Newsletter #1134

Plenty of transfer news and rumours (or is that half truths and fantasy as Mr Davies would say?) around, fixture changes and the manager’s views on the task ahead.

We also have opinion on the City leadership, SweeP, those US Blues still being Manly and the usual requests.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Same Again Please! Our manger must be back at his desk, because the club website features SP’s musings on the forthcoming season. “It is difficult to know what to take from the fixture list and I find it a hard one to call. I know the bottom line is that there will be games that you expect to win and you don’t. There will be games that you wonder if you can pick points up and then you do. Last season we took four points from Chelsea, drew away at Arsenal and Manchester United. I would take those results straight away again. It is phenomenal to think that we took four points off the champions but that is the beauty of the Premiership and these things happen.”

Not in the Arena: Claudio Reyna has been warned that that he needs to show his commitment to play for his country if he wants to secure a place at next year’s World Cup finals. USA boss Bruce Arena made the warning after Reyna let it be known that he didn’t want to be considered for the Gold Cup, to be held in the US from July 6 to July 24. “I will need to have an understanding of his desire and availability to play for us,” said Arena. Of the rest of the squad, Arena commented: “This is a great opportunity to further the continuity of our group, and to get a chance to look at players in meaningful matches,” said Arena. “We have a blend of experience and some new faces, and these games will be very important in terms of formulating our roster for the rest of qualifying.”

TNS Hit Jackpot: Liverpool found out their First Qualifying Round opponents in the Champions’ League – and blow me, if they won’t face City’s Welsh chums from our 2003 excursion into the UEFA Cup, TNS. The Scouse press went in search of the thoughts of former Anfield legend Robbie Fowler, to give a view on the Welsh part-timers. “Playing Liverpool is going to be TNS’s FA Cup Final but it’s going to be very difficult for Liverpool whatever the outcome,” stated football’s richest landlord. “Liverpool are in a no-win situation. When you play non-league teams everyone expects you to win. If you win 8-0 everyone says ‘I told you so.’ But if it’s only 2-0 it’s considered a poor result. We didn’t know much about TNS before we played them and Liverpool will be much the same, even if they get a scouting report. The main thing is Liverpool don’t have to travel. When you see their hectic schedule for August and September, playing a team from Wales is the best possible result. Playing the home leg first you would want them to have four or five in the bag and then rest the big boys for the return.” Liverpool’s late inclusion in the Champions’ League had prompted talk of a late entry into the UEFA Cup for Stu’s Boy Blues, but Europe’s governing body didn’t agree.

MVF RIP: Wednesday saw the second anniversary of the tragic death of Marc-Vivien Foe. The Cameroon international collapsed and died whilst playing for his country against Colombia in the Confederations Cup in 2003. City Chairman John Wardle laid a wreath this week in the Garden of Remembrance at the COMS. “Marc’s contribution to Manchester City as immense in the time that he was here,” said Wardle. “Nobody will forget him, the staff, players and most importantly the Manchester City fans.”

Not a Lot on the Box: Sky Sports announced their pre-Christmas footie schedule today, and at the moment City feature only twice – at home to Aston Villa on October 30 and away at Charlton on December 4. So no sign of the derby at OT on Sky. “Initially there would seem an imbalance in the fixtures but they are only provisional and do not cover pay-per-view,” Paul Tyrrell said. “We were involved in some highly exciting contests last season and I am sure we will get the appropriate coverage when the season is taken as a whole.”

Transfer News and Gossip

City Swipe at Sweep Swoop Scoop: Once again the biggest headlines this week of an MCFC nature featured our smallest player. On Saturday both the Sun and the Daily Mirror revealed that Chelsea had agreed a five-year deal with Shaun Wright-Phillips, as well as a fee of £18 million with City. According to the Mirror, “The player is expected to be unveiled at Stamford Bridge early next week after agreeing a five-year deal worth around £80,000 a week. It is a major blow for City boss Stuart Pearce but the club is £40 million in debt and could not resist Chelsea’s offer” (good to see our debt’s gone down by 33%, eh readers?). City’s Head of Communications Paul Tyrell duly denied the tale. “Shaun has not been sold, we have received no bids for him nor will we encourage any,” he pointed out. “It is unusual for the club to comment on totally speculative stories such as these; however, we want to set the record straight on this important matter. It is sadly predictable that tabloid newspapers publish stories during the transfer window that sometimes play fast and loose with the facts.” And cue Shaun’s dad, who added more confusion to the story during an interview on Sky Sports News Monday. Ian Wright, interviewed at a golf tournament in Spain, wearing a fetching brown and yellow striped hat, managed to simultaneously stoke the fires of speculation about Shaun’s future, while reassuring City fans that his lad was happy at the club. Many newspapers seized on these comments: “You want to be playing Champions’ League football as soon as you can,” said Wright. “As soon as he gets to that level, his game will move up to another level too because I have one million percent confidence in his ability. It is hard for me to say whether he should go now – the matter is out of Shaun’s hands and my hands. It is up to a buying club and a selling club. If your ability gets you to the attention of people who think you can go to their club and make a major impact, then it is all about money.” Next we had the less sensational take that Shaun is happy where he is. “I know for a fact he is happy at City, he hasn’t ever, ever asked to leave and I’ll categorically say it to anyone,” Wright said. “He’s never come to me and said I’d love to go here, I’d love to go there, ever. The fact is, he’s a football player for Manchester City, and as far as he knows he is going to be going back to training with Manchester City in the near future, that’s all we know.”

So It Must be True… Bitter experience over the years has taught me this – you know when City are about to sell a star player, because the Evening News runs a story which states either (a) “The player needs to be sold to improve team morale – and the team will play better” or (b) “Look at all the lovely money the manager can spend now!” It was with a sinking heart therefore that this editor saw the M.E.N. lead this week with a piece entitled “Stu’s cash tonic”. Chris Bailey then stated that if SWP were sold, then Stuart Pearce would be given half the fee to spend on new players. Hats off to Mr.B. for speculation the highest order, as he listed an entire football team of possible targets, plus one substitute. Twelve names in one summer item. Outstanding.

Old Rumours Update: We are definitely in the silly season when it comes to transfer rumours, so here’s a quick round up of the City-based lunacy. Norwich striker Dean Ashton has told suitors Tottenham, Rangers and City he has no intention of leaving Carrow Road this summer. In similar vein, Everton are facing a battle with City to sign £5 million-rated Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. Apparently. Steve Bruce is hoping to complete a move for midfielder Angelos Basinas in the next few days, and take the midfielder to Birmingham City. Premiership target Mamadou Bagayoko is waiting for Nantes to decide upon his future. The Mali international only joined Les Canaris last summer from Ajaccio but is unsure if the club want him to stay next season. You may remember we carried reports recently of Newcastle trying to offload their problem players in return for Shaun. Craig Bellamy has insisted this week that he has no desire to leave Newcastle – vowing to train with the kids if forced to do so by manager Graeme Souness. And a little bird tells MCV News Central that Everton’s Marcus Bent will sign very soon for City in a £1.5 million deal. Nathan Tyson will remain a Wycombe Wanderers player despite recent transfer speculation linking him with a move to City, according to Wanderers’ boss, John Gorman. “I do know there’s been interest but we’re not worried about that. He’s going nowhere. They will have to make a really good offer to make us begin to be interested,” said Gorman.

New Rumour Update: There are some new(ish) rumours to conjure with this newsweek. The Mirror suggests that Everton are considering a move for Joey Barton. Toffees’ boss Dave Moyes is desperate to stiffen his midfield for the club’s Champions’ League campaign and would love to bring Barton back to Merseyside. Barton was linked last transfer window with Liverpool, but only signed a new deal with City last season and is rated highly by manager Stuart Pearce. Former Glasgow Rangers’ defender Craig Moore is said to be a target for SP. Moore, who has a reputation for speaking his mind, was released by Borussia Mönchengladbach after falling out of favour. Methinks he turned up to training in a “dishevelled” state, if memory serves. Currently on duty with Australia, he won four championship medals in Scotland. And here’s a story that appeared last January, but seems to be gaining more credence this summer. City and Bolton are in a race for the signature of Oman ‘keeper Ali Al-Habsi, according to the Daily Mail, which claims both clubs are pursuing the 23-year-old ‘keeper, who is available on a free from Norwegian side Lyn. And Al-Habsi sounds keen to join the Blues, if his quotes in the Daily Express are to be believed: “James is getting old and probably only has a year or so of good football left in him. I must think of which club will offer me the biggest chance to secure a first-team place. It is not all about the money – I want to be playing.”

