Newsletter #806
The post promotion celebrations and frenzy continues, with continuing speculation about KK’s “top notchers” (his phrase) who are due to arrive this summer.
Tonight sees plenty of opinion, Don’s news round-up and a few requests.
The next season will commence on August 17th; thanks to Steve P for pointing this out. Which means we have only 114 days to go, although Don has news of a couple of pre-season fixtures.
Next game: to be announcedNEWS SUMMARY
General News
Keegan Goes for It: We’ve learned to totally trust the Boss Man Kev, but I must admit to a slight cringing feeling when our Leader announced to the world that the Champions’ League was our target next season. “I’m not going to start shouting from the rooftops but I think we’ve got a really good chance of surprising a lot of teams in the Premiership. We have got a chance of shortcutting our way up near the top because of the players we have and the finance at our disposal to bring in certain players. I am aiming for a Champions’ League place, a top four place,” commented KK before adding an interesting astronomical metaphor. “If we finish seventh to 10th, then OK. We aimed for the moon and hit the stars. The fans would be very surprised if they heard me say we only want to stay there. We have proved already we can live with some of the teams in the Premiership.”
Cup Final Defeat: City failed to make it two trophies in twenty-four hours, when a young Reserves team lost 3-2 to Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park in the Manchester Senior Cup Final. The result was all the more galling because City had already beaten Oldham twice before in the competition. City’s scorers were Stephen Paisley and Terry Dunfield. City: Murphy, Mears, Jordan, Dunfield, Whelan, Charvet, (Paisley 46), Barton, Gilder, Killen, Kilheeney, Shuker. Subs not used. Ellegaard, Furnival, Tickle, Orr.
Friendly Dates Set: Reeperbahn and deepest Lancashire here we come! City have already announced a trio of friendlies for the pre-season. First to be arranged was a trip to Rochdale, a game which City first agreed to play when Joe Royle was in charge, some two years ago, to celebrate the opening of Dale’s Willbutts Stand. This game will finally take place on Monday August 5 at Spotland. Three days earlier City will travel to KK’s former club SV Hamburg, to play in the AOL Arena. Keegan is still regarded as a demi-God in Hamburg, so is guaranteed an exceptional welcome. A further four days before that, Preston have confirmed that City will visit Deepdale on Tuesday, July 30 for former North End player Ryan Kidd’s Testimonial game. Kidd has been forced to retire from playing due to a serious neck injury.
Sir Alex Approves: Imagine my joy when I heard that City had won on Sunday in a canter. Imagine my depression when I sat down to watch “Soccer Sunday” on Granada TV, to find myself looking at the reddest face in English football, Sir Alex Ferguson, who was the studio guest. I didn’t particularly enjoy his mumbling platitudes over pictures of the celebrations at Maine Road, but I was able to make out a few words of praise from our neighbours. “It’s what the city needs. You need Manchester City in the Premier division, and I am looking forward to our games next year. I am really pleased to see City back up and I am pleased for Kevin Keegan,” added Sir Alex. “He’s done well. It’s a load of nonsense that we don’t get on. It is something the press like to play up but it is not true. City are a far better squad this time,” he said. “You need quality in the Premier division. When City make that step forward maybe the likes of Ali Benarbia and Eyal Berkovic won’t get it as easy next year but they still have the quality to do well.” Questioned about the signing of Peter Schmeichel, Fergie gave one of those thin lipped smiles that must put the fear of God into any interviewer. “Peter Schmeichel is a great signing for them,” he eventually said. “His experience, presence and personality means he’s a major coup for them.”
Transfer News and Gossip
Effen Off: Thursday morning’s reports were convinced that Steffan Effenberg had agreed to join City in a two-year deal. Effenberg, who once infamously “gave the finger” to the German crowd during an international fixture, has landed himself in hot water again. In a magazine article, the 33-year-old made derogatory comments about the unemployed, and as a result was dropped for two games by Bayern. Later in the day, however, a statement on City’s club website described news of his signing as “premature”, and that “A deal to bring thirty three year old former German international, Stefan Effenberg to Maine Road has not been finalised.” Effenberg then put out a statement saying that he had turned City down. “I will definitely not play in Manchester. I phoned the club this week and turned them down.” It seems the stumbling block was over the player’s wage demands. Galatasaray are now thought to be interested.
Higginbotham Link: The name of another ex-Red has been touted in the tabloids this week. The Blues have been suggested as possible future employers for Derby County’s Danny Higginbotham, with a fee of £5 million being mentioned. Manchester born Higginbotham moved to Pride Park in a £2 million deal a couple of years ago from Old Trafford. After an unsuccessful spell as the Rams’ left-back, Higginbotham enjoyed greater success when moved to the centre half berth, where he has formed a useful partnership with Chris Riggott. If true, it sounds like Higginbotham would be the natural replacement for the retired Stuart Pearce.
Cole Won’t Go: Yet another former United player is insistent that he will not leave his current club. Andy Cole has made it clear that he does not wish to leave Blackburn Rovers, despite stories linking him with City and Fulham. “A lot has been made of me wanting to leave but those words have never come out of my mouth,” said Cole. “I wasn’t in the country when those stories were written which meant I couldn’t answer any questions about it. All I can say is I’m very happy here. I’ve only been here five months and I’m still finding my feet because it’s a different culture and the club’s run differently. But, given time, I’ll be OK. We are in Europe next season which is a big thing because everyone wants to play in Europe.”
Koumas Interest: One of the most sought after signatures in the Second Division belongs to Tranmere Rovers midfielder Jason Koumas. KK was alleged to have made an enquiry for Koumas earlier in the season, but the player was thought to be on his way to West Bromwich Albion. The player wishes to stay in the North West, and turned down WBA last month. Everton are thought to be favourites to keep the twenty two year old on Merseyside, but City were reported to be watching Koumas again last week at Cardiff. Koumas is expected to cost £2.5 million.
Liverpool Join Race for Keane: It sounds like Nicolas Anelka is making his usual exorbitant wage demands, this time to the board of Liverpool FC. Weekend newspapers suggest that Gerard Houllier is tiring of the antics of his former protege, so has let it be known that he is very interested in Leeds United’s Robbie Keane. This must be bad news for KK, who has publicly stated his wish to secure the services of the young Irishman. A fee of £12 million has been mentioned. Leeds’ manager David O’Leary is still adamant that he will not be selling Keane. He said: “Next season I want five strikers to choose from, and I don’t see it as a problem in trying to keep them all happy. I can’t wait to have a strong squad to choose from week in, week out.”
Now Rangers Want Justice: Royal Antwerp midfielder Justice Christopher may well be playing for Glasgow Rangers next season. The 20 year-old recently had a trial at City, but failed to impress the Boss. Reports suggest that Rangers boss Alex McLeish watched Christopher in action for Nigeria last week against Scotland and is ready to offer Antwerp £2 million for the player.
Winters Tale: Long time City target, Aberdeen striker Robbie Winters, has confirmed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. City have been interested all season in the 27 year-old, who has said that his time at Aberdeen was over. “It is all out of my hands but I feel I’ve done well enough for Aberdeen in my time here. I’ve toughed it out when the team have not been doing so well and now that we’re making some real progress and we’ve qualified for Europe it looks as if I’m leaving. But I want to make sure I go out on a high and help Aberdeen finish in third place in the SPL.”
No Move for “New Rijkaard”: The Sunday People claimed this week that City were about to sign Tyrone Loran, the “new Frank Rijkaard”, from Dutch second division club Volendam. A fee of £1 million was said to have been agreed for the under-21 international. This was news to the Dutch club’s president, who said that “No club has contacted us to talk about a transfer of Loran. I think that it’s best for him to stay with us for another year so that he can develop his skills.”
Ex-Blues’ News
Dickov Gets the Boot: Bizarre Premiership event of the weekend took place at Filbert Street, where already relegated Leicester City drew with mid-table Aston Villa. As the final whistle blew, Villa’s George Boateng was tussling for the ball with our old hero Paul “Wembley” Dickov on the touchline. As the game finished, Dickov’s right boot fell off, and was promptly thrown out of the ground by an exasperated Boateng! It’s nice to see that Dicky hasn’t lost any of his old touch, i.e. the ability to wind up the opposition.
Bishop Rumour Bashed: Wigan Athletic have denied reports that their new player coach will be Ian Bishop. Bish has been training with the club since his US club Miami Fusion dispensed with his services. A Wigan spokesman said: “Ian has been training with us for the last few weeks to keep fit and keep his eye in. He wants to ensure that he is raring to go when the US season starts up again. The manager is looking to get a new coach in but there is no truth in the rumour that Ian has been given the job already.”
All right for Mike: On Saturday, Leon Mike opened the scoring for his new club Aberdeen, in their 3-0 win over Livingston. The victory puts the Dons in third place in the SPL, and will guarantee a UEFA Cup place if they maintain that position.
Reactions and Comments
Champions! What a way to finish the season, with 108 goals, 99 points, and a ten point lead on second placed West Bromwich Albion. Stuart Pearce’s late penalty miss was the only glitch on Sunday against Portsmouth, as it would have brought Psycho’s career goal tally to a neat one hundred. Pearce said afterwards: “There’s no better way to bow out, and no better crowd to bow out in front of. I am now certain that it will continue to be onwards and upwards for this club. But I would just like to apologise about that penalty. There is always a sting in the tail when the Pearce does anything,” he stated. “Obviously we are pleased to win again but what a comical end to the game! It was typical of me, I got a good move to West Ham and broke my leg twice, I took a penalty in the semi-final of the World Cup and missed it. Against Portsmouth Dave Beasant says he ain’t going to move and told me just put it in the corner and I miss the goal. That just about sums me up, but it has been a pleasure and an honour to represent the clubs I have. I am very proud. When you are a little bit older like me you probably appreciate it more. It has been a difficult year for my family and me as I have lived away from home. I am professional in my outlook and I have a had few mood swings at times when I went home if we hadn’t won. So I would like to thank my family and of course Kevin Keegan and Arthur Cox for bringing me here last summer. Sunday was fantastic. When you have been around as long as I have a day like Sunday could have become an anti-climax but it was not. It was fantastic for me and I hope for the supporters. The hairs were standing up on the back of my neck and when I first went out it was like an England game for me. It was a big, big occasion for me and I couldn’t have bowed out it any better way.”
Boss Praises Pearce: After the game, chairman David Bernstein presented Pearce with a special award for “his wonderful service to football” and said: “Kevin’s first signing was Stuart Pearce and it’s obvious why.” KK was fulsome in his praise, “Stuart will not be remembered for missing a penalty. He will be remembered for the tremendous career he has had. Of course, it would have been nice to end it with his 100th goal, but he finishes with a lot of memories. He will stay if he wants to stay. We want him to stay. It has got to be right for Stuart and it has got to be right for us. I think it is right for us. If Stuart turns around and says it’s not what I’m about, it’s got to be a shake of hands and life goes on. I sincerely hope he stays. He has a lot to offer the players at this club and the fans.” Regarding this season, Keegan commented: “When the chairman came to see me with Dennis Tueart to talk to me about the job he said he wanted us to be a top-six side within five years, and we couldn’t have completed this first stage any quicker than we have done.”
Bring on the Premiership! There was plenty of comment on Sunday from a number of delighted players. Shaun Wright Phillips for instance can’t wait for the start of next season. “I will be working hard during the summer so that when we start next season I will be a better footballer. The Premiership is the best league in which to be a player. I want to make sure I am in the gaffer’s team for the first match of the season and then I want to stay there for the next 37. The only way to know how good you are is to match yourself against the very best and that is what we will be doing. We intend to give our fans something to shout about again next season.” Kevin Horlock, one of this season’s successes, commented, “We have had our ups and downs since I came to this club but Sunday was very special. It has been a great season for the team and for me personally and now we have to focus on next year and make sure we get it right, particularly at home in front of our fans.” A final comment from City’s leading scorer, the 32 goal Shaun Goater. “It is a fabulous feeling and one that I am going to remember forever,” said the Goat. “It has been a fantastic team effort right from the word go and a pleasure playing in front of such talented midfield players. We were all upset this time last year when we felt we had let ourselves, and more importantly, our fans down, and to bounce back at the first attempt is wonderful. We are on the verge of achieving something big here and we want to keep pushing on. It is a great club and the scenes yesterday just confirmed the affection and bond between the players and the supporters.”
Squad News
Psycho’s Killer Job: From last week’s pessimism about Stuart Pearce remaining at Maine Road, the signals in the press now suggest Psycho may well be staying at Maine Road after all. There were a number of fluctuations in the “will he or won’t he stay” news this week. The manager’s job at Coventry City became available, and former Coventry player Pearce was supposed to be a candidate. Good news for us then, when it was said Psycho had turned down the post. Then Gianluca Vialli’s job at Watford was supposed to be under threat, so the press announced that Stuart would be perfect – it’s a lot nearer home for him, after all. Fortunately the speculation in the papers is not matched by the word from Maine Road. KK and the board want Psycho to stay on as a coach, and Pearce himself commented that “Kevin will pop down to my home later this week and we will have a chat about it. We are not breaking our necks to get it done now. It would have been nice to have something sorted on paper but it will sort itself out in a day or two.”
King Colin Likes What He Sees: City’s greatest ever-number eight has been speaking about this season’s triumphant team. Colin Bell reckons that we should see a successful return to the Premiership as well. “I go to every home game. Though I have never been a great watcher, this season I have felt relaxed going to Maine Road because I knew that I was going to see the best. Kevin has had the boys playing a style of football that I love to watch. They have done everything right and fully deserve to be champions. There are at least 15 players who have consistently performed at their peak all year and they are playing with great enthusiasm. There is nothing better than to go up as champions,” Bell commented. “Kevin has been fantastic and this team is well equipped to be successful next season.” The King has been impressed by his fellow midfielder Ali Benarbia. “Ali is a very, very good player. He has so many assets, it is hard to pick out the best one. He has great awareness, excellent vision; his passing is first class and makes others play around him. He plays in one of the three positions that I believe are the most important in a team – the midfield engine room – and he has made the team tick without doubt. His experience has rubbed off on those around him. Without doubt, he will be a tremendous boost to the side next season and he fully deserved to be named Player of the Year.”
Moving On Up: Shaun Goater is looking forward to his return to the Premiership. “We have all had a taste of what it is like to play in the Premiership and we can’t wait to get back there. I thought I did reasonably well there and I am looking forward to the challenge again. The club isn’t going to stand still and I will welcome the competition that is going to be brought in. We are all excited but we won’t be going into the new season over confident. But we will be on a high because we are champions. The main difference is that we believe in ourselves a lot more and we know that we are going to play well,” he said. “We are confident and our training is geared to producing nice football.” The Goat revealed that the squad knew who the Player of the Year should be: “The boys were saying that if anybody’s name was called out other than Ali’s they would be going up to present the trophy to him!”
Choking on Our Chips – The Final Schmeichel Special
Schmeichel Signs: Peter Schmeichel was due to sign for MCFC today (Thursday), having passed a medical. Boss Kev confirmed that Schmeichel will be the number one choice in goal, adding “If he’s still hungry, he’ll play. We’ve watched him a lot. We’ve seen an excellent goalkeeper. I think he will prove to be a very big signing for this club.”
My Hero – Weaver: Following Carlo Nash’s comments last week, it was Nicky Weaver’s turn to wax lyrical about City’s latest acquisition: “I think it is a good signing for the club and also for myself and Carlo Nash because they don’t come much better than Peter Schmeichel,” acknowledged Weaver. “He is someone who all goalkeepers look up to. When he first came to United he took goalkeeping into a new dimension with his size and his style and I cannot wait to work with him. He brings more of a handball style to goalkeeping. He is a massive guy and he spreads himself really well. He is someone I have looked up to and I suppose you could say that I have tried to model myself on him a little bit. If Peter comes in and I become a better goalkeeper for it then it has obviously been a good thing for me. I am still only just 23 years old and still really young in goalkeeping terms. If the manager had signed a 28 or 29-year-old who might be at the peak of his career and might be here for the next five or six years then I might have felt a little differently. It could have signalled the end for me at City. Stuart Pearce has been the manager’s voice on the pitch this season and Peter could be that next year. Commanding a defence comes with age and is something I need to get better at and I am sure he will help in that respect.”
Bonetti Can’t Wait: City’s goalkeeping coach is clearly relishing training with the Great Dane. “It’s a great signing for the club,” said the former English goalkeeper. “People of his stature, presence and background do not come around often and we will benefit too from his vast experience. At this stage of his career I doubt whether I can teach Peter anything. He is very much his own man and at 38 will be set in his ways. All you can do with players like him is keep them fit. I have met him once and I am told he is an extremely nice man. His record is second to none and I am looking forward to working with him and helping him in any way possible. He is the tops. I never compare people from different eras but he is the best from his. I’m sure I and our younger ‘keepers will learn from him and it will be interesting to see the way Peter does things.”
Don Barrie (djb1305@yahoo.co.uk)OPINION: BLUE AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER
Beware of the Red Peril
I admit my bias and sympathy to most things Blue, and bigotry and total incapacity to see or admire anything Red (except when interspersed with black stripes). Am I alone in feeling that our favourite club is being infiltrated by the sinister Red peril? In the interest of strengthening (?) for next season we are taking ‘on-board’ the cream of the crop, when it comes to big-mouthed arrogancy, of the two most despised clubs in Europe. I’d only just got used to the idea of ex-Trafford Rangers’ famous Gob turning out for us and now the name of Effenberg is being touted. It is quite possible that by the time this goes to print he’ll have also signed on.
As Bosman free agents I can see the wisdom in not needing huge transfer fees, and having the pot intact for going after long term investments, I can also see some justification in going for the Gob as a short term tactic to keeping our large staff of young goallies on their toes. However, I fail to see what we are going to achieve with Effenberg in our midst. He is not a City player and in good times and bad, we have never had to rely on the services of such a thug.
Blue Moon over Holland too.
Dave Lyons (Dave.Lyons@kvaerner.com)OPINION: CHAPTER ONE OF THE REVOLUTION
Chapter One has been written, and what a Fantastic chapter it has been; congratulations to everyone involved. Can’t wait for Chapter Two (next season).
Now that our season is over, the talk will be, and has already started, about who will be the signings by KK this summer. We have heard so many names in the press and on TV, but I for one would not be surprised if the signings will be players we didn’t even think of. But everyone knows despite how very good our team has been we must move on and strengthen for the Premier League.
Thanks to Heidi and her support for bringing us the newsletter during a great season. And thanks to Ernie Whalley (the poet this week) for his humour.
Let’s have fun now trying to predict the signings. For starters here’s mine for what it’s worth: Malcolm Christie (Derby need cash); he’s a young player with a bright future, that’s what he and City have in common – “a bright future”.
Ernie Barrow (Britcityblue@aol.com)OPINION: WHAT ABOUT HOLLAND?
If Kev’s looking for a top midfielder for next season then he need look no further than Matt Holland, who carries no excess baggage, is an honest and industrious player and would be a top signing.
On the subject of new signings, Peter Schmeichel will create a well organised and well disciplined defensive unit that can only be good for City, regardless of his past, but there may be a price to pay.
I personally think Nicky Weaver will be the one to suffer due to his past exploits; from one minute being a player on the fringe of an England career, he ballooned in weight and wasted his chance; I think that will come back to haunt him.
Carlo Nash is more disciplined and would be more reliable because he has the right attitude, and if we are to become a major force again, good discipline will be an important factor.
Gary Sullivan (gary@ferodo60.freeserve.co.uk)OPINION: CHEAP AT HALF THE PRICE?
So Steffan Effenberg will not be coming to Maine Road as he wants £60,000 a week for his services. This begs the question “What are we prepared to pay for top stars?”
If we are not prepared to pay £60,000 a week for a player equivalent to Roy Keane (who is considered by the press to be currently the best player of Effenburg’s type in the Premiership) then I feel that Keegan’s dream of qualifying for the Champions’ League next season is indeed a pipe dream. Mid-table obscurity is indeed the best we can hope for.
CTID, Anorak – Richard Mottershead (richardjohnm@hotmail.com)OPINION: LET THEM GET WET
Seeing as 2002-03 will be our last season at our beloved Maine Road, shouldn’t we be allowed special dispensation to stick away fans in the Gene Kelly all season?
Think of the benefit for the players if Blues are filling the North Stand and visiting supporters are tucked away in the corner.
Murray Withers (murraywithers@yahoo.co.uk)OPINION: CITY SONG
Sportspages used to sell a CD with all City songs on it and it did indeed include “City, Manchester City” a song in fact officially called “The Boys in Blue”; it was if I remember correctly written by some members of 10cc and recorded at their studio – Strawberry in Stockport. The B-side “Funky City” is a cracker.
When I was very young I remember going to a Junior Blues event held at Belle Vue (in the last days of the amusement park) where the whole team came out to sing it – would’ve been about ’77/’78.
Adrian Howarth (adrian.howarth@4Imprint.co.uk)Cherry Red have a compilation of City-related songs available. Track listing, price and other info can be found at:
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/football/manchestercity.htm
Good stuff and great value! I believe the City song you refer to was written by a couple of members from 10cc… am I right?
Andy Jackson (a.z.jackson@dundee.ac.uk)OPINION: JUNIOR BLUE VIEW
What a fabulous day at Maine Road for the last match and Championship presentation. Fantastic atmosphere and Maine Road in a sea of Blue and White.
It is many years since this kind of emotion has been shown by City fans.
Thank you Kevin and Manchester City F.C. Most of all, thank you City fans for your loyal and fanatical support.
My nephew entered a competition for the Junior Blues. He did not win but I thought his poem was very good:
My name is James McKeon
I am nine years old
Here is my poem which just has to be told
I love Man City, I am a True Blue
To be mascot would be a dream come true
My grandad loves City, has done for 50 years or more
My nana loves them too and she screams when they score!
My uncle Pat lives in Ireland, he’s supported City since he was seven
When he goes to Maine Road he thinks he’s in heaven.
My mum used to go when Colin Bell played – many blue moons ago!
They all talk about City, and the stories, they flow
My big Brother Tom – now he goes home and away
He was mascot once and it really made his day.
So to meet all my heroes – that would be magic!
To lose out on this day would really be tragic!
OPINION: A SINGLE FOR MANCHESTER, PLEASE
I would like to lay claim to having travelled the furthest distance to be at the last game of the season to see our heroes receive the Championship trophy. In fact it may be interesting to know if anyone has travelled as far all season.
Having toured the Asian sub-continent on a business trip, I departed Delhi at midnight BST, and arrived at Manchester airport via Dubai at 12.30pm.
The bags arrived off the carousel quite quickly, and I was collected and then taken directly to the ground, for just before 1pm, so I could savour the build up to the match.
How’s that for dedication? Onwards and upwards from hereon in.
Best regards, Robert Simon (robert.simon@spluk.com)OPINION: FAR EASTERN OFFENCE
As someone who has lived in the far-east for 3 years I am most offended that whenever I say I am from Manchester or indeed England, I am greeted by the cries of Manchester U****d, very good. I do not take this obvious insult as a racist comment and would certainly not do so if my Chinese friends merely implied that my father owned a take away establishment!
Lighten up Wen and enjoy the great season that we’re having – we’re all Blue underneath! I’ve checked with all my Chinese friends here and not one of them would take offence at the Jihai song even after I explained it.
Dave Griffiths, Malaysia (daveandnicky@hotmail.com)OPINION: SUN
I have read with interest over the last few issues how certain people have reacted to the songs sung on the terraces about Sun Jihai and how they are racist and upsetting for someone so far from home trying to settle in to a new culture.
Well let me tell you he thinks they are very funny; I know this because during the game on Sunday, he was warming up right in front of me and the crowd in the North Stand started the songs. He was having a right laugh about them with Jon Macken and applauding them with a big grin on his face. Not just once but on several occasions.
Neil Chadwick (Neil.Chadwick@virgin.net)OPINION: LAW’S DRAMATIC MOMENT
The TV drama about Denis Law’s backheel in 1974 is now scheduled for Tuesday 14 May at 10.30 p.m. on BBC Choice (second of a series of three footie dramas).
Steve Parish (steve@bloovee.freeserve.co.uk)And another one!
Just wanted to let you know that the new transmission time for The King and Us, a half hour drama about City and United, about the day Denis Law backheeled Man U into Division 2 is Tuesday April 30th at 10.30pm on BBC Choice, as part of a series called Waiting for the Whistle.
The drama stars Christopher Eccleston (as a Red), Eddie Large (as a Blue) and Denis Law as a bit of both!
Derek Wax, Producer/Director – The King and Us (Derek.Wax@granadamedia.com)OPINION: ENTHUSIASTIC MATCH REPORT
Check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1940000/audio/_1942492_hall_mancity.ram for Stuart Hall’s report on the Portsmouth game.
What a star. But I think he had too much vino – especially as he missed the fact that Hucks’ goal was disallowed!
Congratulations to Kev, the boys and every long suffering Blue out there.
CTID, Anorak – Richard Mottershead (richardjohnm@hotmail.com)REQUEST: WARRINGTON BLUES’ PARTY
Carlo Nash and Moonchester will be special guests at the Warrington branch Championship party on Friday 3rd May at the Silver Birch in Birchwood (next to Birchwood Shopping Centre). There will be a disco, buffet and a raffle for some very special prizes. All Blues are welcome to attend the party, which looks like it will be a fantastic night for the family. Bring your flags and scarves. Admission £3 adult £2 kids (pay on the night).
Any Blues coming from Manchester can catch the 19.43 or 20.11 from MCR Oxford Road to Birchwood, the Silver Birch pub is 200 yards from the station, return trains to Oxford road are 22.39 or 22.57. Trains from Warrington Central to Birchwood are 19.51 or 20.45, return 22.46. Buses go every 15 minutes from Warrington bus station. Hope to see you all there.
Nick Morley, Warrington branch secretary (nmorley@ic24.net)REQUEST: SAUDI BLUES
Are there any City fans in Saudi Arabia based near Dharan? I’ll be moving over there at the beginning of June and I could do with knowing a few Blues to watch some games with. Please get in touch if you fancy some beerless games.
Joe O’Brien (joe_ob@hotmail.com)WHY BLUE?
As a young boy living in Leics, I was looking for a football team to support. I was about 5 years old, none of my family supported or followed any football, everyone seemed to be Liverpool or United. Then I met one teenager wearing a Manchester City shirt, light blue and white – wow, what a colour! It seemed to be the only one in the area, all other shirts and colours were dark blue or red. I think I was hooked at that moment, but I got talking to this MCFC fan known as Wardell.
Wardell told me that you have to be sure that MCFC is the club you want to follow because once you have, it’s like starting a love affair. The only difference is there’s no way you can cheat on MCFC the love is too strong. I went away, I had to see this MCFC play. One of the first games I remember was MCFC vs. MUFC. My cousin was a Reds fan, and they had a nice new colour TV. Went to see it; my cousin and I don’t speak very much, on that day we were beaten – knock back! You would have thought someone had died, yet my cousin was singing and shouting come on you Reds, that’s enough of that. I never felt so sad, and this was watching a game, but not just a game, this was MCFC. And I was hooked.
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Comments concerning this FAQ should be sent to David Warburton using the address: mcivtafaq@warburton.org
[1] MCIVTA Deadlines
Deadlines for issues are nominally Monday and Thursday evenings.
[2] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page
http://www.uit.no/mancity/ is the unofficial Manchester City Supporters’ home page. Created in 1994, it is the longest running of the Manchester City related web sites. Back issues of MCIVTA are also hosted on the site.
[3] Club Web Site
The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/
[4] Supporters’ Clubs
Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mancity.net/osc/index.html); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.callnetuk.com/home/sef/) and “The International Supporters’ Club” (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/extra/fanzone/isc.asp)
[5] Fans’ Committee
The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. It has its own website, http://www.mcfc-fans.com/ containing info about forthcoming meetings as well as minutes from previous gatherings.
[6] City of Manchester Stadium Progress/Web Cam
The latest information regarding the progress of our new home can be found at http://www.commonwealthgames.com/
[7] Match Day Broadcasts
Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found here: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/comment.asp. An alternate live commentary service, hosted by Yahoo, is located at: http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/foot/audio/live/schedule/index.html. GMR Saturday Sport is also available live online between 1-3pm, and 4.45-6pm at http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/sport/index.shtml
[8] City on TV
City’s games when broadcast on TV are generally carried by ITV Digital; http://www.itv-digital.co.uk/company/home/publocator/locator.html provides a list of pubs that will be showing the games.
Granada television also has the rights to show a small number of games from the North West region. As Sky now carry ITV regional services these matches can be watched outside the intended region by “adding” channels to your Sky Digital receiver. Under “services/system setup” enter the following details: Frequency 10.891 – H – 22.0 – 5/6. Select “find channels” and you will be given a list of the available ITV regions. From here select the regions you want to add. In order to view the channels you have added, you have to make your selection via “services/system setup/other channels”.
[9] Goals on the Net
http://www.citygoals.com/ has available for download, usually within 24-48 hours of a game being played, all the goals from City’s matches.
[10] 01/02 Season Match Day Theme Tune
The music the teams run out to at Maine Road this season is “Nightmare”, by Brainbug, and is available on the Positiva label.
[11] Acknowledgements
Thanks go to John Arnold for providing the information regarding match day music and to Ian Bell for pointing out the alternate live match commentary service.
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.
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Heidi Pickup, heidi@mcivta.freeserve.co.uk
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editor
The Editorial team of mcivta.com consist of several people. Typically news and information that is provided by a third part will be distributed by the "Editor". Phil Alcock is the current Editor in Chief of the MCIVTA newsletter.