PS

Are you still pinching yourself?

So what’s been going on recently in the afterglow? We attended a Radio Manc do on sports commentary at the Urbis, shortly to be opened up as the new National Football museum. Stuart Hall stole the show but Mike Summerbee was his usual amusing self. Popped down to daughter’s in Newport for the weekend where little Isaac (20 months) proudly wore his ‘Champ’s’ kit for soccer tots. Dad’s and Everton fan so the rule is when The Toffees win the title he can swap allegiances if he wants. Then England won 1-0 in Norway, no Joe Hart and Gareth Barry is out of the competition. Vinny couldn’t persuade Eden Hazard to come to ‘God’s own club’ some talk of the agent demanding silly money. Possibility of Edin going to Munich though they’re not prepared to pay the right money so stuff em, and I’m with Tony on the injury prone 29 year old Van Persie. We’ve a new ‘big cheese’, Tom Glick from Derby, replacing Gary Cook. Tom did great things for ‘The Rams’ increasing attendances amongst other things though how he is going to do that at the Etihad without the capacity being increased is debatable. The powers that be weren’t impressed some years ago when I asked them if it had been designed to be expanded in the future. Now we’re here and it looks like we’re stuck.

Just finished reading Andy Morrison’s book – bloody hell. Most interesting story was the one where Andy went to sort out some rag fans he’d played against who’d given him stick throughout the game (post pro career). When confronted they were quite brave until Andy did the business, and then afterwards they wanted to take him to court which was thrown out. Typical, no wonder everyone hates them. Like to dish it out but can’t take it. Just received a copy of David Conn’s book ‘Richer than God’ and noticed Colin Shindler’s ‘Manchester City ruined my Life’ on the shelves of Waterstones. Wonder if a Blue will write ‘Manchester City ruined my Wife’? – sure there’s plenty of takers!

Finally Michael Johnson. Oh dear get it bloody sorted Mike before it’s too late.

Season ticket info has arrived – pretty decent for us owd codgers in the new Kippax so might upgrade to platinum. All for now – articles for KK 198 trickling in so keep em coming please.

Dave

PS the lad went to the rugby at the Etihad and got himself badly sunburned! No mum around see! Congrats to York on getting back in the League, and Crewe and Huddersfield on promotion.

Afterglow

Are you still pinching yourself?


So what’s been going on recently in the afterglow? We attended a Radio Manc do on sports commentary at the Urbis, shortly to be opened up as the new National Football museum. Stuart Hall stole the show but Mike Summerbee was his usual amusing self. Popped down to daughter’s in Newport for the weekend where little Isaac (20 months) proudly wore his ‘Champ’s’ kit for soccer tots. Dad’s an Everton fan (armchair) so the rule is when The Toffees win the title Ikey can swap allegiances if he wants. (if he dares!) Then England won 1-0 in Norway, no Joe Hart and Gareth Barry is out of the competition. Vinny couldn’t persuade Eden Hazard to come to ‘God’s own club’ some talk of the agent demanding silly money. Possibility of Edin going to Munich though they’re not prepared to pay the right money so stuff em, and I’m with Tony on the injury prone 29 year old Van Persie. We’ve a new ‘big cheese’, Tom Glick from Derby, replacing Gary Cook. Tom did great things for ‘The Rams’ increasing attendances amongst other things though how he is going to do that at the Etihad without the capacity being increased is debatable. The powers that be weren’t impressed some years ago when I asked them if it had been designed to be expanded in the future. Now we’re here and it looks like we’re stuck, though it onlu had 3 sides for the commonwealth games so you'd think the North stand could have another tier?.

Just finished reading Andy Morrison’s book – bloody hell. One interesting story was the one where Andy went to sort out some rag fans he’d played against who’d given him stick throughout the game (post pro career). When confronted they were quite brave until Andy did the business, and then afterwards they wanted to take him to court which was thrown out. Typical, no wonder everyone hates them. Like to dish it out but can’t take it. Just received a copy of David Conn’s book ‘Richer than God’ and noticed Colin Shindler’s ‘Manchester City ruined my Life’ on the shelves of Waterstones. Wonder if a Blue will write ‘Manchester City ruined my Wife’? – sure there’s plenty of takers!

Finally Michael Johnson. Oh dear get it bloody sorted Mike before it’s too late.

Season ticket info has arrived – pretty decent for us owd codgers in the new Kippax so might upgrade to platinum. All for now – articles for KK 198 trickling in so keep em coming please.

Dave

Oh Dear!

Can it get any worse for Johnson (M)?

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1559129_manchester-city-star-michael-johnson-in-drink-drive-arrest-after-340am-smash-in-urmston

The week after (after three attempts!)

The week after

Momentum was maintained with the ‘Former Players Association Dinner’ on the Thursday at the Etihad. Went with big bro Frank and met James H Reeve and Franny outside who were most welcoming, as you’d expect on such a joyous occasion.
Special guests of honour were City’s top goalies including Eric Nixon, Alex Williams, Alan Ogley, Ken Mulhearn and, of courses, the great Bert Trautmann, now 89. Bert had a few words to say about letting 8 in at Leicester (in 1958) and equalling Frank Swift’s 8 v Bradford PA.
He also compared Matt Busby’s congratulations to Joe Mercer in 1968 to Fergie’s mealy mouthed effort this year and lamented on the state of the modern game in this respect. Fuck me, the rags have won everything in recent years and they can’t even be gracious when someone else picks up a trophy. No wonder everyone hates the fuckers. There was a table with united old boys on it so fair do’s to them and Paddy Crerand even, turned up later on. I couldn’t shame Wilf McGuiness into paying me the fiver for our bet about ten years ago! No wonder.
On our table was Steve (from the Euro trips) his dad and son plus ex Manc 60’s rocker Johnny Peters and John Donahue who writes to the Muen when they can squeeze a letter in between those of Harry Singleton and Leslie Holt! Always great to meet up with ex City players and thanks to Roy Cheetham for arranging our tickets – and the food was superb.
On the same night though our reserves lost to the rags in the manc senior cup Final and just like a few years a go invaded the pitch. No wonder.........
What else? New England manager Woy has named his squad – omtting Micah and Adam J who’ve not featured much for City recently, but has included the likes of Downing and Ruddy, so we’ll see how that all pans out. Both should get a run out in the Olympics team though as compensation.
Elsewhere Villa have sacked McLeish, surprise, surprise, Wolves have a new manager that no one’s heard of, and Liverpool (the new City) have fired King Kenny.
Over at the Swamp the relocation of away fans to the north stand where no-one can hear them is on hold. According to Andy Mitten’s article in the MUEN they should be “out of sight so out of mind” instead of in a 'prime position', and the disabled rags in front won’t be subjected to being pelted with coins and stuff” First time I’ve heard of this, and what other club would put disabled fans in front of away fans, who are taunted with distasteful banners by the former. No wonder…. And where would Rooney run to then to goad away fans when he’s scored a goal, if they’re removed from sight? If they do create a singing section perhaps they’ll get Ian Brown to lead it – singing flat and out of tune!
Otherwise great coverage of City’s title winning exploits all week, and a superb special publishhed.
Saturday it was the Swinton Branch’s end of season bash at Clifton cricket club with pasty and peas plus live viewing of the Munich v Chelsea clash. I have no sympathy with Bayern Munich after they cheated us out of a win at the Allianz when, after outplaying them for the first half hour and having two penalties turned down we lost 2-0 and it caused the Tevez saga to commence. A big roar went up in the other room (rags?) when Munich scored, and an even bigger one in ours when Chelsea equalised and went on to win. So congratulations are in order, to complete a shit week for the rags. Sturridge didn’t feature, and if Roberto is thinking of signing him he should talk to Jim Cassell first.
West Ham won the play off v Blackpool so we’ve lost Bolton, Blackburn (can’t stand up now when they chant “stand up if you’ve won the league!” ) Wolves and Blackpool – short nice trips – replaced with Saints, Reading and the ‘ammers – all long ones, plus Norwich and Swansea who stayed up last year.
York (shudder!) are back in the Footy league.
What else? Patrick Knowles has asked me to put the following on the blog – A new City fans song, On on on with City, can be heard and downloaded by going on to : www.parrothouse.co.uk and just follow the link on the first page displayed.
Pat’s also got a great new idea for a song based on what was sung by City fans at the end of the QPR game “we won the league in Fergy time.
Transfer targets make interesting reading but we’ll wait and see what transpires. New City books are David Conn’s, part of which was seen in the Observer magazine, and Colin Shindler’s, both out soon. Incidentally you’ll find Us and Them on the very bottom shelf in the City store FFS.
Spurs, I’m told, have now beaten the long held Everton record for the shortest stay in the Champions League! Also it’s rumoured that John Terry will lift the trophy if Engelbert wins the Eurovision Song Contest!
Dave

The week after and momentum was maintained with the 'Former players Association Dinner' on the Thursday at the Etihad.

All Together Now

Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, Kun Aguero.

Come on everyone, join in!

3 days after

3 days after


Still recovering!
Watched a bit of Soccer AM and sad to report that the bloke who plays Bates in Downton Abbey is a rag, so I won’t be watching that again.
D Day dawned. Read the Observer piece which was a bit mixed up, to be honest! We got to the ground at about one ish and strolled around City square fairly relaxed. Picked up a programme and was pleased with Gary’s interview with Sue and I though the photos were a tad embarrassing, but, I suppose a true reflection!
Game on, and a nervy start before Zab put us in front. Then I hoped that we’d be able to sit back and enjoy the day like we have done so many times this season. Not to be, of course. Joleon did a ‘Vonky/Savic’ for 1-1. Joey disgraced himself, after a clash with Carlos. Vinny had an uncustomary lapse for 1-2 with half an hour to go. It was gut wrenching and you knew you had to get over it and roar the lads on though we looked to have blown it until Fred got the sweets out. The 5 minutes went up to cries of “Gillingham” and Edin and Sergio did the business to give us the title and destroy the rags in the process. Felt a bit sorry for Micah who may have been brought on if Ya Ya hadn’t been injured, and that could hamper his England chances.
Fuckinell City.
Unbelievable scenes - on the pitch then strolled round the square cryin, huggin and a kissin with family, friends and strangers, then zipped into ‘Curry mile’ for an Indian with the Woodhouses and company (Steve and Andy sell the zine)
Fergie bleated that City beat ten men and had 5 minutes of added time, so we beat them at their own game. Monday then, and after endlessly watching repeats of the game and Merson’s ‘commentary’ Channel 4 asked me if I’d go to the ground – any excuse – finished up on the pitch re-enacting Sergio’s winner and the hour long interview was shown for about 5 seconds on the news.
Home and then back to town for the parade with the family again and how great to see the throngs of Blues of all ages in the square and along Deansgate. Tears shed as the bus went past then it was back home via MacDonalds.
Bit of fuss about Carlos holding up the placard with RIP Fergie on it – in the old days they used to carry coffins round with relevant words to that effect so no big deal really. Perhaps at some point the rags are gonna stop coming out with the utter crap we’ve been subjected to over the years (mind games my arse) and in particular this season?
Incidentally, despite the poor reviews we went to see ‘Dark Shadows’ last night which was brilliant. Any film which opens with ‘Nights in White Satin’ being played is on to a winner, not to mention an Alice Cooper appearance, though with some fairly obvious comments.
Still trying to come to terms with Sunday, and how Mancini didn’t get manager of the season is beyond me. But then….
Dave

3 hours to go

Forget the shite negative manumirror's article - today is all about THE SPIRIT OF 1968, 1985, 1999, 2000, 2002, AND 2011, C'MON CITY!!!!!!

1 day to go

1 day to go


OK let’s put things into perspective. Since our last title in 1968 we’ve:

Won 2 FA Cups, once runners up, 2 League cups, once runners up, 1 European Cup Winner’s Cup, once Division 1 runners up.

Been relegated 5 times

Been promoted 5 times

A word of warning to QPR, we’ve relegated, or played already relegated teams 5 times.

Best last days :

1972 beat Derby the eventual Champions at M/Rd

1974 beat united at O/T who were relegated

1977 beat Coventry away to make runners up

1985 beat Charlton 5-1 at home and were promoted

1989 drew 1-1 at Bradford and were promoted

1999 beat Gillingham in the play off final and were promoted

2000 beat Blackburn away and were promoted

2002 beat Portsmouth home and were promoted

2011 won the FA Cup, then beat Bolton to go 3rd.

So even when we were ‘Typical City’ we’ve done the business, on the up, more often than not, in fact every time we’ve needed to, so I don’t see any difference tomorrow.

Yesterday Teddy Sheringham was at it with the usual “united will win it” shite, and David Sadler reckons we’ve bought the league.
Manumirror ran a story about Ya Ya wanting to go back to Barcelona at some point, but Derek McGovern kept up his usual humour in his betting column, never afraid to have a pop at easy target united. Fergie reckons that as Aberdeen once beat Real Madrid in the 80’s that QPR could do it tomorrow which will destroy City. Who’s cracking up ?
There’s still a dearth of stories of how Sunderland are going to upset the applecart v the rags.
Here’s a new song
We always win at home and we always win away
We won last week and we’ll win today
We don’t give a fuck cos we’re all pissed up
MCFC – OK!

Went down to The Etihad today – you have to do these things dontcha! Pretty quiet actually, sold out of scarves in the shop, only ones left are £30! Honest!!
Here’s the It’s A Fix update : GAME 38) SUNDAY MAY 13Th : QPR (HOME) KO 3PM

First season back in the Prem. and they’ve found it tough. Last, and only trophy was the League Cup in 1967, oh Rodney, Rodney….most recent connections are Mark Hughes, Nedum Onuoha, SWP and Joey Barton. 42nd league meeting.
This season so far : Down there on Bonfire night it was a 3-2 jittery City win. Boothroyd opened (28), Dzeko equalised (43), Silva (53) put us in front but Helgusson levelled again (69) before Ya Ya clinched it (74) with a great header. Crowd was a very, very hostile 18,076 with 3,026 Blues. They booed our every touch and refused to throw the ball back at throw ins.
Currently they’re in 17h place with 37 points from 37 games and 3 wins 2 draws and 12 losses away from home, the 3rd worst record away in the league.
In the Carling Cup they lost 0-2 at home to Rochdale, Steven Eyre’s finest result.
In the FA Cup they drew at MK Dons 1-1 but won the replay 1-0 going out to Chelsea 0-1 at home.
Our form at home to QPR : Post war they never managed a win in the first 15 visits with 10 losses and 5 draws then won 3-2 in 94/95, lost 2-0 in 95/96 and won 3-0 in the last match of the season in 96/97. Then it was a 2-2 draw in 97/98 courtesy of Jamie Pollock’s incredibly ridiculous own goal, and a 3-1 win in 99/2000 which makes it 3 wins 1 draw and 1 loss in their last 5 visits which is a bit scary.
Comment : Mark Hughes took over from Neil Warnock but hasn’t really pulled up any trees so far but is looking forward to stopping City winning the title. Some strengthening was made in the January window with Zamora and Nedum coming in. They need a point to be safe but if Bolton don’t win at Stoke then they are safe and we can look forward to forking out our £50 odd quids at their place again next season.
Let’s see them quaking in their boots at our team and our support and there is only one possible outcome – a win for the Blues and the title. C’mon City.
WWTWTWShite : Averaged 5,670 in 1964/65, and this season it’s around 17,178.

United play Sunderland with all their ex united players, away, KO same time, BUT with Martin O’Neill in charge. What snidey tricks they’ll get up to is anyone’s guess – trying to delay the kick off, getting players sent off and diving for penalties. Even so they might get a draw.

Signing off now, won’t blog again until …….enjoy the day – hope for a repeat of 1985 – and let our ex Blues be gracious in defeat, as they’ve all been part of the Blue Moon Rising.

Dave

2 days to go

2 days to go


Thought it may be interesting to note how we’ve gone on at the end of the season since our win in 1968?!

1969 – after winning the Cup we had 3 games left and beat Liverpool home 1-0 on the last day.

1970 – won the ECWCup beating Gornik 2-1

1971 – lost 3-4 to united at home – their 1st win in 14 league derbies from 1967 to 1976

1972 – beat Derby (who won the league) 2-0 at home

1973 – lost 2-3 home to relegated Crystal Palace

1974 – beat united 1-0 away who were relegated

1975 – drew 1-1 at Luton who were relegated

1976 – lost 0-2 at united

1977 – beat Coventry away as runners up

1978 – drew 0-0 at Chelsea

1979 – lost 2-3 home to Villa

1980 – beat Ipswich 2-1 home

1981 – lost 0-1 at Liverpool after the Cup Final

1982 – lost 0-1 at Sunderland

1983 – lost 0-1 home to Luton and were relegated

1984 – beat Cambridge 5-0 at home who were relegated

1985 – beat Charlton 5-1 home and were promoted

1986 – drew 1-1 home to Luton

1987 – lost 0-2 at WHU and were relegated

1988 – lost 0-1 at Palace

1989 – drew 3-3 at home to Bournemouth after being 3-0 up in the last home game but drew 1-1 at Bradford and were promoted.

1990 – drew 2-2 at Palace

1991 – beat Sunderland 3-2 at home who were relegated

1992 – beat Oldham 5-2 away

1993 – lost 2-5 at home to Everton

1994 – drew 1-1 at Sheff Wed

1995 – lost 2-3 at home to QPR

1996 – drew 2-2 at home to Liverpool and were relegated

1997 – beat Reading 3-2 at home

1998 - beat Stoke 5-2 away but were both relegated

1999 – beat York 4-0 at home then beat Gillingham in the play offs for promotion

2000 – beat Blackburn 4-1 away and were promoted

2001 – lost 1-2 home to Chelsea and were relegated

2002 – beat Portsmouth 3-1 at home and were promoted

2003 – lost 0-1 at home to Saints, last game at Maine Road

2004 – beat Everton 5-1 at home

2005 – drew 1-1 at home to 'Boro, Fowler missed a last minute penalty to miss out on UEFA

2006 – lost 0-2 at Blackburm

2007 – lost 1-2 at Spurs

2008 – lost 1-8 at ‘Boro

2009 – lost 1-2 at Spurs

2010 – drew 1-1 at WHU

2011 – won FA Cup then 2-0 at Bolton to go 3rd

2012 - ?

Dave

3 days to go

3 days to go


It’s late Thursday. Manumirror had a couple of stories today saying that Ya Ya wants to go back to Barca, and then they tried to stir it up with possible departures from The Etihad. No stories yet of how Sunderland are going to stuff united, and how their Fergie flops are out to prove a point. Maybe tomorrow………?
Met Ed The Observer bloke today at the squash centre and we had a good chat about City. Also had a conversation with Chris Wheeler from the Daily Mail but put off the fella from ITV News.
Went to The Octagon to see the superb Queen Of The North play about Pat Phoenix tonight, anything to take the mind off Sunday.
Good posts from Tony and Neil, keep it up fellas only 3 dithery days to go…….
Dave

QPR post

Dear KK,


This post from Dave Thomas of "A Kick up the Rs" fanzine to the QPR Yahoo Groups list yesterday may interest you. Dave now lives in Bolton by the way!

Best wishes

Martin



United fans are Chelsea fans and City fans are QPR fans.
I know they have millions to play with, but City do far more for the community than United. The Hyde story is worth checking out if you can.
When my Christina's Dad was fit and able, he followed City all over. In later years, as his health gradually deteriorated, they would watch games on Sky. He was called Stanley and was born in Collyhurst, the same as Stan Bowles. He was great character, who during the war was Monty's
driver (I bet you didn't even know Monty played golf!). He was also best friend of Les Dawson, and best man at his wedding. Most importantly, he was Christina's Dad - and she misses him terribly still.
When he died, the funeral went past the Etihad. He had been to a match there once - just the once, but they treated him with the utmost care and attention. When the cortege went past the stadium, with Manchester City spelled out in flowers, plenty of folk touched their caps as an acknowledgement of respect - just like in the old days.
I wrote to City, by email. I asked if they could perhaps mention his passing in the programme. I asked if Bernard Halford (City's Daphne Biggs) could be informed of Stan's death. City replied, literally,
within minutes - and with a message back from Bernard. They also said they would put it in the programme - and they'd also include him in their role of honour at the end of the calendar year when they have a
minute's silence for and a roll-call of all those supporters who've they lost in the past year. It's an annual thing at City, apparently.
I am not saying that United wouldn't have done the same, (why not - Ed!) but I have my doubts. As Peter says, City fans are generally okay, while you have to live here to appreciate quite how blinkered and objectionable United fans are generally.
Which is why I hope we are 0-0 with two minutes to go, and Stoke have just added a third without reply. We then gift City the softest of soft goals, while doing a Peter Crouch yesterday - i.e, looking as if we are
really trying but not really. We then unfurl our banner that says:
'That one's for you, Ashley Young - diving cheat".
By the way, message to the Venky's: So you didn't know about relegation?
Well, you do now...
Dave Thomas

4 days to go

4 days to go


Looks like being a busy few days. Not much in the National press about the possibility of united losing or drawing at Sunderland, but plenty on the Blues v QPR. Would it go on alphabetical order if the goal differences were the same, and are the rags planning therefore to change their name to Manchester Athletic?
Went down to Media City yesterday for a chat on the radio with Becky Want and Bill Rice, part of which Cheesy used on Blue Tuesday last night. Going to the ground tomorrow (can't keep away) to have a chat with an Observer reporter, who’s also asking for any City pubs in Manchester tomorrow night. Any ideas?
Fairly friendly postings from QPR fans so far – they recognise that we don’t expect a formality on Sunday, this is City after all, but hopefully it’s the new and not typical City. Usually when we’re heading up we don’t cock up (Blackburn, Charlton etc) it’s when we’re going down (Luton etc) that we do.
Anyway, so far so good, enjoying this week and looking forward to Sunday, hope I last out!
Dave