Would We Miss Him? Wigan Athletic are switching their sights to David Sommeil. The Premiership new boys had enquired about Bastia full back Pascal Chimbonda but the asking price was considered too high for Wigan, even with chairman Dave Whelan’s pledge to provide substantial transfer funds. With the newly-promoted side seeking some fresh blood, Jewell is exploring a number of options including Sommeil. The 30-year-old centre back does not seem to figure in Stuart Pearce’s plans at Eastlands and would jump at the chance of obtaining regular first team football.

Ex-Blues’ News

Macca Back at Walkers? A Leicester City fans’ website reports this week that the Former Filberts are sniffing around our ex-midfield maestro and traffic cop Steve McManaman. According to The Cunning Fox site, Leicester would be “thrilled to get a player like McManaman to City, he would be a great asset to the team if he can stay away from injuries.” Take it from us, Foxes fans, that’s a mighty big “If”. Who knows, Macca could end up there – he certainly likes the Walkers Stadium, in fact he didn’t want to leave on one visit there – back in January 2004, he and a number of City players got left behind in the players’ bar following the Blues’ FA Cup victory. KK was reportedly furious when the team coach had to turn round and return to collect the dallying miscreants.

More for Morley: Remember David Morley? No, nothing to do with ‘Tiger Trev’ Morley – big lad, played out of position at full-back in 1997? Well he’s just been named as Macclesfield Town’s new captain by manager Brian Horton. The 27-year-old takes over the skipper’s armband from striker Matthew Tipton, who has left the Silkmen. Morley moved to Moss Rose on a free transfer from Doncaster in January and made 21 appearances for Macclesfield in the second half of last season. After starting his career at City, he has wandered the football hinterland, popping in to visit Oxford, Carlisle and Southend.

Danny Denial: There was some speculation this week that Danny Granville was being lined up for a Royle reunion at Ipswich Town – JR of course signed the 30-year-old during his time at Maine Road. Royle had said that he was keen to switch his focus in the transfer market to strengthening his defence after the capture of strikers Sam Parkin and Nicky Forster. On Monday, he denied that Granville was a target, however. “I know Danny well and he’s a very good player, but the simple fact is that he is out of our price range. It is as straightforward as that. People have put two and two together and decided he is coming here, but we have had no contact whatsoever with Palace.” It now seems likely that Granville will sign a new deal to stay with Crystal Palace.

Villa Offered A King’s Ransom: Former City defender (and clearly a bit of a financial whiz kid) Ray Ranson has confirmed he is considering a bid for Aston Villa. A statement released to the stock exchange on Tuesday morning said: “Mr Ray Ranson confirms that he is working on a proposal that may or may not lead to an approach being made to the board of Aston Villa plc for a possible offer for the company by Mr Ranson and others. It should be noted that this is at a very early stage and an approach may not prove to be possible.” Villa rejected a £30 million bid from a consortium including Ranson 14 months ago.

Squad News

Injured – Already? Rather worryingly, we’ve already had news this week of two serious injuries for squad members, which will keep the pair out for the start of the season. Nedum Onuoha has a hamstring injury, while ‘keeper Nicky Weaver has just had an operation on a wrist problem. “It happened on the last day of the season when he picked up a hamstring injury in the final seconds of the game against Middlesbrough,” explained SP of Onouha’s ailment. “We thought it was a straightforward hamstring tear and Nedum went through rehab in the normal way. Things weren’t progressing as the physios had hoped after three weeks so he had another scan. The injury showed to be more severe than we had thought it was and more long term that we had hoped. It is in a very strange place for what is a normal, if you can use that word, hamstring tear. Nedum is eighteen, built like a man and will be a star at this club for a very long time so it is important that we look after him. The long-term player care is more important than a short-term fix. We need to get him right and make sure this hamstring injury will clear up and hopefully he will have fifteen years of football in front of him.” Nedum also misses representing England in the Euro U19 Championships in Northern Ireland in July. And what of the goalkeeper’s problems? “Nicky broke a small bone in his wrist at the end of last season,” explained Stuart Pearce. “He played the final four matches in the reserves and was representing the club on the bench in the last four months of the season. He played with the problem and it was a niggling injury that we thought he could get away with. He was having injections before matches and was happy to carry on in the hope that the bone would knit by itself during the summer. After a couple of weeks we realised that was not going to happen so as soon as we realised that we had him sorted. He has had surgery and had the bone pinned. The rehab will be six weeks and there could be two weeks on top of that so we are looking at two months.” It’s not been all gloom and doom with the squad this week, as SP revealed that three of the long-term injured are making good progress. Pearce told the club website: “The players who are coming back like Trevor Sinclair and Geert De Vlieger have shown a great aptitude in their training and desire to get back to full fitness. Geert was out all last season with a variety of injuries. He has been working all summer. Jihai Sun has been working with his father in China and will be with us shortly to start his pre-season programme. He was near enough fully fit at the end of the last campaign. Trevor Sinclair has been in every day of the summer. He was disappointed with the injury that he picked up but hopefully he will be like a new player for us.”

Boys to Men: If I didn’t know better, I’d say the good people at the club website interviewed Jim Cassell in one long session, and then sliced the interview up into bite-size chunks to be fed to us over these fallow news weeks. So this week, the website and the M.E.N. featured more thoughts from City’s Academy Chief. Apart from stressing how well he’s getting on with new Reserve coach Steve Wigley, Cassell has revealed how he hopes to instil good habits in those kids training with the first team. “It has to be impressed upon those players who are 17, 18, 19-years-old who are training at Carrington with the first team that they have to keep learning and improving and that reaching Carrington isn’t an end in itself,” said Cassell. “What we aim to do is continue their education and improvement through practice and make sure that when senior players might be going home they should stick around and do some more work to help their progress. We have had tremendous support from the boardroom over the last few years and we intend to continue to repay that faith. We aim to have the best production line in the Premiership. I’d love for that to be the case. Everyone is spending a lot of money on their academies these days and we feel we have done as well as anyone in the past few seasons. I am sure Steve’s arrival will boost that.”

OPINION: CHAIRS THEN AND NOW

Hsien Min Toh provided us with a wonderful appraisal of City’s current financial situation, and BTW I am not taking the p***.

A couple of things that appear to match my earlier, less accountant-like assessment are that:

1. The Directors’ loans are to be repaid firstand if someone were to buy City the other debtwould remain with the club as there is nooverriding benefit to pay it off early, and
2. The control of Manchester City FC was won verycheaply by Messrs Makin and Wardle – incidentallyI have nothing but thanks and praise for allthose who invest in the club, especially thenamed directors who managed above all get rid of the previous ego-led chairman.

I do worry that our club has, since Swales, been perceived as a considerably smaller proposition than other similar-sized clubs.

When Swales led a board that consisted (from what I can remember as I’m only 35 now and was ever so young at the time) of publicans, TV repairmen and scrap metal merchants (many of whom were well known as ‘colourful local businessmen’), they were consistently downsizing the organisation and selling the family silver to pay day-to-day bills.

I remember a M.E.N. front page headline that shouted that City were £6 million in debt! Oh for those simpler times.

They sold the rights to food in the stadium for a pittance and the bar concessions for an interest from Greenhalls Brewers, who got a seat on the board for it I think.

When Swales’ plans for the redevelopment of the stadium were made public with the ‘executive boxes’ above the Main Stand, we all thought that our position of top club off the field was about to be regained. Well we all know the story after that.

I even remember hearing that Rick Wakeman was planning to buy the club, you know the same Rick Wakeman who?

Why did it, in real terms, take only several million pounds for John Wardle to take effective control of the club and its direction? We can ignore that he is now reluctantly in that position, after all if he truly valued David Bernstein’s input he would still be there.

That brings me to a few points that I would like answers to please. Did David Bernstein consolidate our financial position and guarantee our long term future by offering the increase in ticket sales as part of that restructuring?

Under David’s stewardship didn’t he finance the capture of Anelka? Didn’t he show that he knows how to negotiate by building a deal for Fowler which has in the short term saved us a lot of money?

Why then are we not asking him back to complete the job he was so ably doing before the KK situation got out of hand?

David Bernstein delivered a world class stadium for peanuts and a solid financial position as well as backing his managers with cash as long as the risks weren’t too great. The tragic death of Foe was the only reason we didn’t capture that player’s signature as well, which would have given us another world class player.

If John Wardle really isn’t interested in the day to day running, a phone call should be made to the man who showed that the running of a football club (on a part time basis) isn’t impossible, it just takes the right man.

I like the opinionated pooh that I’m allowed to write here; I hope you like it too.

OPINION: LEAGUE CUP

I have just seen the League Cup draw on the BBC website. City are amongst the teams that join in the second round.

The thing that puzzles me is why are Newcastle joining in the third round along with all the teams playing in Europe next season? As far as i am aware they aren’t in Europe next year.

There is possibly an obvious reason why and I am being thick. If not surely City should have this “privilege”?

If anyone knows (or is even bothered about the League Cup) please satisfy my curiosity. Surely I should have less petty things to worry about.

OPINION: SWEEPGATE I

In reply to Steve’s comments about Shaun’s stepdaddy. I didn’t read about Ian Wright’s comments, but I did see the interview on Sky. It is true he said that his son needs to play at the top level to further his career. He also went on to say how happy his son is at City, and if he was to achieve this with his current club he would be more than happy. And if it happens in the next two years or so it would be great. He at no point suggested now would be a good time for that to happen, but did say it must happen for Shaun’s progression. Well I think we’re all agreed with that.

Wouldn’t it be brilliant if Shaun is part of a City side that is competing in the Champions’ League?

Anyway, to put the point again, and I can’t believe I’m standing up for Ian Wright, he stood up for what is best for his son (sorry step-son, since that seems to make a difference) but at no point, in fact he seemed at pains to say the opposite, suggested Shaun should leave City immediately. The rider being we can deliver Champions’ League football in the next two years.

I for one think we should expect no more from Shaun’s loyalty.

OPINION: SWEEPGATE II

With all the interest into the blown-up saga of Shaun Wright-Phillips, I would like to add my bit of thinking into it.

First of all if MCFC keep SWP and he has a very good season for the club, has his chances with the England team in the World Cup, and keeps injury free, his value could almost double before the 2006/07 season. This is when if at any time that MCFC should cash in on him, but if City make it into Europe then surely MCFC will have to hang on to him, to compete in Europe.

On the other hand if MCFC decide to cash in on an increased offer than what has been said by the media, meaning more than 20 million pounds sterling, and the only club with the ability to pay cash are Chelsea, others may tempt MCFC with cash/players. John Wardle will be able to get back his £10 million that he lent the club, making the club have less debt. Stuart Pearce will have the rest of the cash to get the striker or two that the club desperately need, and get another midfield playmaker.

For SWP it would mean no guarantee of first team football every week because of all the stars already at Chelsea. But he would be with a club already in the Champions’ League, and he probably will double his weekly wage packet.

I will not feel comfortable about the SWP situation until the transfer window has closed or John Wardle comes out with a statement that SWP is not for sale at any price, go away.

As City fans we all hope for the best for MCFC.

On the subject of former Blues, what Reading are doing to the famous Goat is very unfair. We all know that a deal should always be honoured, and it is not MCFC who are at fault. But maybe it would be a nice gesture by MCFC if they could go ahead and help out our famous Goat from his predicament of not being able to play the beautiful game.

MCFC must remember in the future that if Reading ever need another City player, what to do with people that shirk out of paying a fee and not let a player play because of the £50,000 clause in the contract. Maybe because the Goat never played, Reading missed their promotion; I certainly would like to think so.

“Free the Goat”

OPINION: MAN PLATES

I read with amusement the two stories concerning the use of Man City here in the US. I have been in Philadelphia for twelve years now but still follow the Blues and still have my season ticket, which I lend out but then use for the derby and any other games I can make an excuse to the family to come over for.

A few years ago I though I would get myself a personalised license plate and spent much time considering what to get as there are so many choices. I’m allowed seven letters and one space in Pennsylvania and so there were many choices such as MAN CITY, CITY FAN, MCFC FAN, etc but in the end I went with MAINE RD. Not a bad tribute to a place where I have spent thousands of hours and laughed and cried all in abundance and for only $20!

A few years later, I decided to get another car and so I transferred MAINE RD to my wife’s car and I had to come up with another personal license plate, which had since gone up to $25. I was going to have MAN CITY but my wife pointed out the issues with having MAN anything and so settled on CTID.

I’m not embarrassed by Man City at all and have many shirts and t-shirts that say it on there. It’s just that with a t-shirt you can have the opportunity to explain whereas when you are in a car it’s a bit more difficult to stop and extol the virtues of being a City fan rather than a sad Man Buccs fan.

So if you’re ever in the Philadelphia area and see either of these two license plates, feel free to wave and if you were at the Dickens / Dark Horse on Cup Final day I was the one singing “You’ve Won F*ck All Again” and “We Can See You Sneaking Out” at the top of my lungs.

OPINION: FIVE TEAMS IN BANGKOK

Reported in today’s (30-06-05) Bangkok Post, Real Madrid will play Thailand in a special friendly match in Bangkok on July 29 at Rajamangala Stadium. “Players like Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Roberto Carlos will be part of the team.” A week before the Spanish stars arrive, three English Premier League teams, Everton, Manchester City and Bolton, are coming to Bangkok to play in a quadrangular tournament with matches on July 20 and 23.

REQUEST: FATHERLY ADVICE

The time has come to request some advice from all you parents out there.

I am the very proud father of a one year old boy who must now be guided down the Blue road of life. Apart from the obvious brainwashing by insisting he wears a mini replica kit (which he now owns). I would like to hear from all you people who have successfully guided their offspring past the gates of hell (Man Ure / Arse / Chelski / Bristol Rovers) and I’d like to know exactly how one goes about it!

I welcome all sensible suggestions and will of course consider the more unorthodox depending how desperate I get!

Thank you in advance from an anxious Blue parent.

REQUEST: ISRAEL BLUES

The previously announced meeting of Israeli Blues will take place at 7pm (19:00) on Thursday 14th July 2005 at the ‘MASH’ pub on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv. We look forward to seeing as many Blues as possible, and remind those of you who can’t make it but are interested in being members of the Israeli branch to contact me by e-mail.

REQUEST: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

I am currently working on my next City book and was wondering through the electronic pages of MCIVTA if fans could offer any information.

Last Christmas I attending a function at Eastlands and was sat on the same table as Roy Cheetham. Roy knew of my earlier works and said to me “why don’t you do a Where Are They Now book?”

So that got me thinking. In conjunction with Fred Eyre and the MCFC Former Players’ Association, I am compiling a book of approx. 300 former players from approx. 1955 and what they did as a ‘proper job’ after they left City. Some such as Mike Summerbeee and Dennis Tueart are more obvious than say Billy Spurdle and John Clay so I’m looking for any news on any player really. Not so much their playing careers, which can be found elsewhere but information such as “he then became a sales rep for Pitney Bowes etc.” Incidentally that’s Ian Mellor!

Although nothing formal has been agreed yet with a publisher, I do have a couple who have expressed a real interest in publishing it for me. Who knows, if it’s a success (both the club and the Association have already approved the idea and promised support) it could lead to a series covering other clubs and maybe even other topics e.g. 70s pop stars.

Any information gratefully received please to the e-mail address below.

REQUEST: OASIS AT MK TICKETS AVAILABLE

My wife and I are unable to go to the Oasis concert at Milton Keynes on Sunday 10th July.

Any Blues interested in two tickets at face value (inc. booking fee etc.) please contact me 07971-805757 or email.

REQUEST: FAILSWORTH BLUES

Next meeting and quiz night hosted by James H Reeve on Tuesday 5th July, commencing 7.30pm at Willow Tavern, Ashton Road East, Failsworth. Non members and friends welcome.

Entry fee £5 per team (maximum of 4) includes supper, raffle prizes and match tickets for winning team.

MCIVTA FAQ [v0405.02]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour (Don Barrie)         : news@mcivta.city-fan.org
Subscriptions (Madeleine Hawkins): subscriptions@mcivta.city-fan.org
Technical problems (Paul)        : paul@city-fan.org
FAQ (David Warburton)            : faq@mcivta.city-fan.org

[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings bu email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

[3] 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.

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

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

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mancity.net/osc/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club” (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=111845&Title=International+Supporters+Club&lid=Membership).

[6] Where can I find out about the fans’ committee?

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. The Fans’ Committee has been relaunched as “Points of Blue”. It has appeared on the club website as a minor entry under “Fans Zone”.

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

The GMR pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/gmr/sport_intro.shtml.

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found at http://www.mcfctv.com/.

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

http://www.satfootball.com/pl.html provides a listing of Premiership games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. Useful sites for North American viewers are http://canadatvsoccer.tripod.com/Fixtures.htm, http://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Soccer, and http://www.soccertv.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://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci213262,00.html

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

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.uit.no/mancity/players/

[11] Can I buy shares in the club?

Yes you can: Shares in Manchester City PLC are traded on OFEX. The latest prices can be on found the OFEX web site http://www.ofex.com/ (registration required) or in the business section of the Manchester Evening News.

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

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

[13] Where can I find a list of City-related websites?

Try Wookie’s Lair: http://www.wookieslair.com/modules.php?name=Web_Links

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, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: