Newsletter #565

A brief issue but nevertheless, one containing the welcome news that we are once again heading the Division, after the Blues regained something like their earlier season form to dispose of WBA at the Hawthorns. We have a matchview from Geoff Donkin, as well as Peter’s news summary, opinion, a nice Why Blue… and of course, a league table!

The next issue will be Thursday, assuming there’s enough to actually form an issue!

NEWS SUMMARY

G-Force Take City Top

City went back to the top of Division One with a 2-0 win in a hard fought battle at the Hawthorns. Second-half strikes from Danny Granville and Shaun Goater gave the Blues all three points, sending Joe Royle’s men above Huddersfield after the Terriers only drew at Crewe. Granville’s runs down the left-hand side were a constant threat after City lost calf-injury victim Mark Kennedy early on, and after an even opening period the full-back scored the opener five minutes after the break. Albion came back strongly and Micky Evans’ header struck the bar before Shaun Goater made the game safe on 72 minutes. The Blues’ top scorer ran onto a Danny Tiatto flick from Nicky Weaver’s clearance to complete the scoring. Late in the second period, Paul Dickov returned from injury, coming on for Lee Peacock, while Tony Grant made his City début when replacing Jamie Pollock for the last ten minutes.

Royle Happy as City Seal Safety

Manchester City’s 2-0 win at West Brom on Sunday means the Blues had notched as many points by 2pm on Boxing Day as they managed in their entire 1997-98 Division One relegation campaign. And needless to say, manager Joe Royle was delighted with the three-point haul at The Hawthorns. “I thought we played some marvellous football against West Brom and banking maximum points was a marvellous Christmas present,” enthused the City boss, before going on to hail a couple of his team’s heroes. “Shaun Goater put the game beyond doubt and I would have made him my man of the match but Richard Jobson was outstanding, too.” And barring a literally unprecedented collapse, City have already practically ensured against a swift return to Division Two. Royle, however, made clear at the start of this season that his sights were trained much higher than mere survival and his team’s form so far indicates that his aspirations weren’t a flight of fancy.

Royle – Fans Can Take Us Up

The Blues went into the Christmas programme in a much healthier position than the club was in a year ago. And manager Joe Royle believes the Maine Road fans hold the key to further progress. Exactly twelve months ago, City started the Boxing Day encounter at Wrexham in twelfth place in Division Two. A measure of the progress since lies in the fact that York City, then two places and three points adrift of the Blues in the table, are now nineteenth in Division Three – 65 places below City. And Royle feels that his squad could even go further and achieve the Holy Grail of a Premiership return – if the fans play their part. “If our home form stands up to the test for the rest of the season then we’ve got a real chance of going up,” Royle said. “But we need the crowd to be patient and not get nervous as they have been recently because that can affect the players.”

Three Linked With Maine Road Departures

Three City players have been linked with moves away from Maine Road as Joe Royle looks to trim his squad following the recent signings of Robert Taylor and Tony Grant. Gareth Taylor is said to be on the wanted list of his former club Sheffield United, with one report claiming the Blues have turned down a bid of £350,000 from Blades’ boss Neil Warnock. Michael Brown, currently on loan at Bramall Lane, is supposedly interesting West Bromwich Albion, while Danny Allsopp is also rumoured to have his admirers. The Australian front man turned down Gillingham last month, but is now being linked with a move to either Preston or Bournemouth.

Selection Dilemma for Mariners’ Visit

Manchester City manager Joe Royle is waiting on the fitness of winger Mark Kennedy and striker Robert Taylor before naming his team to take on Grimsby Town at Maine Road. But even if the pair are both missing, the City boss still faces some tough choices. Kennedy was substituted in the first half at West Brom with a calf strain while Taylor missed the Hawthorns visit with ‘flu. But with Paul Dickov returning as a second-half substitute after a two-month lay-off, with Kevin Horlock available again after serving a one-match ban against the Baggies and with new-boy Tony Grant also pushing for inclusion, Royle has something of an embarrassment of riches from which to select the team to face the Mariners. “All of a sudden we have got too many players and I have got some real head scratching to do before for the next game,” admitted the City boss, though he conceded it’s a problem he’s happy to have.

Boss Cautions Against Complacency

Joe Royle is warning his players not to take Grimsby lightly when the Mariners visit Maine Road for Tuesday’s Bank Holiday clash. The Blues will start firm favourites to notch another win, but the City manager believes that the two sides’ Boxing Day results will count for nothing tomorrow afternoon. City produced a solid performance to win 2-0 at West Brom while the Mariners are in 19th position in Division One after a 3-0 Blundell Park drubbing at the hands of Barnsley. But Royle believes City were fortunate in facing Albion at the best possible time, and says that the result won’t automatically herald three points against Alan Buckley’s men. “It was a good time to go to West Brom. They are in turmoil with a new chairman, their manager Brian Little was off ill and their fans were disgruntled,” admitted the Blues boss. “Now we must be careful against Grimsby when the expectations of the crowd will be high. If we don’t treat them with the same respect we showed West Brom we will have problems so it’s going to be a hard game.”

MATCHVIEW

The Beaver in Beverley saw a pretty good turn out of Blues for a Boxing Day with the majority of the CSA Branch in attendance (don’t forget the meeting there on the day of the Leeds match everyone). No Super Kev due to suspension and Super Bob missing through flu (officially – unofficially, paternity leave? Congrats Bob). A fairly evenly matched first half, though aside from a good chance that fell to Jamie Pollock from a Danny Granville cross, we didn’t look particularly dangerous. Mark Kennedy had started well then took a knock which saw him go off and be replaced with Danny Tiatto who never really put himself about as much as he did when coming on against Swindon… though he did have an important part to play in the second goal. Defensively we were much better than when we last visited the Midlands, though there were still a few scary moments, usually as a result of the dual WBA threat of Evans and Hughes, and Nicky Weaver made a good one-handed save in a slightly unorthodox fashion. Wiekens was having a tough time with Hughes and got booked. The game overall wasn’t dirty, just a bit rumbustious at times – even slimline Jamie got a bang on the head at one point.

Second half was better, with City taking the lead with a very good goal. Whitley(?) won the ball in midfield, the ball was fed through to Shaun G who threaded it into the path of the onrushing Granville on the left wing who finished like a striker from 12 yards or so. Cue uproar in the pub (what did happen to my pint?). They came back at us but we held firm (Jobbo got the Sky man of the match award) and extended the lead with Shaun’s 14th of the season as he ran on to a flick from Tiatto as the WBA players appealed for offside. He held the ball for what seemed likely to be too long then put the ball in the same spot as Granville. 2-0 – we’re going top… at least until tea time.

Great Christmas present from JR and the lads. A bit “seat of the pants” (as the watching Leeds supporter commented) at times but overall a much more committed performance than of late. Nicky will be glad of the clean sheet; overall the defence worked well together even if they were a little slow at times against a quickish WBA attack. Midfield seemed a little overrun at times; though Pollock and Whitley fought firm but fair, Bish seemed a bit cautious and Tiatto didn’t get into the game much. Peacock put himself about a lot in the first half but faded in the second and was replaced by Dickov who, along with Grant replacing Pollock, didn’t get much chance to do a great deal as the game was effectively won by then. As for Shaun, he’d had a fairly quiet game overall, but as we agreed afterwards, if your centre forward scores one (his only clear chance of the game if it’s of interest to his (surely) dwindling detractors) and helps make the other he can claim to have had a good afternoon. Bring on Grimsby!

Happy New Year to All Blues (I subscribe to the pedantic notion that the Millennium ends in a year’s time).

FOOTBALLER OF THE CENTURY

This is a must! Radio Five is doing a footballer of the century poll. So everyone go on-line and vote for Colin Bell or if you are older, Peter Doherty or Frank Swift. The URL is http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/news/features/soccer_century/century.shtml?configfile=votecontrol3.xml

‘Cause not one of them is mentioned!

RESURGENCE OF THE BLUES

I am an exile living in Portsmouth and was shopping with my son on 23/12/99, browsing through a sports shop. My lad, who is 13 years old, is City daft and mentioned to his mum that he wanted the new home shirt for Xmas. He spotted the City home shirt on sale at £39.95 (normal price I believe) and I said “Christ that’s expensive!” He agreed but said “Aw yes dad, but isn’t it great!” He then spotted the new away shirt and a replica of the 1967/68 Championship shirt on sale for £29.95. I was really interested in this shirt, and so asked a young assistant if he could get the shirt down for me to look at. This young lad (approx 17 years old) said “Why! Are you a Blue?” Our reply was “Are you kidding! We eat, breathe and sleep City.” “So do I” he said. “My mum is a Blue from Portsmouth and her idol is Colin Bell, who she adored as a young girl, and I have always supported City.” We made him extremely jealous when we informed him that we had our photo’s taken with Colin before the Liverpool game (relegation day).

It turns out that this lad used to work in the Pompey supporters’ shop at Fratton park and that the manager there was also a Blue! How ironic is that? Anyway he said to me that of all the shirts in the shop, they have sold 3 times as many City shirts than any other team in the run up to Xmas, including the Rags (of which there was only one version on display). My lad and me had a good chinwag with the other Blue and strolled out of the shop with huge grins on our faces. BTW I had already got him the home shirt from the Academy (same price). Do you know something? That is the only thing he asked for! Great eh!

MISCELLANEOUS COMMENT

Firstly, I just wanted to say that because of pressure of time, I don’t always get to read all of MCIVTA, so I just have to skim it looking for the bits that catch my eye. But this week as it’s the Christmas holiday period I’ve just had time to read MCIVTA 564 completely from start to finish…

… And basically there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s really a bloody good read. Lots of variety, excellent thought-provoking comment, bits of humour sprinkled around etc.

Now it may be that every club in the league has something similar, or better – though personally I doubt it – but anyway I’d like to offer a genuine “thank you” to everyone who writes in.

Moving swiftly on…

W  ith
E  xpected
S  econd-half
T  urnaround,
B  rummie
R  esistance
O  vercome
M  agnificently

LEEDS GAME IN MELBOURNE

As this game is going to be on Foxtel, oh no, we would like to get as many of us as possible to The Charles Dickens Hotel in Collins St, Melbourne. This might be our only chance to see them play this year. Go City.

END OF THE MILLENNIUM

Bob Laurence is dead right about the last game of the millennium taking place on 31 December, 2000. Think about it. You celebrate your birthday when you have completed the year, not at the start of the year. All the Millennium fuss taking place over the next few days is a year too early!

OPINION – RECENT VISIT

Well I finally got to Maine Road for the 1st time this season, only to pick the Stocky game! Arrived early with the hope of getting a ticket and did; 25 pounds later I was enjoying a pre-game beer or two with my brother in the North Stand. Beer and pie were ok, and as we were early we missed the bar crush. The game… was poor in the 1st half, worse in the 2nd. City lacked shape, although I thought Kennedy was excellent all night, some great crosses, but no one to meet them.

Of note in part however, was some of the crowd who picked out Edghill for some vocal stick right from kick off. How anyone thinks that helps the team/Edghill is beyond me. The Stockport fan next to me who jumped with joy at their equaliser, sat motionless before and after their penalty winner, and left soon after, he did comment to me that City looked nervous throughout the game, a little like him after the Stockport winner.

My point; look back 12 months ago and reflect how far City have come and how the atmosphere at the club has improved. No one at City needs to be reminded to keep the faith, we all have for years, but come May we should all really have something to shout about.

OPINION – EASTLANDS

Now that it’s been confirmed that we are moving to Eastlands in a few years time, does anyone know of the plans the club has to make this “our” stadium? By that, I mean, what will the outside (and the inside!) of the stadium look like? I am worried that we are going to get a vast concrete bowl that may have a huge capacity and state of the art facilities, but not represent anything connected with our heritage.

Are the seats going to be sky (or laser) blue? Will they have “MCFC” spelt out in white for everyone to see? Will there be club crests on the stands à la Newcastle, Sunderland and many of the other new or redeveloped grounds? And what about the outside? Will there just be a “City of Manchester Stadium… owned by Manchester City Council” sign? I do hope not. Of course, we are not paying for the building costs of the stadium, and technically it won’t be “ours”, but I think we must insist that this new place feels like home – it needs to be a place that we can feel proud of… and part of.

I have visited quite a few new or refurbished grounds recently and without exception, all of them leave you in no doubt as to which club you are visiting. The excellent Stadium of Light has imposing gates at the main entrance with club crests dotted everywhere. Wolves’ Molineux has a statue of Billy Wright – Leeds even have Billy Bremner outside Elland Road. Surely this is the ideal opportunity for City to pay homage to our greatest hero, and erect a statue of the late, great Joe Mercer outside the new stadium? I’m no expert, but in modern footballing terms I’m sure it wouldn’t cost that much… and it would mean so much to all Blues.

So that’s it really… all I want for Christmas is blue seats, club crests everywhere and a Joe Mercer statue (oh, and a City museum… that would be another great draw!).

Whaddya think?

OPINION – WORST XI

Sticking Beesley on the left wing deprives this miserable XI of the truly useless Rick Holden. Hard to argue with the rest though.

HUMOUR – PREDICTIONS

January

David Beckham again denies that wife Victoria is anorexic, telling an interviewer: “She doesn’t even wear anoraks, so how can she be sick of them?” Just hours before their flight to Brazil, Manchester United announce that they are to withdraw from the FIFA Clubs World Championship to take part in the Nuneaton & District Schools Challenge Cup (Under-12s section). “You can’t stand in the way of progress,” says chairman Martin Edwards. After the success of Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography Managing My Life, Paul Gascoigne releases his own tell-all memoirs, entitled Mangling My Wife.

February

Fulham owner Mohammed Al-Fayed fails in his latest bid to win an English passport. Several members of the Liverpool squad immediately offer him the use of theirs on the grounds that they have no plans to visit Europe at any time in the near future. Commemorative Nuneaton & District Schools Challenge Cup (Under-12s section) winners’ shirts go on sale at Manchester United Megastore. After John Gregory’s dismissal, Glenn Hoddle returns to management as boss of Aston Villa and pledges never to repeat his slurs against the disabled. “Anyone who thinks I’ll fall into that trap again must be a complete spastic,” he says.

March

In a shock press conference at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson and Martin Edwards announce their intention to withdraw Manchester United from the 1999-2000 Champions League due to fixture congestion. Both angrily deny their decision has anything to do with the fact that they were knocked out of the competition the previous night by Lazio. Arsenal drop out of the championship race after having all ten outfield players sent off in the first half of a Premiership game. “I didn’t see anything,” says Arsene Wenger, who admits he is furious about the late goal which allowed Sheffield Wednesday to earn a 1-1 draw.

April

Manchester United transfer-list Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ronny Johnsen after all three are captured on film obeying the speed limit. Leeds wrap up the Premiership, but their celebrations are ruined when Alan Smith and Jonathan Woodgate are found to have swapped their championship medals for some rare Pokemon trading cards. Chris Sutton is a surprise late entrant for the election to become Mayor Of London. “He’s the most complete mare I’ve ever come across,” says campaign backer Ken Bates.

May

Arsenal win the FA Cup. Their victory parade through the streets of North London ends at Highbury, where they immediately face Cambridge United in their third round tie from season 2000-2001, brought forward because of fixture congestion. There is some consolation for beaten finalists Newcastle United as, along with his loser’s medal, The Queen hands Bobby Robson a telegram. “I was planning to send you this later in the week anyway,” she explains. After Barcelona humiliate Chelsea 5-0 in the European Cup Final, an angry Gianluca Vialli lambasts his side, claiming: “We played like a bunch of schoolgirls out there.” The players point out they were only acting on orders from coach Graham Rix.

June

David Beckham is sent off to a chorus of boos as England crash 3-0 to Portugal in their first game of Euro 2000. When asked afterwards how he’ll cope with the stick, Beckham replies: “I don’t think she’ll mind at all. Victoria doesn’t really like football”. ITV’s tournament coverage is thrown into chaos when analyst Craig Brown flies home straight after the first round. After successive defeats by Germany and Romania, England are out too and Kevin Keegan turns his attentions to the forthcoming World Cup qualification campaign. “I think we can win it,” he says.

July

Italy beat Germany 2-0 to win Euro 2000. In the wild celebrations which follow, David May is pictured proudly holding the trophy aloft. During a hectic four-week campaign, Manchester United play every other club side on earth and defeat them all. A subsequent Football 365 poll asks: ‘Are Manchester United The Best Team In The World?’, 95% of readers say no. Released by United, Teddy Sheringham signs for Fulham and receives a brand new Harrods racing bike from owner Mohammed Al-Fayed as part of the deal. “I can’t wait to show those Gooners my pedals,” he says.

August

Paul Gascoigne’s much-rumoured move to a top American outfit goes awry when it is discovered that he is too fat to fit inside the Ronald McDonald suit. Manchester United announce their intention to withdraw from the Premiership because of fixture congestion. Explains chairman Martin Edwards: “Removing these 38 meaningless games from our schedule will give us ample time for our important friendlies against Singapore Rattans, Kuala Lumpur Neckstretchers and the Arkansas Howdy-Doodies, plus the defence of our Nuneaton & District Schools Challenge Cup (Under-12s section) crown”.

September

Alan Shearer is among eight Newcastle first teamers sidelined with dental problems. Club insiders blame Bobby Robson’s insistence on replacing the traditional halftime oranges with bags of Werther’s Originals. After a disappointing start to the new season, Blackburn sack boss Tony Parkes and immediately re-appoint him as caretaker manager. Called to the Premiership match between Leicester and Coventry, the bomb squad manages to defuse Martin O’Neill, though Gordon Strachan is destroyed in a controlled explosion.

October

Hounded out of England, David Beckham joins Juventus and announces that he has topped former team-mate Roy Keane’s contract by signing a lucrative 51,000 lire-a-week deal. Manchester United announce their intention to withdraw from the EC and NATO. Following months of frustration at Peter Johnson’s refusal to sanction the purchase of new players, Everton fans are delighted when new chairman Alan Sugar arrives at Goodison Park.

November

Robbie Fowler tells an interviewer, “it’s a privilege to be one small part of the greatest club in the world.” Sadly, the club he is talking about is Cream. Bored of winning everything in Scottish football, Glasgow Rangers turn their hand to politics and sweep the board in Scottish elections. Sadly, their domestic excellence is not mirrored by a dismal set of European policies. Bonfire Night is one to forget for Ryan Giggs, who is involved in an accident with a firework. He sobs, “The gaffer’s always telling me that I’m no rocket scientist”.

December

After protests that 1999’s event was too subdued, Gerard Houllier announces that Liverpool’s Christmas party will be held in a sleazy dive. “That sounds right up my street,” declares Michael Owen. Chris Sutton spends a fortune on a top-of-the-range PC for Christmas, but a defective modem ensures he can’t find the ‘net. Manchester United call on the Russians to withdraw from Chechnya and Michael Douglas to withdraw from Catherine Zeta Jones. Asked whether he is enjoying life in Italy, David Beckham replies, “is the Pope Catholic?” Adds the midfielder: “Well? Is he? I really need to find out.”

WHY BLUE?

After reading several Why Blues, just recently I thought you might like to hear mine, nothing exciting realy but here goes.

A so called friend of mine had a birthday, seventh I think. This made it 1968/9. A trip to see the Rags and he could take a friend. So thinking I was a Rag, off we went my so called friend and his Rag of a dad. Don`t remember much about the game, just a feeling that something wasn’t right. The months went by and the feeling got worse; I tried to tell my mates I was not like other boys but I couldn’t come out. Then came the day walking through Stockport I saw a vision in a shop window. Colin Bell (King). As near to a god as you’re likely to get. The picture was on my bedroom wall within the hour but how was I going to get to to see my hero?

Then to the rescue came Bill Boyd and his wife. Bill, a German, offered to take me as he went every week to the Academy. My own parents were not realy interested in footy so off we went every other week. I was privileged to see Colin in action, a joy to behold. Week in, week out, seeing Bell, Lee, Young, Summerbee. Does it get any better?

I was not a Blue trapped in a Rag body any more. I went with Bill and his wife for several more years till I was old enough to go with my real mates. Those were great years going home and away with the Blues. Dennis Tueart’s overhead at wembley and all that. The years went on then came marriage. Unfortunately the Blues took a back seat for a few years ’til we got on our feet, just taking in the odd match. Then after my two sons were born and started growing up they came with me to the Academy. My eldest son, like me, used to think he was a Rag, a Blue trapped in a Red body if you like. After a heart to heart he began to see things in a different light. Amazing what stopping spends will do. Glad to say things turned out fine – kids need that push in the right direction even if you have to shove sometimes, they will thank you in the end. All three of us now 2nd year season ticket holders in the Platt Lane family stand.

So this is more of a life story than just a why blue, sorry if it bored you to death but you have to tell it like it is. I owe a great debt to Bill Boyd who has sadly passed on, and to Colin Bell, the greatest player I have ever seen.

By the way, does anybody remember Colin Bell’s testimonial after the match in the Social Club with poor Bob Carrolgees trying to do his act over the top of we`ll drink a drink to Colin the King? Top stuff. A night I will never forget, getting to shake hands with Colin at the stage door in floods of tears. He said “we all have to go sometime”. So that’s it, I’m a Blue because of Bill and Colin, I salute you.

From Tim the Disley Blue.

RESULTS

Recent results to 27 December 1999 inclusive.

26 December 1999

Birmingham City       0 - 2  Sheffield United
Blackburn Rovers      2 - 1  Nottingham Forest
Charlton Athletic     2 - 1  Crystal Palace
Crewe Alexandra       1 - 1  Huddersfield Town
Fulham                0 - 0  Ipswich Town
Grimsby Town          0 - 3  Barnsley
Norwich City          2 - 1  Queens Park Rangers
Stockport County      3 - 2  Wolverhampton Wndrs
Swindon Town          1 - 1  Portsmouth
Walsall               1 - 2  Tranmere Rovers
West Bromwich Albion  0 - 2  Manchester City

League table to 26 December 1999 inclusive.

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  GD Pts
 1 Manchester City 24  9  0  3 25  9  6  3  3 12 10 15  3  6 37 19  18  48
 2 Huddersfield T. 24 10  2  0 32 10  4  3  5 11 14 14  5  5 43 24  19  47
 3 Charlton Ath.   23  8  2  2 21 11  5  3  3 19 14 13  5  5 40 25  15  44
 4 Ipswich Town    24  9  1  2 25 12  3  6  3 15 14 12  7  5 40 26  14  43
 5 Barnsley        23  9  1  2 28 12  4  2  5 17 23 13  3  7 45 35  10  42
 6 Stockport C.    24  7  5  0 22 14  4  2  6  9 18 11  7  6 31 32  -1  40
 7 Fulham          24  5  5  2 11  7  3  7  2 13 11  8 12  4 24 18   6  36
 8 Norwich City    23  7  1  3 13  9  2  6  4 10 12  9  7  7 23 21   2  34
 9 Blackburn R.    23  6  4  2 18 10  2  5  4 11 13  8  9  6 29 23   6  33
10 QPR             24  5  7  0 19 12  3  2  7 14 18  8  9  7 33 30   3  33
11 Birmingham City 23  6  3  2 21 11  2  5  5 12 16  8  8  7 33 27   6  32
12 Wolves          23  5  4  2 17 10  3  4  5 10 14  8  8  7 27 24   3  32
13 Tranmere Rovers 24  6  3  3 20 14  3  2  7 14 21  9  5 10 34 35  -1  32
14 Bolton Wndrs    23  6  3  3 21 15  2  4  5 11 12  8  7  8 32 27   5  31
15 Crewe Alex.     24  5  4  3 11  9  2  2  8 13 22  7  6 11 24 31  -7  27
16 Sheff. United   24  5  3  4 17 14  2  3  7 12 25  7  6 11 29 39 -10  27
17 West Brom A.    24  2  7  3 12 13  3  4  5 11 16  5 11  8 23 29  -6  26
18 Crystal Palace  24  5  5  2 20 10  1  3  8 11 28  6  8 10 31 38  -7  26
19 Grimsby Town    24  6  3  3 14 15  1  2  9 10 26  7  5 12 24 41 -17  26
20 Nottm Forest    24  5  5  2 17 10  1  2  9  8 19  6  7 11 25 29  -4  25
21 Port Vale       23  4  2  5 11 12  1  6  5 15 19  5  8 10 26 31  -5  23
22 Portsmouth      24  4  5  3 16 11  1  3  8 10 26  5  8 11 26 37 -11  23
23 Walsall         24  2  4  6 10 16  2  3  7 12 23  4  7 13 22 39 -17  19
24 Swindon Town    24  2  6  4 12 19  1  3  8  5 19  3  9 12 17 38 -21  18

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Editor: