Newsletter #1120

A big congratulations to Stuart Pearce who has been installed as City’s permanent manager on a two year contract. I set the Sky+ box to record the press conference only to find when I got home from work that all I’d recorded was events from the dark side!

Richard Dunne deservedly won the Player of the Year trophy on Tuesday night, with Nedum winning the Young Player and Micah Richards the Most Promising Player.

An edition bursting with news, opinions, requests and all things Blue! Here’s to Sunday’s game with Boro, hopefully 3 points and European qualification!

Heidi’s back on Monday, so keep your articles coming to the usual address!

NEWS SUMMARY

Pearce Appoinment Confirmed

The Outstanding Candidate: In a welcome boost ahead of the UEFA play-off with Middlesbrough on Sunday, City have announced that Stuart Pearce has been appointed as manager. His contract is for an initial period of two years and will then continue on a rolling 12-month basis. In a statement, Chairman John Wardle said: “Since Stuart took over as Manager of the club, his attitude and drive has had great effect on the whole of the club. He has shown the all-round ability and qualities to become Manager of Manchester City, both on and off the pitch. We have received numerous applications for the job but we didn’t feel there was any need to continue the process. Stuart is the outstanding candidate. The Board look forward to working with him and continuing to build on the progress the club is making.” Stuart Pearce was quoted as saying: “I’m delighted and honoured to be confirmed as Manager. I would like to thank everybody at the club for their support.”

Biggest Challenge: “The board have shown faith in me from day one and in my mind I’ve done the job for two months,” said Pearce at the press conference held after the official announcement. “I’m very pleased and honoured to be made manager. I don’t know any other way than to win things and judging by results the players are backing me. I am aware of the history and tradition of the club and of the great fan base,” he continued. “My single biggest challenge now is to prepare the side for the final game of the season against Middlesbrough. We have a chance to extend our unbeaten game to eight matches and of course grab that final place in Europe.” When asked whether he would have a transfer budget to spend, Pearce replied, “There’s no money to spend on players. That’s what I’ve been told. I’ll work with that and I’ll have to wheel and deal. I think I’ve got a head start as I’ve got a good set of players here at the moment at this football club. It’s important that I get the best out of them and maybe bring one or two in to add to what we’ve got.” The confirmation of Pearce as the permanent successor to Kevin Keegan was made at an official sponsors’ lunch this afternoon and two hours before a memorial was unveiled to that great manager from the past, Joe Mercer.

General News

Best Manager, Best Player: As if getting the manager’s job full-time wasn’t enough, SP has scooped the Barclays Manager of the Month award for April. Not bad for a novice! A spokesman from the Barclays Awards Panel said: “Stuart Pearce’s passion for the game is there for all to see and with 12 points from six games, it looks like his positive approach has had an immediate effect on the City players. Three successive clean sheets at home are testimony to the immense defensive expertise he brings to the club.” The press release claims that Pearce’s award is the first in the Premiership for a City manager, although a check through the MCV archives shows that one A. Ball Esq. won it November 1995, just before the plummet to relegation in 1996. No omens there, we hope! SP said: “I’m naturally delighted, but this award is due to the team effort at this football club. It is a reflection of the attitude and commitment of everybody here from playing and coaching staff to all those who work behind the scenes.” And in a week of awards, Richard Dunne was named the Official Supporters’ Club’s Player of the Year. SWP was runner up, Robbie Fowler in third place. Nedum Onuoha landed the Young Player of the Year award, ahead of BWP and Stephen Jordan. The award for the most promising Player of the Year (decided by the staff at the City Academy) went to Micah Richards.

Nice Little Earner: Financial news: John Wardle has agreed to sell his stake in JD Sports and quit the high-street chain. Wardle and David Makin, the founders of JD Sports, shared £44.6 million after selling their combined 45% shareholding to clothing maker Pentland Group in a move that values the company they founded in 1981 at £99.8 million. Pentland chairman Stephen Rubin said: “JD is a business that we know well, run by a management team in which we have every confidence. It is positioned in a fast-growing segment of the UK retail industry and we are delighted by this opportunity to become a substantial, long-term and supportive shareholder.”

Steady, Eddie! The News of the World told its readers on Sunday that former Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson and ex-Formula One boss Eddie Jordan were planning a £100 million takeover of City. This would produce a £30 million transfer kitty and a change of manager – Gordon Strachan would be appointed. The club tried its best to pour cold water on the tale. “We have received no contact from Mr. Richardson nor Mr. Jordan,” said City spokesman Paul Tyrrell. “In fact, there has been no new development on investment in the club for over a year. It is our belief that Mr Jordan is in fact a shareholder in Manchester United.”

Blues Thai Up Tour: Psycho clearly isn’t getting everything his own way. The gaffer had expressed a hope that the first-team’s pre-season friendlies would all be on home soil, thus avoiding tiring travelling. Not to be, Stuart. The club announced that the Blues will play two matches in Thailand as part of pre-season preparations. City will travel to the Bangkok for two games, on Wednesday July 20 and Saturday July 24. City spokesman Paul Tyrrell said: “Our opponents will be confirmed in the forthcoming days; one possibility is that we will play the Thai national team. More details will be provided as soon as possible.” Next day, Everton announced that they are one of the teams taking part.

Senior Service: How dare the Reds claim that City’s trophy cabinet is bare! The Thomas Cook trophy (won for the historic pre-season victory vs. Lazio) was augmented this week by the Manchester Senior Cup, as Trafford’s minions were banished 3-2 at the baby-sized COMS. City took the lead through Ian Bennett, but thanks to a Giuseppe Rossi penalty and a David Bellion shot, the visitors lead 2-1 at half time. But there was a stirring Blue fightback in the latter period, which saw Stephen Ireland levelling for the Blues late on before Ishmael Miller curled home a magnificent winner five minutes from time. There was still time for Nicky Weaver to make stunning match-winning save in the dying seconds.
Team: Weaver, Warrender, Collins, J D’Laryea, Richards, Bennett (Miller 68), Croft, Flood, B Wright-Phillips (Laird 89), Bermingham, Ireland. Subs: Schmeichel, Lee-Matthews, Grimes.

