverpool       31  5  8  2 19 12  6  1  9 17 21 11  9 11  36  33   3  42
 9 Sunderland      31  7  4  4 24 14  4  4  8 18 23 11  8 12  42  37   5  41
10 Fulham          31  8  4  4 31 23  2  5  8  8 19 10  9 12  39  42  -3  39
11 Swansea City    31  6  6  3 19 12  4  3  9 16 27 10  9 12  35  39  -4  39
12 Norwich City    31  6  5  4 23 19  4  4  8 19 30 10  9 12  42  49  -7  39
13 Stoke City      31  6  5  4 19 15  4  3  9 10 28 10  8 13  29  43 -14  38
14 West Brom A.    31  4  2  9 15 19  6  4  6 21 24 10  6 15  36  43  -7  36
15 Aston Villa     30  4  4  7 17 21  3  8  4 16 21  7 12 11  33  42  -9  33
16 Bolton Wndrs    30  4  2  9 19 29  5  0 10 17 31  9  2 19  36  60 -24  29
17 QPR             31  4  5  7 19 25  3  2 10 16 29  7  7 17  35  54 -19  28
18 Blackburn R.    31  5  1 10 22 29  2  6  7 21 35  7  7 17  43  64 -21  28
19 Wigan Athletic  31  2  7  7 14 25  4  3  8 15 30  6 10 15  29  55 -26  28
20 Wolves          31  3  2 11 19 38  2  5  8 14 30  5  7 19  33  68 -35  22

MCIVTA FAQ [v1112.01]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

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[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

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[3] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page/Twitter

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[4] What is the club’s official web site?

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/ and the official club Twitter page at www.twitter.com/mcfc. The club also has a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mcfcofficial

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

The Official Supporters’ Club and the Centenary Supporters’ Association have merged to become the Manchester City Supporters’ Club (http://www.mcfcsupportersclub.com/). The club also recognise the Manchester City Disabled Supporters’ Association (http://www.mcdsa.co.uk/).

[6] Where can I find out about Points of Blue?

The committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. Points of Blue appears on the club website under the “Fans” heading (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Fans).

[7] What match day broadcasts are available on the web?

Live match commentary can be found on the club website. The Radio Manchester pre- and post-match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/manchester/.

[8] Where can I find out if City are live on satellite TV?

http://www.satfootball.com/ provides a listing of Premier League games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. A useful site for North American viewers is http://msn.foxsports.com/.

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

Yes we do: uk.sport.football.clubs.man-city is our home on usenet. If you are not familiar with Usenet, a basic explanation is available here: http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Usenet

[10] Do any squad members have their own web pages?

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.mcivta.com/players/

[11] Do any squad members have their own Twitter accounts?

A list of genuine player accounts is maintained at http://twitter.com/#!/MCFC/players

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth historical analysis try http://www.mcfcstats.com/.

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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.

Philip Alcock, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: