Newsletter #951

Tonight’s news has reaction to last weekend’s performances, news on ex-Blues, injured Blues and reserve Blues. The reserves lost 3-0 away to Everton this week, and Gavin has sent in a report of what was a very poor performance.

We have opinion on TV coverage, tickets, news on the Farewell to Maine Road book and the usual requests.

A trip to London this weekend for the game against KK’s former and Reyna’s almost employers Fulham, at the unusual time of 3pm on Saturday and the reserves are in action again on Monday night against Newcastle at home.

Next game: Fulham, away, 3pm Saturday 20 September 2003

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NEWS SUMMARY

General News

KK Meets Foe’s Widow: KK has been talking about his commitment to Marc Vivien Foe’s family. As we reported last week, the boss has agreed to manage a team in a memorial game in Lyon on November 11. Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Steve Marlet have already agreed to take part in the match, while KK has promised to take every member of the City squad not required for international duty that week. “As a club we have to do something and we will,” he said. “We just need a little bit of time to come up with the right solution to the problems Marc’s death has caused. I had a meeting with his wife because it is my job, and the club’s job, to ensure she and her children are looked after. We can’t do anything for Marc now – but we can do something for his family.”

Reserves’ Reverse: The reserves are still searching for their first away win of the season after Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat at Everton. Playing at Southport’s Haig Avenue ground, City’s team included Robbie Fowler, Eyal Berkovic and Claudio Reyna, but they could not prevent the Toffees’ triumph. Berkovic played the first half before being taken off but Fowler and Reyna both completed the full game. Team: Ellegaard, Bischoff, Jordan, Wiekens (Murphy 83), Dunne, Reyna, J D’Laryea, Whelan (Ireland 81), Fowler, Berkovic (Tandy 46), Elliott. Subs: Schmeichel, Collins.

UEFA Tie on the Telly: There’s good news for those of us who can’t get to next week’s UEFA Cup first round, first leg tie at the COMS. The BBC have announced that they will be showing the Lokeren game on the digital channel, BBC3. The game takes place on Wednesday September 24, and the coverage begins at 8.00pm. So I’m alright, Jack!

Transfer News and Gossip

Starlet Eyed: It’s not Jertzy Balowski, as I first thought, but Tomasz Sokolowski, a 17-year-old midfielder, who spent a week with City last month and has been invited back in November. The Polish born lad plays for Norwegian club Lyn, and will be back once his club’s season ends. “It was a great experience and I learned what is demanded of me at that level,” said Sokolowski. “They didn’t point out the things that I was weak on, but focused on what I’m good at, like I have a good right foot and high pace.” “He will be going back in November,” confirmed Lyn’s sporting administrator Stein Hoff. “He is an outstanding talent and we think he could be one of the best players to come out of Norway.” (Thanks to old Pa Broon for finding this item).

Unwanted Rumour of the Week: I suppose it’s a compliment to the form of Nicolas Anelka, but there are reports this week that the French goal machine is a transfer target of Juventus. Bianconeri striker David Trezeguet is injured at the moment, and Coach Marcello Lippi may see Anelka as an ideal replacement. Looks like we’ll have to get that Champions’ League spot for next season – or, as a great man once said “we’ll have to rely on a very special blend of psychology and extreme violence” to dissuade those pesky Italian raiders… These Juve rumours were probably spawned by the comments attributed to Anelka that appeared in the Sun. Under the headline “I’ll Nic off for Euro glory”, Nico is quoted as saying: “I have a contract and I’m fine with this club. My understanding with the manager is perfect, as it is with the players and the fans. As for what comes next, we will see in due course. The Premiership is the most watched competition in the world – but I would really like to play in the Champions’ League again. I do miss it. It is the place to show the whole world how good you are. Big matches motivate me and playing Champions’ League would replace the France games. My objective this season is to help City to finish higher than we did last year – and to score more goals. The ideal would be to play in the Champions’ League with City next season. I don’t know if that is possible – but you never know what is possible in football. Just look at what Real Sociedad managed to achieve in Spain last season. Who would have predicted that they would finish runners-up in La Liga? You always have to aim high. We have made some good signings, we had a good preparation and we have started the season in good form,” said Anelka. “As long as we avoid losing silly points along the way – like we did last year – we ought to have a nice bit of success.”