International Blues: David James and SWP are in the England squad that will tour the USA at the end of May. James has a chance to reclaim the ‘keeper’s spot, as first choice Paul Robinson of Spurs is out injured. England face the USA on 28 May and Colombia three days later.

Transfer News and Gossip

A Shittu Rumour: QPR defender Danny Shittu has admitted he would jump at the chance of a move to the Premiership this summer. The imposing centre back, 24, is understood to be a target for both Manchester City and Southampton following a fine season. Shittu fought back from a serious knee ligament injury sustained in January 2004 and has showed his very best form in recent weeks, with a series of commanding displays in Rangers’ rearguard. “It would be nice to play in the Premiership with QPR, but if the opportunity comes to move there this summer I would definitely consider it, 100 percent. My aim from day one has been to play in the Premiership. I started with Charlton, and have played in Division One and Two and now The Championship, but I have always wanted to get back to the Premiership. I can’t really talk about specific clubs yet, but I will look at what offers do come in and decide from there.” A fee of £1.5 million has been mentioned, so perhaps Mr. Shittu will be staying in situ.

Not Gunning for Sweep: The M.E.N. reported the good news that Arsenal will not have a huge transfer kitty this summer – this is good news for those of us fearing a raid by the Gunners for our midget gem, SWP. Speaking about his budget for a bit of close season shopping, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: “It will be minor changes and small money. I don’t know what is big money for you but for me small money is £5 million and big money is £25 million. I want a young talent, maybe, if I find one. Not necessarily a big name.”

Imagine: Lennon at City: City are thought to be one of the teams eyeing a move for Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon. Lennon’s current contract expires in the summer and he has not yet agreed on a fresh contract at Parkhead. The 33-year-old has not been in any rush to sign a new deal, but has hinted that he would be willing to sign a fresh deal with Martin O’Neill’s side. Lennon sounds keen to stay with his current employers. “Talks have been ongoing and the club will come back to me but they’ve made it pretty clear they want me to stay and that’s great from my perspective,” said Lennon. “I am going to sit tight and see what my options are but I wouldn’t be surprised if I am here for another year. Having said that there are no guarantees, but the club are doing all they can to keep me here so in that respect it’s great for me.” City, Bolton and newly promoted Sunderland have all been credited with an interest in the player who, let’s not forget, was a junior at Maine Road at the start of his career.

Reactions and Comments

A Wright Handful: A few weeks ago, it was considered an over optimistic hope, but City go into the final game of the season with a realistic chance of securing seventh place in the league, and with it a UEFA Cup place. This amazing transformation has been achieved on the back of a seven game unbeaten run, which has lead to the words “in form” and “Manchester City” appearing in the same sentence. The run continued last Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa, and sets up a potential multi-million pound UEFA Cup showdown with Middlesbrough next Sunday. “It’s testament to the players the way they scrapped away. All credit to them. This is a tough place to come,” reflected the manager. “We dominated the first half. We’ve had some good performances on the road but have not won any of them so I’m delighted with the way we scrapped away in the second half.” Pearce also paid tribute to SWP, whose brilliant early strike set City on their way to victory. “We see it every day in training, so we are not as surprised. But he is a wonderful footballer and a wonderful lad to have around the place. People like him are an absolute commodity. He picks the ball up, has a low centre of gravity and can twist and turn. He is a big asset to us and I am pleased I am retired.” Pearce was then questioned as to how he would have handled Wright-Phillips during his own playing days, and he replied: “We would have had a chat! I think I am playing against him in Des Walker’s testimonial on Monday week – and I have warned him. But joking aside, it was a sensational goal, although he has done that all season. He is in double figures now and a lot of those goals have been individual efforts like that he scored today.” In conclusion, SP added “There is no doubt that this was an important victory. We came out of the blocks in the first half extremely well and should have got more than the two goals. They looked a bit shaky at the back but credit to our lads they put them under a lot of pressure. We got the two goals in front but you are always going to get periods in the game where the opposition come back into it. At half time they made they odd change and caused us a few problems but today was all about character. They rolled their sleeves up in the second period. We didn’t have a lot of possession but they showed that they were never going to give the game up lightly.”

One Two Three O’Leary, David’s Very Dreary: Villa manager David O’Leary was clearly watching another game when asked for his views. “We gifted them a two-goal start and then dominated the game,” he said. “We’ve given away too many goals lately. For the last few weeks we’ve been starting in the second half and we did it again. We’re missing some of our better players and with a bit of luck we’d have a more settled side. It’s been a frustrating season but we know we have a better team to put out. If we’d have scored a few more goals this season we could have got a UEFA place; the goal for the next few years. Too many of our goals have been scored from midfield this year.”

Strong and Fresh: Shaun Wright-Phillips certainly seems to have recaptured his pre-operation form. “I don’t know whether people expected too much of me when I came back from the operation,” he said after the match. “I expect a lot of myself but it takes time to get back to full fitness. I am feeling strong and relatively fresh though perhaps not quite as strong as I want to be and I am working on that. It was important that I didn’t rush back and was a little bit cautious because I didn’t want to do any more damage but now I am feeling sharp again and we cannot wait for next week’s game.” And the City star believes there is no reason why they cannot claim their third successive victory with the defeat of Boro as the players have now acquired that winning mentality. “The spirit in this side is incredible, as good as I have known it at the club and we want to use that to our advantage. We were without two of our best players in Robbie Fowler and Richard Dunne at Villa but we managed to overcome that and the players who came in did fantastically well. That is a great signal of the mood the squad is in. We haven’t lost for a long time and we like the winning feeling.”

At the Centre of the Action: SP sang the praises of Nedum Onouha, starting at centre half in the first team for the first time. “I had other options to fill the central defensive rôle in place of Richard Dunne,” Pearce stated. “I could have put David Sommeil in there and left Nedum at right full back. I just thought it was right for the player’s education. I have watched him in the Academy play in that rôle throughout his career and have probably seen him more than any of the other first team coaches. He is a centre half. He started in that position for the Academy and I thought for his education it was an ideal opportunity to slide him inside and have a look at him. It is only my opinion but I believe he was our best player against Aston Villa.”

Squad News

Dead Wood Update:

SP insists that the City career of his Euro 96 teammate, Steve McManaman, isnot necessarily over – no decision will be made until the manager’s futureis decided. “Until we sit down and decide on our squad I wouldn’t rule anyplayer out – that certainly applies to Steve,” said Pearce. “I sat downwith him a number of weeks ago and said I couldn’t make decision until adecision was made on me and nothing had changed in respect of that. He isstill an important member of our squad and his playing ability isunquestioned.” According to reports this morning, Macca is set to finishhis career with a lucrative move to Dubai.

Shaun Stays:

SWP has said that he wants to remain with City. He told the Mirrornewspaper: “I signed a four-year contract last August and when I signed thatdeal it was with the intention to stay at the club. That’s where I want tobe next year and until my contract runs out, it’s my home. The fans havereally taken to me and I think that’s because I’ve come through the rankshere. I came here when I was 16 and went from the youth team to the firstteam and the fans supported me all the way. I’m really settled here and I’mnot thinking about moving.”

International Bleu? Sylvain Distin has definitely impressed his new manager, prompting this tribute from SP following the Villa game: “There is a lot of responsibility on Sylvain’s shoulders. He is the captain of this football club, which has its own responsibility. I think that the more pressure you put on Sylvain the more he will handle it and the better player he will become. His levels of performances have improved. If he is not good enough to be in the French squad I am very surprised. They must have some good centre halves. Credit to him he is a good man a pleasant personality and a great captain of this club. He leads by example and the good thing is I think he is getting better and better as a player.” He also highlighted how he has altered Distin’s contribution to a game. “We have simplified the game for him. I have told him that I don’t mind if the ball is bouncing round our area then he can smash it into the stand. We used to do it quite a lot in non-league football but there was no one near us then! We have simplified the game here for all our defenders. We have said to them that as defenders all we want them to do is defend. If they have the opportunity to get the ball down and play then do so but their main priority is to defend the ball and our goal. I think we do that quite well. And the captain is certainly leading the team as captains should do.”

Settled Again: Ben Thatcher wants to see out his contract with City. The Welsh international full back nearly left for Fulham in mid-season, but he is now happy again at City. “I have three seasons left on my contract and I would like to stay and play as many games as possible in that time,” he confirmed. “Everyone knows the background to the proposed move to Fulham. The police had to be called three times to my house and it spooked my wife. It was really unpleasant and unsettling for a young family. It shook us all up a bit. To be honest I have never been unhappy at Manchester City, it was just one of those things. The transfer window coincided with the break-ins and Chris Coleman knows Kevin Keegan and asked about me. It went from there but I am not disappointed that it fell through.”

OPINION: VILLA MATCH THOUGHTS

My thoughts on the Villa game written a few days after the event, so not a match report per se.

A deserved victory although, as City so often do, it could have been made a lot more comfortable. A score of 3 or 4 at half time would not have been unfair, although probably 1 to Villa due to some very casual defending from Mills and Thatcher in particular, only prevented by a couple of good saves from James.

I agree with whoever wrote the comment about him seeming better at the reactive stuff, some good reaction saves mixed with some slightly casual pickups and so forth.

SWP and Musampa both took their goals superbly, although if Musampa had a right foot for anything other than standing on he could have tucked away at least one more. Second half had Villa roaring out of the blocks and the crowd really lifted them and vice versa. I thought we might get away with it having held out for the first 10 minutes, but a goal always seemed to be coming.

Had they kept up the tempo I think Villa could have gone on to win but they seemed to slow things down a bit and Pearce did use his subs to good effect (although possibly could have done it a little sooner? Still, I’m not sure Keegan would have done it until a lot later).

City could have made it safe with SWP unlucky a couple of times and BWP, Croft and Musampa in a fine move for the latter to hit the post. Equally, Villa nearly got an equaliser on a couple of occasions.

Other things. Having read it in MCIVTA, I then watched it in action. Both restarts hoisted straight up the left win to Sibierski who failed wo win the headers.

I’m not sure about Sibierski’s best position really. A fast striker, hmmm, a certain N Anelka (perhaps) would have been through on goal having shaken off the last defender whereas he just couldn’t do it.

Also, when he wins headers he doesn’t seem to know where he’s headed it. Just doesn’t seem to be overly involved in the game and not a productive outlet, although was given no change by the ref at all, from pushes, etc. but somehow I can’t think of anyone better really.

Barton did not have a good game, several woeful corners, also never really involved, whereas Reyna did, although again doesn’t always has the pace. I’m not sure what formation we were playing. I think it was 3-5-2 with Thatcher and SWP as the wing backs but SWP was often further forward and Mills didn’t really drop into a conventional back four, whereas on the other side of the pitch, Thatcher appeared to play full back and not go forward at all so it all seemed a bit messy.

Mills certainly seemed to think he was in a back 3. Onuoha is very, very quick indeed and strong and looks a fine prospect. James sorted everyone out well after the goal and it was noticeable that Distin and Onuoha were much tighter, taking the same man each time rather than chopping and changing. Maybe that’s a problem of them not having played as the centre back partnership before.

Anyway, definitely James’ talking to most of the team led to City becoming much more solid, plus the addition of pace up front. All in all a good result and with Spurs losing, here’s hoping for the last game! Surely, surely, it’s about time we beat Boro with an outrageous piece of refereeing or fluke goal, as has happened to us too many times, although I’ll settle for an Arsenalesque performance if I have to.

OPINION: STUART PEARCE (I)

I refer to Dave McCandless’ article in MCIVTA 1119, particularly the part where he says “let’s trust the board to make the correct decision and stop trying to push them into making a hasty one”.

What are you talking about? “Hasty”?

Three months ago I wouldn’t have fancied City finishing in the top ten.

When SP hung up his boots I think a few clubs would have offered him the manager’s seat, maybe not Premiership, but good opportunities nevertheless. But he bided his time, he stuck by City and when the opportunity came he did everything that was asked of him.

He got stuck in and motivated the team out of the mire and presented us with the best run of results we’ve seen since 1994, and as we all know if the results go our way next week he’ll have done a lot more.

Yeah, it’s going to be tough for him next season, but he’s more than earned his shot. If they appoint someone else now, at this stage, then my 39 years supporting this club are over. Simple as that. I’ll be bidding Manchester City adieu.

OPINION: STUART PEARCE (II)

Just a quick question about our debts, then more praise for Pearce…

Before Christmas, our debt was listed as 62-63 million pounds (if memory serves). This presumably included the £5 million we still owed on Anelka. So how come we’ve since sold Anelka for £7 million and yet our debt is still listed as 62-63 million pounds? Shouldn’t it be more like £55 million now? Does that just sound too manageable to the press?

On to Stuart Pearce. Along with many others, I was very unimpressed with the notion of handing the job to Pearce when Keegan’s contract ran out. The idea of continuation didn’t really thrill me – stability’s nice, but I didn’t want our next manager to continue the inconsistent and often plain pathetic trend we fans have had to endure for the last couple of years. I’d been worried about the ‘training’ and ‘tactics’ for some time and I think it was fair to assume that as Keegan’s right hand man and chosen successor, Pearce would continue along the same lines. However, for once, sense seemed to prevail in the City boardroom, and with nine games to go, and our Premiership status virtually confirmed, Keegan was out and Pearce was in for a trial period. I was much more comfortable with this arrangement – give Pearce a chance to prove himself before blindly handing him the reins. And what a great job he’s done! Notwithstanding the recent Strachan rumours, it appears that Pearce must now be given the job full-time, but I hope that his fate wasn’t simply decided by the results, which as we all know, don’t always paint a true picture.

In fact, he started to change my mind before we’d even played a game. His positive attitude (‘let’s try and win all nine games’) was in such stark contrast to Keegan’s recent defeatism (‘maybe we can finish mid-table if we’re lucky, but this squad’s too small/no good/I need to buy more players’ – okay, I’m paraphrasing…). And as stories began to surface about Keegan’s archaic training and tactical philosophies, and the unrest within the squad – all of which Pearce immediately addressed – I became more and more enthused by the idea of Pearce as the manager. His active rôle in every game is also a great plus – one of the reasons I called for Dowie in a previous posting. Keegan seemed to think that once the game started, his job was done, but a manager can and should be a twelfth man, as Pearce is showing now.

Admittedly, even with all these good points in Pearce’s favour, if he’d had a bad run of luck with results (as all managers do from time to time – even the really good ones), it would have been impossible to give him the job, and it seems like he’d have been the first to accept that. But even with SWP missing for six weeks, and now Dunne gone for the last two games, the team has far surpassed anything they achieved under Keegan in the last two years. Let’s just look at one stat, the points achieved in the last 6 games. If you track this for all of the last two seasons you’ll see that Keegan’s best points haul for a 6 game stretch was 11. This was achieved twice – once over the first 6 games of last season (remember that great start, which fizzled out rapidly?), and then again over the Christmas period this year. This second 11 point haul included home games against Palace, WBA and Southampton, and doesn’t include the dreadful loss to Oldham in the FA Cup. In contrast, Pearce has driven the team to 12 points from 6 games after the win against Portsmouth, and to an unprecedented 14 points from the last six games after the win against Villa. And we don’t seem afraid to win two on the trot any more.

Yes, I know that teams often get a results ‘bounce’ when a new manager arrives, even if the manager’s really no good, which is why it’s important to look at other factors as well as results. However, lest we remain pessimistic City fans forever, let’s remember that great managers can get good results right away too. Even so, I like the idea of offering him a two year deal rather than anything longer – if he’s good, he’ll get an extension, if things tail off, there’s not so much financial harm done if he goes (okay, I’m still a bit of a pessimistic City fan…).

So good luck to Stuart Pearce and the team on Sunday, and well done so far – you’ve made me excited about every upcoming game once again. And even if we don’t win on Sunday… no, let’s not start making plans for failure like we always do – we’ll worry about that if it happens – we will win on Sunday. That appears to be Pearce’s mindset now, so we should follow his lead.

OPINION: STUART PEARCE (III)

I totally agree with the opinions of Mike Holden and Richard Stoodley in MCIVTA 1119 regarding the N.O.T.W. takeover story. I read this with disbelief. Surely not even City could shoot themselves in the foot like this! Was this a story planted by some malevolent Red muppet? Elsewhere, in MCIVTA, I got beaten to the punch by subscribers who proposed announcing SP’s appointment a few minutes before the lads trot out to play Boro. As a piece of (psycho)logy and motivation, what could be better?

Instead of which, we get this story – which, no doubt will have been read and dissected by SP and the squad. Not ideal preparation for the most significant game of the past several seasons. It’s obvious the squad have responded to SP’s leadership and he and the lads must feel as if they’ve been betrayed – if this story has any foundation. If not, the Chairman should act decisively to refute it and appoint SP immediately. This would be the honourable thing to do and would provide him with the security of a contract (with attendant compensation) should this, or any other takeover, happen.

There are other considerations:

1. Delaying a decision on the managership ‘until the summer’ does SP (orany other appointee) no favours as the summer transfer window is therebyfurther foreshortened. As for cash available…
2. If my sums are correct, should City clinch the UEFA spot and finish 7th,the club will win £6,650,000 in Premiership merit money, which will beavailable for transfer activity. Even 9th place is worth £5,700,000! Had wefinished the season in 16th position, as we did last term, the total wouldbe a ‘mere’ £2,375,000.

Back to the NOTW story. Is there fire behind this smoke? Is this why the Chairman has been so reluctant to confirm SP’s position? Have the Board been less than candid with SP, the players, the press and, above all, the supporters? It’s time for a reality check. SP was given a bare two days to prepare for his first game (Spurs away – which we lost 1-2) and thereafter he has strung together a magnificent string of results and taken us to within 90 minutes of a major European competition next season. For the record, to date (9 May), with SP in charge, our sequence of results is:

P.  W.  D.  L.  Pts
8   4   3   1   15

which extrapolated over a full season would total 71 points. Dear Mr. Wardle, are you reading this? Hello…?

OPINION: STUART PEARCE (IV)

The stereotypical “bitter” Blue as our arch rivals would call us has been characterised by some of the comments made in recent issues about Gordon Strachan. What sort of affinity does Strachan really have with United? Arguably his best years were spent at Aberdeen before and Leeds after his spell with United so do we really care if he or any other ex-Red comes to City as long as they do a good job? I certainly don’t feel there is much love lost between Strachan and United given his history of comments made about both Ferguson and that club in general.

For the record I don’t want Strachan to be City’s next Manager purely because I don’t feel he is the best person for the job at this time. If I thought that he was his long, long since gone history at United wouldn’t and shouldn’t come into it.

In Pearce, despite his comparative inexperience, we have a potential star of the future in Management. He commands the respect of the squad and has done a fantastic job to get us within striking distance of the UEFA Cup, which none of us thought would have been possible on the day KK left the club.

OPINION: STUART PEARCE (V)

Just read on Sky Sports that SP is manager for the next 2 years. It is only what he deserves. What a boost for Sunday. Could this be an omen of great things?

OPINION: STUART PEARCE (VI)

My reaction to reading today’s announcement of Stuart Pearce’s appointment? Sheer delight and massive relief. Anyone who’s followed City for more than a few years knows that bizarre things can and do happen, so even though it has become unthinkable that the job could go to anyone else, we couldn’t take anything for granted until the announcement actually came.

Kudos to the Board for doing the right thing at the right time, and kudos to everyone who voiced their support for Pearce in MCIVTA. Public opinion matters, and MCIVTA, as a wonderful organ for formulating and broadcasting that opinion, has played its part in getting City to where we are now.

OPINION: 8TH PLACE TO QUALIFY?

There are increasingly positive noises going the rounds about Liverpool being admitted to the 2005/2006 Champions’ League competition if they can beat AC Milan in Istanbul. If this does come to pass, doesn’t it mean that the 8th place finisher in the EPL will be admitted to the UEFA Cup next season? First four to qualify as usual for the Champions’ League, Liverpool to qualify as defending champions, 6th and 7th qualify for the UEFA Cup in lieu of the League Cup (Chelsea) and FA Cup (hopefully Arsenal) places and then 8th as the regular entry via the EPL.

However, let’s just beat Boro on Sunday and put speculation aside.

QUOTE OF THE SEASON

Quote of the season from Stuart ‘Psycho’ Pearce: “I’ve tried not to live up to my nickname, although I’ve noticed my wife does not take too many showers!”

OPINION: NOTHING LESS THAN FULL VICTORY!

Hi there,

An appeal for American TV info for at least Soccer Saturday from Sky or Fox Sports or anything for the last day of the season. We are in Freeport, Grand Bahama and need to know where to get them to point the satellite dish. They are also a bit religious so any local tips on heathen early opening pubs would be useful.

In this time of calm before the storm, I am reminded of the text of Dwight D Eisenhower’s general order to the troops before D-Day and wonder if Mr Pearce (as I like to call him, lest he smite me from the firmament with thighs like traction engines and boots like battleships), could adapt it for use against the Chlorine breathers of swamp town:

Keepers, Stoppers, and Wingmen of the City Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the (Premiership) World are upon you. The hope and prayers of City-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts (Blackburn), you will bring about the destruction of the Stretford war machine, the elimination of their tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world (especially the bartenders of places like Gent and Lokeren).

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is will trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 2005! Much has happened since the dark days of 1997-98. The City (not United) Nations have inflicted great defeats, in open battle (3-1, 4-1) and man-to-man (Goat vs. Neville, SWP vs. Brown). Our hair offensive (number 1 crop James, Mills, Sibierski) has seriously reduced their strength in the air (Wes Orange/Rio Furryhands) and their capacity to wage war on the(ir) ground. Our Home Fronts (Castle COMStad) have given us an overwhelming superiority in (S)WeaPons and munitions of War(dle), and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men (the academy of footballing excellence).

The tide has turned! The free Mancs of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty Goat upon this great and noble undertaking.

Cheers! Are You Standing? No I’m CTID

OPINION: THE RUN IN AND FINAL POSITION

7th Place!

I can see it now, City with 54 points in 7th place.

Part of what I wrote a couple of weeks ago in MCIVTA 1115:

All is going to plan!

I can see Spurs maybe winning by one goal, as the Blackburn now have a Kiwi keeping the goals out! City winning by 2 goals. So into Europe next season with SP as manager!

One other point I like to make: As Onuoha is doing so well, he could replace Distin. I think we should sell Distin for the £8 or 9 million to Newcastle. With this money, SP could buy a couple of new players.

Well played Distin, but you could give city the cash and SP could pick a new captain as well, as everyone agrees City do need a better captain. With Onuoha and Dunne at the heart of the defence.

Watched the goals from Villa game. Still not keen on Mills; was it not his fault for their one goal? That would be a problem, if Onuoha moves to the centre though.

Keep the faith and here’s to next season on a high (and SP keep on playing the ‘kids’)

.

ROLL OF DISHONOUR

From the Roll of Dishonour list, I recently saw Jason van Blerk turning out for Unibond Division 1’s Colwyn Bay. He played a few games (defeats) and disappeared. Wonder who’ll show up next?

OPINION: A GOAL OR NOT A GOAL?

I was reminded whilst watching MOTD2 on Sunday about Spurs’ ‘winner’ at OT earlier in the season (the new rule where the ball has to actually hit the net to be a goal against ‘them’).

At the time I was outraged and swore at the TV like most right-thinking people.

Looking at the table now and at City’s strong chance of European qualification, I am able to take a much more measured view: Football is a wonderful game, mistakes get made by officials and that is unfortunate; Carroll was right to scoop the ball away, he was just following his instincts; video technology is an option, but thankfully it wasn’t that night or Spurs would now be 2 points ahead of us and a win for them over Blackburn would scupper our Euro hopes whatever the Boro result!

(And as it turns out, ManUre weren’t helped by the extra point anyway, in their quest for 3rd spot!)

Come on City!

OPINION: CITY vs. BORO

After reading Ed Bodey’s match report in MCIVTA 1119, which finished with “Will City ever manage to beat Boro?”, my thoughts went back to the League Cup semi-final in 1976.

We lost the first leg 1-0 and Middlesbrough’s then manager, Jack Charlton, quipped “It’s enough”. We didn’t have long to wait to find out it wasn’t.

We were 4-0 up by half time in the return leg. The atmosphere that night was electric. If we get behind the lads the same way next Saturday we’ve got every chance.

Come on you Blues!

IS THIS THE WAY TO ‘AMMER VILLA!

I like the ‘Is this the way to ‘Ammer Villa’ from Steve Kay.

Thought I’d add a few more lines to it:

Is this the way to Ammer Villa
2-0 up in a one way thriller
At 2-1, Musampa with the killer
But he chose to hit the post

Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
And Stuart Pearce should get the job!

OPINION: PAUL LE GUEN

Heard that this geezer was lined up before KK had donned his hiking boots, now he has quit Lyon. It will be interesting to see if he is/was offered the contract before SP took us on this great run of seven unbeaten matches…

OPINION: BAD NEWS – NO TV!

For anyone living in USA and Canada I have got bad news. The City versus Boro game will not be on TV; Fox Soccer Channel are showing the two relegation games, Fulham versus Norwich and Charlton versus Crystal Palace, and PPV are showing another relegation game, Rags vs. Saints.

So only other options are the radio commentary at MCFCTV, or get the live text from BBC Sports.

I guess as much as everyone would like to see the game, it will make us all happy if we win it.

By the way, the words have changed from “Give Pearce a chance” to “Give Pearce the job”.

Come on you Blues!

OPINION: MANCHESTER SENIOR CUP FINAL

Went to the City vs. United reserve final on Monday night and I am sure that the matchwinner Ishmael Miller will get all the plaudits (and he does look a handful) but man of the match for me was Micah Richards. He was awesome, won everything in the air, calm and composed on the ball, good passer and very fast.

All credit to the players and the staff on what looks like a very promising bunch of young players.

OPINION: SEARCH FOR A STRIKER

With the recent departures of Nico Anelka, Paulo Wanchope, Paul Dickov, Darren Huckerby, Stephen Elliott and others, could there be one position that City is lacking quality players? Might I suggest that a proven regular goalscorer is needed for City’s push towards the top of the Premiership, next season?

Just as I was thinking these thoughts, my son sent me an Internet link to a team in Mexico. After translation from the Spanish, what I think I read was that Santos de Torreon have a new top goalscorer for the season. He scored 15 goals through the year, and although that may not seem many, the 15 goals came from 1530 minutes on the pitch. In other words, a goal every 102 minutes. That’s not bad even for a Johnny Foreigner team. So, who is this wonder striker? Have you guessed who it is yet?

It is Vincente Jose Matias Vuoso, late of Manchester 13. How much did City lose on the deal in sending him off to Mexico?

Alright, I will bring myself back down to reality, before I suggest that City gets its cheque book out again. I now remember what Vuoso was like in the UK. He nancied around in the reserves, not doing much, and not impressing the management enough to give him an extended run in the first team.

The search goes on.

CLAUDIO REYNA

Interesting article from Sunderland fanzine, ALS (A Love Supreme) – a tad old, but gives a good bit of background…

Claudio Reyna was born in Livingston, New Jersey on the 20th July 1973. His destiny, quite obviously due to the fact that he was born in 1973, was to play for the greatest football club in history. Twenty-eight years, 4 months and 17 days later, Reyna breezed through the doors at the Stadium of Light to put the finishing touches to a £4.5 million deal to make him a Sunderland player and with it, the most expensive North American player ever.

Although an American by birth, Claudio’s dad is Argentinean, his mam Portuguese. Due to his parentage, he spent part of his youth in Argentina, no doubt homing his skills using cows backsides for target practise on a diet of corned beef. Well, it worked for Arca. Reyna returned back to his homeland later to attend the University of Virginia. Here, he aspired to a dream of becoming a professional footballer, and led Virginia to an unprecedented three consecutive titles between 1991 and 1993. He was given his break in 1994, when Europe called in the shape of German outfit, Bayer Leverkusen. However, Reyna failed to break into the first team in the land of the sausage and became frustrated at warming the bench every week. “I’d be a substitute one time or play a little bit”, he commented, “but you don’t have that same confidence that you do when you play every week and do well against good competition.”

This week in, week out first team football eventually came in the shape of newly promoted Wolfsburg, more famous for producing Volkswagen cars than for its football team. Fuelled by a new-found confidence afforded to him by first team football, Reyna admirably competed with Germany’s best, becoming Wolfsburg’s dead ball specialist in the process.

Recognized as a talent from the outset, Reyna was selected for the Olympic games in 1992 and for the USA World Cup squad in 1994 in his homeland, but did not play due to a hamstring injury. Despite his frustrating time at Bayer Leverkusen, Claudio still made the Copa America squad in 1995, and the Olympic squad in 1996 – a tournament held in the USA. By the time World Cup 1998 rolled round in not too distant France, Reyna was seen as the future of American football. The New York Times listed him as one of the most influential football players in 21st century America. Pretty impressive, even if the beautiful game isn’t as popular as rounders in the US.

In France, he played in every minute of USA’s involvement in the tournament, which was unsurprisingly brief. But in a land where women’s football is arguably bigger than the men’s game, you could be forgiven for wondering who the bigger star is, Reyna, or his wife, who has also represented the USA national team.

Playing in central midfield in Germany, the future Captain America improved his defensive game to complement his abundant passing skills, attracting in the process the attention of Scottish giants Rangers. Impressed by the influence Reyna had upon games in Germany, Dick Advocaat spent 1.25 million to take Claudio to Scotland late in the 1998/99 campaign, with Rangers on the verge of completing the treble. Success straight upon his arrival, then, but little followed in a blue shirt due largely to the arrival of Martin O’Neill at Celtic. Reyna’s most glorious moment with the Glasgow club was his goal against Parma in a Champions’ League qualifier. Noted for his goal-scoring abilities and play-making skill in a central midfield rôle, Reyna opened his Rangers account early on and scored his fair share of goals due to his late runs into the box. However, injury hampered his early Rangers career, and upon his return to the first team, he was regularly played out of position at right back. Not that he was out of depth in John Kay territory, notably marking Bobby Petta out of the game in a 5-1 victory over Celtic in some little known derby match somewhere north of Carlisle.

Despite sometimes finding himself in an unfamiliar role in his time at Rangers (obviously, the Peter Reid philosophy of square pegs in round holes is popular north of the border too), Claudio was named the US player of the Year for 2000, in a ceremony not too dissimilar to our own Football writers’ award. Of the accolade, Reyna said, “It’s a tremendous honour to be finally recognised, this is the highest recognition a player can receive in US professional soccer”. Fair enough, but, what we’d really have liked him to say was something along the lines of “whoa, far-out dude, this is a totally bodacious moment for any soccer guy, man, and I’m off to max it wi my homies.”

When playing for his home country, Reyna orchestrates US attacks, but despite his attacking flair and average height (measuring 5’10”) Reyna is also well known as a ball winner. Able to link midfield and attack and win his fair share of battles, Claudio, is, dare I say it, in the same mould as Don Hutchi$on. Not unlike the greedy one, Reyna was reported to have asked for 30,000 a week to stay in Glasgow, and if you believe the Scottish press, he might even be on something around that figure here.

Far from the mould of some Greedy Geordie Scottish (eh?) t**t, Reyna, unsurprisingly for a man who has represented his country close to 100 times, is very patriotic. Ironically in Livingston, a place that shares the name of Reyna’s birthplace, he revealed a New York Fire Department t-shirt upon scoring a brace against the current Scottish high fliers. This proved to be one of his last games in a Rangers shirt, as his desire to play in the Premiership became too great, Reyna later saying that the Premiership is the greatest league in the world.

After the now customary eternity to sign him, Claudio was able to prove that a cheque book did exist at the SoL and that Peter Reid is capable of using it, finally quashing rumours that we are only allowed to buy obscure foreigners and people under the age of four.

Reyna, despite being only 28, has a massive amount of experience under his belt, encompassing a World Cup and countless other International tournaments. No doubt his experiences playing in three different countries will serve him well in his time in the Premiership. However, not for the first time in his career, Reyna’s start to his Sunderland career was hampered by injury, and he was unable to play against Chelsea. Nevertheless, his decision to miss a jaunt to LA and the American Player of the Year Awards in favour of Sunderland’s inaugural trip to St. Marys, Southampton, ensured that in the fans’ mind at least, Claudio got off on the right foot.

If there is one question mark about the signing of Reyna, it is his record with injury. Assuming he shakes his mystery niggle off, though, Claudio is a welcome addition to a Sunderland squad depleted by the losses of Hutchison, Rae and, er, Lumsdon, and will hopefully fill the creative midfield void. Reyna is highly regarded back in his homeland, and will lead his country out in Japan and South Korea in the summer. After playing in next year’s World Cup, Reyna has said he will only play in meaningful internationals, no doubt helping Sunderland and his chances of staying fit. Either way, let’s hope that the most expensive American in football can kick start our faltering Premiership campaign.

BULGARIAN PENPAL?

Dear Friends,

I’m a girl from Bulgaria. My name is Stanislava Kaneva and I’m 19 years old. I love the football game and I found your email address and I wrote this letter. With this letter I want to express my senses towards your team. When I was a child I became your team admirer girl. For 15 years I look at every match on a tv and I’m very, very happy when your team become a victor.

I collect materials for the team. I haven’t very many materials in my city, there are about 10 City fans as well as myself.

Some day I want to travel to England and there I shall go in the stadium of the club, in the museum of the team and I shall see the football legends. This is my dream and I want to realise it.

I have a favour to ask of you. Could you send me official programmes and photocards of players and souvenirs of City?

Thank you friends!

Here is my address and I hope you write to me.

Stanislava Kaneva
Ul.Hristo Botev 10
Ap.15 Box 15
BG-Sevlievo-5401
Bulgaria

PAUL BOSVELT ARTICLE

Maybe the readers are interested to read this interview with Paul Bosvelt, which appeared in the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. At one point it seemed as if he would go back to Feyenoord, but Ruud Gullit preferred to sign a younger player. The fans wanted him back and Bosvelt himself wanted to go back, but the technical staff were not so keen.

Bosvelt:

“Of course I would have liked to have gone to Feyenoord. But after I said I would like to return to the club I didn’t hear anything else from them. In the meantime Heerenveen came with an offer and from that point we got on. The Chairman himself called me, then the trainer and the financial manager. It was clear that they really wanted to sign me. I didn’t get that impression from Feyenoord. They called me a few days later but by that time it was too late.”

“Now Feyenoord are going behind my back to keep the fans quiet, which I don’t think is on. As if I was not serious about going back. That’s nonsense, then they don’t know themselves what was going on. Both sides have to want the transfer, the people at Heerenveen gave me a good feeling, I said yes, so then for me the deal is done. What are Feyenoord making such a fuss about? They told me more than once that my return to the club was not their highest priority. OK, so what’s wrong with that?”

“I think Heerenveen is a very good club, every year they are in among the trophies. I know that they have a lot of young players and I will be expected to show them what’s what. Well I can do that, I’m 35, fit and have two seasons in the Premiership in my legs.”

“I think I will get a lot of pleasure out of playing for Heerenveen. I will prove that I am still a good footballer and don’t need a zimmer frame. OK, at my age recovery from a hard game takes a bit longer, but on the other hand I am a lot smarter than when I was a younger player. But what has my age got to do with it? I’m fit and I perform. If I’m not fit or if I don’t perform, then after two years Heerenveen can show me the door.”

“The two years in England gave me a lot, not least the English language of course. But now I know what it is like as a foreigner to play football somewhere else. You really have to get used to that in the beginning. I’ve also noticed that it is great to play in a competition where you can’t play on just 80% of your capabilities. You always have to give 100%, because there are even top players at the clubs threatened with relegation. If you’re lazy you just get punished, that sort of game week in, week out makes you a stronger player.”

“During the two years I was in England I have followed closely the football in Holland, especially Feyenoord. They haven’t exactly had a good season, it’s been very up and down. I’ve been away two seasons and there are very few players still there that I know. Such a high rate of transfers is bad for a club like Feyenoord.”

OPINION: CLUB BADGE

Reading all the controversy over the Manchester City F.C. badge, to my recollections the badge was changed because the old badge had legal issues with copyrights, so it was changed whilst Francis Lee was the Chairman. At the time I made comments that it looked too much like Barclays Bank sign.

How about the club having a new badge, and having a competition for the best designed badge sent in to be judged by John Wardle and the Board. A new badge will be another good reason to buy new City gear, a great marketing tool, more money for the club.

THE DUBLIN BRANCH

The Dublin Branch of the OSC is holding its 30th Anniversary Bash on Saturday 28th May 2005 in Wynne’s Hotel in Lower Abbey Street, in Dublin City Centre.

A three course meal will be the prelude to much drinking, dancing and merriment. It is hoped that Willo Flood will be in attendance on the night but this has not yet been confirmed by the Football Club.

Tickets are selling at a very reasonable 20 Euro, and are now available to non members. The night kicks off at 8.30pm and will run until 1.30am. The usual DJ has been booked.

If anyone would like to attend, whether you are an Irish Blue or a Blue visiting Dublin on the weekend in question drop me an e-mail and I can organise tickets for you.

REQUEST: TICKET FOR SUNDAY

I know there’s very little chance, but anyone got a spare for Sunday?

ANSWER TO TEASER – SCHALKE 04

The answer to my teaser about the floodlights against Schalke 04 was that our floodlights at Maine Road were deemed not good enough for that match, whether it by the European football body or TV, so they employed a man and a massive extra spotlight on each of the four floodlight towers to add extra light. When I say massive, they were each like Jodrell bank telescope dishes.

When they were switched off, even though the normal floodlights were still on, it seemed to go dark.

Does anyone else remember this?

BLUE HUMOUR

Two boys are playing football in the Park when one is attacked by a Rottweiler.

Thinking quickly, the other boy rips off a board off the nearby fence, wedges it down the dog’s collar and twists, breaking the dog’s neck.

A reporter who is strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy.

“Man City fan saves friend from vicious animal,” he starts writing in his notebook.

“But I’m not a Man City fan,” the boy replies.

“Leeds United fan rescues friend from horrific attack,” the reporter starts again. “I’m not a Leeds fan either,” the boy says. “Then what are you?” the reporter says.

“I’m a Man United fan!”

The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, “Red b*stard kills family pet.”

AND FINALLY… MANURE SELL OUT!

You’re not English, you’re not English, you’re not English any more…

RESULTS

11 May 2005

Arsenal               7 - 0  Everton               38,073

10 May 2005

Manchester United     1 - 3  Chelsea               67,832

League table to 11 May 2005 inclusive

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F   A   GD Pts
 1 Chelsea         37 14  5  0 35  6 15  2  1 36  8 29  7  1  71  14  57  94
 2 Arsenal         37 13  5  1 54 19 12  3  3 32 15 25  8  4  86  34  52  83
 3 Manchester Utd  37 12  6  1 31 12  9  5  4 25 13 21 11  5  56  25  31  74
 4 Everton         37 12  2  5 24 15  6  5  7 19 28 18  7 12  43  43   0  61
 5 Liverpool       37 11  4  3 29 14  5  3 11 21 26 16  7 14  50  40  10  55
 6 Bolton Wndrs    37  8  5  5 22 16  7  5  7 24 26 15 10 12  46  42   4  55
 7 Middlesbrough   37  9  6  4 29 19  5  6  7 23 26 14 12 11  52  45   7  54
 8 Manchester City 37  8  5  5 23 13  5  7  7 23 25 13 12 12  46  38   8  51
 9 Tottenham H.    37  9  4  5 36 22  5  5  9 11 19 14  9 14  47  41   6  51
10 Aston Villa     37  8  6  5 26 17  4  5  9 18 33 12 11 14  44  50  -6  47
11 Charlton Ath.   37  8  3  7 27 27  4  6  9 13 29 12  9 16  40  56 -16  45
12 Newcastle Utd   37  7  6  5 24 24  3  7  9 22 32 10 13 14  46  56 -10  43
13 Birmingham City 37  7  6  5 22 14  3  6 10 16 31 10 12 15  38  45  -7  42
14 Blackburn R.    37  5  8  6 21 22  4  6  8 11 21  9 14 14  32  43 -11  41
15 Fulham          37  7  4  7 23 26  4  4 11 23 34 11  8 18  46  60 -14  41
16 Portsmouth      37  8  4  7 30 26  2  5 11 13 31 10  9 18  43  57 -14  39
17 Norwich City    37  7  5  7 29 32  0  7 11 13 39  7 12 18  42  71 -29  33
18 Southampton     37  5  9  4 29 28  1  5 13 15 36  6 14 17  44  64 -20  32
19 Crystal Palace  37  6  5  8 21 19  1  6 11 18 41  7 11 19  39  60 -21  32
20 West Brom A.    37  4  8  6 15 24  1  8 10 19 37  5 16 16  34  61 -27  31

MCIVTA FAQ [v0405.02]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour (Don Barrie)         : news@mcivta.city-fan.org
Subscriptions (Madeleine Hawkins): subscriptions@mcivta.city-fan.org
Technical problems (Paul)        : paul@city-fan.org
FAQ (David Warburton)            : faq@mcivta.city-fan.org

[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings bu email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

[3] 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.

[4] What is the club’s official web site?

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mancity.net/osc/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club” (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=111845&Title=International+Supporters+Club&lid=Membership).

[6] Where can I find out about the fans’ committee?

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. The Fans’ Committee has been relaunched as “Points of Blue”. It has appeared on the club website as a minor entry under “Fans Zone”.

[7] What match day broadcasts are available on the web?

The GMR pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/gmr/sport_intro.shtml.

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found at http://www.mcfctv.com/.

[8] Where can I find out if City are live on satellite TV?

http://www.satfootball.com/pl.html provides a listing of Premiership games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. Useful sites for North American viewers are http://canadatvsoccer.tripod.com/Fixtures.htm, http://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Soccer, and http://www.soccertv.com/.

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

Yes we do: uk.sport.football.clubs.man-city is our home on usenet. If you are not familiar with usenet, a basic explanation is available here: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci213262,00.html

[10] Do any squad members have their own web pages?

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.uit.no/mancity/players/

[11] Can I buy shares in the club?

Yes you can: Shares in Manchester City PLC are traded on OFEX. The latest prices can be on found the OFEX web site http://www.ofex.com/ (registration required) or in the business section of the Manchester Evening News.

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth analysis try http://www.mcfcstats.com/.

[13] Where can I find a list of City-related websites?

Try Wookie’s Lair: http://www.wookieslair.com/modules.php?name=Web_Links

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.

Madeline Hawkins, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: