Newsletter #617

The Eidur Gudjohnson saga has finally ended with a £4 million move to Stamford Bridge. Royle must now look elsewhere if he wishes to find support for the Maine Road strikeforce. Today saw publication of next season’s fixture list, which sees us with a rather familiar fixture for the opening game – and it isn’t the Swamp! Meanwhile, Shaun Goater has been enjoying himself on his home island where he’s been crowned king – honest!

This issue sees much more on the authors of ‘Boys in Blue’, 10cc; an interesting article on being unfaithful to the Blues; and much opinion – chiefy on the ‘M’ word.

EUROFINAL365 – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO EURO 2000

If you’re after all the gossip, news and views from Euro2000 as well your chance to have your say on the discussion board, then Eurofinals365 is definitely the place to be. Not quite as good as being there, but a pretty close second!

NEWS SUMMARY

Next Season’s Fixtures Announced

Next season’s Premiership fixtures have been published. And the Blues will make their return to the top flight against opponents who accompanied them on the way up from last year’s First Division. City open against Charlton at The Valley, with Sunderland providing the opposition four days later for Maine Road’s first Premier League game since 1996. Early September sees daunting visits to Elland Road and Anfield in rapid succession, but the match most fans have been waiting for is scheduled for November 18, when United’s visit heralds the resumption of the Manchester derby rivalry. The return against the Reds is on April 21, one of three games against the previous season’s top five in a testing run-in. An Easter Monday clash against Arsenal precedes the Old Trafford date, while Chelsea’s visit to Moss Side closes the campaign. The full fixture list is printed elsewhere in this edition.

City Miss Out on Gudjohnsen

As expected, Eidur Gudjohnsen has finally left Bolton Wanderers. But the Icelandic striker has joined Chelsea rather than Manchester City. The Trotters accepted a £4 million bid from Gianluca Vialli for the ex-PSV man and the player signed for the London club late on Monday evening. It was rumoured that Joe Royle had offered a £2 million downpayment plus further cash based on incentives earlier in the summer, and the Blues’ boss was still said to be watching developments last week. However, Royle will now have to look elsewhere after Gudjohnsen became the Stamford Bridge club’s second big money striker signing of the summer, following Jimmy Floyd Hassalbaink.

Four to Go in Clear Out?

Joe Royle is expected to add to his playing staff in the coming weeks. And that means the Blues will have to sell some of their fringe players to keep squad numbers to manageable proportions. First to leave could be Craig Russell. The ex-Sunderland forward didn’t figure in the City first-team last season, and is now set for a free transfer move to St Johnstone, one of three teams with whom he spent time on loan last term. Meanwhile, Gareth Taylor, also transfer-listed, is still said to be attracting interest from QPR, while Jamie Pollock and Terry Cooke are being mentioned as others who may move on – even though Cooke has been removed from the transfer list during the close season.

Coleman the Defensive Priority?

Joe Royle has been linked with several central defenders since the Blues won promotion to the Premiership. And if newspaper speculation is to be believed, the City manager currently has three names on his hit-list. Bolton’s Mark Fish was expected to join Charlton this week but the transfer has broken down after the clubs failed to agree a fee. And with the Addicks insisting there’s no prospect of the deal being revived, some sources are suggesting that City may move for the South African. Meanwhile, Norwegian Bjorn Otto Bragstad continues to be mentioned, but according to the Manchester Evening News, Royle’s favoured defensive target is still Fulham’s Chris Coleman.

Two More Striker Rumours

Following City’s failure to land Eidur Gudjohnsen, a whole host of names are being linked with a move to Maine Road. And this week’s speculation featured a new name together with a player touted as a possible signing earlier in the summer. Alan Smith of Leeds was reckoned to be a potential target last month, but Elland Road chairman Peter Risdale denied the story. However, with the Yorkshiremen confident of landing Celtic’s Mark Viduka, there are now claims that Smith could be surplus to requirements and available for a fee of around £4 million. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Titi Camara has also been linked with the Blues. The Frenchman is behind Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey in the Anfield pecking order and has been mentioned as a target for Leicester, Blackburn and Celtic in recent months.

Royle Eyeing Another Leeds Swoop?

Joe Royle recently completed his third acquisition from Leeds United during his managerial reign at Maine Road. And if rumours this week are to be bleieved, the tally could soon rise to four. David Hopkin is the latest player from Elland Road to be linked with the Blues, with the Scottish midfielder having struggled last term to win a place in David O’Leary’s first-choice side. Hopkin, who is also said to be a target for Everton, moved to Yorkshire from Crystal Palace in July 1997 and has featured in 73 league games for Leeds. If he does follow Richard Jobson, Danny Granville and Alf-Inge Haaland and cross the Pennines to Maine Road, the 29-year-old would command a fee of around £2 million.

Royle Has Faith in Himself and His Staff

Joe Royle has faced many challenges in his managerial career – and will encounter another demanding test next season. But the Blues’ boss is looking forward to pitting his wits against formidable adversaries like Alex Ferguson, Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger. And the City manager has confidence that both he and his back-room team will not be found wanting in such company. “Of course, there will be a tactical input and I don’t think myself, Willie Donachie, Asa Hartford or any of the other coaches will be caught short in that department,” Royle told the Manchester Evening News. “We feel we represent success and we want more of it.”

Tiatto Scores in Aussie Goal Riot

Danny Tiatto’s busy summer continued in Australia’s Oceania Cup tie against the Cook Islands in Tahiti. And the City man bagged a goal on his latest international appearance – though it seems it would have been harder for him not to find the net given the quality of the opposition. The Socceroos annihilated the hapless Cook Islanders, with Tiatto notching the third goal as his side built a seven goal half-time advantage. A further ten goals in the second period took the Aussies to an all-time record international victory.

Royle Sets His Sights High

Many pundits feel Manchester City will face a season of struggle in the Premier League next season. But Joe Royle’s ambitions for his side are much greater than mere survival. The Blues’ boss feels that the promotions of the last two years have achieved nothing more than putting the club back onto the stage it ought to occupy. And he feels that a club of City’s stature ought to have ambitions of playing in European competition. “We are now where we should be and I will consider it a successful return if we are pushing for Europe,” Royle told the Manchester Evening News. “A place in the top 10 would be a good base.”

FIXTURES

Provisional Fixtures are subject to amendment.

Sat Jul 22 Away  Linfield
Mon Jul 24 Away  Drogheda
Sat Jul 29 Away  Gillingham
Wed Aug  2 Away  Burnley
Sat Aug  5 Away  Stockport
Tue Aug  8 Away  Oldham
Sat Aug 12 Away  Everton
Wed Aug 16 Away  Man United

Sat Aug 19 Away  Charlton Athletic
Wed Aug 23 Home  Sunderland
Sat Aug 26 Home  Coventry
Tue Sep  5 Away  Leeds
Sat Sep  9 Away  Liverpool
Sat Sep 16 Home  Middlesbrough
Sat Sep 23 Away  Tottenham
Sat Sep 30 Home  Newcastle
Sat Oct 14 Home  Bradford
Sat Oct 21 Away  Southampton
Sat Oct 28 Away  Arsenal
Sat Nov  4 Home  Leicester
Sat Nov 11 Away  West Ham
Sat Nov 18 Home  Manchester United
Tue Nov 28 Home  Ipswich Town
Sat Dec  2 Away  Chelsea
Sat Dec  9 Home  Everton
Sat Dec 16 Away  Aston Villa
Sat Dec 23 Away  Sunderland
Tue Dec 26 Home  Derby
Sat Dec 30 Home  Charlton Athletic
Mon Jan  1 Away  Coventry
Sat Jan 13 Home  Leeds United
Sat Jan 20 Away  Derby
Wed Jan 31 Home  Liverpool
Sat Feb  3 Away  Middlesbrough
Sat Feb 10 Home  Tottenham Hotspur
Sat Feb 24 Away  Newcastle
Sat Mar  3 Home  Southampton
Sat Mar 17 Away  Bradford
Sat Mar 31 Home  Aston Villa
Sat Apr  7 Away  Everton
Sat Apr 14 Away  Leicester
Mon Apr 16 Home  Arsenal
Sat Apr 21 Away  Manchester United
Sat Apr 28 Home  West Ham
Sat May  5 Away  Ipswich
Sat May 19 Home  Chelsea

IT’S GOATER DAY!

Bermuda’s favourite son was crowned king on 21 June during Leonardo Shaun Goater Day. He travelled in a motorcade from his mum’s house to the office of Bermuda’s Premier and then on to a ceremony on the steps of the City Hall of Hamilton, Bermuda’s capital. This was followed by a lunch at Hamilton’s Fairmont Princess Hotel. Plaudits for The Goat flooded in – and our hero was left with a tear in his eye as the island praised him as a rôle model for Bermudian youth.

Lots of new City supporters for next season here in Bermuda…

NORWEGIAN VIEW

Whilst out at Euro 2000 I had the chance to meet some of the Norwegian FA people. Quite well timed as it occurred on the Wednesday evening we announced the signing of Haaland. The Leeds fans I met generally considered him a donkey, so I was keen to get another perspective. I asked the Norwegian opinion on him and was told “he is very useful, you can use him anywhere”. Yes, but what about on the pitch?

BOYS IN BLUE

Here are the facts about the “priceless” (I hope) EP:

Recorded at Strawberry Studios, Manchester in 1972.
Side A: Boys in Blue
Side B: Funky City   (Yes Richard you were right)

Both songs written by Godley, Creme & Gouldman.

Does anybody know if the songwriters are City supporters?

The Songwriters were part of the best band of the ’70’s i.e. 10cc. Even as 5cc Godley and Creme made some good stuff. And yes they were Blues. :)))

10CC UPDATE

This according to my brother (who is an Everton fan) who used to drink with them in the Moor Top pub in Heaton Moor, Stockport:

Godley and Gouldman were County fans
Creme was a Blue fan
Stewart was a United fan

I do remember them sitting in our kitchen talking about football and asking me who I supported and Lou Creme telling me that I supported the best club… I was the only one in the family who supported the Blues!

BAN THE BOYS IN BLUE?

Re: Andy Noise starting a ‘Ban the Boys in Blue’ campaign…

Ban the Boys in Blue song? Are you serious?

I am aware of how cheesy the song is, it just makes me shiver with pride to hear it, that’s all. Don’t know why, just does. I think I first heard it at my first City game when we beat Birmingham 1-0 in 1985, when the mighty Neil McNab plundered the winner from 2 yards. As for the current tosh that they play before the game, do you remember Franny Lee’s first game in charge when they played ‘The Only Way Is Up’ by Yazz and the Plastic Population? Erm, not exactly true, Francis!

FUNKY CITY

I’m afraid Graham Gouldman is not a City fan, he had little interest in football, less so since he moved from Manchester to London in the mid-80’s. He was born in the Salford area in 45, moving to Didsbury and then London. He’s my step-brother’s dad, so I asked him!

IRISH TRIP

City will be taking a fair contigent to Ireland. I’m going with 28 from Wythenshawe branch, at least 4 other branches are taking roughly the same.

WORLD-WIDE BLUES

In MCIVTA 616, Neil Adshead asked if anyone would compile a list of Blues around the world, so they can get together and watch matches. If Neil had gone to the address below, he’d get a monthly newsletter about mancity.net and all related City stuff, plus a list of Blues in more or less most countries you can shake a stick at. Subscribe now if you want at: http://www.mancity.net.listbot.com/

Bob Young’s the guy who’s done all the hard work compiling the list, and as long as you people keep supporting our site, we’ll see what we can do to expand the contact list!

UNFAITHFUL?

Has anyone else apart from me ever shown signs of being unfaithful to MCFC? Obviously I don’t mean changing teams or anything, that particular behaviour is reserved for Scum fans, and people from Ireland who support the current league champions of England on a rotational basis!

What I mean is have you ever been exiled away in a far part of the country or even further afield, starved of football and missing the mighty Blues, and needed to watch someone else just for the hell of it? My own particular vice from 1993-1996 was those footballing aristocrats, Hull City. Being a student at Hull University meant that you could get into that space-age stadium, Boothferry Park, for the princely sum of £2.50. Many a happy afternoon was spent under the crumbling roof of the West Stand listening to Radio 5 trying to get the MCFC scoreline, whilst sipping boiling hot bovril, and avoiding the rain coming in through the holes in the roof. A return bus ticket from my student hole, sorry I mean house (concessionary fare, of course) was 20p, so a fantastic afternoon could be had for about £4.

Indeed, when I met my lovely girlfriend in 1995, our first two dates were watching Hull vs. Peterborough and then Hull vs. Wrexham (romantic or what?). My obsession with Hull City became a part-time job when I started work for them and Hull FC Rubgy as a steward (£16 for watching footy is a fantastic job for a student and certainly beat the job I had in my first year, which was a sperm donor (£15 a ‘throw’, so to speak)). Instead of paying £2.50 a game, I was being paid for standing with 25 Carlisle fans, watching the match, and chatting up the policewomen. I’ve now been back in Manchester for 3 years and have only missed a handful of City games, but the first result I listen for on Sports Report is that of the Mighty Tigers.

Have any other City fans had similar experiences with temporary unfaithfulness to our team?

COUNTY WICKLOW AGM

The Co. Wicklow Branch are having their A.G.M. on Tuesday 27th of June at Katie Gallagher’s, Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow. A large crowd is expected and anyone who is interested in coming down, please do, the more the better.

http://citytilidie.moonfruit.com/

TRAIN FARES

On learning that our first game of the season will be played in the capital, it occurred to me that many City fans won’t be aware of a few changes that have taken place since last season as far as train travel is concerned. Firstly, until the end of September, London trains are not calling at Stockport and Macclesfield. Buses are being laid on from Stockport to Wilmslow, whilst people travelling from Macclesfield will probably have to get a connection at Stoke or Stafford. The other change is that Virgin have withdrawn the SuperSaver ticket and the cheapest ticket you can buy on the day is the £45 Saver ticket. However, if you book before 6pm the day before, and choose your outward train, you can get a Saturday Day Out ticket for £19. If you book this through the Virgin Trains Website, you can get at least a pound off per ticket and have the ticket delivered direct to your door. I just wanted to warn the City fans of these changes as I used to work in the ticket office at Piccadilly and always felt really guilty about charging the high prices to fellow Blues (although ripping the Reds off was fun!).

LYCOS AD

Have you seen the LYCOS TV ad? In it is a lad with City on his shirt running away from a bunch of scummy looking lads with United on their shirts. The running man then goes on the Internet and searches for a red shirt, puts it on and then everyone is happy and cheering, what a load of boll*cks.

I thought I’d get that one off my chest.

DANNY TIATTO

Just thought I should mention. Danny Tiattio’s form for Australia in the recent games against Paraguay has been exceptional. He had delivered some fantastic shows including some “unofficial” Man-of-Match performances. Let’s hope he keeps the same form for the Premier League.

Also two other local boys have impressed in the local National League. Both play for the same team, Carlton S.C. in Melbourne.

Archie Thompson is quite a quick forward who has scored lots of goals including some very classy ones. The other player is Simon Colosimo, a young midfielder, who has represented Australia at all levels. You might remember Simon, he was the Australian player who Cole almost ripped his knee off his leg, when Man U played against the Socceroos in Melbourne last year. He is back playing and has shown he has lost none of his talent. I know we are in the big time now, but just thought I would mention two quality, young, talented players here in the land of Oz.

Can’t wait for the season to start – go you Blues!

MANCITY.NET AND BLACKSTAR.CO.UK

Recently Manchester City Football Club asked mancity.net to remove the link to Manchester City FC – End Of Season Review 2000 video.

We removed the link immediately.

However, I would like to state our policy on this issue.

We have had a partnership with Blackstar.co.uk for about two months. This partnership would help mancity.net in a small way pay for the considerable expenses incurred in running the site.

I wasn’t aware of the existance of the video until I read a posting on the Blueview message board. A City fan was letting other City fans know that they had ordered the video and it would be sent out on the 5 June.

mancity.net had found out something that would be of interest to City fans around the world and we informed them of the existance of the video and the fact that buying from Blackstar would be saving them £2.60 and any postage and packing charges.

At this time there was no mention of the video on the official Manchester City site.

In recent McVittees I have noticed that City fans that have bought the video from Blackstar were happy with the service, especially the City fan from the Cayman Islands who expressed his delight at not having to pay the £10 postage and packing he was quoted from the official site when mcfc.co.uk eventually did advertise the video.

Our intention at mancity.net was not to deprive Manchester City Football Club of additional income. It was to provide City fans with the opportunity to buy the video at a price that was £2.60 cheaper than they would pay plus the fact that no postage and packing would be charged to any destination in the world. The video was not available to buy anywhere else online at the time.

The video was available on the Internet for this exceptional price and I feel it was our duty to promote it.

We are pleased that everybody that purchased the video through Blackstar was satisfied with the excellent service they gave their customers.

The team at mancity.net will continue to help worldwide City fans as much as we can.

THE DAY THE RAGS WENT DOWN

I have to reply to Pete Husband’s account of that glorious day, April 27th 1974, clearly etched in the annals of Blue folklore, and clearly etched in my mind. I too was at the Scoreboard End and as you said the Rags emptied the stretsh*te end and came at us. Many of us went over the wall and met the beasts in the penalty area. The police came in fairly quickly and most of us got back over the wall to watch the match. There were loads of police mingling in our end and lots of good banter. A couple of times fighting broke out as small pockets of Rags were detected in “our end”, but they were quickly ejected. I have no idea as to where Peter gets a massacre from. Maybe if he was seen with a red scarf on…

Anyway Denis scored, we leaped around and I lost my shoe. Rags came on pitch again, police and stewards lined up at the wall and the ref had little choice but to abandon the game in the 83rd minute, although the result would stand. After the game there were small outbreaks of trouble all through Manchester but in those days we were really at the top and we won most of the battles. As for Peter’s question, even now at almost 50 years old I would rather take a kicking than wear a rag scarf.

BLUE MOON RISING

Got a package this morning, a surprise from my loved one, the GMR tape “Blue Moon Rising”, which chronicles the fall and rise of the only club to come from Manchester. It really is an excellent present and made the 20 minutes on the stepper and cycle at the gym go faster than ever! Anyone who doesn’t live in Manchester and therefore doesn’t get to hear the GMR interviews etc. should really consider buying it. There are two tapes and the second one is a review of the last season, including interviews and commentary on the goals at Blackburn. If anyone else has it already could they please solve this very burning question – what is the title and artist name of the song played at the intro? In case anyone is clever enough with lyrics it opens with a guy saying “Yo listen up here’s the story about a little guy that lives in a blue world and all day and all night and everything he sees is just blue, like him inside and outside”; the chorus is mainly musical but begins with what sounds like “I’m Blue, ab a dee dah, Blue, ab a dee dah”! I really want to buy it. I think it’s been in the charts ’cause even untrendy me has heard it before.

STEVE RIMMER

Tony Arundale was asking after Steve Rimmer. After his Autoglass game, when he gave away a penalty converted by our very own Lee Peacock, he spent the rest of the season out on loan. First Doncaster then Port Vale, where he even scored for their reserves against ours (sad fact). Vale signed him on a free to last Summer, where according to a Vale fan I know, he came on as sub twice. According to the released list, they’ve let him go, so he must have only signed a one year deal. Not seen anything since.

MANCITY.NET WEB-BASED E-MAIL – THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

Three months ago http://www.mancity.net/ introduced a web-based e-mail. The innovation has been a great success. We now have 1,143 mancity.net email addresses in existance with more being added at a rate of six each day.

If you don’t have a ‘yourname@mancity.net’ address and would like one, you should registered and nominated a password. Anyone wishing to register should visit the link from the http://www.mancity.net/ front page. Please contact the mancity.net team at admin@mancity.net if you have any questions or problems.

We have received very positive feedback for this service and fans have expressed their delight in being able to give an “easy to remember” email address to their friends. The feedback also mentioned how good the service was for retrieving POP mail when abroard or at home through this web-based email service.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JOE

Interim Report on City’s progress under tight-lipped ashen-faced chain-smoking supremo Ron Knee. Well, it’s Oct 1st and the boy Ron done pretty bad. Luckily Mr.Bernstein is keeping the faith, so far at least. Record is: P8 W2 D2 L4 F8 A12 PTS 8 Pos 18, pretty brutal really. Had a player sent off in 3 consecutive matches (Weaver, Jobson, Fenton) so have asked the lads to tone down the tackling. Had a big clear-out, pre season, mostly kids. Sold Vaughan to Wolves for £120,000 (phew!). Mike Brown turned down a £1 million move to Bolton that would have seen Gudjonsen come in on part-ex! Successes: Super Kev, Jobson, Granville and Dickov. Failures: Bishop, Kennedy, Cooke, Whitley. £70,000 in transfer kitty (won’t get me Spencer). Andy M is, of course, injured. Peepo is playing well. Sean W-P knocking ’em in for reserves. Tried to get Bjorn Otto Bragstad on a Bozzer but he’s signed a new contract. Stuffed over 2 legs, 2-4, 0-1 by Notts Co. in League Cup. Creaney got 2, surprise, surprise! Fingers crossed for October, eh!

RESPONSES TO 615…

1. In MCIVTA 615, Chris Ryder asked whether anyone had noticed the samething happening after most of City’s goals were scored last season. I havenoticed for a while that Jeff Whitley is always the first there to jump onthe back of anyone who scores a goal. Quite how he always manages to befirst on the scene I have no idea.
2. Also in 615, responding to Mr R.N. Springthorpe on the wearing of redand black, D. Springthorpe came out on the same side. Is this just acoincidence or are they trying to keep it in the family? Maybe so manySpringthorpes have sprung out since I left the UK that these two don’t knoweach other. Perhaps I am being too cynical when I think that these two coulddiscuss their views over the breakfast table.

MORE SONGS…

I have the ‘Boys In Blue’ and yes I loved it. After listening to others’ views though I believe it should be left alone. One song I am surprised has not been mentioned (or has it?) was an eighties track from a group called ‘The Mighty Wah!’ or something. The song was called ‘The Story Of The Blues’.

OPINION – MUN*CH AND UN*TED

Want to follow on from Tom Farringdon’s piece in MCIVTA 616 as it (quite rightly) puts the Munich thing in a context of City/United relationships.

Whatever the wrongs of glorifying a hideous incident which I’m told (too young to know) affected both sides of the Manchester deeply, it’s got to be right that references now are about the ingrained shorthand of M*nich meaning ‘Supporter of the Rags’ rather than anything more deep, dark and distasteful. To some extent, time heals for many; and whilst those who were affected most by this tragedy may still be hurt by the terms and chants, I actually think the Brooklyn chants at the England/Portugal match more distasteful than referring to Munichs. One of the purposes of this shorthand was/will remain to give an edge to the references: but since almost all references to Old Trafford (Theatre of Doom, Swamp), Fergusscum, Rags, Beckscum, almost any mention of ‘Posh’ etc. (please fill in the blanks, I’ve not got a quarter of them) are couched in a way designed to give the same edge, I don’t think we need to get too self conscious: it’s part of football, and our opposing fans will have no qualms next season.

As regards City/United, I think we’re in the luxury position at the moment where we can enjoy feeling self-confident enough not to beat ourselves up during what will be a fantastic, but testing, season. I get heartilly sick of being called a ‘Bitter Blue’ – even my irrational dislike of all people United (my local paper refused to let me put as part of a flat share advert ‘No Man Utd supporters’, presumaby because there were so many who might have been affected: the paper was the Essex Chronicle) can be tempered by the reality that not every single one is the walking embodiment of evil. The difference between us is the strength of our bond, forged through all too much adversity, between people and a club, not a team. The contrast between the supporters is substantial – but the contrast in the clubs is immense. TWGC(tm) are a brand based around a football team more than anything else. Although it kind of irritates to see Ryan Giggs duvet covers and Jaap Stam lookalike Halloween masks at shops all over the country, it has exactly the effect of reminding me why I’m glad to be CTID: I don’t want to be part of the world’s most successful football branding exercise, my footy is about City, pain, joy (Dickov’s Wembley equaliser still gives me goosebumps) and living it rather than buying the T-shirt. In £ terms, MacDonald’s may be the most successful restaurant in the world, Coke the best drink, Gap the best clothes etc. – but it’s such a one-dimensional view of greatness that none of us would agree with these assertions: the truth is that supporting City is about much more than this, but Unit*d want to be judged against these benchmarks. As my punt for winners of Euro2000 would say ‘Vive le City, Vive la difference’

OPINION – STEVE STONE

Knowing how much Joe Royle awaits my comments <ahem>, I just wanted to say that Steve Stone would be a major coup for City. Prior to his Villa days, I considered Stone one of the few names the England manager should start with. Quite excellent player and a steal at a suggested price of £3 million. Now if Royle would just look at Brian McBride and Ben Olsen…

OPINION – RUNWAY CHANTS: TIME TO HANG THE DJ

I don’t usually stick my oar into the more serious debates but this covers a subject I do have a fixed opinion on. I fear the prolonged continuation of chants like the runway song could spiral to depths none of us want to contemplate if they are not addressed and actively curtailed.

Firstly, the whole subject of chanting at Un***d about the Munich disaster has been one I’ve never understood the logic in. No surprises in my reasoning, it’s quite simply because of the inclusion amongst those who perished, of the then ex-City ‘keeper Frank Swift. It wasn’t an incident within the control of Un***d and therefore to barrack their fans about it seems, to be brutally frank, completely and utterly pointless. To put it mildly.

You may remember I submitted a Why Blue article a long time ago to McVittee in which I recalled a time when I met, and hit a few balls past :-), Joe Corrigan in Withington Park in Sale before he had to go and find his dog, which had – in the meantime – decided to walk itself around the park. Since this time I’ve always had a bit of a fixation with City’s goalkeepers, and thankfully it’s one position on the pitch in which we’ve regularly produced quality players through the various eras.

My favouritism toward ‘keepers, if that’s really the correct word, began with the “bedtime” stories my father told me about having watched Frank and Bert (playing football) during his early days in Manchester in the 50’s. These men were heroes to my father, who himself was always better with his hands than his feet, a point best illustrated by the fact that, having built a new garage behind our house back in the early 80’s, as they say “with his bare hands”, he promptly skidded off the roof whilst attempting to kick an empty coke can into a not too distant wheelie-bin (of all things) and broke his fall and his ankle on a nice lumpy rockery my mother had started directly next to the new garage. Oh how we laughed when the coke can went into next door’s garden :-). The point is, I’ve never joined in the “runway” or any other of the more patently pointless Munich chants because I’d always regarded my dad’s heroes as worthy of being among my own heroes whether I’d seen them play or not.

So what have we established after all this recent debate? Well, there’s obviously some similarity in the opinions recently aired on MCIVTA, that certain elements of the overall “Munich Chant Phenomenon” need to be brought into this century and in particular the Runway song (and all of its close relatives). In saying this I agree to a great extent with the attempt to differentiate between the acceptable and the patently unnecessary chanting as laid out quite eloquently by Tom Farrington in McV-616. I’ve never found the milder (e.g. Terry Cooke songs) anything like as offensive as the runway ditty, for the reasons pointed out in 616, that Munich has – for all intents and purposes – become a bi-word for the Rags in our vocabulary.

However, if we now consider the fact that – since the last derby game, and therefore since the last really concerted barrage of pointless Munich abuse – the Rags have good reason to be pleased whenever they hear the word “Munich”, having jammily robbed the same City of the Champions And Runners-Up League Trophy only last year, it leaves the Munich chant in a no-mans-land position where it may equally result in the traditionally sought wind-up effect and in many quarters (probably mostly amongst the newest recruits of the commuter fans) it may even lead to smiles being cracked. What’s the point in cheering up the Rags with our songs then?

Just to clarify my position a bit more I’ve always been – admittedly until now, passively – opposed to the Munich chanting, but have many very close friends in Blue who see nothing wrong with it and avidly join in whenever the opportunity arises. They know how I feel, but are also aware that I won’t be getting on their backs about it every game. I’ve got better things to do when I’m with my mates than constantly barrack them with my views. This forms enough of a part of my daily life without having to bring it to the pub or McVittee, thank you very much. Everyone is allowed to have some faults, my mates included.

Now, at the 5-1 hanging, drawing and quartering of the Rags I was able to take up my then regular position in the top (Platt Lane end) of the old Kippax, just in front of those walled police dugouts they had up there. During the game there were times when I thought noone was going to sing anything but the Runway song… we were right up against the iron fence behind which were the stewards and dozens of “Dibble” (do they still use this term these days?) standing in a closed section of the Kippax separating us from the Rags on the other side of another fence 10-15 yards away on the other side of the newly formed and free-flowing “River Saliva” (in which the stewards et al paddled / bathed nervously). Each time the runway song started the coins came flying in, mostly 2 and 5 pence pieces. One coin hit my brother on the side of the head, not causing much of a cut but it definitely made his eyes water. It wasn’t much fun being there but we refused to be moved.

A copper in the dugout behind us wanted us to move (or rather asked if we wanted to be escorted safely) to another part of the stand, but we stood our ground as we were being treated to some brilliant goals at our end. Besides, the brother and I were both strapped stoodents and there was cash to be gathered off the steps at half and full time. We had no intention of flinging the money back, no, no… we intended to make sure we got our regular post-match meal (several “Rambo” hotdogs) from the greasy-spoon vans near the gates to the street behind the Kippax. Can you still buy a “Rambo” at MR? Mouthwatering, artery hardening stuff.

Whilst chanting Munich abuse may guarantee that something resembling the regional snack of Munich can be purchased at the Kippax gates after the match, it’s a pretty dangerous way to go hunting for your food as many others discovered during the same 5-1 hammering. I don’t think too many of the others were as lucky as my brother on the day as several bloodied faces were led from the stand during the 90 minutes, many presumably so because of the mutual redistribution of wealth which was sparked by each volley of Munich songs, although it could also have been “celebration injuries” (trampling etc.) as each goal of the five was met with more mayhem-like outpourings of joy than the previous one. So what do we do?

Prior to the 5-1 derby, someone had the foresight to hand out flyers near the turnstiles and in the forecourt which carried the message along the lines of “today is the day…” and, “no more living in the shadow…” etc., but more importantly that a party was going down behind the Kippax beginning at 5.00pm (probably allowing 15 minutes for some more chanting I expect before leaving the ground). The party – although it appeared a bit disorganised and I couldn’t find the bar – went on as promised and spilled into the streets and bars… albeit with the traditional sporadic running battles which were also par for the course those days in Alex’ Park.

Could the club could be convinced to take the current transformation in the club’s culture a little bit further by supporting moves to protect the memory of a player many would like to see honoured by a stand carrying his name in the new stadium? The club could take up on the example of the “Party Invitation” flyer of the 5-1 days and print a simple flyer, maybe with a picture of Frank Swift on it, but definitely with a request that his memory be respected by the cessation of the Runway song.

This flyer, should it be a possible method of spreading the message, could be (and should be IMHO) issued as a loose sheet with each match programme sold in the City stands prior to the next derby. This way, the message is fresh in the mind when it most needs to be. Those who choose to read and ignore the message may be given gentle reminders of who they are including in the abuse at each occurance of “Who’s that lyin’…” etc. with a tuneful response from those opposed to Munich songs in the form of an equally enthusiastic round of “Frank Swift… there’s only one Frank Swift…” etc. (or other songs about FS). The pro-Frank Swift song could also be printed on the same flyer in case noone knows one. The flyer itself could be held up as a visual aid to those who choose to ignore it. The choice remains with the individual no matter what. Take it or leave it. Maybe it is about time, that the fans stand up and – in this way, or in another if anyone can think of one – and be counted. Let our fellow Blues what you’d like from them (they are after all free to do what they want anyway). If this can be done just by singing and waving to them it can do no real harm. Couldn’t be politer.

Sooner or later, the trend will change, but don’t expect it to happen all by itself. Matters on the pitch seem to have been revamped out of all recognition, something which I’m sure took massive amounts of time and effort, which is now paying off more than any of us could have ever dreamt. Now it’s time for the fans to face up to this new era and do our part to improve ourselves, even if it is only by a little bit at a time. The gang mentality of the minority of City “fans” of the 70’s and 80’s appears to have been all but eradicated. The remnants of this period, including the runway song etc. need to looked at seriously now. I don’t think they have a valid part to play at Maine Road. If we don’t wind down this out-dated wind up act soon, we may be indirectly saying to generations to come… “go on son… have a dig at the Pule about Hillsborough”. How sickening. What’s the difference between the Hillsborough, Bradford and Munich disasters? None. It’s just one of them happened mainly to the Rags and is therefore somehow deemed fair game.

The scenario is not that far removed from the Munich one when you think about it. The only difference is in the number of victims and their rôle in the game. They were fans and not players, who – if the Munich chant is to be used as the benchmark – don’t count. It doesn’t even seem to matter whether they played for Un***d or City. They were all human beings and deserve, in death, to be respected as human beings.

Yes, I find it impossible to stomach the possibility of such a day ever arriving too, but in twenty or thirty years when one of you feels obliged to punch some kid’s lights out for starting a Hillsborough song for example, don’t be surprised if the retort “but you sing about Munich and that was OK” is whipped round your ears in defence. In reality this day will probably, thankfully never arrive as the honouring of a minute’s silence is an event observed impeccably by fans around the country once a year and is a tradition which will be passed down, I hope, through these as yet probably unborn generations to come.

But it’s happening even today. The people I most often seen / heard singing the runway song are of the generation who have no emotional attachment with the events themselves. People like me. Too young, weren’t even a twinkle in papa’s eye when it happened. Truthfully now, how many of you – although you may not have been around when the air crash happened – still happily jump on the bandwagon to taunt the Rags with no understanding for, or first hand knowledge of the emotion which was connected with the event? I reckon there’ll be lots of hands up in front of PC screens.

“How would you like it?” was a question Tom Farrington put to us in 616… Well? Thought so.

City may well have been chanting Munich songs at the Rags for the past yonk and a half but it only takes a second to stop it. To paraphrase Morrissey of the Smiths… the runway song says nothing to me about my life and it’s high time the blessed DJ was hung, drawn and quartered too. Show some blo*dy respect for our past! Frank Swift should know (wherever he is up there) that his place in this club’s history is exclusively remembered with pride and reverence. This cannot be the case if the circumstances surrounding his death are ignored just because they also provide an easy method of delivering a cheap dig at the Rags. I’m sure he’s up there watching us… I wonder only how much of what he hears is as pleasurable.

All of this goes for my mates too (mentioned above)… I know you’re reading.

Bob Mortimer (of Vic and Bob fame) once said “Although I’ve always been able to see, I’ve never had the ability to actually look”. He may have meant it as a joke, but if you think about it, it’s true of us all. Look at what needs to be changed and change it… after all, if we can’t change things for ourselves there’s no hope for those coming up behind us.

“Down with this sort of thing” – Father Ted.

OPINION – ROYLE FOR ENGLAND

Another campaign lost due to some waste of sperm Rag and so we move on.

Keegan’s position as England manager is assured, but for how long? If/when he does go who will take over?

One assumes the F.A. will

1. choose an Englishman.
2. pick someone with experience.

Following the above criteria the list of possible candidates is not extensive.

Their are currently some 19 Premiership managers. Of these 5 are Scots – Strachan, W.Smith, Taggart, Graham and Burley. 2 French Hoolahoop and Arse-en, 1 Irish – O’leary, 1 Italian – Viagra.

Leaving 10. Of these, two are ex-England managers and presumably will not be invited back (Robson and Hoddle).

Leaving 8.

Gregory (Villa). Done nothing as a manager, relatively new to top flight, owes lots of fines to F.A. after calling them boring old farts etc., so presumably not top of their list.

J.Smith (Derby). Done nothing for over a century as a manager.

Taylor (Leicester). Proven as under 21 manager – great record – but booted out as manager by F.A. and has no track record in top flight.

Reid (Sunderland). Has good record as international player – good track record as manager with City and Sunderland.

Robson (Boro). Over-rated turd as a player, had billions to spend as manager and lost 2 cup finals and got team relegated, plays over-the-hill has-beens, but part of current set up and so tainted (therefore natural choice).

Redknapp (West Ham). Done nothing as a manager.

Curbishley (Charlton). Done nothing as a manager.

Royle (God’s own) Ex-international, fine record with 3 clubs. Basically taking a club in crisis and going down fast and turning it around, don’t forget the chairman’s word’s: (Joe) is the best big game manager in the business.

The choice appears to be narrowed down to three: Royle, Reid or Robson.

A lot will depend on City’s start to the season – if we get off to a good start and England get off to a bad start in the world cup campaign then we could be in the worrying position of looking for a new manager pretty soon.

OPINION – BUYING

It’s good to see that Joe Royle and Manchester City are not just going out and buying just any player; Joe is being very selective with no hole burning in his pocket.

Haaland will be added strength to the team in midfield. We have the Goat, and Robert Taylor as our strikers up front; Taylor – I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet because he had a nagging groin injury, the off-season rest should have done him good. And of course we still have Dickov as a cover up front. The talk seems to be in all the papers that we need another striker. Maybe we do, but Joe is right to wait for the right man and right price.

We all know what happened in the past: bad spending by a run of bad managers. We don’t want to go down that road again. The first year in the Premier League, I will be happy if we just consolidate our position without danger of relegation, then really improve the season after. Of course it would be nice to be surprised this coming season.

WWW MANCHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS’ HOME PAGE:
http://www.uit.no/mancity/

MCIVTA ADDRESSES:
Contributions: Ashley – mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com
News & Rumours: Peter – brophy_peter@hotmail.com
Subscriptions: Steve – sbolton@buxtonrd.u-net.com
Technical Problems: Paul – paul@city-fan.org

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.

Ashley Birch, mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com

Editor: