Newsletter #575
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A fairly good outcome to the weekend’s games as far as the Blues were concerned, with all 5 close rivals (doesn’t include Charlton) failing to secure the maximum three points. Rumours continue to link us with Haaland of Leeds, amid speculation that Morrison may be out for longer than expected. This issue has more on the Kippax, included somewhat obscure info on Sid Kippax of Coronation Street. We also have more on the spontaneous appearance of the pot plant, and more importantly, Maik Taylor’s cruel refusal to give it some water!
Any Why Blues? My impression is that many find these really interesting and it’d be a shame if they dried up permanently – all welcome.
Next game: Nottingham Forest away, Saturday 5th February 2000NEWS SUMMARY
City Stay Second as Rivals Falter
Ipswich and Barnsley missed the chance to take advantage of the City’s enforced absence from league action on Saturday. Both sides could have overtaken the Blues, but Ipswich could only draw 1-1 with Sheffield United while Barnsley lost 3-0 at Portsmouth. On what was a good day for City, five of this morning’s top seven teams were in action – and all failed to win. So Barnsley remain level on points with the Blues but have a worse goal difference and Ipswich are a further point behind. Huddersfield’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace keeps the Terriers in fifth place, another four points back. All three sides have played a game more than City and leaders Charlton, who were in FA Cup action. A late Andy Hunt goal gave the Addicks a 3-2 win in their fifth round tie at Coventry.
Vaughan Impresses but Canaries Undecided
Tony Vaughan played for Norwich reserves in a 1-0 defeat against Portsmouth on Thursday night. And despite the scoreline, the on-trial Blues defender reportedly gave a good account of himself. According to the official Norwich website at http://www.canaries.co.uk/, Vaughan played left back in the first half and in the centre of defence after the break. The site describes the former Ipswich man’s display as “impressive”, hinting that Vaughan did his chances of sealing a permanent £350,000 move no harm at all. However, the East Anglians have still to commit themselves to the transfer – a decision is expected later in the week.
Versatile Haaland Royle’s Defensive Answer?
Several Sunday reports are claiming that Joe Royle could be set to move for Leeds’ midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland. The former Nottingham Forest player is reportedly unhappy with his bit-part rôle at Elland Road and is said to have been watched by several clubs, including City, in recent weeks. The Norwegian was recently quoted as saying he’s keen to benefit from both the stage and the challenge on offer at Maine Road, and a bid from Royle in excess of £1 million could be enough to see the player’s wish granted. Haaland is a versatile performer who, in addition to his midfield rôle, has filled a range of positions in defence. It’s thought that if he does join the Blues, he could, at least initially, be asked to play in the centre of defence. Any move for the £1 million-rated player could depend on whether Norwich pursue the Tony Vaughan transfer – the Blues are still mindful of the need to reduce the playing staff.
Rumour: Dickov Can Go – But Not on Loan
Following rumours of interest from other clubs in City striker Paul Dickov, it’s now being claimed that Joe Royle will listen to offers for the player. But the City manager will not allow the Scot to leave Maine Road on loan. Preston and Portsmouth were said at the weekend to be eyeing a move for Dickov, although both clubs distanced themselves from the speculation later in the week. Now reports indicate that both teams would like to take the striker on loan, but Royle said, “I have had no official approach about him. I wouldn’t really be happy about allowing Paul to move anywhere on loan at the moment.” However, the City boss didn’t state his likely reaction to a bid to sign Dickov on a permanent basis – leading to speculation that the response could be favourable.
Two Strikers to Arrive on Trial
Manchester City are set to give trials to two up-and-coming strikers. Mark McGregor of Nationwide Conference Club Forest Green Rovers and Norwegian youngster Jan Roger Melleby will both be in Manchester this week to be put through their paces. Twenty-year-old McGregor comes recommended by his manager Frank Gregan, an old friend of City boss Joe Royle. And the player has an impressive record at Conference level, having scored freely this season in a struggling side. Teenager Melleby, meanwhile, will spend a few days at the Blues’ Platt Lane Academy. The 18-year-old plays in the Norwegian Premier Division for Odd Grenland.
City Fan Dixon Set for Summer Switch?
Arsenal’s long-serving full-back pairing of Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon could be broken up in the summer. And weekend newspaper reports claim that one half of the duo may find a new home at Maine Road. It’s said that lifelong City fan Dixon could move to Maine Road on a free transfer – if the Blues are successful in their promotion bid. The 35-year-old has been an integral part of the Gunners’ success under first George Graham and then Arsene Wenger. But the Frenchman is gradually rebuilding his ageing rearguard, meaning Dixon may refuse a new one-year contract in favour of a two-year deal elsewhere. And a return to his native north west reportedly appeals to the ex-Burnley, Bury, Chester and Stoke player.
Morrison Hopes to be Back “Within a Month”
City skipper Andy Morrison’s return to action is already behind schedule, sparking rumours that his injury is more serious than has yet been admitted. But now it’s claimed that the City skipper is hopeful of a return to action sooner rather than later. Originally Morrison had been due to play for the Blues’ reserves on Tuesday against Birmingham but in fact he’s returned for a second week of rehabilitation work at the specialist sports injuries clinic at Lilleshall. And latest reports state that last season’s bargain buy from Huddersfield is aiming to make his comeback at the end of February. The doubts over Morrison’s fitness, coupled with Tony Vaughan’s prospective transfer and the evident view of Nick Fenton as one for the future rather than the present, have led to speculation that Joe Royle is set to move into the transfer market for a defender. Fenton’s proposed loan move to Bournemouth has, however, broken down.
Tiatto Call-Up Angers Royle
City boss Joe Royle is furious at Danny Tiatto’s Australian squad call-up for a four-team tournament in Chile in February – after Aussie coach Frank Farina had previously said he wouldn’t be selecting British-based players for the competition. Farina has kept his word to some degree – he’s omitted Harry Kewell of Leeds, Manchester United’s Mark Bosnich and Rangers’ Craig Moore. However, Farina appears less concerned not to upset Nationwide League teams and in addition to Tiatto has called on Sheffield United’s Shaun Murphy and Craig Foster of Crystal Palace. City secretary Bernard Halford has contacted the Australian FA to ask for Tiatto’s release but under the rules they have no obligation to comply.
Big Win May Spare Goater Second Call-Up
National Technical Director Clyde Best may allow Shaun Goater to miss the second leg of Bermuda’s World Cup qualifying tie against British Virgin Islands – but only if the City striker has helped his country to a commanding win in the first game. Best has confirmed that the Bermudian FA will exercise its right to secure the services of Goater and Stoke’s Kyle Lightbourne for the first leg on 5 March. The call-up means that City’s 18-goal striker will be missing for the Blues at Crystal Palace 24 hours earlier. But the island’s Royal Gazette newspaper reports that a handsome win in the away match could result in Lightbourne and Goater being allowed to miss the second leg at Bermuda’s National Stadium on 19 March – the same day as City’s promotion showdown with Charlton.
Youngster Snubs Premier Trio for City
Academy Director Jim Cassell has been insisting that the Blues are in a position to compete with the country’s biggest clubs for top youngsters. And the recent signing of Irish schoolboy William Flood is a case in point after the youngster turned down three Premiership giants to come to City. Midfielder Flood is an Irish international at under-14 level and currently plays for Dublin boys’ side Cherry Orchard. He’s attracted interest from a host of Premiership clubs and picked City ahead of a field including Manchester United, Leeds and Liverpool. Flood will arrive in Manchester in the summer to join up with the City Academy having secured what a spokesman called “a serious commitment” from the club.
Youngsters Denied Match Action
City’s young players carry the club’s hopes in the FA Youth Cup at Derby on Wednesday. But the Maine Road juniors were denied match practice on Saturday as rain forced the Blues’ Academy fixtures to be abandoned. City were taking on Liverpool at Platt Lane at both under-17 and under-19 level. And each game suffered an identical fate, starting in torrential rain which caused the match to be called off at half-time with the score goalless. If the youth side manages to beat Derby, the reward will be a trip to Huddersfield or Coventry.
City to Face Only One Forest New Boy?
City’s next opponents Nottingham Forest were expecting to have three new faces in their side for the Blues’ visit on Saturday. But two of manager David Platt’s proposed deals have broken down. After Grimsby’s Jack Lester put pen to paper, Platt hoped to complete an all-new strike pairing before the game against City by signing Sheffield United forward Martin Smith. However, Smith has now decided to snub Forest in favour of the Blues’ fellow promotion contenders Huddersfield – fuelling rumours that the Terriers are about to sell Marcus Stewart to Ipswich, another of City’s promotion rivals. Meanwhile, Derby’s Spencer Prior has also rejected a move to Forest.
City Now Gallagher’s Main Manchester Link
In an interview in Saturday’s Guardian newspaper, Noel Gallagher stated that Manchester represents no more for him than “the place where I used to live.” But the article makes clear that the Oasis guitarist and songwriter’s support for Manchester City remains undiminished. Gallagher now prefers to live in London, feeling that his fame would make him too conspicuous in his home city – “I’d probably go insane up there,” he says. And it’s in the capital that Gallagher now tends to view the Blues live, most famously in the play-off final at Wembley last May, when his exit from the stadium with City two-nil down was widely reported in the press. For those who are interested, the soon-to-be-released fourth Oasis album, ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants’, is described in the Guardian Weekend piece as “excellent” and “more subtle than its predecessors.”
Peter Brophy (brophy_peter@hotmail.com)KIPPAX
I shouldn’t get involved, but it seems there are lots of people who hope that the Kippax (or the street) isn’t named after a place in Yorkshire. I’d be happier were this not the case but it has to be named after a Yorkie town, as there’s also a Driffield Street about 4 roads in the direction of the city centre. As in Driffield, West Yorks. It’s the Yorkshire town where the Happy Mondays recorded their second album.
The Kippax Street Stand sounds cooler than “the Driffield Stand” to me. This one may develop into something very deep. Which bit of the North is the North Stand named after … all of it or just selected bits?
Marc Starr (MARCATU@aol.com)THE SEAGULL AND THE POT PLANT
Basically at some stage in the second half, I think, someone noticed that there was a pot plant (a little yellow plant resplendent in a little terracotta pot) sitting in the bottom right corner of the goal (as you look at it) in front of the North Stand.
Are you sure it wasn’t just grass?
Steve Parish (steve@bloovee.freeserve.co.uk)THE POT PLANT
Just replying to the Cathal Whelehan message in the last edition of MCIVTA: Cathal asked did anybody know how the plastic plant got in the back of the net when we played Fulham at Maine Road. Well it came from two beered up fans from the North Stand, who, when we scored a goal, lobbed it on the pitch; within minutes of the re-start we all started chanting to Maik Taylor as he was having a drink to water the plant. Unfortunately he didn’t, so he then got a chorus of abuse and boos.
Chris Yates (chris@yates7.freeserve.co.uk)POT PLANT MYSTERY
The simple solution to the pot plant mystery (MCIVTA 574) is that someone in block P threw it there. What they were doing with a pot plant at a City game is another question. I saw the pot plant land (as did many in block P) and we found it very amusing. We were a bit disappointed by the Fulham goalkeeper’s reaction when he spotted it at the end of the game when collecting his towel. Not even a smile (and he definitely saw it) – but then he had let 4 goals in so his mind may have been on other things.
Nick Mills (baroni@ic24.net)LETTER TO SOCCER AM
If you are interested, here is a copy of my email to SoccerAM. If I get a reply I’ll send it in.
It has come to my notice that one of your presenters has come into possession of a certain seagull. We (Manchester City) have had lost/stolen one such gull. This gull had become a symbol of our flight up the division and had become a good luck charm. If the gull featured on your wonderful programme is the same one, could we have it back a.s.a.p.?
As a token of apology we would demand that Alan Brazil climb up on the Kippax roof to hang the seagull back in its rightful place. Mr Brazil is you see held in very high regard by us City fans, due to his unbiased commentary when we play. You only have to hear him cheering us on in the Wembley play-off (“it’s going to be a long ride home up the M1 for the City fans… the door of Division One is now closed to Man City”) and his support for us against Fulham this season. All the best to Tim Lovejoy, Hells Bells and all the team.
Tony “the tattooed donkey” Hulme (Tony@mancity.net)KIPPAX
The only other Kippax I know of is a village/suburb on the east of Leeds. The residents that I have met seem fairly unimpressed although though there is a painter and decorator who hates the Rags so much he will paint over red paint for free.
Alan Bentley (alan@mdaoutreach1.demon.co.uk)MORE ON SID KIPPAX!
At the risk of providing more information than is strictly necessary, Sid was a money lender. Stan had to sell his window cleaning round to Eddie Yates to pay him back (1983). The amount was £184 or so.
“Stan Ogden once got in trouble with a money lender, who went by the name of Sid Kippax”
Chris Poulson (Chris.Poulson@granadamedia.com)MILTON KEYNES AND AREA OSC BRANCH
The new branch is just about up and running now with 32 official membership forms gone into the club. We had our second meeting at the ‘Enigma’ in Bletchley last Thursday where we all had a beer, a laugh and a quiz! The idea is that the branch will cover roughly the M1 corridor from Luton up to Northampton, so if there is anyone else out there who wants to join us please e-mail me (Kevin@duffy30.freeserve.co.uk) or Keith Bloomer (Keith.Bloomer@Glenayre.com) or give us a call on 01525 385290 (Kev) or 0468 070035 (Keith) and we can fill you in on when we are next getting together.
Kevin Duffy (Kevin@duffy30.freeserve.co.uk)MIRROR, MIRROR
Not wishing to start a looksist debate, he says starting one, but I really must disagree with Jim Sim’s contention that Rick Holden was the ugliest ever City player. I’m readily assured that those ‘Come back to my caravan’ eyes were quite appealing in some quarters.
For the record: Any player from the 70’s was uglier, ‘hair maketh the man’ and all that. Any player acquired from the slime also qualifies and what about that pair of brothers who turned out for City in the 90’s, Alan Harper and Peter Beardsley? I think it was me that started the rumour that there was a clause in Harper’s contract that he wasn’t allowed to appear in the team photo.
Andy Noise (Andrew.Noise@cel-international.com)POCAHONTAS – A SLIGHT BIT OF HISTORY!
Cathal,
Great article over the possible origins of Kippax but I hate to have to correct you slightly. Pocahontas was a Red Indian Princess! If I remember my history correctly she married a Captain John Smith over in Virginia, came over to England and was presented at Court. She died over here and was buried in St George’s Church, Gravesend. Her tomb is supposed to be near or under the altar in the church. How do I know this? I come from Gravesend and was actually married in that very same church.
End of history lesson!
Carol Darvill (casgio@cheerful.com)TONY GRANT BURST MY BALLOON
Or Some comments on the Blades match
On leaving Bramall Lane last week after City’s 1-0 defeat I was dejected and thought we had been cheated. Firstly Michael Brown appeared to handle the ball before despatching it beyond Nicky Weaver’s reach for the Blades’ only goal, and secondly, City were not given a penalty late in the second half when the Sheffield United defender seemed to handle the ball in the penalty box. At Sunday lunchtime I settled back to watch Yorkshire TV’s ‘Goals on Sunday’ to prove that we had been robbed. I videoed the highlights of the Sheffield vs. City game and re-ran the two incidents several times. They were shown from several angles so I got a good view of each ‘handball’. I am sorry, fellow supporters, but even from my biased viewpoint I have to admit that in each incident there was not a handball. Browny was nowhere near handling and the Sheffield defender played the ball with his chest, just like the referee indicated. The ball did seem to run across his body though, but I could not see an arm used.
Referee 2 City supporters 0, though it pains me to admit it.
Oh, and in case you are wondering, the blue and white balloons freed at the start of the match came from our contingent (thanks for supplying them, Pete Crawley) and the one Tony Grant stepped on and burst contained (possibly) air from my lungs. And finally, the one minute’s silence at the start of the game, which was decently upheld by all supporters, was for Alf Ringstead, the Sheffield United inside forward of the fifties who had died in the previous week.
Arthur Hill (r4l@capitaldesign.co.uk)END OF SEASON PREDICTIONS
A couple of seasons back in the relegation season someone did a relegation predictions league in MCIVTA. This, if my memory serves me correctly, involved making predictions of win, lose, draw against the remaining fixtures of about six clubs. It was also useful in that it gave us the fixtures of fellow strugglers at the time. I don’t have the technical expertise to be able to do this for the challengers of automatic promotion this season but wondered if anyone else will?
Steve Ryding (shr@wsfc.co.uk)BRAZIL SONG
The next time City are on Sky, it’s certain that Alan (van Morrison) Brazil will be on the mic driving us all insane. So those lucky enough to be there, how about a Brazil song, a song that he will hear and everyone watching will hear also. So come on… anybody got one!
CTABRTSAMR – citytillalanbrazilreplacestheseagullatmaineroad, Lee Norris (neoouija@hotmail.com)MORE ON BERMUDIANS
Lance Thomson of Morecambe Bay Branch C.S.A. puts forward the theory that maybe Bermudians/Bermudans is a bit like Barbadians/Bajans. Sadly, Lance’s theory doesn’t hold good for Bermudians. There is definitely and “i” in it. Call a Onion (as they are known) “Bermudan” and a visitor will get the usual polite smile – but, if they watch closely, they will spot a roll of the Onion’s eyes too. Bermudians they is; Bermudians they stay.
And I should know because I have the pleasure of being Deputy Governor of the Island of Bermuda – and a City fan.
Tim Gurney (Denise@gurney.force9.co.uk)MORE ON EASTLANDS NAMES
Credit for this one must go to my mate Eric Royle, who, over a glass of beer or three, came up with “The Bell End”. The one for the “away” supporters perhaps?
Mike Pullin (michael.pullin@bt.com)If memory serves me correctly, this has come up previously, possibly in connection with the ‘Umbro’.
AshleyCOMMENT (AND A PLUG)
Firstly this is my first bit for MCIVTA, though I’m sure many of you have read my comments on BV in the past!
I can’t understand all the negative attitude about City since we lost at Sheff Utd. In fact it’s got to me somewhat (hence this piece).
What are we doing that is so wrong? The last 6 league games have brought us 13 points, we are 2nd with a game in hand on all the teams below us, we still have to play the leaders at home (having beaten them away already). We have the best defence in the league, the league’s top scorer (top 2 if you count Robert Taylor). OK I hear you say but we’re not playing well! That’s cr@p, we are playing as well as is required, in what is a pretty poor First Division. Jobson’s too slow, Edghill’s rubbish, Wiekens has lost it… comments we hear week in, week out, but we’ve conceded 22 in 28 games; this is not luck. We are about 5th top scorers (that’s not luck either). So why are so many so negative? This time last year our current position was a dream that would have had the psychiatrist knocking at the door, so sit back, enjoy yourselves and stop giving such negative vibes.
Sadly these vibes get through to the players, I’m sure some of them read MCIVTA and Blue View, and anything else for that matter, and if we keep it up it might just make the difference. I ask anyone to show me that over the 28 games so far, we are not better than the majority of this division! Saturday’s results tend to show that, and ignore the Leeds game – that was a one off in the way we played. As for are we good enough if we go up? Well let’s worry about that in May, though personally I don’t think we are any worse than the bottome 7/8 in the Premiership, and I believe we have a manager that will see to it that that’s the case!
Finally, in the “moan bit”, a few people have said can’t we get back to the way we were playing earlier in the season, when we were doing well? My answer to that is that we may have changed (slightly) the way we are playing but the overall results haven’t changed; we weren’t playing well then and yet were winning, it’s the same now (I can quote Palace at home, Birmingham away, Ipswich at home…)!
Right, moan over!
I’d just like to plug the Thames Valley supporters’ club site at http://www.thamesmcfc.co.uk/. On it we have a message board that I would like all southern based Blues to use; it allows people to post messages about tickets, lifts etc. There are many of us down here and the number we see travelling one to a car, we could arrange it better. If anyone wants a link to their site on mine, please let me know and I’ll sort it out. The site is far from finished and is not just about Thames Valley, so anyone with any suggestions let me know.
Thanks for reading, and please let’s get back to the positive thinking, I said in May we would go up and I see nothing so far to change my mind!
Paul Stevenson a.k.a. ChinnorBLU (cleavers.p@virgin.net)BLUE HUMOUR I
Mrs Beckham wants to buy a microwave. So she goes in and asks the salesman, “How much for that microwave?” The salesman replies, “We don’t sell Microwaves to thick Beckhams.” So the next day she dyes her hair red, dresses in disguise and goes in and asks the same question. The sales clerk answers, “We don’t sell microwaves to Beckhams.” So the next day she puts on a bowler hat, suit, wig and false beard. and goes and asks the same question. The salesc lerk replies the same way. Spicey asks how he knows she is Mrs Beckham. The clerk says, “That isn’t a microwave, it’s a TV.”
John Stewart (luckystewart@yahoo.com)BLUE HUMOUR II
Beckham goes to see Andy Cole in hospital when he has an injury. Beckham says to Cole “What have they been doing to you?” Cole says “They gave me a cortisone injection.” Beckham says “They didn’t give me a car when I was here!”
Posh buys Beckham a new Manchester Urinated scarf for Christmas (version 17-9.14 – away games in March only) to add to his collection. Beckham tries it on and shouts out in frustration. Posh says “what on earth is the matter?” Beckham – “It’s no good – you’ll have to take it back.” Posh – “Whatever for?” Beckham – “It’s too blo*dy tight!”
David Beckham had just got a new sports car and was out for a drive when he cut up a lorry driver. The trucker motioned for him to pull over, which he did. The trucker got out of his lorry and pulled a piece of chalk from his pocket. He drew a circle on the road and told Beckham, “Stand in the circle and DON’T MOVE!” He then went to Beckham’s car and cut up his leather seats. When he turned around Beckham had a slight grin on his face, so he said, “Oh, you think that’s funny? Watch this.” He gets a baseball bat out of his truck and breaks every window in the car. When he turns and looks at him, Beckham has a smile on his face. The trucker’s getting really mad. He gets his knife back out and slashes all of his tyres. Now Beckham’s chuckling. The truck driver is really starting to lose it. He goes back to his truck and gets a can of petrol, pours it on the car and sets it on fire. He turns around and Beckham is laughing so hard he is about to fall down. “What’s so funny?” the truck driver asks. Beckham replies, “When you weren’t looking I stepped outside the circle 4 times”
I’m told one of these was made up and isn’t actually true!
Steve Holt (steve.holt@micheldever.co.uk)REQUEST – FOREST TICKETS
Does anyone have a spare ticket for the Forest game this Saturday? Preferably someone who’ll be travelling by train with the London Branch on the day just to make the ticket handover easy. Other offers are welcome though.
By the way, does anyone know that an anagram of “Alan Brazil” is “All Nazi Bra”? Sounds about right to me.
Onwards and upwards! James Nash (J.Nash@mdx.ac.uk)RESULTS
Recent results to 31 January 2000 inclusive.
29 January 2000
Birmingham City 2 - 1 Stockport County Crystal Palace 2 - 2 Huddersfield Town Grimsby Town 1 - 1 Crewe Alexandra Ipswich Town 1 - 1 Sheffield United Portsmouth 3 - 0 Barnsley Queens Park Rangers 1 - 1 Nottingham Forest Walsall 1 - 1 Wolverhampton Wndrs West Bromwich Albion 1 - 1 Swindon Town
League table to 30 January 2000 inclusive.
HOME AWAY OVERALL P W D L F A W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts 1 Charlton Ath. 28 10 2 2 25 11 8 3 3 27 17 18 5 5 52 28 24 59 2 Manchester City 28 11 0 3 31 10 6 4 4 13 12 17 4 7 44 22 22 55 3 Barnsley 29 11 1 2 36 14 6 3 6 23 28 17 4 8 59 42 17 55 4 Ipswich Town 29 11 2 2 30 13 4 7 3 18 16 15 9 5 48 29 19 54 5 Huddersfield T. 29 11 2 1 34 12 4 4 7 13 19 15 6 8 47 31 16 51 6 Wolves 29 7 4 3 23 15 4 6 5 15 18 11 10 8 38 33 5 43 7 Stockport C. 29 7 6 1 24 17 4 3 8 10 21 11 9 9 34 38 -4 42 8 Birmingham City 28 9 3 2 26 12 2 5 7 13 20 11 8 9 39 32 7 41 9 Blackburn R. 27 7 5 2 21 11 3 5 5 14 19 10 10 7 35 30 5 40 10 QPR 29 6 8 1 21 14 4 2 8 17 21 10 10 9 38 35 3 40 11 Fulham 28 6 5 3 12 8 3 7 4 13 17 9 12 7 25 25 0 39 12 Norwich City 28 8 2 4 17 15 2 6 6 10 15 10 8 10 27 30 -3 38 13 Bolton Wndrs 27 6 5 3 23 17 3 4 6 12 14 9 9 9 35 31 4 36 14 Tranmere Rovers 28 7 4 3 23 15 3 2 9 14 23 10 6 12 37 38 -1 36 15 Crystal Palace 29 6 6 3 25 16 3 3 8 17 31 9 9 11 42 47 -5 36 16 Sheff. United 29 7 3 4 20 14 2 5 8 16 30 9 8 12 36 44 -8 35 17 Grimsby Town 29 7 5 3 21 21 2 2 10 12 28 9 7 13 33 49 -16 34 18 Nottm Forest 29 6 6 2 18 10 1 3 11 12 27 7 9 13 30 37 -7 30 19 West Brom A. 29 2 9 4 13 16 3 6 5 12 17 5 15 9 25 33 -8 30 20 Crewe Alex. 29 5 5 4 14 13 2 3 10 14 25 7 8 14 28 38 -10 29 21 Walsall 29 4 5 6 15 18 3 3 8 17 28 7 8 14 32 46 -14 29 22 Port Vale 27 5 2 6 15 15 1 7 6 16 22 6 9 12 31 37 -6 27 23 Portsmouth 29 5 5 5 22 16 1 4 9 12 29 6 9 14 34 45 -11 27 24 Swindon Town 29 2 6 6 14 24 1 4 10 7 26 3 10 16 21 50 -29 19With thanks to Football 365
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