Conference trucks::football;1

    And what a fine topic this promises to be.....
    
    Prediction: The Citizens will probably not win the league his year but
    will continue to build on a fine season from last year, I predict they
    will finish 2nd or 3rd...
    
    
    And win the FA Cup too..!!!
    
    Paul

    Questions questions questions;
    
    Who is this Wimbledon defender we've bought? Slightly worried about
    this move. How much did we pay?
    
    Why did we sell Ward?
    
    How is Paul Lake?
    
    Paul, if you have a fixture list could you send me a photocopy in the
    internal mail.
    
    I want to plan my holidays around a couple of home games.
    
    
    		Steve

>>      <<< Note 36.2 by ASKFOR::HAIGH "There's nowt queerer than folk." >>>

>>    Questions questions questions;
    
>>    Who is this Wimbledon defender we've bought? Slightly worried about
>>  this move. How much did we pay?
    
    
    Keith Curle - A snip for a 27 year-old uncapped defender at two and a
    half Million pounds when you consider the price asked for Wright,
    Parker, Dorigo, etc. :-)
    
    Rob

    Paul Lake is to have a second operation on his knee ligaments; seems
    like the end for him.
    
    Keith Curle is team captain; replacing Steve Redmond.
    
    Why did you sell Ward; because he's crap. Can't understand why they
    bought him in the first place. Harper went with Ward to Everton as part
    of a 1.2m pound package.
    
    Can't see City doing much this year. Where's the midfield? Ward's gone;
    Reid surely can't last the pace?

    I only saw 2 games last year but Ward played well in them. I am
    however, completely gobsmacked at the Curle signing. I hope Peter Reid
    knows what he is doing. Or was it another Swales job? ' Here's a
    present for you Peter, a snap at x million pounds.' City should leave
    that sort of business to their neighbours.
    
    Still thanks for the info.
    
    
    	Steve

    Great start for City, haven't seen a full match report yet, but
    apparently they were all over coventry, Curle had no probs keeping out 
    the few attacks that cov' managed and Quinnie started his 91-92 
    account with a fine 16th minute strike...
    
    Maybe we will win the league after all..!!!
    
    Paul.
    
    P.S. 
    Mr Watterson, whatever happened to e*e*t*n.....??
    
    hee hee hee hee hee
    

    
    AUG 17   V  COVENTRY A
        21   V  LIVERPOOL H
        24   V  C PALACE H
        28   V  NORWICH A
        31   V  ARSENAL A
    SEP 04   V  NOTTM F. H
        07   V  LEEDS A 
        14   V  SHEFF WED. H
        17   V  EVERTON H
        21   V  WEST HAM A
        28   V  OLDHAM H
    OCT 06   V  NOTTS CO. A
        19   V  SPURS A
        26   V  SHEFF UTD. H
    NOV 02   V  SOUTHAMPTON A
        16   V  MAN UTD H
        23   V  LUTON A
        30   V  WIMBLEDON H
    DEC 07   V  A VILLA A
        14   V  QPR H
        21   V  LIVERPOOL A
        26   V  NORWICH H
        28   V  ARSENAL H
    JAN 01   V  CHELSEA A
        11   V  C PALACE A
        18   V  COVENTRY H
    FEB 01   V  SPURS H
        08   V  SHEFF UTD A
        15   V  LUTON H
        22   V  WIMBLEDON A
        29   V  A VILLA H
    MAR 07   V  QPR A
        11   V  MAN UTD A
        14   V  SOUTHHAMPTON H
        21   V  NOTTM F. A
        28   V  CHELSEA H
    APR 04   V  LEEDS H
        11   V  SHEFF WED A
        18   V  WEST HAM H
        20   V  EVERTON A
        25   V  NOTTS CO. H
    MAY 02   V  OLDHAM A
    
    A = AWAY
    H = HOME
    
    Stephen
           

    Looks like another win on Weds then....
    
    Rgds
    
    Mr Biased

    re .7 
    
    	I thank you! I'll stick that on my wall. Tricky start isn't it?
    George Courtney XI and Place at home. Then Arsenal away....
    
    	

    Quote of the day from Peter Reid, discussing Mark Marginson, the
    reserve goalie, who is being replaced by Tony Coton for the Liverpool
    game. Reid said to radio interviewer 'He has a great future..as long as
    he keeps his feet on the ground'.
    
    Makes going for high balls difficult!

    Yehhh Peter Reid isn't one of the best 'public speakers' going. He
    seems to have developed an expertise for fitting as many football
    cliches into an interview as possible. 

    Well it's been very quiet in here recently. I wonder why? :-(
    
    I still can not believe that after doing so well during a very difficult 
    start to the season, we then get stuffed at Leeds and worse still lose at
    home to Wednesday and Everton! Looks like we need some serious bolstering 
    of the forward line. 
    
    I wonder if having a player manager is really that clever. Certainly it
    seems to be idosyncratic to British teams. Can he really step back and
    look at the overall picture?
    
    
    	Steve
    

    Oh my God! With about 10 minutes to go City are winning 1-0 at Upton
    Park! Even more amazing it was a penalty and we SCORED!!
    
    		Steve

    Victory 2-1.
    
    All the goals coming in the last 15 minutes. Hendry scored Citys winner
    in injury time.
    
    
    	Steve

    
    With City's last three games ending in defeat, the blues badly needed a
    win to keep them in the upper part of the table.
    
    The team for City was as follows:
    
    1 Tony Coton
    2 Andy Hill
    3 Neil Pointon
    4 Ian Brightwell
    5 Keith Curle
    6 Steve Redmond
    7 David White
    8 Adrian Heath (The Fan's favorite :-) )
    9 Niall Quinn
    10 Gary Megson
    11 Micheal Hughes
    
    Sub
    12 Colin Hendry
    14 Mike Sheron
    
    Brennan and Reid were both out after last weeks Everton game.
    
    The game was terrible, first half no one really looked like scoring. 
    David White was asleep as per usual, Foster totally keep Quinn out of
    the game, Ian Brightwell was struggling (He played even worse than
    `Inchy'  Heath), in fact the only people who did seem to have a good game 
    was the defence.  Hill, Pointon, and Curle really seemed to be getting
    stuck in at the back, rather than giving them space to run (A problem
    which has troubled City for a While.)
    
    Second Half was more of the same, Quinn seemed to totally give up on
    trying to beat Foster and took to diving at every opptunity, but the
    Ref was having none of it.  Then City's goal came, Quinn, from just
    outside the box, Chipped the defence and the goalkeeper, and only
    Foster was stood on the line, Quinn's shot was far to high that Foster
    Could Only really reach it with his hands. Due to the new prefession foul,
    Foster was sent off, but he can't really be blamed, Quinn's shot was goal
    bound and at least there was a chance that we might miss the penaltly.
    
    With Brennan out, the job of penaltly taking fell to Redmond.  The
    penatly was, shall we say lucky, with Redmond seeming to fall over the
    ball and his shot just trickling past the keeper.
    
    They Pulled on back from a volley from slatter (?), Tony Coton didn't
    really have a chance.
    
    Then City took Hughes off and brought Hendry on up front, which was
    rather a funny move as we had Sheron, a forward, on the the bench. 
    Still with Foster off, Hendry and Quinn seemed to take more control of
    the air.  Then in injury time, Hendry broke through the defence, and
    scored with a shot which had about as much power as a Lada.
    
    City Winning away, on a Saturday, against a team that doesn't begin
    with `C' or `N' is pretty amazing, what is more amazing is how City can
    play so well against Liverpool and Palace and then so badly against
    teams like Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham.
    
    William
    
    
    

    	Read on CEEFAX last night that Dutch player Danny Hoekman was
    on a trial at City, and that they'd organised a practice match to
    test him. Has anyone out there got any details as to whether or
    not he's signed ?
    	Hoekman started his career at my local club N.E.C. Nijmegen 
    before leaving for Roda J.C Kerkrade. I seem to remember West Ham
    showing interest in him before he moved. 
    
    Tim

    City 1 Oldham 2.
    
    
    	So ends an outstanding month for Manchester City! 3rd consecutive
    home defeat, 5th defeat in 7 games. Oh dear! Heard a rumour that City 
    are trying to buy Steve Bull from Wolves...
    
    
    		Steve
    
    AND we let the states win the Ryder cup!

    One of the Sunday papers said City are looking to Buy Perry `Tin-Tin'
    Groves from Arsenal.  
    Also, in one of the better football magazines, Big Niall Quinn won their
    top striker award saying he was the most feared striker in England
    today'  
    Why wasn't Adrian Heath in the top ten? :-)
    
    William
    

    Whats up with Bull then ? I thought he'd stated he'd never leave
    his beloved Wolves !

    And what is wrong with Clive Allen; it seems daft having a proven
    quality striker in the reserves & yet playing Adrian Heath.
    
    City's main problem is their defence. Curle is no central defender;
    he's probably best as a sweeper using his speed and tackling ability;
    but he just can't dominate in the air. Hendry is far better for that.
    

    Not many City noters about so I'll update you...
    
    
    David White, City's leading scorer, broke a collar bone in training
    yesterday and is out for at least 6 weeks. Having done that myself I
    know how bloody painful it is! White may mis the 'derby'.
    
    Clive Allen was substitute on Sunday gainst Notts County & scored twice
    (1 pen). After the match he 'spoke' to the press moaning about Reid
    wanting to ruin his career by not playing him. Storm in a teacup
    really, but Allen spoken to by Swales & Reid.
    
    City play Chester tonight in return 2nd leg of Rumbelows cup, at
    Stockport County's ground, as safer|easier to control than Macclesfield
    Town where Chester play their home games. Curle, Hill, QUinn need
    fitness tests...

    Thanks for the update Simon, I've been out of the office recently,
    seems like City have a first team squad of about 13, and a half-dozen
    first division players. Not nearly enough! Reid needs to get his finger
    out sharpish, or it's mid-table mediocracy for us. 
    
    An unimpressed blue.

	re .21

>    Stockport County's ground, as safer|easier to control than Macclesfield
>    Town where Chester play their home games. Curle, Hill, QUinn need

	What happened to Chester's home ground?
	What has been the effect of this move on their crowds?

	Out_of_touch of Spitbrook

    Don't know if there's a Chester note so...
    
    Chester sold their ground to a 'developer' at the beginning of last
    season, and Chester did a ground sharing with Macclesfield Town. Macc
    is 35 miles away!
    
    Think the agreement runs out end of this season; maybe Chester should
    have a new ground by then.
    
    As for the crowds, well, I live on the road between Knutsford & Macc
    and I haven't noticed a great increase in traffic. A few coaches now
    and again. Then Chester never did have large crowds.
    
    I'll try & find out more if you are really interested.

    1-0 away at Spurs. For some reason I'm not surprised, according to the
    world service City were well worth the win and Thorsveldt (?) had a
    good game. Now if we could only win at home ..... :-{

    	Now we've won at home! Again according to the world service, a great
    game, City just edging it. 
    
    	Hey Dave Page, sounds like your lot are playing well at the moment, 
    although I can't see you picking up points at Old Trafford either.
    
    	Only a few points behind United and Leeds ("Oldham had Leeds only
    shot on goal" - Fred on the BBC), and playing better at the moment by
    the sound of it. When do we play QPR in the Rumble cup? (Or have we
    already?)
    
    
    		Steve 

    
    	Steve, since you seem to get the results a little later over there,
    	I ought to tell you that you lot drew 0-0 with QPR last night at
    	home in the 3rd round of the League Cup. Good game, but City
   	couldn't score. Could be difficult in the replay.
    
    	Andy.

    Oh dear! What was that clich�? Oh yeah...
    
    	"At least we can concentrate on the league..."
    
    
    		Steve

    The Owls are one above you in 2 competitions now, the league AND
    the average gates.
    
    	Yorkie.

    Almost perfect results on Saturday, only Uniteds win against the Blades
    spoiling things! ;-) Hey Andy, that's impressive for United a few years
    ago after 2 dissappointing results United under Atkinson would have
    lost game like that. 
    
    That's wins for City at West Ham and Southampton, I seriously can't
    remember City winning at either of those grounds before. Next comes the
    Derby in 2 weeks at Maine Road, one of the very few occasions when I
    actually miss England.
    
    
    	Steve

    That's Four away wins on the trot (Three of them on a Saturday as
    well!).  Hang on, this is looking dangerously like City could be
    a contender for the League!  I can image it now, a Wednesday night trip
    to Madrid to see the blues, wouldn't it be just magic.
    
    I When to the Southampton game on Saturday.  City played the usual line
    up: Coton, Hill, Curle, Pointon, Reid, Brightwell, Hughes,Heath (How can
    they play HIM?!?), Quinn,and Sheron Subs: Hendry, Hookman.  
    City looked the better side throughout the game, although in serveral 
    periods of the game Southampton had far too much posession then we should
    be allowing them, If Southampton's finishing was better they could have 
    easily managed to get a draw.  
    Quinn was carried off injured shortly after scoring City's first 
    goal(Apparently he WILL be fit for the United Game).  Colin Hendry came on
    for Niall and from on City seemed lose they're way a bit. 
    Coton was still playing the long ball game and without Quinn,
    nobody was there to receive it.
    At half time Peter Reid must have advised Coton to play it out to
    Sheron and Hughes on the wing because most of City's attack's came from
    them.  Both of them look well down each wing, especially Hughes who is
    developing into quite a nifty little player.  Just after Half time
    Sheron scoring from the corner after some terrible Southampton goal
    keeping, mind you that's proabably why their at the bottom of the league
    and we're not!
    
    The Third goal was actually annonced at the game that Sheron had scored
    it, although afterwards it was reported as a own goal.
    
    So it was 3 - 0 to City.  A quite good result really considering we
    haven't won at the Dell since 1974!
    
    
    Well, its the Derby in two week's, and I've got my ticket's.  Any
    prediction's on the score?
    
    Personally I fancy as for another 5 -1.
    
    William
    
    
    

    
        If this was a good game.....................................
    
    	.......City were the better side on the night, but they lacked
    
        imagination in trying to break down a very boring QPR side. I 
    
        managed to get along to this game as well as Saturday's victory
    
        over Sheffield United, and basically there's a lot to do, despite
    
        the exalted league position :
    
    		Drop Reid, and let him concentrate on his role as manager !
    
    		Get someone in the team who can play alonside and support
    
    		Niall Quinn !
    
    		Give Brightwell a few lessons on passing a ball !
    
    		Tighten up the defence ( they don't appear to work as a
    
    		complete unit ) !!!
    
    		Bring back Andy Dibble ??
    
    	If we don't improve a bit, then it could United's turn to hand out
    
    	a 5-1 result.
    
    	I reckon that the reason for our success away from home this
    
        season is due to the practise that we get at Maine Road - we are 
    
    	giving the visitors to much room.
    
    	ps
    	
    	Why does it take so long for the substitutes to be introduced.
    
     	Against QPR, we were going nowhere with the existing eleven, yet
    	
    	the changes took a while to be made ????
    
    	Regards.
    
    	hm.

    In reply to a request somewhere I'll just pop in the scores form the
    last two derbys played at Maine Road,
    
    
    	City 5 United 1		(I believe Hughes scored for utd, and to 
    				quote someone from the utd Note, who cares 
    				who scored for City? I mean it could have 
    				been anybody!)
    
    			and
    
    	City 3 United 3		(Kendal took Reid off with 15 mins to go 
    				when City were coasting at 3-1, and McClair
    				fell over twice and there it was 3-3!)
    
    		I suspect tomorrow will be something like the first of the
    previously mentioned games (Well if there's a God in the heavens
    anyway). And to indulge in a little Leeds type hypothesising if we win
    by x and leeds lose does that make us top? And NO I'VE NOT BEEN
    DRINKING!!!!! Not yet anyway...
    
    		Steve
    

    
    	Thanks for the reminder Steve ...8-( 8-(
    
    	Tomorrow? We shall see.....I wish you all you would wish me 8-)
        Good luck.
    
    	Andy.

    >    	Tomorrow? We shall see.....I wish you all you would wish me 8-)
    
    
    	You b*stard!

    Four goals in the last ten minutes!?!?   Two goals in the LAST minute??
    
    Match report pleeeeaaaassse.
    
    Tony

    re.1 
    
    oh dear, wrong note.

    Yes I think so mate, unfortunately United escaped from Maine Road with
    a 0-0 draw!

    
    So they think they can come to the Principle Palace of football and
    walk away with a point and get away with it.
    Wait until we play at Old Tatford and chalk up another away win.
    
    Nice to be back in the note after so many months (I just found it
    again)
    
    PREDICTIONS
    
    	Queens Park Rankers 1  		Manchester City 3
    
    Long Term PREDICTIONS
    
    	FA Cup Winners beating
    
    		 Weeds United 0		Manchester City 2
    
    League Champions pipping Sh** (Opps) United by 2 points (For some
    reason I always get them two words mixed up)..
    
    
    Honest
    
    John
    

    WHY DO WE PLAY ADRIAN HEATH???
    
    William
    

    Is it true that Heath's last league goal for City was against Everton
    early last season ?
    
    paul

    That's what they said on the world service. Apparently City had the
    chances in the 2nd half. Oh well, if you can't put the ball in the net
    you shouldn't complain. (Unless you're J. Charlton of course.)
    
    
    		Steve

    I DO NOT BELIEVE ADRAIN HEATH SCORED!!!!
    
    If fact, Adrain was playing brillantly last night.  After the nightmare
    of the Derby game, he seemed to have recovered quite well.
    
    City Played the normal line up, except Megson for Reid (Who is Still
    injured after getting taken off in the Derby).  City seem to be
    strugling in the first 20 minutes, defence was given the attackers far
    too much room to play, Megson found it difficult in Midfield, and White was
    asleep as per usual.  Due to these facts, and some terrible defending
    that look like City a couple of years ago, Q.P.R. when one up.
    
    City's reply came not much later, Neil Pointon getting away on the
    break and Adrain Heath with the neatest of tap-in's.  
    From then on City seemed to be looking for Adrain Heath all the time
    rather then Quinn, which seemed to work quite well for a while. 
    
    Second Half, City still seemed Have something missing, namely Mike
    Sheron on the wing insead of White (Who was asleep second half as
    well).  The second goal again came from the Wing, Micheal Hughes
    crossing in to Big Niall.
    
    The Third seem a like scramble in the box with Big Niall finishing it
    off.  
    
    City for the Cup?  Well, If we avoid the big club's early on, I think
    we have got a good chance.
    
    William
    

    Luton 2 - City 2.
    
    	2 points dropped I'd say. The world service hardly had a word to
    say about this game. Was it simply becasue Luton were involved? Or
    don't they allow Radio comentators into Lutons ground either?
    
    
    		Steve

    No it was probably because City were involved.
    
    It was two points dropped
    
    
    for Luton anyway.
    
    
    Regards,
    
    Barry.
    

    >                  -< Professional foul comes to the rescue. >-
    
    	Does this have some relevance to the game on Saturday?

    
    Hi Steve,
    
    you obviously haven't seen any reports from Saturday's game...
    
    so here goes..
    
    Redmond made a horrendous mistake to let Harford in 1-0 to Luton, Curle
    equalises after a mad scramble in the Luton goal 1-1, Luton take the
    lead again (Can't remember who) only for Quinn to equalise with a
    cracking volley from outside the box.
    
    In the last minute Stein breaks away, Redmond's after him and Stein
    goes flying right on the edge of the box, ref sends Redmond off, Luton
    waste free kick - result 2-2.
    
    Paul

    But wait there's more. What they did not show on T.V. Was the first
    proffessional foul by Redmond early in the second half on Pembridge
    when he was through.  In my opinion he should therefore have not been
    on the field to commit the second offence.
    
    Regards,
    
    Barry.

    Oh! Sounds like Luton had a bit of bad luck! Oh well..... 
    
    I believe Quinns goal was a stonker!
    
    
    		Steve

    As much as I hate to admit it Steve, the Hatters were unlucky not
    to come away with three points.

    
    	Quinn's strike will be up there as contender for Goal Of The Season
    	and was worth the point to City in anyone's money...
    
    	Breaks you up to see Luton not getting a win they might have
    	deserved, doesn't it.... 8-)
    
        Andy.

    
    	Yes well..... a stunning 3 points from the last 4 league games,
    losing to 'boro in the league cup. I bet we drew Barnet away in the FA
    cup (anybody got City's tie?).... things not going to well!
    
    	Still, seeing as according to the United and Leeds topics the
    championship is a 2 horse race, I don't suppose losing to Villa is that
    important!
    
    
    		Steve

    
    
    Barnet away.......    
    
    
    
    No chance - Middlesboro away (again) - honest

    Oh the FA cup draw has a wonderful disregard for the odds. mumbleb@stard!
    
    

    Ref: .52
    
    Well Steve, if the weekly hilites I've been watching are indicative 
    of how good City are (or are not) no result is important as long as
    potential relegation is not issue. It may be unfair to say this as I 
    only get to watch City 5 minutes/week in the hilites, but... City doesn't 
    seem to have much of a chance. At one point against Villa the entire team 
    looked as if  they didn't know which end of the field they were standing 
    on. Even the announcer was quick to point out, and I quote," They have no 
    idea where they are at the moment". Their goalie, whomever he is,
    looked as if he rather be somewhere else. Oh well, at least Manchester
    will have a champion this season .
    
    JC7                   

    
    	Yes JC, the reports I have from people in Manchester seem to hint at
    the same. BUT City have also put in some superb performances as well, 
    (they seem to be very inconsistant) so there may be hope for a high 
    league spot or a good cup run. However according to a united fan I spoke
    to a few weeks ago (who was AT the Derby game) United were lucky to
    come away with a point! 
    
    	Anyway I'll be watching them play Norwich and Arsenal over
    Christmas so if you like I'll send you a team photo of the blues. I'll 
    convert you yet to the ONLY team in Manchester! ;-)
    
    	BTW this young Irish chap (Michael Hughes) playing up front with 
    Quinn, sounds like a very good prospect. An Irish forward line! I've
    always rated Irish footballers.....
    
    			Steve 

    >Quinn, sounds like a very good prospect. An Irish forward line! I've
    >always rated Irish footballers.....
    
    Steve, you forgot the :-)'s........
    
    	- Robin

    I didn't think I needed them Robbie! 

             
    	Your initial observation was correct though, Steve..Hughes looks
    	to be a tasty prospect from the all-too-brief highlights shown on
    	The Match. Hughes and White could be an interesting option!
    
    	Andy.

	Over the U.K. period I got to see 3 of City's games, Liverpool v City 
on the box and the 2 home games against Norwich and Arsenal live.

	City seem to have a serious problem when they are winning! i.e. they 
just let teams back into it by trying to defend 1 goal leads! This happened 
against Liverpool when they were 2-1 up, playing well and could quite easily 
have scored a couple more. But instead they stopped attacking and Liverpool 
came back into it and almost stole it! 

	Also against Norwich, when after 20 minutes of the 2nd half the game 
was in the bag and Norwich were under the cosh. Then McMahon went off (he had a 
good debut), City sat back and Fleck almost equalised. 2 good saves from 
Coton keeping City in front. At times the Blues played some great stuff but if 
Norwich had have equalised they really couldn't have complained.

	The same seems to have happened against 'boro in the cup on Saturday, 
1-0 up with 10 minutes to go and ....

	Also got to see the Arsenal game. I really enjoyed that one, 1st half 
was a bit of a non-event, except for a couple of good saves from Seaman (1 of 
Quinn) and a good shot from Arsenals best forward, Merson.

	First 10 minutes of the second half was all Arsenal. Brightwell had 
moved to right back after Hill had been substituted at Half time, and Arsenal 
were giving him a roasting, then Reid moved over to help out and that was the 
last we saw of Arsenals attack (they seem to miss Limpar a good deal). 
    
    	City played some great stuff, but Arsenal defended well, one superb 
run by Hughes had everybody spell bound, including Quinn! Otherwise he surely 
would have scored from Hughes' lay off.

	Then the excellent Bould went off and Linighan (sp?) came on. Adams had 
looked adequate along side Bould but now with Linighan they started to look 
shakey. Heath, who was very busy and played some very intelligent balls, (if 
he ever gets rid of this block he has about scoring he'll be as good as he was 
at Everton), got booked for retalliating on Adams after being literally pushed 
of the pitch, however somehow the linesman managed to interpret it as a 
shoulder charge. Adams shoulder starts at his elbow!

	Just when it seemed Arsenal might hang on for a draw, a through-ball 
from Quinn was deflected by 2 Arsenal defenders and fortuantely landed at 
Whites feet and he hammered it past Seaman! City continued to press (much to 
my relief) and Hughes was brought down by Linighan when he was through, and 
would have had a shot at goal. It is doubtful whether it was a 'professional 
foul' but the ref showed him the red card. 

	All in all a good performance and win for City. But the last 2 games 
suggest a return to bad habits, a fortunate 1-1 draw at Chelsea and an early 
cup exit, at Middlesborough! (I hope they don't get promotion :-( )

		Steve

    Steve,
    
    	Last weeks 'pink' is in the post.
    
    
    I see you had a good time over here, pity about city losing to
    Middlesbrough yet again!! and by the same score 2-1. 
    
    As you pointed out McMahon seems to combine well with Reid in midfield
    and definately missed him against Middlesbrough in the second-half.
    
    As it says in our local paper(MEN) Reid is now concentrating on league
    position with a view to Europe next season, even a slight glimmer of
    winnning the championship!!!!
    
    mac

    Hi Ian,
    
    	Yeah lightning strikes twice!
    
    	I think Peter Reid bought McMahon to replace himself, it was quite
    funny watching them play together against Norwich, at times they were
    both hounding the same player, and almost getting in each others way.
    
    	The league? I don't think so, after seeing plenty of football over
    the Christmas period I must admit (although I hate to), that Leeds and 
    especially United look to be the best teams in England at the moment. 
    But then new years day put a dent in United hopes...
    
    
    		Steve

    Well I can't resist anymore , I feel I have to stick my nose in .
    STEVE ....." I hope BORO don't get promoted " ...bad loser or what . I
    just hope we do get promoted so that we are guaranteed 3 pts at home to
    city .
    
    
    
    
    And as for Steve Mcmahon missing the second half . Well I'm afraid MOTD
    didn't show his fouls on WIlkinson ( should have been booked) and Peake
    ( 2 legged tackle thathe was booked for ) so I think he was taken  off or
    his own good . 
    
    Anyway thay came out to defend in the second half so they deserved what
    they got . Sad really since they were by far the better team in the
    first half and would have walked it if they kept on that way .
    
    Anyway good luck in the league ,
    
    Bill from BORO

    re : last
    
    Alright Bill, 'ows it 'anging !!!!
    
    Didn't think you had time for this noting, mind you, you have to make
    the most of it whilst your team (is it 'boro they're called??) is
    winning. Who do they play in the next round???
    
    Well like you say City should have dumped your lot in the 1st half, but
    they eased off yet again, seem to rely a little to much on Quinn up
    front which unless they buy someone decent to help him will be their
    downfall!!!
    
    Anyway, so long as we keep the southerners away, then it would not be
    so bad.
    
    
    Mac
    (a red muso!!)

    Hi Bill,
    
    	The only reason I hope Boro don't get promoted is BECAUSE you keep
    beating us!! No sour grapes from me. I really hope City give up this
    sitting on a 1 goal lead idea. It really doesn't work! McMahon was
    dirty at Liverpool so I don't suppose he'll change much just because
    he's at City now, however he can play some good stuff when he thinks
    about it.
    
    	Good luck to Boro in both cups.
    
    
    		Steve

    Steve,
    
    I have not forgotten about the video or the 'PINK' will send them this
    week if that is ok...
    Any more games wanted recording???
    
    mac

    Yeah thanks Ian, althought the last Pink that you sent didn't arrive!!
    I'll call you later in the week about this.
    
    Btw how long are Quinn and Heath suspended for? 
    
    
    		Steve

    re: -last
    
    >> how long are Quinn and Heath suspended for?
    
    As far as i am aware it is for 2/3 games, the game against Coventry
    being the first. As you probably realise Quinn amounted to more than 21
    penalty points, not 100% sure about Heath???
    
    Mac
    
    P.S. Going by local papers etc... Tony Coton played a blinder on
    Saturday, with everyone saying that he should be in the England team,
    personally I don't think he is up to it, and the less said about Chris
    (6 goals in by Leeds) Woods the better. Seaman! is playing no better,
    with Arsenal not scoring many goals, they are not letting any in
    either, which must be quite a good sign. Luckic of Leeds is probably
    one of the unexpected hopefuls(I think he's English??)
    
    

    
    
    Hmmm! After two home wins, City had the misfortune to run into in-form
    Sheffield United, who had virtually won the game at half-time (3-1).
    According to the 'werld seyvis of the bee bee sea' Peter Reids boys
    came out fighting in the second half, and reduced to 3-2, but then the
    Blades keeper played a blinder, did something amazing to David White's
    double effort (!!), and then wrapped it up with a goal on the break at 
    the end! 4-2 :-( 
    
    Oh well, at least Salford United only got a point against the Owls, and 
    Oldham stuffed the other Yorks, and none of the rest of the top 7 got a 
    win!	
    
    Back to winning ways on Saturday against the Hatters, maybe?
    
    
    		Steve

    Face it Steve... Man City are crap.

    Well thanks for that Dave! By the way, I see Wales actually WON a game
    of Rugby the other week!!

    I've been away for some time Doctor, so I'd just like remind Peter Reid
    if he is listening, of recent results;
    
    	City 4 Luton 0
    	Wombles 2 City 1
    	City 2 Villa 0 (Very unconvincing by all accounts)
    	
    	and the latest wunderbar result
    
    	QPR 4 City 0!
    
    	Well until recently we had been doing well in the games in London,
    (we even beat QPR at Loftus road earlier in the season!!), that would
    appear to have changed somewhat! I saw the goals from Saturday! Not
    very impressive in defence there boys! AND Coton should really have
    been sent off, although it might have been double figures if he had
    have been.
    
    	Are Arsenal still interested in Curle? Does he still want to leave?
    Will we get Bould in part-ex? Will Paul Stewart return home after 
    Feyenord knock Dodderingham out of Europe?
    
    			Steve

    Oh yeah, will we finish below 60-1 shots for the double, one of the
    teams still involved in the 3 horse championship race, (Even though both
    their 1st team and reserve team are ALL injured!) Liverpool?

    Steve,
    
    	City are on the box over here next Sunday. I remeber seeing that
    you will be over soon, but do you want the game recorded as per last
    time???
    	The last few Pinks are on there way.
    
    
    4-0 against QPR, your lot will have to stick at it if they are going to
    try for a place in Europe. A fair old battle between yourselfs,
    Liverpool and Sheff Wed... We shall see.
    
    mac

    Hi Mac,
    
    	I forgot to say thanks for the info you sent me a couple of weeks
    ago, much appreciated. I'd be really grateful if you could video it for
    me. 
    
    >try for a place in Europe. A fair old battle between yourselfs,
    >Liverpool and Sheff Wed... We shall see.
    
    	Does that mean that third in the first division DEFINATELY gets a
    European spot?
    
    
    			Steve

    The local radio phone in on Saturday night had City fans moaning about
    Curle. The jist was that they have paid 2.5million for a central
    defender who can't head a ball.
    
    One said he was as useful as a used Durex! The same bloke also said
    that the reason Curle won the Rumbelows Sprint Challenge in the north
    west was because someone threaten to throw a ball at Curle's head so he
    ran away as fast as he could!

    >west was because someone threaten to throw a ball at Curle's head so he
    >ran away as fast as he could!
    
    
    	:-). Yeah, that's why I wouldn't be to bothered if they off-loaded
    him on Arsenal. Especially if we get Steve Bould in return. According
    to friends in Manchester however, the whole thing seems to have blown
    over. What amazes me is that Peter Reid got rid of Hendry, and now
    doesn't seem to bothered about Redmond wanting to leave! O.K. this
    Brightwell chap looks to be a reasonable prospect, but how about some
    cover?
    
    
    		Steve

    City's astute transfer market strategy blunders on...
    
    Adrian Heath is going to Stoke (3rd Division leaders) for 100,000.
    
    City are buying a Dutchman called, as it sounds on the radio anyway,
    Michelle Bonk. Perhaps (s)he does. He will cost 500,000 at end of
    season. Anyone know anything about Michelle?

    >     City's astute transfer market strategy blunders on...
    
    
    	Strewth! 15 years of transfer blunders at Old Trafford and all of a
    sudden utd fans start dishing it out! 
    
    	I must admit however, that some of Reids recent moves do worry me
    somewhat. Just as Heath started to find some sort of form of he goes!
    Also with our current scoring spree (Anything Villa can do....) it
    seems like a bad move to have sold the eternal nomad to Chelsea earlier
    in the season. Maybe we can pick up someone at the Stamford summer sell
    out....
    
    		Steve

    Re.80
    
    United may have made some strange buys over the years but City always
    go one better, like Kevin Reeves, Steve daley etc.
    
    I wasn't dishing it out; I was trying to inform the few City notes we
    have -- mind you, if City get any kind of result next week against us,
    the woodwork will probably come apart!

    
    	Well I for one will go against many years of upbringing and
    	inter-family rivalry (most of my family are City supporters..)
    	and become a City fan for 90 minutes on Saturday 8-)
    
    	Come on you Citizens, give us a boost to the Championship by
    	putting one over on Leeds (Leeds Leeds) for us Red Devils.
    	Honest, Steve, I'll not ask another favour again ;-)
    
    	I'm sure you'd rather your good friends (ie. us!) won the League
    	rather than the unwashed from Elland Road....!
    
    	Andy.

    Andy, You seem to have transposed Leeds and Man U. You really want Man
    City to beat Man U on Tuesday and Leeds to win on Saturday.
    
    jb. ;-)

    
    	With Citys recent results I wouldn't bet on them getting a point in
    either of the two games! But then one never knows with City!
    
    	Simon, I think you've got a short memory! 
    
    
    	
    			Steve

    
    	What a fine Monday morning it is to! I would love to see those
    goals! Nevermind JB, hopefully we'll beat the other Manchester team on
    Tuesday! 
    
    	When are Pompey going to finish the job on the Scoucers? Is it
    going to be on Tuesday? If it is and the game is on Sky, we get updates 
    on the derby! Could someone post a note somewhere if they hear?
    
    	Congratulations to Sunderland!
    
    
    		Steve	

    re Sat :-
    
    Mumble grumble (cont p.94)
    
    re Tue :-
    
    Stuff 'em
    
    re Sat (Wednesday) :-
    
    ditto
    
    The FA Cup replay is on Monday 13 April at Villa Park.
    
    jb.

    
    	Thanks, Steve....how nice of you boys to turn Leeds (Leeds Leeds)
    	over like that. Now to complete the job you have to let us win
    	tomorrow night ;-)
    
    	Why, I think we could even make you an honourary United supporter
    	if we do land the title this season......
    
    	...and even that well-known United lover across the Irish Sea is
    	even facing up to the prospect of United clinching their first
    	Championship for 25 years (yes, he is a believer!).
    
    	And here he comes now!
    	"...mumble....Beetles....mumble.....lots of titles....mumble....
    	mumble....I love Ronnie...mumble......The Great D*ldo....mumble..
    	...mumble..."
    
    	Andy with lots of 8-)s today...
             

    >Why, I think we could even make you an honourary United supporter
    >if we do land the title this season......
    
    
    	You wouldn't do that to me would you?

    
    	Well after the 4-0 thrashing of Leeds on Saturday a 1-1 draw at Old
    Trafford is a bit of a dissapointment! All I know is Giggs scored in
    the first half, Pointon got sent off then Curle equalised from the spot
    when we only had 10 men.
    
    	City must beat Wednesday on Saturday if they have are to have any
    chances of third spot.
    
    
    			Steve

    City had a couple of good chances in the last ten minutes and nearly
    stole it. Pity they didnt.
    
    Nigel

Harsh!

These City fans are really active here; last note 8th April.

City have unveiled their new away kit; its a hideous
purple!

Peter Swales in his position with the FA has backed Graham 
Taylor; could mean (with luck) the kiss of death to Taylor

    Swales reportedly claimed that the English League programme
    should'nt be blamed, in part, for the state of English 
    International Football. Now there goes a man with his head
    firmly rooted up his anal sphincter. 
    
    barry. 

>    Swales reportedly claimed that the English League programme
>    should'nt be blamed, in part, for the state of English 
>    International Football. 
    
    Just curious, but how many games do the leageus play in other
    countries? England have 3 different Cups, 42 League matches and
    European matches for some. Hard to argue that the players couldn't use
    a few less. In Italy, Belgium, France, etc. for example, they have 34 
    League matches, a domestic Cup + Europe. 
    
    Tom

    Below find the Fixture List For Next Year, looks like we'll be getting
    an Early christmas present on 5th Dec :-)
    
    William    
    
    
             Manchester City Fixtures 1992/93
             ================================
    
    
    August 15th	   Q.P.R.		     (H)
           18th	   Middlesbro		     (A)
           22nd    Blackburn		     (A)
           26th	   Norwich		     (H)
           29th	   Oldham		     (H)
    Sept    1st	   Wimbledon		     (A)
            5th	   Sheffield Wednesday	     (A)
           17th	   Middlebro		     (H)
           19th	   Chelsea		     (H)
           26th	   Arsenal		     (A)
    Oct     3rd	   Notts Forest		     (H)
           17th	   Crystal Palace	     (A)
           24th    Southampton		     (H)
           31st	   Everton		     (A)
    Nov     7th	   Leeds Utd		     (H)
           21st	   Coventry		     (A)
           28th	   Spurs		     (H)
    Dec     5th	   Man Utd		     (A)
           12th	   Ipswich		     (A)
           19th	   Aston Villa		     (H)
           26th	   Sheffield Utd	     (H)
           28th	   Liverpool		     (A)
    Jan     9th	   Chelsea		     (A)
           16th	   Arsenal		     (H)
           26th    Oldham		     (A)
           30th    Blackburn		     (H)
    Feb     6th	   Q.P.R.		     (A)
           10th	   Sheffield Wednesday	     (H) 
           13th	   Wimbledon		     (H) 
           20th	   Norwich		     (A)
           27th	   Notts Forest		     (A)
    Mar     6th	   Crystal Palace	     (H)
           10th	   Coventry		     (H)
           13th	   Leeds Utd		     (A)
           20th	   Man Utd		     (H)
           23rd	   Spurs		     (A)
    Apr     3rd	   Ipswich		     (H)
           10th	   Sheffield Utd	     (A)
           13th	   Liverpool		     (H)
           17th	   Aston Villa		     (A)
    May     1st	   Southampton		     (A)
            8th	   Everton		     (H)
    
    

    A Correction From My Last Note, the First Game, Against Q.P.R. has now
    been moved to Mon 17th August.  This is due to it being Shown on SKY
    TV.
    William

Michael Hughes, one of City's few talents, has not
resigned and is likely to join Strasbourg.

    > one of City's few talents
    
    	Your jibes are getting a bit desperate Simon, oh and conratulations
    on United winning a Uefa cup place. However it would be a shame if
    Michael Hughes left Maine Road.
    
    
    	I heard a rumour that City had bought one of the Dutch EC squad,
    which one?
    
    	Thanks for the fixture list William,
    
    
    		Steve	

rep -1

The Dutch guy is Numan and he is the skipper of the Dutch U21 team.


T_

    
    Hiya
    
    Just to let you all know...we gubbed yeez 3-1 !
    
    SQFCSC
    
    

    
    	Saw the City game last night. Not to impressed with City, although
    I think they did enough to win. QPR look a tough team to beat, they
    play on the break and have some good footballers, Peacock and Wilson
    played really well last night. Cracking goal from Sinton too.
    
    	For City, the new players Holden and the Dutch guy looked a little
    lost at times, Fitzroy Simpson, Andy Hill and Ian Brightwell played
    well though.
    
    	Hopefully City charged Sky loads of dosh for the pathetic hype, 
    (maybe even enough to finish development on the Platt Lane stand!)
    However even Sky were upstaged by coverage of the American election 
    campaign afterwards. Vomit!
    
    			Steve

    Steve, 
    		What was the score ???
    
    
    Keith.

    
    	Sorry Keith, I hate it when that happens!
    
    
    	City 1 (1)	QPR 1 (0)
    	White		Sinton
    
    
    		Steve

    
    I think Andy Sinton is hoping to sign for Liverpool after the
    incredible dive he did when the Man City coloured midfielder was late
    into the challenge with him. The challenge looked bad but in slow
    motion I don't think he caught him. And Sinton recovered within a
    millisecond to get up and go for the player.. Then the next shot was
    Sinton back on the floor rolling about in agony clutching his leg..
    Disgraceful play acting and had the affect of getting the player
    booked. Andy should be ashamed of himself and actions should be taken
    by the FA or League or SKY or whoever governs the league now and such
    behaviour pointed out to the player with the hope of embarassing them
    into thinking twice about pulling such a stunt in the future..
    
    Gary..

    re -1
    
    Were you watching a different tackle to me, you get a tackle like
    that and you'll be clutching your leg aswell. Fitztroy Simpson
    ( who had an excellent game ) went in very late and high and 
    CONNECTED heavily and he knew it aswell afterwards. You're being
    very harsh on Sinton, imo he really felt that tackle.
    
    With regard to the game City have a very good midfield with 
    McMahon spraying passes to both wingers and also he knows how to
    get stuck in.. Simpson looks an excellent player.. of the wingers
    Holden looks a bit headless but he will set up some goals but
    White looks very good, he gave QPR's player of the year a tough
    time, and we all know he can score aswell. Up front Quinn is the 
    perfect target man, his touch and vision are good... surely Lake 
    is a boost and will come good during season... They look solid
    enough in defence.. the only problem is have they got a squad???
    I don't think so....
    
    Here's wishing ye luck!
    
    The new kid.

    
    Yep your probably right, but the thing that annoyed me is that Sinton
    got up straight away as if to have a go at Fitztroy Simpson and then
    after a bit of argy bargy he was down on the floor again as if his leg
    was broken.. It couldn't have hurt as much as he made out or he
    wouldn't have got up in the 1st place.. 
    My point is that if he was ok to get up to face up to Simpson then why
    did he have to go back onto the floor again rolling in agony, it
    doesn't seem to make sense to me.. The only explanation is that he
    wanted to make sure Simpson was booked.. Hardly professional, after all
    as you said Simpson recognised that he was late and the tackle looked
    bad & immediately went to apologize to Sinton.
    And I still think incidents like these should be used into embarrassing 
    the players into thinking twice about doing it again...
    
    Why can't they all be like Gary Lineker........Honest players..
    
    Gary..                                       

>   was broken.. It couldn't have hurt as much as he made out or he
>   wouldn't have got up in the 1st place..
    
    Gary, I can't really agree with you on that score. I broke my leg and
    ankle earlier this year. When I first went down (I tripped over), I jumped 
    straight back up only to find that within 15 seconds I was in agony.
    So, if it an happen to me it can happen to anyone.
    
    Tim

    
    Tim, it would have taken you over 15 seconds to get up from any fall..
    
    You probably thought you had got back up when you saw your mates at
    the same level as you, but they were on your level because they were
    all on their backs laughing..
    
    Gary..

    
    Ayresome Park, not City's favorite hunting ground!

    
    	Why what happened to him?
    
    
    		Steve

    
    Paul Lake got a knee injury again - the same knee that kept him out for
    a year - Peter Reid was interviewed on the box last night and he was
    fuming about City's performance.
    
    Paul

    does anybody know what Quinn did

    He threw a punch at Paul Wilkinson

    
    	OH NO! How serious is the Lake injury? 

    
    They sounded 'concerned' on the box this morning, but he's got to have
    tests to know the full extent of the injury - the fact that it is the
    same knee as last time makes it sound like bad news.
    
    Paul

    Man City 3  Norwich 1
    White 2,       ??
    McMahon.
    
    City are beginning to find form with new signing Phelan supposedly
    had a great game. I heard a short report on the radio it also said
    that Quinn played well. I think that White partnered him up front
    his best position. It's good to see him taking off where he finshed 
    last season. Simpson is continuing to impress in the middle, I predict
    him to win player of the year this year for City.
    
    Any opinions on signing of Phelan ?? It was a lot of money for a full
    back, Wimbledon really pushed up the price. I think he will get a lot
    of crosses in for Quinn and will be good attacking, I'm not so conviced
    about his defending.... Only time will tell...
    
    c

    
    
    Just a note to say how sad it is to see Paul Lake the Manchester City
    defender maybe having to quit the game at the ripe old age of 23 !!
    
    Paul suffered a very bad knee injury(shattered the cruciate ligaments),
    two years ago. He was at his prime and was sure to succeed into the
    England squad, and valued at over 2 million. 
    
    Paul has battled back to near full fitness only to be struck down with
    bad luck again. Against Middlesbrough he stubbed his foot on the long
    grass, this damaged some lateral ligaments in the same leg. This
    combined with his previous injury has resulted in some very weak bone
    structuring around his knee. Seemingly in the US there is an operation
    which replaces these bones with carbon, and is something which has proved
    successful as with John Salako of Crystal Palace proves.
    
    So here's hoping.
    
    Mac (a Utd fan)
    
    Having met Paul a few times socially I am sure he will succeed. So good
    luck to him. 

re         <<< Note 36.121 by WOTVAX::MACDONALDI "Stalybridge Celtic" >>>
                                 -< PAUL LAKE >-

    
    
    I hope his career isn't over, because he is a very good player, and
    probably has ambitions to be on the Palace books ( not).

    Stuart


    BTW I met Ian Rush once, he didnt much like it when I called him big nose.

    
    
    Could someone please post a fixture list for the remaining games?
    
    
    
    ta.
    
    

    Great result Saturday away from home against a good side without Quinn.
    White is really banging in the goals now he'll surely be playing for 
    England midweek. The 3 strikers in contention each got 2 goals....
    White, Shearer and Wright. There is a battle on.
    
    Anyone at the game Saturday\
    

    
    re: City v Sheff Wed
    
    Did anyone see the ridiculous first goal of City's.!!!!  A City foward
    shoots from just outside the 6 yard box, Woods saves superbly, but the
    ball bounces down to his defenders feet, which in turn knock the ball
    back to Woods. The referee awards a free kick!! amazing, even the City
    players had turned away as if to play on????
    
    So the scenario is that 11 players are on the goal line 6 yards away,
    what about the rule that players must be 10 yards back, City attackers
    dummying to fool the defence/keeper. Woods hurtles out to try to save,
    only for the ref to book him. In the end the kick is taken and White
    scores, to boos from the home supporters. Could the new ruling signify
    that it is a penalty if the back pass is made in the box????
    
    seems that this back pass rule still needs to be sorted out a bit. i.e.
    when is a back pass not a back pass.
    
    mac

    According to MOTD commentaters (Lineker and Hansen) the rule is that
    the free-kick should have been taken from where the keeper picked it up
    (i.e. almost on the goal-line) and not from where the pass originated,
    as it's the keeper that commits the offence.  
    
    Strange rule this!

    
    There is a rule that if a free-kick is nearer to the goal line than 10
    yards (9m 15cm) a defender can stand on the goal line (would be rather
    ridiculous to defend your goal *behind* the line). Another recent
    (4-5 years ago) change in the rules states that a free-kick will be
    moved outside the goal area if the offence is committed inside it.
    
    None of the above rules have to my knowledge been affected by the new
    back-pass rule. I agree that it needs some sorting out, but on the
    whole it looks hopeful that it does give some advantage to teams who
    like to play attacking football.
    
    cheers,
    
    	Stefan
    
     

    One rule that has always been around is :
    
    From a free kick you cannot move the ball towards the goal from where
    the free should be taken from but you can move it away from the goals.

    
    newsflash.......
    
    
    	Manchester City 0 - Middlesbrough 1
    			    Flitcroft o.g.
    
    Full time.
    Bill

Anyone in Galway want my copy of the fanzine King of the Kippax. I bought it 
by mistake on Friday. It free to the first caller who admits to being a City
supporter.


                           James. 

    How is Michel Vonk doing at Manchester City ?
    
    I read an article the other day in VI (voetbal international) about 
    Michel Vonk, he said he was doing great in the premiar League.
    They even called him "the flying dutch men" he said.
    Is he playing that well ?
    Because I read all notes in this conference, but there was not much
    mentioned about Michel Vonk.
    
    What is true about the rumor that City wants to buy the dutch striker 
    Eric Viscaal from AA Gent (Belgium)?
    I think he is an excellent player, he has played for the national team
    a few times.
    He is very good with the ball on the ground, but he is not a big header
    specialist.
    So I hope when he is tranferred, that he's not bought to score 15 goals
    with his head !!
    However he is capeble to score them with his feet! 
    
    Jeroen.
    

rep -1

Vonk seems to be doing very well but he has an injurie.

Viscaal is off, the manager of City doesn't think he will do good
in the English league.

T_

    
    There was talk that Viscaal would be joining Newcastle. I don't suppose
    there was any truth in it.
    
    Tim

    	
    	City could have scored more but for Francis who had an excellent
    game and the Reading captain whose name escapes me. In the first half 
    City were much the better team, not repeating the mistake of the first 
    game by underestimating the opposition. Sheron scored almost a copy of 
    one of the four City hammered past Chelsea at the weekend, and Holden 
    scored the second beating 4 defenders who never really tried to get a 
    tackle in, (he would never have got that much space against a good 
    defense).
    
    	In the second half Reading played well for 15 minutes causing City
    many problems through Lambert and especially Gilkes who beat Flitcroft
    all ends up 2 or 3 times. Flitcroft then got moved to midfield and
    Curle stopped the threat of Gilkes. During this period Reading deserved
    a goal.
    
    	City then scored the best of the four, Flitcroft played a ball to
    Sheron on the edge of the box, Sheron bided his time then played a
    lovely return ball through the defenders legs for Flitcroft to crack
    passed the unlucky Francis. Quinn, who had missed several good chances
    already, added a fourth 10 minutes later. 
    
    	After that Francis who had already scrambled two of the line and
    made an outstanding save in the first half to foil Quinn, made his best
    save of the night from a White header. 
    
    		Your armchair reporter....

    
    While flicking through an old King of the Kippax last night I cam
    eacross this.  It's a bit out of date but thought some City fans might
    appreciate it anyway.
    
    The Greatest Club in the World
    
    Milan bought Marco VanBasten and won the European Cup in 1989
    Napoli bought Diego Maradona and won the Italian league in 1989
    Real Madrid bought Hugo Sanchez and won the Spanish League in 1989
    
    
    
    Manchester United bought Ralph Milne and won the English league in 1967.
    
    
    Gary.

    Quick defense: if anyone remembers the wonderful Dundee Utd team of
    the early 80's that included Gough, Hegarty, Narey, Bannon, Milne,
    Dodds and Sturrock you will know how good a player Ralph Milne
    once was.  A.Ferguson obviously remembered him from those days too ...
    
    End of defense.
    
    Ray

    City 2 Barnsley 0. Anyone got the draw for the next round?
    

    
    	Shades of last year. Knocked out of both cups by the same team!
    We have already lost twice 1-0, at home to Spurs this year. Hopefully
    City will put this right.
    
    	In reply to the Arsenal note. God save us from a Spurs Arsenal 
    final. :-(
    
    		

Why this sudden burst of activity in the City note? Who is this Haigh
character? Not the one from bygone days, is it?

    Re .140,
    
    Also please save us from an all-Sheffield final - cos that'll mean Roy
    Hattersley, lots of Hovis ads, cloths caps, ferrets and endless reruns
    of Last of the Summer wine (:==:)
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    re.143
    
    
    And WHAT (might I ask) is wrong with that?   :^)
    
    Al.

    
    Steve,
    
    	Good result againt the Forest on Saturday... pity about Sheff Wed,
    should have had a penalty.
    
    Not a bad season so far, no chance of the league, maybe Europe??? 
    
    Should beat the 'spuds' on Sunday no problem, with White and Flitcroft
    haring around...
    
    I'll go for City to win 2-0.. Maybe 6 !!!
    
    mac
    

    
    	Oh no! We weren't robbed against Wednesday were we? Mind you they
    have been playing well of late. Can't make it over at the weekend
    unfortunately, however Alan 'Honda Buzzz' Wilcockson is back and
    recording it for me. I WILL not be watching it if the wrong'uns win!
    
    	Are you married yet Mac? ;-)
    
    
    		Steve

    re -1
    
    > are you married yet Mac? ;-)
    
    yes ! :-|
    
    I see you still have a job!!! :-)
    
    mac

    
    	What days are the � final games? And which games are on what 
    channels? I know the City game is live on BBC on Sunday. Do Sky have
    games on SUnday and Monday?
    

    
    
    
                        Please keep off the grass!!!!!
    
    
    
    

    
    
                  And off the pitch!!! (-:

    
    
    	Losing once a season to Spurs is bad, losing twice ludicrous 
    
    	Losing 4 times is ________
    
    	I don't know a word for this. Something is SERIOUSLY wrong. 
    
    

    
    Re-1
    
    Nothing is wrong....we are just better than you, thats all.
    
    Dave...

    
    	Bogey team is a closer guess....

    
    better than you is closer to the truth tho' Steve.
    
    Paul

    It looks as if those red B********S are going to win the League. Life
    will be unbearable in Manchester for the next 12 months. Our only hope
    is if we get rid of that idiot Peter Reid and his master tactician Sam
    Ellis. Come back Malcolm Allison !

    When was life ever bearable for a City fan? 17 years ago?
    
    I heard Swales this am on the radio moaning about the fans having yet
    another go at him & Reid & the team, especially Curle. Swales must have
    the thickest skin ever...

>    When was life ever bearable for a City fan? 17 years ago?
    
    	Always. Although the moaning from Old T does become a bit unbearable
    sometimes.
    
    	Re .155, not a Peter Reid fan then I gather? 

    
    	re last....
    
    	8-) 8-)

I read on Ceefax last night that the former City, Arsenal, and Charlton
player Tommy Caton had died of a heart-attack at the age of 30.
He had to retire from the game 2 years ago due to an injury.
May he rest in peace.

�@

    He also played for Oxford.  Very sad - a fit man like this dying at the
    age of 30 from a heart attack.....
    
    		Brian

    
    	Is there some sort of agreement between teams approaching the last
    game of the season, who have nothing to for?
    
    	2-5, 3-3, 4-2, 6-2, 3-3
    
    	What do they do leave the goalkeepers on the bench? Still, I think
    it's quite a laugh unless your team happens to be on the wrong end of a
    5-2 home stuffing! It's a fair reflection on Citys home form this year!
    
    	Won 7 Drawn 9 Lost 6.   Oh dear oh dear!
    
    	Role on August, it can surely, only get better! 

Gary Flitcroft, him of the pudding basin haircut, has been named City Player of
the year ahead of big (waste of money) buys like Phelan and Curle.

    
    	City seem to have been very quiet over the close season. The only
    dabble in the transfer market that I heard about was a failed attempt
    to sign Geoff Thomas, I'm not particularly dissapointed that it fell
    through. Does anybody know any different?
    
    	Any news on the injuries to Paul Lake, Ian Brightwell and Andy
    Hill?
    
    	Anybody got a fixture list?
    
    
    			Steve

    No one wants to go to Maine Road. Thomas then Townsend refused. City
    have offered 500,000 for some Blackpool player; Blackpool didn't even
    reply.
    
    City have sold their Norwegion, can't rmember his name but starts with
    a K, back to whence he came; some argument about him have a knee
    problem that the was known by his club before City bought him.
    
    City have paid 500,000 for some one from Ajax.
    
    Thought Andy Hill had gone -- on a free?

    >  Thomas then Townsend refused.
    
    	Personally I'm glad. Though we do need a constructive midfield
    player.
    
    > City have sold their Norwegion,
    
    	Do you mean Ingebritson? (I think.)
    
    	Despite the initial comment, thanks for the effort. :^|
    
    
    		Steve

    Yes, I mean 'Ingebritson' (told you it started with a K!)

    His name is actually Ingebriktsen (or Ingebrigtsen).
    So it does start with a K. Sooner or later. ;^)
    The reason they sold him (back) was that he went home to
    play for Norway while resting his injured knee for City.
    
                                                           

    
    i`m going to be in the manchester area over the next week (2 aug - 8
    aug) and i was hoping to take in a match 

    
    	Alternatively I believe Stockport reserves have a game.

Could someone tell me whether Mike Sheron plays in midfield or up front

Cheers

Al

Fantasy football

Some people have in midfield some up-front

Al

    
    Peter Reid Sacked this morning.
    
    Dave...

    
    
    WOW !!!
    
    Let's hope Howard Kendall offers him a job.
    
    There'll be some p*ssed off people in Manchester. I wonder if Swales
    will finally go aswell.
    
    Paul

It's Swales that should go, he could'nt run a market stall. He has stopped
Reid buying players all summer by not putting money up front.
If Reid has been sacked, then the City supporters will be after Swales's blood.
He a laughing stock, and he holds one of the highest positions in english
football. No wonder they picked Graham Taylor with him involved.

�@

Although a United fan I have long thought Swales has been
the reason City haven't fared as well as they deserve to.
Think of the managers he has hired and fired. If he had
any honour he should have resigned by now. (Mind you I
was thinking the same about Edwards not so long ago!)

Reid is a good manager I am sorry to hear he has been sacked.
I hope it isn't true.

Julian

    
    	I agree with the last 2 notes. Swales is a git of the first order. 
    I said to a United fan the other day, Reid will be gone after 10 games if 
    we're not in the top half, I never though he'd sack him so soon. 4 games? 
    That's ridiculous. He did this to Malcolm Allison in 1981, bought in John 
    Bond and we spent 4 of the next 7 years in the second division.
    
    	I predict we will now try (and fail) to get Joe Royle again, and
    spend about 2 months without a manager. I don't blame people for not
    wanting to go to Maine Road with Swales in charge, AND Freddie Pye as
    number 2. (Did anyone hear about his pathetic out burst about Andy
    Townshend?)
    
    	Who is caretaker? Tony Book?
    
    	Depressed but not entirely surprised
    
    		Steve

Afraid you're right Steve - Book's back in as caretaker.

grahame

    According to 17:30 news, a gang of protester shouting 'Swales Out' was
    stopped from entering Maine Road!
    
    Joe Royle & Steve Coppell have been mentioned as possibles!
    
    

	I saw a 'report' on Sky last night. It seems Swales has appointed a new
general manager, can't remember his name. His first action was to sack Peter
Reid. He called it 'part of his long term strategy'. 

	So let's get this straight, Peter Reid a man who WANTED the job, 
after several other peole had turned it down, spent 2� years in charge (I
think) - O.K. with no real success, has been fired by a middle management
figure who has been on the job for a couple of weeks, who probably has little
idea about football in general and certainly has virtually none about the club
in particular! 

	Swales has done it again. No wonder he's in charge of England, this is
a classic piece of British management strategy at it's pathetic best.

	Peter Reid was trying to hide it, but he couldn't completely conceal
his dissappointment.

    
    The 'unknown' man was interviewed on radio 4 this morning, and promises
    to have announced the new manager within two days.  He seemed like a
    decent enough guy, and seems to have been around football for a long
    time.  He made the 'recomendation' to Swales that Reid go.  He was 'on
    the road' whilst being interviewed by car phone, on the way to speak to
    the Chairman of a club about his Manager!
    
    The new manager will NOT be announced until after City's next game.
    
    Ian

City have pulled off a major coup and appointed one of the greatest club 
managers of our time. Yes Brian (no not Clough) Horton is the new Manager
of Man City. Brian who you might ask. The man says that in his nine years in
management he got Hull promoted and tept Oxford afloat. He reckons his track
record is fine. Mr Maddock says "Brian has done a magnificent job at Oxford.
He has has to sell to survive and has bought wisely. He kept Oxford alive and
in the First Division, thats a magnificent achievement".
It looks like he will suit City down to the ground, because if they keep going
the way they are, they will be in the First Division next season.
It also transpires that Horton is one of Maddocks best mates for the last 
20 years. Jobs for the Boys.

�@

    If the first prize in a raffle is a weekend in Coventry, you can be
    sure that  second prize is two weeks in the same place! Similarly when
    offered a free  entry to Maine Road last Friday, I was glad it wasn't a
    season ticket!

    Still I did expect to see 'tub of lard' Micky Quin and to watch the
    club that's  had more managers than an Essex secretary. I was to be
    disappointed to find out  that the Spurs fans' hat-trick hero wasn't
    playing (don't know why). The city  supporters seemed to be
    surprisingly relieved at this as the were all chanting  's whale's out'
    in clear relief of news of the now lightweight Coventry attack,  but I
    then realised that they were referring to a small disagreement with the 
    chairman. This also explained why on the way in we'd seen an obviously 
    disheartened supporter nailing his season ticket to the door of the
    director's  entrance.

    After recent trips to St James Park, Old Trafford and the Sahara
    Dessert, Maine   Road looked rather empty. As is fashionable, the
    ground has different colour  seats to spell out MCFC, but as is not
    fashionable, it was still possible to  see this when the game had
    started. 

    David White was attacking down the right hand flank and Coventry put a
    small,  young lad (sorry but my programme was confiscated and I just
    don't know the  players names) on him, who very effectively marked
    White.

    I'm afraid that city played the sort of football that belongs very much
    in the  first (new) division. The strategy consisted of winning the
    ball in midfield,  passing it across the park for a few minutes and
    then hitting it back to Coton  (the goalie!) who would bang it upfield
    hoping to find Nial Quinn. Coventry  played the ball along the ground
    at the back and in midfield, before emulating  city with a hopeful belt
    upfield.

    On something like the 20th time (I kid you not) a Coventry forward (17,
    whoever  that is) nipped in to take the ball and sidefoot it to the
    right of the  advancing Coton and the wrong side of post.

    Then, just before half time city kept the ball on he ground and a quick
    one two  split the Coventry defence to be followed by a delightful lob
    over the keeper  from 20 yards. That's how it should be done!

    Half time and Tony Book was looking like he might be one of the few
    managers  who leave the club after a 100% win record.

    At the start of the second half David White changed sides and soon
    dropped back  to defensive mid-field. City had decided to settle for
    the three points without   playing too much more. 

    Phelan was in a class of his own. Unfortunately that was his problem as
    he was  moving at at least twice the speed of everyone else. He really
    did look like  Billy Whiz, but none of the other players could put a
    pass to where he was  going, or get themselves into a position to
    receive the ball from where he'd  got to. When the best forward on your
    side is a full back, you've got a few  things to sort out.

    Flitcroft (sp) looked very much a class player. He took the ball,
    controlled it  well and looked where he should play it next. 

    Coventry began to attack city's left flank. They were beginning to get
    behind  the city defence and it looked like they might make something
    from there. The  best move however came through the middle and a
    scorching drive was dipping  into the net until Coton tipped it onto
    the bar. Great move, great shot, great  'keeping.

    Finally with less than five minutes to go City were home and dry. At
    least they  should have been until a very slow McMahon held the ball
    for a few seconds too  long and Wergele pounced. He took the ball into
    the area and fired it past the  diving keeper. Justice for McMahon and
    injustice for Coton.

    In the end a draw was a fair result. In truth neither team deserved to
    win.  Star players were Flitcroft and Coton for man city (Phelan is
    simply too good)  and Wergele for Coventry (he only needs to do one
    thing, but has to get it  right)

    We paid a visit to the directors entrance after the game to look for
    the season  ticket. As expected someone had stolen the nail (joke first
    used about  Corinthians 1878). There was a crowd outside shouting 'Sack
    the board, sack the  board, sack the boar--oard). The entrance to Maine
    Road has got a look of St  James park about it so I closed my eyes and
    reminisced about times past. Any  city fans take note: from this point
    on it takes about 20 years to get the  board out........and then you
    have to find a Messiah!

Peter

    
    	Yes well, thanks for that Peter. I think!
    
    	Sad reflection on the current state of affairs, but I can well
    imagine that many City fans stayed away 'with intent' on Friday.
    	
    	I heard the new man on the radio the other day. Sounded reasonably
    intelligent. (So he's one up on the Salford Rags already :-) )
    
    	

    Having seen & heard Maddox over the last few days, City have got
    themselves the most obnoxious hachet man I've ever known. 
    
    Peter Reid's biggest mistake was employing Sam Ellis, him of cultured
    football fame, as his no.2. Ellis was not liked by the City players and
    caused a lot of dressing room discontent.
    
    Will Niall Quinn go? Everton have renewed their interest.
    

    
    	Sam Ellis was not much liked by the fans either. 
    
    	Haven't heard/read much about this Maddox, so I can't realy
    comment.
    
    		

    
    Steve,
    
    I totally agree with Simon's opinion - Maddox is an obnoxious
    ex-gutterpress journalist, Sunday People I think .He seems to view
    everyone (especially the City supporters) the same way as he would any
    of the victims of a Sunday Peole exposure - ie couldn't give a **** who
    he stitches up.... and he's fatter than Francis Lee..
    
    Hopefully Niall Quinn will realise this and sign immediatly for
    Everton.... :-)
    
    Paul

    > Maddox is an obnoxious ex-gutterpress journalist
    
    	Oh my God!
    
    > and he's fatter than Francis Lee..
    
    	Oh MY GOD! 
    
    > Hopefully Niall Quinn will realise this and sign immediatly for Everton
    
    	Is this an attempt to double the average height of the Toffees? 
    
    

    Things to get depressed about:
    
    Peter Swales holding a prominent and influential position 
    within English national football.
    
    barry.

    This morning's radio stated that little fat Franny Lee is to stage an 8m
    bid to take over City with the aim of getting rid of Swales and buying
    some good players.

    
    Given Frannys current business interests, I can't think of anybody better
    equipped to clean up after Mr Swales ;-)
                 

    
    	Re last, nice one! :-|
    
    	Apparently he's in the "Paper recyling" business. Still anyone is
    better than Swales.

    
    Why doesn't Terry Venables buy out Swales ????
    
    I would have said that Swales would want more than the 8 million offerd
    by Franny
    
    
    Me who only found out yesterday about Reid. 
    
    It is a bad way to go, as so many people I know say. It is not the
    managers fault but the board backing him. Swales should go, he should
    have gone years ago.
    
    mac
    mac

    
    	So how serious is Francis Lee about all this? 
    
    	I think 8 million won't be enough, but I hope Swales takes the
    money and runs, (straight under the nearest bus with any luck - Only
    jesting of course).

    
    	Surely Franny is just a name for the fans to get emotional about.
    
    	Whoever is putting up the real money for him (I suspect bog-roll
        and Race-horses don't exactly give him a Jack Walker sized wallet)     
    	only needs to provide enough to prize Joe Royle away from Oldham
        and the banana bunch will be happy again.
    
    	Andy

    >         Surely Franny is just a name for the fans to get emotional about.
    
    
    	Not really, just like all the Totteringham fans knew Venables cared
    about the club, I think City fans would be glad to see someone who
    spent many successful years at the club back again.
    
    > Whoever is putting up the real money for him (I suspect bog-roll
    > and Race-horses don't exactly give him a Jack Walker sized wallet)
    
    
    	Well he made millions from the 'bog roll' thing alone. As for Race
    horses? Are you serious? Theres more money in racing than there ever
    was in football!

    
    	I watched some of the U-21 game last night. Although England lost
    2-1 I think there are some good players coming through. And the Polish
    keeper played a blinder.
    
    	The keeper from Spurs looked quite good, despite being beaten twice. 
    Cox and the captain played well at the back. Cole and Sutton looked
    good up front, McManaman was awful but he's a better played than that I
    suspect, Anderton likewise. Redknapp played well in bursts,
    
    	Anyway the reason why this is in this topic is Gary Flitcroft. I think 
    he looks a great prospect, very strong and mature for his age, and I
    reckon with todays inflated prices, at least a � of Francis Lees 8 million
    might be needed for him alone! Sheron also came on for England,
    (replcaing Anderton), but apart from drawing the umpteenth save from
    the Polish keeper with his first kick off the game, didn't really get
    into the match that much.

    
    >Cox and the captain played well at the back.
    
    Sorry, can't agree with you about Cox. He was at fault for both their
    goals and could have given away another penalty. He was rather rash
    last night, but I suspect he's not always so.
    
    Tim

    
    I agree with the last note, I thought Cox had a bit of a mare last
    night.
    
    I find it hard to understand why big Laurie changed the tactics that
    had seen England unbeaten in ten games. Although they dominated the
    game the didnt look that much of a threat imo, but having seen the
    previuos U21 games on SKY, they can play much better.
    
    Andy Cole is getting better and better, despite not scoring last night.
    I get the feeling it wont be long before he is knocking on the door for
    a full international cap.
    
    Darren Anderton didnt play well last night.
    
    Dave...

>    I find it hard to understand why big Laurie changed the tactics that
>    had seen England unbeaten in ten games. 
    
    He has obviously been spending too much time with Graham Taylor !
    
    Terry
    

    
    	Ah! Maybe I'm getting Cox mixed up with the left back? 

    
    	Good job you didn't get your words mixed up there, Steve 8-)
    
    	As a United supporter (ie totally impartial to all goings-on at
    	the sleazy part of Manchester) I think a Francis Lee-backed
    	take-over package would be disastrous. 
    
    	After all, it would herald the removal of that piller of rectitude 
    	Peter Swales form City's board, a banner to unite the supporters under, 
    	and possibly a return to the push and move idealogy of the late 
    	sixties that made City one of the worst footballing sides in Europe ;-)
    
        I say long live Swales, for the good of football....
    
    	Andy.

        MANCHESTER, England (UPI) -- Peter Swales announced Friday that he was
ready to stand down as chairman of trouble-torn Premier League soccer
Manchester City.
        He said he he would be happy to quit next week ``if the right offer
came and it was right for the club''.
        The move paves the way for former England and City striker Francis
Lee to take control at Maine Road.
        Lee said earlier this week that a consortium he heads was ready to
invest millions in City in return for a seat on the board.
        Interviewed on BBC Radio, Swales said: ``I would love to keep going,
but I realize it is probably time for someone else to have a go.
        ``We have just said if we can get the right deal we will do it. I am
sure if we get the right deal it will suit the shareholders. Time
marches on, doesn't it?
        ``The only thing that will delay some kind of a new regime is people
causing disturbances and rioting, because that won't help proceedings.
It won't help us to come to a proper decision quickly.''
        This was a reference to the demonstrations staged by City's success-
starved supporters following the acrimonious dismissal of manager Peter
Reid last month.
        Swales, chairman for 20 years, put a value of ``about 15 million
pounds'' (dlrs 22.5million) on the club and blamed ``a bit of bad luck''
for City's lean run during his time in charge.
        His comments came a day after his partner Stephen Boler said he would
consider selling his 30 per cent shareholding in the club -- but not
without Swales's permission. Together Swales and Boler own around 68 per
cent of City, with brewers Greenall Whitley holding 20 per cent.
        It was a marked change of mood by the chairman following his
statement earlier this week that he had ``no intention of selling my
shareholding''.
       
        Swales, the son of a fishmonger, is also chairman of the Football
Association's international committee and is the man who presided over
the selection of Graham Taylor as England manager.
        He has resisted attempts to remove him from the Maine Road board in
the past, but it has become clear that Lee's intervention provided much
greater pressure on him to step aside.
        Lee, 49, became a cult figure at Maine Road when he made 248
appearances for City between 1967 and 1973.

        After leaving the game in 1975 he became a millionaire through
developing a paper business. He has since become involved in various
other businesses and is also a racehorse trainer with a string of horses
at Wilmslow, Cheshire.
        He said earlier this week that his offer to put substantial funds
into the club in return for a seat on the board was ``not a takeover bid
or a hostile intervention''.
        Lee said he was asking for a mandate from supporters and shareholders
to put him on the board.

                                                                 -dave-

��and blamed ``a bit of bad luck''for City's lean run during his time in charge.

Another classic quote from Mr Swales.

    re .204
    
>>        ``The only thing that will delay some kind of a new regime is people
>>causing disturbances and rioting, because that won't help proceedings.
>>It won't help us to come to a proper decision quickly.''
    
    Somehow I suspect this announcement has something to do with the
    planned protests at tomorrows game............
    
    Paul

    All this fuss about a minor side from across town. City talk about
    getting back to the great club they once were. Apart from 4-5 years in
    the late 60's City have never done anything.

Swales was interviewed on MOTD on saturday night. He said that they had 
a offer from someone (not frannie lee) aand were considering it. He said that
if the new man took over he hoped that he would win a few more trophies then
he did. Well that would'nt be hard as he won only one. He's some Bulls***ter.

�@

According to this mornings papers Frannie's got the dosh
to make his bid today!

I must say it's quite a shock to see City in the papers
& notes being entered in the City note (even this one!).

Can't wait for the derby in November!

Si

    
    Acording to local radio this morning, Franny Lee is to make a 12
    million pund offer for Man City.
    
    This is about 3/4 million short of what Swales was asking....
    
    Will he accept???
    
    It seems that Swales has that many shares that he would be guaranteed 7
    million whatever the final figure....
    
    There is a police guard around Peter Swales house in the Altrincham
    area due to the fact that leaflets went round the ground on Saturday
    giving away his address and a map on how to get there!!!!
    
    mac

    
    > All this fuss about a minor side from across town. City talk about
    > getting back to the great club they once were. Apart from 4-5 years in
    > the late 60's City have never done anything.
    
    
    	Oh my God! Typical Stretford short memory stuff.
    
    
    > Can't wait for the derby in November!
    
    	Neither can I. 
    
    
    	I hope Swales does go, but it was REALLY stupid to give his address
    in the Fanzine or where-ever it was. Swales obviously loves the club,
    he simply is not good for it.
    
    	Good win for City on Saturday, although it looked to me (from SKY
    highlights) as though 3-0 was a little flattering, Ferdinand was 
    brilliant again and only a couple of superb saves from Coton kept 
    Rangers out. 
    

<<< Note 36.211 by ECCGY4::HAIGH "If voting ever solved anything, they'd ban it." >>>

    
    > All this fuss about a minor side from across town. City talk about
    > getting back to the great club they once were. Apart from 4-5 years in
    > the late 60's City have never done anything.
    
    
    >>	Oh my God! Typical Stretford short memory stuff.
    
    Oh? Where did my memory deceive me?
    
                                       

    City have bought Alan Kernighan (sp?) of Middlesborough for 1.5M. Can't
    understand why City have gone for a centre half. Is Curle going
    somewhere?  

    
    >     Oh? Where did my memory deceive me?
    
    	For 25 years sunshine.

    
    	Wimbledon 1 City 0.
    
    
    		Oh dear! The sky jinx continues! City were woeful! To be
    honest some of the players looked a bit scared of Wimbledons ferocity 
    in the challenge. Simpson and Groenendijk especially. 
    
    		The defense was terrible, but that is slightly
    understandable with two debutants and a make-shift left back. 
    
    		Malcolm Allison was laying into Swales after the game,
    before he was trying to be polite, but after? "Give him his 200,000
    quid back and get rid of him." "He's not wanted at the club, he's a
    jinx", then the old chestnut of Steve Daley came up again. Allison said
    again that it was Swales who bought Daley while City were playing an
    away game at Soton, and for 900,000 than Allison wanted to pay.
    
    		Malcolm reckons Francis Lee is the man for the job. He also
    thinks Horton should stay and Maddox should go.
    
    
    			Steve

<<< Note 36.214 by ECCGY4::HAIGH "If voting ever solved anything, they'd ban it." >>>
    
�>>�    	For 25 years sunshine.

Spot on, It's exactly 25 years since City won the league :-)

    
    
    12? 
    
    	Does that include charity shields and such like.

COCA COLA  2nd Round 1st leg


Man City 1  Reading 1

	City were lucky not to lose to mighty Reading, who are probably the 
strongest team in Div.2.

	Same result as the F.A Cup last year, but Reading are a much better 
team than then, and won't slip up in the 2nd leg.

	Bye Bye City.

    
    Most of that may be true, but 
    
    	> Reading, who are probably the strongest team in Div.2.
    
    
    	is most certainly wrong. Stockport County. Need I say more?
    
    
    

This isn't some low quality joke about "holding up the rest of the division" is
it?

8-) ?

Mike

Horton is supposedly after some star forward today; it isn't Mark Stein
but maybe someone called Andy Peyton (spelling?) from Celtic.

Andy who? Big a name as Horton!

All I remember about Andy Payton is that he used to play for Hull City a couple
of seasons ago and scored a lot of goals for them. He looked pretty good, if
it's the same guy. I doubt he'll set the Premiership alight though.

Mike

    
    
    Andy Payton moved to Celtic from Middlesbrough, in a swap deal for
    Republic of Ireland full back Chris Morris. Rumor has it that he
    wants to move back to England due to having problems with his
    marrage.
    Although he hasn't started too many games for Celtic, he has quite
    a good scoring record when he's playing.
    Liam Brady has stated in the papers up hear that Payton is not for
    sale, but I reckon he would let him go if the price was right.
    
    				Colm.
    
    
    

    
    	Re Stockport. Most certainly not Mr Fowler. Stockport are currently
    running away with the Second division!
    
    	

    
    	Better remind yourself where County play, Steve....your lot'll
    	be playing them twice next season - and I don't mean in the 2nd
    	round of the league cup either ! 8-)
             
    	Andy.

    
    Re .218
    
    >   Same result as the F.A Cup last year, but Reading are a much better
    >team than then, and won't slip up in the 2nd leg.
    
    >        Bye Bye City.
    
    
    	Ooops! Looks like City didn't slip up at Reading after all!
    (Although having seen the way City played against Oldham last Monday
    I'm rather surprised!)
    
    	It appears that Reading were so upset by the defeat that they have
    resorted to playing tennis instead. Although they only played one set.

Rick Holden has gone back to Oldham for 450,000.

�@

    Where are all the City fans?
    
    John Maddox, the obnoxious rotweiller brought in by Swales to sack reid
    & Ellis, has fallen on his own sword. As Swales has resigned from the
    chairmanship, Maddox realised no-one would support him now, so he has
    also resigned.

    
    
    re: .last 
    
    > Where are all the City fans?
    
	Both of them are sick today :-)
    
    Peter(An Impartial Celt).

    Did Alfons Groenendijk play this week-end ?
    
    Jeroen..

    Is there anybody there!!!!
    
    Are Man City playing any of there pre season games in Scotland?
    If so could someone please list the games and dates.
    
    Craig.

    Can anybody tell me whether Niall Quinn is fit for this Season ?
    
    Ian.

    RE -1 (naill Quinn)
    
    From what I hear on the the local radio Quinn should be in the starting
    line up for the game away to the Arse.
    
    Played in the friendly last week at MR against Feyonoord(sp??) 
    
    Horton has now got sold and loaned  two of his recent signings:
    
    David Roecastle has joined Chelsea
    
    Alan Kernighan has joined Bolton on loan for about 3 months. This is
    due to the fact that the fans have been on his back since his 1.6
    million move from Middlesborough last year. This and the fact that he
    says that due to the abuse he himeself does not feel he has played as
    well as he can/should.
    
    
    I would have thought that with Franny Lee as chairman that money would
    have been made available, but alas no signings of any significance
    during the close season.. Can't say that City have much chance this
    season... they do have to buy
    
    mac 

    
    
    Fantasy football !!
    
    
    What is the status of Rosler ?

    It seems that Brian Horton thinks he is Brian Clough's natural
    successor. He's just bought some German chappie and admits that he's
    only seen him on video (didn't say which one tho'...). Apparently, he's
    a defender. He'll need  a good defence as it is alledged that he has
    criminal charges outstanding. Something to do with shoplifting I
    believe. 
    
    Stuart 

    Who ?

REP -1

Dunno his name but he is on loan, in Germany he had something to do with
stolen cars.

T_

    
    	I thought it was some involvement with organised car stealing and
    carries a maximum penalty of ten years in the pokey.
    
    	He makes Duncan Ferguson sound like a saint.
    

I think his name's Maurizio Guardino or something like that.

Mike

He also happens to be a midfielder and is indeed a dodgy customer with a nice 
line in used motors of the hot variety.  Feel more at home with Millwall.
There's a few dodgy dealers down the Old Kent Road :-)

He was also involved with 2 Nigerians in refusing to do extra training after a
bad result and has been (politely) asked to find other employment.

Maurizio Gaudino, of Eintracht Frankfurt, may play against Newcastle tonight.

g

Maurizio Gaudino (28 years old) has come to Manchester City for
loan for 500.000 German Mark since 30th of June,1995.

But after new proofs I don't believe he will play such a long time
in England, because the negotiation in his criminal cases will begin
as soon as possible.

He has made many frauds with car assurances.

Heribert

    Yep, I think the lad will definitley feel at home in Manchester. All he
    needs now is to expand his activities into drugs and he'll flying.
    Maybe I should put him in touch with the Merse;-)
    
    Stuart

    Gaudino has been accused to be part of a stolen car ring. But he is
    innocent until proved otherwise!
    
    /JF

    
    I can just see it now,after City`s next away game the team will leave
    the ground after their shower and someone will say.....
    
    "Where the f***s the bus?"
    
    Davie...

    
    
    I'm surprised that City managed to sign Gaudino after reading an
    article in Monday's Glasgow Herald that Bayern M�nchen were interested
    in him (perhaps our German noters could update us on that one).
    
    re.241  The other 2 guys involved in the extra training stint (or lack
    off) were Anthony Yeboah from Ghana (who I believe may have been the
    club captain and prolific goal scorer) and Okacha from Nigeria
    (not sure of the Christian name).
    
    
    Andy.

    It seems that no German club is really interested in Gaudino because he
    has to expect trial sooner or later. And if he actually proves guilty,
    it could be up to 3 years! So there is a big risk involved in buying
    him. Bayern M�nchen was and is interested in buying Yeboah. But they
    are not willing to pay the 12 Million Marks that Eintracht Frankfurt is
    asking. Today's paper said that Leeds is quite interested and may pay
    the requested amount. There are no news about the third Frankfurt Rebel
    Okocha. But - there are rumours that he may be paroled and return to
    the Frankfurt team.
    
    Margit
    
    
    Margit
    

Brian Horton has parted company with Man City. Heard at lunchtime.


Si

    
    	Courtesy of John Hussey's Guardian, City have sold Niall Quinn to
    Sporting Lisbon for around 2 million poonds. Surely this is their
    entire forward line ? (And Eire's too come to think of it.)
    
    	Also Gaudino(sp) is due in court soon in connection with his
    insurance fiddles in Germany and looks set for a spell of pokey.
    
    	Did City ever get a new manager ? Or is Francis Lee doing a Ron
    Noades ?
    
    Malc.
    

Quinn has not signed yet, and will make a final decision next week when himself
and his wife go to Libson.
Trevor Francis is linked with the City job in a report in the star.

�@

Looks like Niall Quinns move abroad is off!

Something to do with City having to pay an extra 300K or something
which was stipulated in his contract according to the local radio.


Si

This is a poor move by Man City, if you ask me. Even taking into consideration
the 300 grand, they'd still be getting 1.2 million for Quinn, which is a lot
more than they're likely to get from an English side.

Mike

>the 300 grand, they'd still be getting 1.2 million for Quinn, which is a lot
>more than they're likely to get from an English side.

>Mike
    
    Would'nt be so sure. After all, this is the country where the transfer
    market has become steadily more preposterous and the likes of Sutton
    and Collymore are considered to be worth more than George Weah, if only
    because they are English. 
    
    barry.

    >Would'nt be so sure. After all, this is the country where the transfer
    >market has become steadily more preposterous and the likes of Sutton
    >and Collymore are considered to be worth more than George Weah, if only
    >because they are English. 
    
    Show me a European country where that's not the case! Last year in
    Italy, the market price of Andrea Silenzi (Torino, 0 international
    caps) was considerably higher than that of Alen Boksic (then Marseille,
    twice in the running for the European footballer of the year award). Of
    course, the current location of a player has a lot to do with the price
    that he fetches on the transfer market.
    
    I doubt if many people rate Colleymore or Sutton higher than Weah at
    the moment; however, age is another important factor when determining
    the value of a player, and Weah ain't no spring chicken ;-)
    
    Dom 

    
    Yeah, it's a bit like the price of a pint....market forces are the
    overriding factor...how much is the price of a pint in the City of
    London compared to a little country pub in the Wirral.
                                           
    Dezzz.
    
    

    
    >  little country pub in the Wirral.
    
    does such a thing exist?!?! :-)
    
    ian.

    As a result of market forces (in this country) exagerrating Stan 
    Collymore's true worth, would'nt you feel inclined to go shopping 
    abroad and get better value for money? I'd be on the ferry back 
    from the continent with a couple or three more skillful,proven,
    young continentals loaded into the back of the van and still have 
    change from 8 million. :^)
    
    barry.  
     

>>>    As a result of market forces (in this country) exagerrating Stan 
>>>    Collymore's true worth, would'nt you feel inclined to go shopping 
>>>    abroad and get better value for money? I'd be on the ferry back 
>>>    from the continent with a couple or three more skillful,proven,
>>>    young continentals loaded into the back of the van and still have 
>>>    change from 8 million. :^)
>>>    
>>>    barry.  
     
I certainly would if I was Man City and had no realistic chance of ever getting
into European competition. 8-)

Mike

    The three foreigner rule may not be around much longer. I believe 
    the ruling is to be challenged in relation to the law concerning free 
    movement of labour within the community. Whether or not a club or a 
    group of clubs have the guts to take on UEFA in the European Courts 
    remains to be seen. Interesting scenario though.
    
    
    barry.  

    
    	My radio said that Alan Ball would be named as manager today. I
    take it that is now the case ?
    
    Malc.
    

It is indeed.  Plus, Luton have got some gullible dimwit to take over as their 
coach.  Think he was their kiddies coach, before.

    This didn't half make me laugh when I read the following, this morning.
    
    4 years ago today, Man City paid �2.3 million to Wimbledon for Keith
    Curle, to make him the most expensive defender in the Football League.
    
    
    
    
    				WHY ???????
    
    
    Ian$in_an_oddly_disturbed_mood

Q:  What's the difference between Man City and a toothpick?

A:  A toothpick has two points.

    Q: What's the similarity between Alan Ball and the Titanic?
    
    A: They both left from Southampton and went down.

    
    	Manchester City		1	Wombledon	0
    	Niall Quinn
    
    	7 points from the last three games mean City leap to the dizzy
    heights of 3rd bottom. The long climb hast started at last.
    
    Malc.
    

    The talented City midfielder Paul Lake officially retired yesterday
    after a 5 year battle to overcome cruciate ligament damage in his 
    knee. Having had 14 (yep, count em) operations to sought out the 
    ligaments he has finally called it a day. Lake was an England U21
    international and retires at the tender age of 27.
    
    Major bummer for him and Man City.
    
    Andy

    Man City are signing Michael Frontzeck, a German International
    left-back from Borussia Moenchengladbach, who want in the region of
    350,000 for the defender who has gone to the last two World Cups
    
    Graham

There hasn't been much written about City in here for a while has there??

Mind you, I suppose words fail you guys!

Enjoy the Endsleigh League, you'll be there a while.

Stu

    Stu,
    I don't think there are any City supporters in this conf. Mind you if
    there was they are not about to make themselves known now!
    
    
    			Stretch.

Nope, wonder how City will take to playing on ploughed fields like Swindon?

Stu

    re: last few...
    
    Now, now children....
    
    Let's have a little sportmanship here.
    
    Steve

    Steve,
    
    Is that an admission to being a Blue Nose?
    
    
    			Stretch.

    I was merely referring to a seemingly unneccesary air of gloating
    that was becoming present.
    
    As to being a blue - I live in Manchester so it is not beyond the
    realms of possibility, Having said that, I look out of my lounge
    window to see the "Theatre of Dreams" and I have to admit to being
    on Stretford Road on Sunday afternoon - however, Texas DIY was open...
    
    Steve

    Hi Chaps,
    
    I'd like to find out when 'Eli Fletcher' played for city. He was a full
    back during the 1920's, but I don't know much else.
    
    Has anyone got a city reference book they could look it up in?
    
    many thanks
    
    Peter

Hi,
	anyone got a fixture list for the City terrorisation of the Nationwide
league - so much easier to spell than endsligh :)

Particularly interested as to 24th August - will they be at Maine Road ?

Thanks

Danny.

    >Particularly interested as to 24th August - will they be at Maine Road
    
    
    Danny,
    
    Utd are at home on the Sunday 25the August, so I would presume that
    City are away that weekend.

MANCHESTER CITY 96/97

AUG	31 H	CHARLTON ATH.			21	oldham
SEP	7  H	BARNSLEY			26 H	PORT VALE
	10	port vale			28	barnsley
	14	crystal palace		JAN	1	birmingham
	21 H	BIRMINGHAM CITY			11 H	CRYSTAL P
	28	sheffield u.			18	huddersfield
OCT	5  H	WEST BROM			29 H	SHEFFIELD
	12	qpr			FEB	1	oxford
	15	reading				8  H	SOUTHEND
	19 H	NORWICH				15	tranmere
	27 H	WOLVES				22 H	SWINDON
	29	southend		MAR	1	bradford
NOV	2	swindon				5  H	PORTSMOUTH
	9  H	OXFORD				8  H	OLDHAM
	16	portsmouth			15	grimbsy	
	20 H	HUDDERSFIELD TOWN		22 H	STOKE
	23 H	TRANMERE ROVERS			28	ipswich
	30	wolves			APR	5	charlton
DEC	7  H	BRADFORD			9  H	BOLTON
	14 H	GRIMSBY				12	west brom
						19 H	QPR
						26	norwich
					MAY	4  H	READING

Stoke City 2	Man City 1

Being on holiday in the peak district, I took the chance to see City at Stoke.
It was the last ever opening day at the victoria ground and pre match Stoke got
a good party atmosphere going - unfortunately Alan Ball brought a gift, a team
with no shape. I'd like to say we rolled over and died in the first half, but
we weren't that good !

Brightwell and Somerbee were playing on past reputatations, at least Brightwells
was his own and not his dads reputation :) As poor as the defence was, if
Immel could catch instead of two hand punch waist high driven shots, then they
might not have been struggling as much and certainly would not have lost the 1st
goal.

Up front Rossler continued to make space and chase everything, his reward was a
well taken interception goal. Ball seemed to have forgotten to tell his wingers
that Quinn was sold. They threw in cross after cross, but there was no one to
knock them down. Citys latest forward signing (name slips me) was brought on
for quarter and looked lively, threatening well from the edge of the box.

Then there was Kinkladze. Typical Alan Ball player, when he's hot he dazzles,
but on Saturday he looked like he'd rather be at a premiership ground for 80mins
of the game. Any Southhampton fans will recognise this Ball syndrom - a team
built round one star, as soon as he is marked out the game, NO shape and all
fall apart.

At half time and end of the match, the vast City support chanted 'Ball Out'. We
knew wew were bad but the Stoke fans rubbed it in by joining in !!!

Danny.

(PS my prediction is if we suffer two defeats in the next four games, Ball will
not be there when I make my next visit to Maine Road. Oh and ignore my spelling
above, I do struggle with those Mancunian names in our team ;)  )

The old pals act of Frannie and Alan have acted even quicker than I predicted
yesterday (ball to go after two more defeats from 4).

Ball IS OUT. 

Rioch, Graham, and other names being mentioned sound ok to me, as long as the
board act fast and give the new man the oportunity to drag the players out the
mire they are in and get us up the table before end of September. (we expected
graham 18months ago but a wee ban landed us with bally)

Personally I do not like seeing Dalglish on the option list, to short termists.
He walks out to often.

Ball is OUT.

Danny.

    
    I see that thieves broke into the Man City Trophy Room last night and
    stole the contents..
    
    The Police say there looking for a someone carrying a blue carpet.
    
    Pj 8-) 

OUCH..
I was laughing so much I fell of my chair and banged my head, wakeing up in the
year 2006. The thought police have banned people from traveling more than
20miles from their homes. Man U were playing at OT in front of 28000, a top of
the league clash with the Dublin Dons.

It was a shock to the system, I did't realise there were as many Man U fans
within 20 miles of OT !! :)

Danny.

City followed up a 0-0 draw at home to Sheffield with a 4-1 victory at Oxford.
Two games without a loss - a rare sight this season. Maybe we will be a 1st
division side next season after all.

Danny.

    Two points behind Reading with a game in hand. Oh Bugger!
    
    
    
    				Stretch.

City   3   Watford  1   (FA cup 4th round)

With the number of big guns out already, maybe this is the year for a division 1
team for the cup.

And maybe City are that team.


Danny.

(Remember you saw it here first !)

City 3 Southend 0

Time for the mid/bottom table minnows (reading, oxford etc) to worry. City are
back and you can have the rlegation dogfight to yourselfs. Roll on the cup.

Danny.

    Danny,
    
    You sound mighty confident about Readings chances given the fact they
    whupped the leaders on Saturday. Also Oxford are still a good ways
    *above* City. Reading were looking to slip until Saturdays result kept
    them above your mob. 
    
    A couple of good games from Kinky does not make you safe yet!
    
    
    I think Birmingham are the more worrying at present as they have games
    in hand over all the teams around them, and Francis is being given even
    more money..
    
    
    				Stretch.

    
    Francis might well be given more money but lets face facts he does'nt
    spend it very well  ie Newell �750K Furlong �1.5m....
    
    Cheers
    

Stretch,
	my confidence was boosted more looking at the fixture list.
God forbid and our recovery goes belly up, requiring us to win on the last day of
the season to stay in div 1 - fortunately we are at home to another inconsistent
team - Reading !

Danny.

Bradford 1 City 3

Another City victory and the Clark bandwagon rolls on - unbeat'n in the league in
1997. Another couple of teams (eg QPR) now looking over their shoulders as they
get pulled down to the group under the cloud of relegation.

Danny.

City 1 		Oldham 0
Rossler

The Clark bandwagon goes on, and the league position looks healthier, especially
with a couple of games in hand over most teams above us.

Did anyone else see on text last week a claim that Alex Ferguson has put a bet on
City to be in the playoffs and up to the Premiership ? Aparently got odds of
1000-1  !!.  After the disasterous 96, most mainroaders will be happy with
survival in the 1st.


Danny.

    
    Serious question....I heard about Ferguson's "bet"....is it legal for
    football professionals to place "football related" bets ??
    
    Obviously it would be a bit "iffy" if his own team were involved %^),
    ....but I thought it was a blanket ban ?  N'est pas ?
    
    Trevor

City are set to sign Tranmere midfielder Ged Brannan for 750k


Paul

City 2  Stoke 0
After a poor spell on the road (defeat at Birmingham, draw at Grimsby and another
place that slips my mind) City returned home to winning ways.

Goal diff splits Oxford, City, QPR, Reading. With another round of match call
offs due to internationals next weekend, it looks like it will be the last day of
the season before we see the true postion of clubs in this league.

Danny.

    
    Have you heard the one about the Man City fan up on the top of the
    stand at Old Trafford, threatening to jump off and commit suicide.
    
    Well Roy Keane comes along and starts arguing with him. Don't be
    going on with that kind of shite round here, he says, f*** off back to
    Maine Road and jump off the stand there.
    
    You must be joking says the City fan, have you seen the queue!
    
    ..Kevin..