Newsletter #215

| July 29, 1996 | Newsletter | No Comments


Not too great a time to take over as guest Editor with little football being played and the news of the Olympic explosion taking over the TV screens. It appears we are living in an era when terrorists and their ilk see major events as a legitimate stage to perpetrate their atrocities. It’s sad to think we may yet end up being grateful that Manchester lost out to Sydney in 2000. Let’s hope not.

Ashley is on his holidays in Devon or somewhere but this issue has lots of news concerning City’s on-off China tour, Niall Quinn’s on-off move, City’s new on-off strip, the Survey results and minor league fixtures. No “Why Blue?” so if anyone fancies, send them in.

Next game, Anybody any ideas?

NEWS – OPEN DAY

The August edition of CITY Magazine carries news of an Open Day to be held in the Kippax Stand on Tuesday 13th August from 2:30pm. The idea is to give fans the opportunity to meet and chat with all the various departments of the club, who will all be represented on the day. So if you’ve got a burning question about the inner workings of the club (and Steve Bolton can’t get it answered for you!), this could be the ideal occasion. The team will be present to meet fans, sign autographs etc.

Paul Howarth (paul@city-fan.org)

Judging by all the “porkies” emanating from the Club recently there is going to be some serious “big noses” at this open day.

Leo

NEWS – QUINN TO SINGAPORE I

Despite Alan Ball’s vehement denials that Niall Quinn’s absence from the China trip was anything to do with a possible move to Malaysia, it seems that the rumoured move is a distinct possibility. A report in Thursday’s MUEN claimed that Quinn had flown out to Malaysia for talks with Selangor, and had taken his wife Gillian with him to look the place over; this was later confirmed on other media.

“We have had several enquiries for Niall over the last week but this one really appealed to him”, said Colin Barlow. Once again it looks like City are a club where the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing.

Paul Howarth (paul@city-fan.org)

NEWS – QUINN TO SINGAPORE II

To help, and with what is becoming almost a hobby-horse, the article below is from today’s Malaysia Star newspaper, concerning Selangor – the Malaysian League champions, and Niall Quinn. By the time you publish the next newsletter, this will be common knowledge, but it is not good enough that City supporters find out about these things from foreign newspapers.

“SHAH ALAM: The wait is finally over for Selangor.

Irish international striker Niall Quinn, their recent mid-season signing, arrived here yesterday morning.

A few hours later, the former Manchester City and Arsenal forward joined the Selangor team in training at the Shah Alam Stadium.

Quinn’s first match for the Giants will be against English Premier League side Middlesbrough in a friendly match at the Shah Alam Stadium today.

The 29-year-old Quinn, who left Manchester City due to differences with manager Alan Ball, said he would try his best to live up to the Selangor fans’ expectations.

“Selangor have big ambitions and the fans’ expectations are very high. But I’m prepared for the challenge in the Premier League. I’ve played in two World Cup Finals and two European Championship Finals and I’m confident I can handle the pressure. My first task will be to win over the Selangor fans,” said Quinn, who has 60 international caps.

Besides Quinn and Australian Mehmet Durokovic, Selangor have also hired Romanian Mustaca Christian and German Bachaus Sben for the friendly against Middlesbrough, who kicked off their Malaysian tour with a 3-0 win over Perak at Perak Stadium on Thursday.

This follows Ball’s vehement denials that Quinn was going anywhere, and that he didn’t go to China due to injury. In fact, he was probably on the same plane but got off in KL. It certainly doesn’t inspire anyone to believe anything Ball says. You also have to ask what the club hoped to achieve by denying what was already an agreed transfer.

Not good news.

Brian Scott (100015.335@CompuServe.COM)

McMULLAN etc…

A few points arising from MCIVTA 214:

First of all, there was a bit of confusion as to our young player with the high score for “ball skills”, i.e. Jeff Whitley. It is in fact Jeff’s brother Jim who is currently serving a 30-month sentence for his part in an armed robbery (or silly prank that went wrong…), though Jim has recently been allowed back to Platt Lane to train with City by virtue of his exemplary behaviour since his imprisonment.

In Martin’s piece on recent transfer dealings, Boro’s new Brazilian whose name escaped him is called Emerson (don’t even think about teaming him up with Paul Lake and Carlton Palmer…).

Henry White asked about Jimmy McMullan: this is what I gleaned from “A Complete Record“:

“Left half Jimmy McMullan was already a seasoned Scottish international when Manchester City signed him from Partick Thistle for £4,700 in February 1926. Indeed, McMullan’s career prior to joining City had been particularly interesting. He was born in Denny and won a Scottish Cup winners’ medal with Partick Thistle in 1921. Partick then turned down a £5,000 offer from Newcastle for McMullan’s signature and the player, determined to play in English football, signed for non-league Maidstone United in the 1921 close season. In the summer of 1923 he returned to Partick and, two and a half years later, City signed him. He was arguably the greatest Scottish half-back of his day, captaining the `Wembley Wizards’ when they beat England 5-1 in 1928. With City, McMullan won eight Scotland caps – he won 16 overall – and played in two F.A. Cup Finals, being on the losing side both times. He did win a Second Division Championship medal in 1927-28, however. In May 1933, after 242 League and Cup appearances for City, McMullan joined Oldham Athletic as player-manager. He was later Aston Villa’s first-ever manager and also managed Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday. His League debut for City was against Liverpool on 27 February 1926.”

Paul Howarth (paul@city-fan.org)

CITY SHARES

I have just bought shares in CITY – they are traded on an (unregulated) exchange called OFEX and at the laat quote they were 120p to buy and 110 to sell. I got a quote about 2 months ago and I am sure they were around 65-75p so the arabian interest must have pushed them up a bit.

Martin Reynolds (100633.416@CompuServe.COM)

CITY FLY TO FAR EAST…

I work for a Heathrow based airline caterring company (we make the food that everyone moans about). This morning one of our flight supervisors approached me to inform me that the entire squad (27 in business class and some in economy), had left the country on our flight last night. The catering supervisor in charge – a non football supporter – had spoken to several members of the team and the Duty Manager at our unit (an ardent United supporter) spoke with Keith Curle over the two way radio. Unfortunately the joking duty manager made some snide rekark about which division we will be playing in just as Alan Ball walked past to which the supervisor received a very dirty look. I know none of the above really constitutes news – however I thought it was interesting. I am very interested (if anyone knows) in the date they fly back – so I myself might go out to meet them. Oh and one final thing: the supervisor also collected a sheet of autographs – including that of a Mr C Greenacre. In case anyone is interested I have scanned the page and attached the file to this document [It isn’t because I couldn’t handle it. Sorry – Leo].

NIgel Hoar, Abela Airline Catering (nigel@alabela.com)

NEWS – TOUR ABANDONED

City’s pre-season tour of China is to be abandoned after only one game due to severe flooding which makes it impossible to guarantee the safety of the tour party. Saturday’s game against Sangsing goes ahead as planned but the team will then fly home instead of moving on to Dailian and Sechuan.

The Mole

NEWS – VARIOUS

City drew 1-1 with Sangsing (in Tienjin) in what is to be the only game of the tour of China following flash floods in the region which has been declared a “disaster area”. City went behind in the first half after a horrible defensive mistake (don’t know who the culprit was) and equalised in the second period through Gerry Creaney, who followed up a powerful effort by Mikhail Kavelashvili which the goalkeeper could only parry. All 19 players on the tour were used, including Damien Mori, the Aussie international who was having a trial with City. Mori is apparently in the record books as scorer of the fastest ever goal about 18 months ago (the ball was touched to him from the kick-off and he whacked it over the opposing ‘keeper) and has a reputation for scoring spectacular goals.

Another player who has been linked with City this week is Coventry’s Paul Telfer, though this move is very unlikely IMHO as Coventry turned down a £3 million offer from Blackburn for the player recently.

John Foster is struggling with a persistent hamstring problem; he’ll be having a scan done to try to find out why it’s not clearing up as expected. Another player who’s had a setback is Scott Hiley, though it’s not clear what the nature of the setback is.

City will be looking to arrange one or two friendly games this coming week as replacements for the games in China: Germany and/or Spain are the likely destinations.

The Mole

NEWS – NURSERY CLUB & MORE…

Friday’s MUEN carried a report that City are to adopt a “nursery club” in the Republic of Ireland, an arrangement that would mean City funding a School of Excellence at the club involved and getting first refusal on any decent players in exchange. This won’t be news to most MCIVTA subscribers as City were said to have forged such a link with Cork City several months ago. What’s new this time is that Cork apparently have some competition for the rôle, namely Waterford. Alan Ball and Colin Barlow were reported to have had discussions with officials of both clubs during the tour of Ireland last week. Barlow said “We believe there is a wealth of untapped talent and both Waterford and Cork are keen on becoming our nursery club.”

Also in Friday’s MUEN was news of another means of obtaining tickets for City games in addition to calling personally at the Ticket Office or at Piccadilly Box Office (in the Virgin Megastore on Market Street) or using the Dial-a-Seat service. Orders can now be faxed direct to the ticket office. The article unfortunately omitted the fax number for the Ticket Office, which is: +44 (0)161 226 1037.

Niall Quinn is expected back from Malaysia on Monday after discussing a possible two-year deal with Selangor. Whilst a move to the far east would no doubt be very lucrative, a move to Sunderland could be more appealing to him with regards to his international career. Another option open to him is to stay at Maine Road, and this is the option I sincerely hope he chooses as the club needs players with Niall’s commitment for the rest to look up to.

Paul Howarth (paul@city-fan.org)

NEWS – NEW INVESTORS?

Firstly the tour of China has been called off after one game because the safety of the players could not be guarantied. A City Select XI beat Congelton Town 6-1. Niall has apparently flown to Malaysia with his wife to think over a move to Selangor.

Also there was an article in The News of the World this sunday which talked about yet more potential investors in the club. The racing tipster organisation called the “Winning line” have apparently written to MCFC to apply for the 30% stake which is owned by Stephen Boler and Mrs Swales. They want to acquire 500,000 ordinary shares at a price of 95p per share. They also want to take an option on the remaining shares. This article has a copy of the letter which can be scanned if you wish.

The article also gives a list of investors who want to invest which includes Conran – didn’t know that they were involved?

Salford Blue – Tony Farrar (T.Farrar@lmu.ac.uk)

NEWS – CHINA TOUR ABANDONED II

The following is an atricle from the South China Morning Post, Monday 29th July.

CITY CUT SHORT PRE-SEASON TOUR OVER FEARS OF FLOODING IN CHINA

Manchester: English First Division soccer club Manchester City have dramatically cut short their 10-day pre-season tour of China after being warned that safety could not be guaranteed. City played the opening game against Tianjin on Saturday Afternon as planned, before flying back home.

The matches tomorrow against Dalian and on Friday against Szechuan were called off because that area of China has become a disaster zone through heavy flooding, which is threatening public health and causing transport chaos. Manchester City Managing Director Colin Barlow and Manager Alan Ball both agreed it was safer to return to England. Barlow said “Alan’s the man on the spot and was clearly concerned about the players. He’d been advised it could be unsafe. So we decided he should bring the party home.”

What the article does not say is that the floods in China started about 4 weeks ago and not all the area in the article is affected. China is so big that this is a little like postponing a match in Edinburgh because of a bomb scare in Athens. This looks like very bad preparation since Ball could have got the same information from the British Embassy before they even left Manchester. What they have done is subject the players to two 12 hour flights in the space of 48 hours – hardly ideal pre-season training!

If I sound particularly incensed it is because I had planned to go to Dalian – and it is safe – and I still don’t know the result against Tianjin. I suppose it’s another down in the life of a True Blue!!!

P.S. Neil Adshead if you read this – I got the Aussie report – but can’t send you e-mail – drop me your address again please!

Stay Blue. Phil Gregory (pgregory@gol.com)

NEWS – QUINN IN MALAYSIA

Niall Quinn made his début for Selangor on Saturday night showing surprisingly few ill effects from the “damaged ankle”. In fact he was fit enough to set up Selangor’s first and win a penalty for their second in an exhibition game against Middlesbrough. Quinn arrived with Mrs. Q on Thursday and reiterated his commitment to Selangor. Mrs Q. said they were ready for a “new challenge.”

Quinn will play again on Tuesday night for a Malaysia-eleven against, again, Middlesbrough. He will apparently return to Manchester on Wednesday to sort out some “loose ends”. The local press has reported that the big man left City after experiencing difficulties with the manager, just in case anyone was left in any doubt.

Quinn is rumoured to be earning RM 60,000 per month (about £15,000) plus bonuses and, no doubt, a spanking new Proton.

Tim Parkinson (timp@pc.jaring.my)

OPINION – NEW AWAY STRIP

Thought I would give you all ny views on the new away strip, especially as all the descriptions people were giving made them sound atrocious. However, looking at the picture of Noel Gallagher in the Sun wearing it, I thought it looked quite good, so much so that I have splashed out the forty quid + postage from the shop in the Arndale Centre for it already. I think it is one of the better away stips that I have ever seen, and personally think it is better than the pyjama strip of a few years back that seemed so popular! I hope to see many more on the terraces next season.

James Talbot (100304.2421@compuserve.com)

HUMOUR

I couldn’t help laughing when I read the Teletext article about Ball ringing Barlow from China. I bet it went something like this…

Barlow sat at home picking his numbers for his #1 lottery entry, just in case the Arab deal falls through. The phone rings.

Barlow: Err hello – who is it?

Ball: It’s me, Alan.

Barlow: Alan who?

Ball: Bally, the f…..g team manager.

Barlow: Oh yes, what’s the problem, you sound agitated, calm down.

Ball: You’ve got to get us back home. We’ve just been told by the police that there are floods six foot deep. I’m only five foot nothing, I’ll f…..g drown.

Barlow: Well Bally, if Quinny was there you’d be all right, he could carry you, but you’re the one who wants to sell him.

Ball: That’s not the point. Can we come home before we drown?

Barlow: No you can’t, the flights were first prize in a competition that Franny entered. If you come back early we’ll have to pay for the flights and we can’t afford it. You told us at the interview that you could walk on water, now’s your chance you little s..t!

At that point, Barlow slams the phone down and City fans everywhere cheer.

Peter Jodlowski, Matlock (PJodlowski@aol.com)

MCIVTA POLL and SURVEY

Here at last are the results of the MCIVTA end-of-season poll and survey, a little later than hoped for due to circumstances beyond our control. Before handing over to Ken and Mark for the results, I’d just like to thank the 50 or so people that replied and I hope everybody finds this of some interest.

Paul Howarth (paul@city-fan.org)

Poll Results – Collated by Ken Foster

53 sets of votes in all, so not a bad response and including most of the Howarth clan. Some sections were omitted by some people and so will not add up to 53. I felt like a train spotter on heat compiling these results, but after I’d finished, the memories and laughs that I’d had reading some of the responses made it all worthwhile.

  1. City Player of the Year – GIO KINKLADZE
    Kinky by a mile. He took 35 votes. Others were Symons 14 votes, Quinn 4 votes.
  2. Young Player of the Year – MICHAEL BROWN
    Browny by a mile. He took 46 votes. Others were Phillips 3 votes, Lomas 2 votes, Foster 2 votes.
  3. Most Improved Player – STEVE LOMAS
    Lomas shaded it (this wasn’t the only section that the eloquent Stevie featured highly in (see later). Lomas polled 19 votes, Brown 18 votes, Kinky 4, Symons 3, Summerbee 3, Quinn 3. Kernaghan 1!
  4. Best Match Seen (Involving City) – NEWCASTLE UNITED (HOME)
    Newcastle (Home) polled 35 votes, Villa (Home) 5 votes, Southampton (Home) 5 votes, Villa (away) 2 votes, Leeds (away) 2 votes, Rags (away FAC) 2 votes, Rags (Home) 1 vote, Chelsea (away) 1 vote, Leicester (H)(FAC rep) 1 vote, Bolton (Home) 1 vote.
  5. Best Individual Performance by a City Player – GIO KINKLADZE vs. SOUTHAMPTON (HOME)
    Gio’s magic vs. Southampton (H) polled 23 votes, Gio again vs. Newcastle (H) 7 votes, Gio again vs. Leeds (A) 3 votes, Gio again vs. Villa (H) 2 votes, Gio vs. Leicester (FAC)(H) 3 votes, Gio vs. Villa (A) 1 vote, Gio vs. Middlesboro (A) 2 votes, Lomas vs. Sheff Wed (H) 1 vote, Lomas vs. Rags (FAC) 1 vote, Symons vs. Newcastle (H) 1 vote, Symons vs. Bolton (H) 1 vote, Uwe vs. Rags(H) 1 vote. 1 person voted Eike Immel for every match
  6. Best Performance by City – NEWCASTLE UNITED (HOME)
    Newcastle (H) 22 votes, Villa (H) 12 votes, Leeds (A) 5 votes, Rags (FAC) 3 votes, Villa (A) 3 votes, Southampton (H) 2 votes, Chelsea (A) 1 vote, Liverpool (H) 1 vote, Bolton (H) 1 vote, QPR (H) 1 vote.
  7. Worst Performance by a City Side – WIMBLEDON (AWAY)
    Wimbledon (A) 41 votes, Liverpool (A) (PL) 7 votes, QPR (A) 2 votes, Newcastle (A) 2 votes, WHU (A) 1 vote, Forest (A) 1 vote, Bolton (A) 1 vote, Everton (H) 1 vote, Coventry (H)(PL) 1 vote, Arsenal (H) 1 vote.
  8. Worst City Player – MICHAEL FRONTZECK
    Michael Frontzeck 13 votes, Gerry Creaney 11 votes, Nicky Summerbee 8 votes, Keith Curle 6 votes, Ian Brightwell 2 votes, Richard Edghill 1 vote, Terry Phelan 1 vote, Ronnie Ekelund 2 votes, Rae Ingram 1 vote, Eduardo Abazjaz 1 vote.
  9. Best Opposing Side – LIVERPOOL
    Liverpool 22 votes, Newcastle 12 votes, Rags 8 votes, Chelsea 2 votes, Spurs 1 vote, WHU 1 vote, Everton 1 vote, Villa 1 vote, Arsenal 1 vote.
  10. Best Opposing Player – RUUD GULLIT
    Ruud Gullit 13 votes, Philipe Albert 7 votes, Steve McManaman 6 votes, Robbie Fowler 5 votes, Eric Cantona 5 votes, Alan Shearer 4 votes, David Ginola 3 votes, Julian Dicks 1 vote, Nicky Butt 1 vote, Sol Campbell 1 vote, Regi Blinker 1 vote, Peter Schmeichel 1 vote, Sasa Curcic 1 vote.
  11. Worst Opposing Side – QPR
    QPR 11 votes, Bolton 8 votes, Wimbledon 6 votes, Leeds 4 votes, Sheff. Wed 4 votes, Leicester 3 votes, Southampton 3 votes, Coventry 3 votes, WHU 2 votes, Forest 1 vote, Rags 1 vote, Wycombe 1 vote, Villa 1 vote.
  12. Worst Opposing Player – ROY KEANE
    Roy Keane 8 votes, Eric Cantona 4 votes, Andy Cole 4 votes, Steve Bruce 2 votes, Faustino Asprilla 2 votes, Alan Thompson 2 votes, Savo Milosevic 2 votes, Matthew Le Tissier 2 votes, Nicky Butt 1 vote, Jason Lee 1 vote, Dion Dublin 1 vote, Ian Dowie 1 vote, Nathan Blake 1 vote, Darren Peacock 1 vote, Juninho 1 vote, Neil Cox 1 vote, Gary Neville 1 vote, Paul McGrath 1 vote. (They all looked good compared to City) 2 votes.
  13. Best visiting fans at Maine Road – NEWCASTLE UNITED
    Many answered this with a question mark or a blank, but for the rest of us the winners were the Toon Army, who took 10 votes; Aston Villa got 3 votes, Wycombe 2 votes, Coventry 2 votes, Bolton 2 votes, Sheff Wed 1 vote, Leicester 1 vote (with note: anyone who chants “we want 1” against us is all right in my book), Southampton 1 vote, Chelsea 1 vote, Liverpool 1 vote, WHU 1 vote.
  14. Best atmosphere/support by City Fans – BLACKBURN (Away)
    This was the match with the endless version of Blue Moon. It polled 12 votes. Liverpool (A)(PL) 9 votes, Liverpool (H)(PL) 5 votes, Coventry (A)(FAC) 3 votes, Rags (A)(FAC) 5 votes, Aston Villa (H) 2 votes, Bolton (H) 1 vote, Newcastle (H) 1 vote, Arsenal (A) 1 vote, Wimbledon (A) 1 vote, Aston Villa (A) 1 vote, WHU (A) 1 vote, QPR (A) 1 vote.
  15. Best atmosphere at Maine Road – LIVERPOOL
    Liverpool 16 votes, Newcastle 10 votes, Rags 8 votes, Villa 3 votes, Southampton 3 votes, Leicester 2 votes, Bolton 1 vote.
  16. Best new song/chant by City fans – ‘WONDERBALL’
    ‘Wonderball’ 31 votes,‘Alan Ball Is A Football Genius’ 3 votes,‘Kinky’s Song’ 2 votes,‘We’re S**t, and we’re Getting Worse’ 1 vote,‘If You’re Going To Grimsby Clap Your Hands’ 1 vote,‘S**t Team, Great Fans’ 1 vote,‘City, City, The Best Team In The Land etc’ 1 vote,‘Ee Ay Adio We’ve Had A Shot’ 1 vote (at Liverpool Away Lge)[I remember this at Wycombe, not Liverpool – anyone else? – Paul],‘S**t Ground, No Fans’ 1 vote (at Swamp FAC),‘We’ve Got Gerry, Gerry, Gerry, Gerry, Creaney on the Wing etc’ 1 vote (vs. Leicester Home FAC).
  17. (a) Highlight of the season on the pitch – GIO’s GOAL vs. SOUTHAMPTON (H)
    Gio’s goal polled 21 votes. Other votes included the Oasis gig, Steve Lomas exposing himself vs. Blackburn, Last 10 minutes at Blackburn, Uwe’s goal vs. Rags (H) and (A), Kav’s goal vs. Rags, Niall Quinn’s consistency. Gio in general.
    (b) Highlight of the season on the pitch – STEVE LOMAS INTERVIEW ON MotD AFTER VILLA AWAY (5 votes)
    Other votes included Photo’s with various players, Meeting a good lookingCity fan living in Coventry, Buying Clough, Buying Symons, Niall Quinn’s dignity off the pitch, Euro 96 song.
  18. Worst experience of the season – GOING DOWN/LIVERPOOL LAST GAME AFTERMATH (29 votes)
    Penalty Decision at Swamp 11 votes, Losing at Wimbledon 4 votes, Giggs’ goal 2 votes, Attack on City fans in Clarence by ‘Boro fans 2 votes, AB’s appointment 2 votes, 3 losses to Rags 1 vote.
  19. Most ridiculous comment by player/manager/pundit – ALAN BALL “I ENJOYED IT” (after losing 6-0 at Liverpool) 11 votes.
    Anything by AB 7 votes “I would give the same decision again” – Wilkie 2 votes,“He wasn’t interfering with play” – Brooking on the Southampton offside ‘Goal’. 3 votes, “We won’t be Relegated” – S.Lomas. 1 vote. “We won’t be Relegated” – F.Lee. 1 vote. “I told you I’d bounce back” – AB. 1 vote. Fergie on Forest. 3 votes. Fergie on Leeds. 1 vote. Fergie on the Grey Kit. 1 vote. “He can do that” – AB (after Gio’s goal vs. Southampton) 2 votes. “Take it into the corner Stevie” – AB (during Liverpool home game) “We played well” – AB after any defeat. 1 vote. “Manchester Utd. Team of the Century” – Headline in MUEN. “You have to take 1 step back to go 2 forward” – AB 1 vote. Trevor Brooking’s constant references to the Rags as ‘Manchester’ during the FAC final. 1 vote. Lineker saying that Quinn would have surprised himself with his backheel vs. Villa. 2 votes. “I don’t know what Rösler is on” – AB. “30 from 100 isn’t bad” – AB. 1 vote. “Hansen would say that it was bad defending.” Brooking after Gio’swondergoal vs. Soton. 1 vote. “I don’t care what Rösler or Quinn want” – AB. 1 vote. Frank Clark blaming Fantasy Football for Jason Lee’s poor form.
  20. Biggest waste of money – ANDY COLE
    Andy Cole 21 votes, Faustino Asprilla 10 votes, Tony Coton 5 votes, Garry Flitcroft 1 vote, Warren Barton 1 vote, Gerry Creaney 6 votes, Keith Curle 1 vote, Andy Silenzi 1 vote, Juninho 1 vote, Tomas Brolin 4 votes, Kevin Campbell 1 vote, David Platt 1 vote, Michael Frontzeck 1 vote.
  21. Goal of the season – NO WE DIDN’T NEED TO ASK.
    Gio’s goal vs. Southampton polled 51 votes. Gio’s goal vs. Middlesbrough polled 2 votes.

The End – do I now get ‘Trainspotter of the Year’ award?

Ken Foster (kf737@vossnet.co.uk)

Survey Results – Collated by Mark Edwards

  1. Where do you live?
    Not surprisingly most, 86% of subscribers who replied, live in the UK. The remainder are made up of Norway 4%, USA 4%, Ireland 2%, Netherlands 2% and Sweden 2%. The top place to be a Blue is obviously Manchester: 34% live in Greater Manchester. The next is London 8% then Derbyshire 1% (that’s Ash and me). Bacup is on a par with 1% which is probably because the Howarth family hail from there. The remainder is scattered pretty evenly throughout the UK.
  2. Number of games attended in 1995/96?
    The total number of games seen by our subscribers last season was 713. The highest being 45 and the average in the 25-30 bracket, presumably most if not all home games and a few away.
  3. Where you a season ticket holder last season?
    Yes 41%, No 59%
  4. Will you be a season ticket holder next season?
    Yes 43%, No 57%
  5. Where is your usual spot at Maine Road?
    Kippax Stand 50%, Main Stand 17%, North Stand 8%, Umbro Stand 6%, N/A 19%
  6. Opinion of facilities at Maine Road?
    There were a few unprintable remarks on this one so I put them in the “poor” section.
    Very Good 10%, Good 44%, Average 15%, Poor 13%, Very Poor 2% (you don’t want to know what he said), No opinion 16%
  7. Best away ground visited?
    Blackburn 11%, Newcastle 9%, Arsenal 9%, Spurs 7%, Man. Utd. 7%, Middlesbrough 5%, Liverpool 5%, Southampton 5%, Aston Villa 5%, Nottm. Forest 2%, Sheff. Wed. 2%, Q.P.R. 2%, No opinion 36%
  8. Opinion of ticket distribution at Maine Road?
    Very Good 6%, Good 13%, Average 27%, Poor 15%, Very Poor 17%, No Opinion 22%
  9. If the national stadium is to be built in Manchester would you like City to move there?
    This prompted many passionate comments from lovers of Maine Road: Yes 29%, No 53%, Don’t Know 18%
  10. Are ticket prices too high, too low or about right?
    Too High 27%, About Right 65%, Too Low 0%, No Opinion 8%
  11. Who would you like to see City buy?
    Top Ten:
    1. Shearer 21%
    2. Fowler 11%
    3. Hagi 8%
    4. Hendry 6%
    5. McManaman 4%
    6. Klinsmann 4%
    7. Gerrard 4%
    8. Ginola 2%
    9. Whelan 2%
    10. Poborsky 2%
  12. Who would you like to see City sell?
    More people wanted to contribute to this one than any other question. I wonder why? Here’s the top ten:
    1. Keith Curle 28%
    2. Michael Frontzeck 16%
    3. Nick Summerbee 12%
    4. Gerry Creaney 11%
    5. Andy Dibble 11%
    6. Eike Immel 8%
    7. Alan Kernaghan 7%
    8. Uwe R

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The Editorial team of mcivta.com consist of several people. Typically news and information that is provided by a third part will be distributed by the "Editor". Phil Alcock is the current Editor in Chief of the MCIVTA newsletter.