Ex-Blues’ News

Kinky to Get His Spurs? Here’s a tale of the unexpected. According to the nation’s favourite, the Sun, Tottenham manager Glen Hoddle is lining up a move for ace Georgian playmaker Gio Kinkladze. Kinky was last heard of training with Portsmouth, and refusing an offer of gainful employment from Dundee FC, but according to the “Currant Bun”, Hodd sees our former maestro as the man to ignite Tottenham’s moribund midfield. Bearing in mind Kinky’s presumed lack of match fitness, it’s hard to tell whether this is a final desperate roll of the dice by a beleaguered manager, or a well timed advert for a client by a football agent (Thanks to “Neil, Neil Orange Peal” for that item).

Boss Man Whitey! David White has taken his first steps into the wacky world of football management. Whitey has been appointed caretaker manager of Rossendale United. He is a director of the club and lives in the area, and took over the hot seat after the Unibond Division One side won just two of their opening seven games. England international, White, now 35, has been called upon after the sacking of Jimmy McBride on Sunday. The club are to advertise for the post of manager.

Reactions and Comments

Not So Shoddy Second Half! City were propelled to the giddy heights of third in the Premiership after their 4-1 drubbing of Aston Villa on Sunday. Juan Pablo Angel had given the visitors a half-time lead, but second half goals from ‘Mike the Cool Person’ Tarnat (shoooooot!) and Lord Anelka (hat-trick) ensured a first home league win of the season. KK was asked about the schizophrenic performance of the team – poor first half, but a blistering second. “It was not as if we were playing badly, it was just that things were not coming off for us,” he mused later. “But the way we played after the break set a benchmark for us. We have to maintain that standard now and if we do, not many teams will be taking anything away from this wonderful stadium. I told the players the truth at half-time. You couldn’t say we were very poor but a lot of things we were doing were not as good as they could be. There was no shouting, no bawling. Everyone was just nearly doing enough but not doing it exactly right. I told them that the fans come here and want 100 percent commitment. If we get beaten by a better side then so be it. I just said the truth.” Asked about McManaman’s contribution, Keegan said: “Anelka got the hat-trick but all the terrific stuff about today started somewhere around Steve McManaman. For a player of his standing he probably expects to go out and do that. For 15 minutes of the first half he got us going. Their front two worked hard for them and never gave our back four time to settle. They deserved to be a goal up but in the second half our fitness, passing and finishing were better. The difference in the second half was our final pass.” He added: “Anelka took the penalties well and finished the final one well. He is always going to score if we give him some ammunition. We would settle for being third in May but there is a lot of work to do. We have the nucleus of a good side but it’s up to us to fulfil the potential.”

Three: The Elk’s Magic Number: The Boss Man hadn’t finished praising the hat trick hero, however. “I think we have the best striker in the world,” enthused the City chief. “He is not the finished article yet and I know people will laugh at me saying that. There are things that Nicolas can do better. But what he is good at he is as good as anyone in the word at. He has a quick change of pace and direction and he will become a better finisher as he gets older. From every chance he gets at the moment his finishing rate is probably one out of three, eventually that will become one out of two. That is when he will end up leading the goal scoring charts. He is up there this year but there is more to come from him. I am not talking about ability but in terms of what he can contribute to the whole cause. I think Nicolas can still improve some things. He is only twenty four, I didn’t learn the game until I was twenty seven. You have to think what he will be like with another three years of experience behind him. He is enjoying his football. I think all the players are and when you play like that in the second half you want the second half to come very quickly.”

Villa’s Resistance Watered Down: Villa boss David O’Leary was clearly nonplussed by his team’s second half capitulation. “I’ve asked a few people what happened,” he said. “The second half was not acceptable. I knew the game would be tough here. We did nothing in the second half and we were punished. We can’t afford to give people the start we did. I think my type of teams will take chances but we cannot play the way we did in the second half away from home. We were a different team in the second half to the first and did nothing. We cannot give teams a start as we did with the first couple of goals. We were seriously disrupted by injuries but we can’t use that as an excuse. City deserved their victory for their second-half performance but we should have had more goals in the first half, when we were on top.” Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen will not be inheriting Mr. Schmeichel’s mantle of “Great Dane”, after allowing Tarnat’s howitzer of a free-kick to slip though his hands into the net. “Thomas knows himself it was a mistake. He is only human but it happened at the wrong time having just conceded that first penalty,” said his manger. Sky TV reported pre-match that Villa were furious at the excessive watering of the COMS pitch, but O’Leary to his credit refused to climb on that media inspired band wagon. He said he knew nothing about the pitch being watered, and that he wouldn’t claim that as an excuse.

Nice Début! The Toxteth O’Grady award for Scouser of the week goes to… Steve McManaman, who made an impressive début for the Blues on Sunday. McManaman said in his after match TV interview: “We didn’t play well in the first half. We needed to get back into the game very quickly and we did that, although I thought it [first penalty for handball] wasn’t going to be given.” Paying tribute to Anelka, he commented: “He and I add to the experience here. We have a team full of internationals and successful players and it helps the youngsters. I played in centre midfield – whether that is the perfect rôle or whether I play further up who knows. We gave the fans something to think about. Because I’ve played in a very attacking team in the past, if anything I found myself in a slightly more defensive rôle. I prefer to be more offensive, but I had to be more aware of everyone else’s situation on the pitch.” McManaman played down his excellent start. “It’s still difficult trying to work out where people make their runs,” he said. Macca gave a great display of Latin temper, when he thought the first penalty hadn’t been give. “I remonstrated quite furiously,” said McManaman. “I was upset because if he hadn’t hit it with his hands, I was still on goal. I said to the referee later, ‘I thought you didn’t give it’. He said ‘I did, I just took my time over the decision’. For me it was cast iron.”

Squad News

Clever Darren: Meanwhile, down amongst the Ex-Men… Darren Huckerby began his latest loan spell last week, as he helped Norwich City beat Burnley 2-0 in a Division One game. Hucks commented afterwards: “It’s not a case of impressing Kevin Keegan; he’s seen me over the past two and a half years and knows what I can do. He doesn’t want me there, and that’s obvious, so I’m here to do what I can for Norwich City over the next three months. There are some good players here and I knew coming here that they are a well established passing side. We created plenty of chances on Saturday and I maybe should have done better by the win is the most important thing and as I’ve said we need more of the same.” It might be thought that as wee Dazza acquired the sarcastic moniker “Forrest Gump” at a previous employer, that he was a not the sharpest tool in the box, but these comments suggest that Hucks is bright enough to understand what the Kurse of the Keegan loan entails…

Shaunie Stays! With the arrival of Steve McManaman, the press spent some time this week speculating that Shaun Wright-Phillips might find his first team opportunities limited, so I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised when we see stories that Shaunie’s famous stepdad will be negotiating Sweep’s next contract (thanks to the Tabloid Reader of M22 for that snippet). Could this point to a swift Shaun send off from City? Not if you read the comments made by the player himself this week. “We can really go places this year,” he said. “Manchester City is an exciting club to be part of at the moment and I am not looking to go anywhere. We seem to have gelled as a team more than we did at the start of last season and the new players coming in can only help us improve even more. If I am playing well I feel as though I can hold down the right-sided slot where I have been for the last few games,” he said. “But there are a lot of good players here now. More of us are competing for the same positions, but I still believe I can learn from them. Every player teaches someone something different and if I can pick things up from them all, I won’t go far wrong.” One weak spot in Shaun’s armour is his poor goalscoring record, but he couldn’t resist a titter at the expense of his pal Joey Barton, who has scored for City and England under-21’s this season. “Joey has been getting a few streaky goals lately,” said Wright-Phillips. “I keep asking him to pass some onto me but he doesn’t seem to want to share! He is a tremendous lad though and I am really delighted he is doing well.”

Paulo No Go: KK has paid tribute to Paulo Wanchope this week, and revealed that the world’s shortest transfer discussion this summer led to the Costa Rican pledging his future to the Blues. “Paulo came to see me as he had obviously heard something about it. He asked me if I wanted him to stay and I said, “yes”,” revealed Special K. “He just sat there and that was the only conversation that we had! This is a great club to be at and if you treat players respectfully whether they stay with you or not you will get your rewards. I think Paulo wants to do well at this club, desperately wants to be part of what is going to happen here. With his dedication and the way he approaches it I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be at the hub of it. He has that opportunity not just as he did against Villa but for the rest of the season and the one beyond. If you look at his situation and what he contributed to the win over Villa you will see he put in a very good performance.” Speaking after the Villa game, Wanchope was quick to pledge his allegiance to the Blues’ cause. “I didn’t want to go because I feel I owe something to the club and its supporters. I haven’t played for almost two years, yet people still want me. That was so nice to here because I am really happy at City and I want to give something back.”

Mack Backed: The Big Boss Man gave the world some worrying injury news about Jon Macken, but followed this by backing the player to play a part in the club’s future, once he is fully fit. “When Jon kicks a ball really hard, if he shoots for instance, it is hurting him. So we pulled him out of training last Thursday. He told me that every time he shoots he feels his foot, so we have decided to get him right. I feel very sorry for Jon Macken. He hasn’t had an injury free run so he can get really fit, because he has got something to offer. He has to get fit again as the one thing he doesn’t want when he get his opportunity, and he will get his chance, is not to be fully fit.” But the manager will not be letting him go out on loan. “I would not entertain a loan enquiry for Jon Macken,” stressed the boss. “We get people ringing up all the time some of them genuinely thinking they are going to help us. The players we have loaned out like Darren Huckerby we have done because we think it was sensible to do so. At this moment in time the ones who are here are staying here.”

Don Barrie <news(at)mcivta.city-fan.org>

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MATCH REPORT: EVERTON RESERVES 3 MCFC RESERVES 0

Embarrassing City Made it an Easy Win for Everton

After a disgraceful opening 45 minutes where City were lucky to be only two nil down, only two players were earning the right to be called City players. I was absolutely disgusted at the lack of effort and care that nine of the players were showing. I wasn’t the only one who felt like this as Kevin Keegan had a face like thunder on him.

The second half improved slightly as the defence was moved around to how it should have started, Richard Dunne moving to right back from his centre half starting position and Mikkel Bischoff swapping places with him. But the main talking point has to be whether we shall ever see Eyal Berkovic back in a City shirt again after he made an appalling début for the reserves. If he said he wants to stay at this club, surely the way to prove this is to put at least some effort into gaining back his first team place by playing well in the reserves. I could have stood on the pitch and touched the ball about five times and given it away five times like he did, and I’m not on over £20,000 a week. If I’d have been less restrained I could have emulated the Everton fan that tried to swap shirts a couple of seasons ago with one of last night’s opponents, Alex Nyarko, who scored the third goal in the second half.

Both goals came in the first half from Everton’s big young lad, Nick Chadwick, by way of a simple six yard shot and another from the penalty spot when he was rugby tackled by Bischoff in the area and was extremely fortunate still to be on the pitch, never mind that the referee failed to book him. This scoreline would have been a lot higher had Stephen Jordan not taken on his captain’s responsibility so well and young Jonathon D’Laryea worked so tirelessly in midfield.

Everton’s third goal came when City failed to clear a corner properly and the ball fell out to Nyarko about 30 yards out and he lashed his shot into the bottom left hand corner. Another reserve début came for Stephen Ireland in the last ten minutes and his quality showed straight away with his ability to put the Everton defence on the back foot by running at them, it was just that unfortunately his City team-mates gave him no options from his guile and industry.

Ellegaard: When is KK going to get him off our wage bill? 5
Bischoff: Has never been able to play full back, so why did he start there? 5
Jordan (capt.): Tapered off in the second half after a great first. 7
Wiekens (84): Another waste of space display from the Dutchman. 4
Dunne: Improved greatly after going to right back for the second half. 6
Reyna: Had a steady game as he still looks to gain match fitness. 6
J D’Laryea: A fine non stop running display in midfield by the twin. MoM. 8
Whelan (82): Awful first half, only slightly improved in the second. 5
Fowler: Booed all night and ran all game to his obvious frustration with nothing to show. 6
Berkovic (46): My score says it all! 1
Elliott: Like Fowler, ran all night with no end product. 6

Subs:
Tandy (46): Did very little to improve the situation. 5
Ireland (82): Very good cameo début from a future star, I have no doubt. 7
Murphy (84): No time to impress.

Not Used: Schmeichel, Collins.

Everton: Turner, O’Hanlon (Symes 46), Unsworth, Clarke (capt), Weir, Nyarko, Osman (A Moogan 86), Carsley, Chadwick, Pascucci (Schumacher 68), McFadden.
Not Used: Gallagher, B Moogan.

Att: 1,159.

Gavin Cooper <blueboy(at)mancity.net>

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OPINION: MANCHESTER SENIOR CUP

Dates of games announced as follows:

Wednesday 1 October: Bolton Away at Lancashire FA, 7pm KO, Leyland.

Tuesday January 6 2004: Manchester United at Home (Hyde)- probably 7:30pm KO.

It’s only 4 games now instead of 6 (3 home, 3 away) – either home or away. Obviously Bolton are now included – playing the reverse fixtures the following year.

Gavin Cooper <blueboy(at)mancity.net>

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OPINION: CANADIAN BIAS?

If other Canadian based Blues were as disappointed as I was with the coverage and comments this weekend, they may like to contact Fox Sports World as I’ve done. I haven’t had the courtesy of a response yet, but the more the merrier.

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To: ‘<comments(at)foxsportsworld.com>’

I’ve just finished watching the 7pm PST edition of FSW Canada for Sept 15.

I really didn’t appreciate Michelle Lissel’s comment on reviewing the EPL table that viewers should not adjust their sets – that is Manchester City in third place. However, Fox then went on to add insult to injury by showing a review of every Premiership game over the preceding weekend except City vs. Aston Villa, thereby depriving the audience of 5 goals including a stunning hat-trick by Nicolas Anelka.

City is a third place team on merit with the joint best attacking record in the EPL. Why on earth would theirs be the only game omitted from the review? Is there a renegade Rag (that’s a Man U fan to the non initiated) in charge of production there?

Martin Smith <martin_smith(at)shaw.ca>

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OPINION: PLAYERS, ATTENDANCES AND TICKETS

Macca – God almighty I can’t remember the last time I was so impressed with a début (probably Berkovic or Benabia in recent times). Talk about eating humble pie, I was totally wrong to slag him off and don’t mind admitting it. I thought SWeeP would be dropped but KK bless him came up with the novel idea of sticking to the lads playing well and putting Macca in the playmaking rôle. Terrific, what a masterstroke! I thought he was MoM by a mile.

Corporate tickets – my partner booked away ones for Wolves for my birthday but then cancelled after I felt they were a rip off. Interestingly the ticket people were going to cancel anyway as they didn’t have enough interest. I think the problem is the cost: £100 – the tickets are £29, coach about £12 – that’s a pretty expensive meal then.

Away Tickets: applied for Blackburn via the snail mail. Apparently never got to the CoMS, told to send a fax by the ticket office. Never arrived, then told they weren’t accepting them anyway and they don’t know why I was told to fax! Ended up going to the ground and buying them in person. Fulham, sent off again. Again never arrived at the CoMS, told to fax in. Faxed off details and the fax wouldn’t work. Phoned them up and they said that the fax had been receiving so it was my problem and there was nothing they could do. Could have got some at the ticket office before the Villa game but decided against it due to shortage of funds. Applied for Wolves tickets by delivering the cheque by hand at the ticket office on Sunday. Surely they will be able to process that then. It’s my birthday the following day so I’ll be mighty fed up if that envelope has gone missing too.

Has anyone else had any problems like this or am I just being unlucky? Why don’t City introduce the concept of Internet booking for tickets?

Scott Moore <scott(at)moore1064.fsnet.co.uk>

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OPINION: NAMES

BlueCamp – Perfect if we want to become the laughing stock of the country. City should have a name to itself and not lend to other clubs, even those of the stature of Barcelona. Plus it just sounds c**p.

City Of Manchester Stadium – Too much of a mouthful. Otherwise would be perfect. It’s an impressive title and conveys good things about City, but we need a shorter name.

ComSTAD – Awful. Sounds like a computer company and is just fairly bad.

Maine Road – Definitely not. I feel nostalgic for Maine Road, but it’s part of City’s history and we need to be looking forward (even though I found myself saying ‘I went down to Maine Road’ on Sunday).

New Maine Road – Doesn’t have a ring to it. Will end up being called Maine Road anyway (see above).

Eastlands – Gets my vote. Is short, catchy, rolls off the tongue easily, and I can envisage that as a permanent name for City’s ground.

After this problem, there’s the naming of the stands! North, South, East and West need to go as soon as the ground itself is named.

I don’t see anything wrong with renaming the West Stand ‘Maine Stand’.

Maybe even the East Stand as the Kippax (I know what I said earlier about moving on, but this somehow seems right).

As to the ‘ends’. Maybe name them after famous players? Can they be called ‘ends’ – because they’re not really.

Don’t know. Keep the suggestions coming and spread the word. Then the fans can have a say in naming the ground…

Jon Abel <flap(at)savagemail.com>

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OPINION: CITY/MATCH CARDS

I have just phoned the Citycard Helpline (0161 231 2500) to ask why I have been given a “Matchticket” instead of a “Citycard” even though the membership renewal fee was still taken from my account.

I have been told that they have run out of blank Citycard’s and to stop City fans waiting even longer for their new membership card they have used the Matchticket card instead. This means that even though I have a Matchticket card, on the City computer I am entered as having a Citycard and I still get all the privileges of having a Citycard.

So I recommend that anyone who was expecting a Citycard and only got a Matchticket call them for confirmation.

Steve Cummings <mcfc(at)supanet.com>

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REQUEST: FAREWELL TO MAINE ROAD I

In MCIVTA 950 Richard Eagles asked about a book of Maine Road memories; the publication he is thinking of is “Farewell To Maine Road” (the official history of City’s grounds). The book details the history of the stadium from initial discussions through to its present overgrown state. It also contains a chapter covering Hyde Road and the City Of Manchester Stadium.

The book is the sister publication of Manchester – The Greatest City and contains 320 A4 size pages and hundreds of photos. It also combines dozens of supporter memories with the 170,000 word narrative story of Maine Road. There are also special features on Pop Concerts, Religious Festivals, Going To The Match, Crowd Control, Maine Matches, Key Personalities, Demonstrations, Chants & Songs, Junior Blues, The Ground Committee, International Matches, City on Film… etc. There’s even stories of German pilots being captured at the ground during WWII; a new twist on the Gypsy Curse; the shocking story of how a City director went to a certain other team and asked them to consider a merger!

As well as the stories, the images contained feature Maine Road at many different stages of its development. There are several previously unpublished photos of Maine Road during initial construction, and many unusual images of the ground from the 1920s through to September this year.

“Farewell To Maine Road” is being published at the moment, and it is anticipated copies will be distributed in mid-October.

I am the author of the book, and once the book is published I will forward further details to MCIVTA. The publishers (Polar Publishing in Leicester) will be able to provide specific answers to questions about any orders. Once supporters receive the book I’ll be delighted to hear views on its content, look and feel.

Thanks, Gary James <garyjames(at)footballhistorian.co.uk>

REQUEST: FAREWELL TO MAINE ROAD II

Rick Eagles asked in MCIVTA 950 about a book he had ordered on the history of Maine Road. I too ordered the book and it is called Farewell To Maine Road by Gary James (Polar Books).

I have been in contact with Polar and they advise me that the last batch of pages are on their way to the printers after which it goes for binding, which should take about three weeks. Distribution is now expected in October.

If more information is needed Polar are on 0116 274 4700.

Johnny Clancy <johnny(at)clancers.freeserve.co.uk>

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REQUEST: SPURS TICKETS

Three adult tickets required for Spurs game; friends coming over from Ireland for the weekend and want to take in a game at our super new stadium. I know it’s a long shot but you have to try don’t you?

On that topic why do we seem to have empty seats on both sides of the halfway line on the second tier every game yet the tickets are sold out? Are they corporate seats not taken up?

Please contact email below.

Tony Roberts <tony.r.roberts(at)baesystems.com>

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REQUEST: US BLUES’ VIEWING

I am looking for US Blues who might have copies of VHS tapes of City matches from this year or last – including the highlight video of last year’s season. They can contact me in care of this address.

Thanks, Beach Tredennick <tredennj(at)belmont-hill.org>

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REQUEST: NORTH CALIFORNIA BLUES

I’ve been reading and enjoying everyone’s excellent inputs over the past decade from Atlanta in the USA, then Istanbul (hi Mike!) and now find myself displaced in Northern California.

If there are any supporters I can link up with for a few beers and to watch City matches anywhere near Placerville or Sacramento (“go Arnold!” eheheh – in the bankrupt state’s governor’s recall election) please get in touch with me.

Thanks to all who contribute to these emails, and also to John, Barry and Yvonne who got me match tickets for a few games over the last couple of seasons when I was back home.

Simon <AlienUK(at)aol.com>

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REQUEST: CO. CLARE BLUES

This is going to appeal to a very small and select band of fans. I have found a pub in Co. Clare which has both Sky Sports and ongoing Premierplus. This means I am now able to watch all City’s televised games at last!

If anyone is interested in joining me, drop me a line. Incidentally, the pub is in Kiladysert.

The game with Villa coincided with the all-Ireland hurling final (terrible game in which Kilkenny narrowly beat Cork), so we had one bar packed full of hurling fans and a fantastic atmosphere, while I sat on my tod in the other bar watching the real match in silence, apart from sharp intakes of breath in the first half, and sharp exclamations of relief and joy in the second. Probably my strangest experience of watching City ever.

Barry Taylor <barryriley(at)eircom.net>

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REQUEST: CITY PHOTOS

If anyone is interested in seeing a few match photos from recent games, plus pics from the Player of the Year Awards and some pics of the lads training at Carrington, you are welcome to view my album at:

http://community.webshots.com/album/90542161NUzLpQ

Hope you like them.

Mads <madeleine.hawkins(at)btinternet.com>

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REQUEST: MARC VIVIEN FOE MEMORIAL APPEAL

The appeal fund established in memory of Foe is progressing well and we are now able to give an update on how people can contribute:

Financial Donations:

Any branch of HSBC

Account Name/Payable to: Marc Vivien Fo