MAN CITY INFO VIA THE ALPS #24

DATE Friday 25th November '94

Plenty of news but nothing earth-shattering. I'm starting to get news items several times over from different subscribers (no complaints from me!) so I've taken the liberty of pasting-in the first I receive and then acknowledging subsequent people. I hope the people concerned won't be offended but I want to avoid things getting too repetitive. Please don't let this deter you from sending stuff in.

Could be a big day today here in Zürich as the cable company switches on BBC World Service TV! There probably won't be any football or cricket though, just EastEnders! Nothing wrong with Londoners I hear you say 8-)

We are now up to 67 subscribers.

Next game: Wimbledon at home on Saturday 26th November.

MATCH VIEW 'LIVE'

LEICESTER CITY vs MANCHESTER CITY

20th November '94

I should really have stayed in bed with my cold but money spent on tickets is money spent. And how would I have felt missing an away win gained on Sky (did they drop the BSkyB bit?)? Rather than cover the same ground by concentrating on the action, I thought I would look at this game from several tangents as there were plenty of underlying issues.

Not a sell-out but a large and noisy contingent had negotiated treacherous pre-match weather and made their way to Filbert Street, myself for the first time. My £10.00 ticket was a few rows back from the touchline, affording a not too brilliant view but I suspect my face got on Sky a few times as Peter Beagrie marauded down the wing in the first half.

The facilities at Filbert Street were appallingly bad. There seemed to be one refreshments stall covering about 1,000 seats in my section. The gangways were very narrow and absolute chaos. The (male) toilets were an inch deep in what looked very much like urine only 5 minutes into half-time.

The East Midlands police were doing their best to catch up ground on their West Midlands counterparts; firstly I saw Dave Wallace get rudely hassled selling KotK outside the ground, but more serious was their handling of the "sit-in" after the game. Around 300 Leicester fans stayed behind shouting "Sack the board" and we happily joined in with the odd shout of "Swales for Leicester". As we were leaving, the police moved in and started pulling people out from the front of the Leicester stand. I didn't see how that had started but with EMP, I think it's safe to say that they were over-aggressive. Well, Brian Little has gone and so has his coach but they beat Arsenal 2-1 last night. It's a strange game.

The City fans were a weird bunch on Sunday. We were very vocal and had a great time. The "Who bombed Old Trafford? ... Uwe's Dad" song is funny and inoffensive unlike the (thankfully absent) Munich chants. But "Leicester's full of Pakis"? I ask you!! If it's meant as an insult, it's a bit hypocritical when you look around outside Maine Road. There were also constant Uwe songs and although I'm a fan of his, it must be rather unsettling for the other attacking players. Poor old Niall only got a chant when he scored a goal!

And WhyOWhy do some stupid City fans insist on running on the pitch at every game? It was only 2 or 3 this time but they must know by now that they'll be carted off and miss the game. Maybe that's the intention? :)

OY! LINESMAN! NOOOOOOO! was my mate's cry. I don't know who he was but the linesman covering our half of the pitch must be one of the most inept officials I have ever seen. He made a fair number of wrong decisions but the main problem was that he was always 5 or 10 yards off the last man. Absolutely unbelievable for a Premier League game. It's quite possible that that is why our goal stood with Walsh obviously offside. :} (Harry Enfield reference at the start of that paragraph, sorry if I confused you!)

Thank heaven Keith Curle was back. He still unerringly heads the ball to opposition players but he is the rock in our defence and there is no way the rags would have stuck 5 past us with him present. I was very pleased with Summerbee's contribution as he worked hard albeit without much effect and managed to quell the boo boys. Beagrie had another brilliant game; Beagrie for England anyone?.

The game itself I found very enjoyable. Plenty of action at both ends and with sharper shooting, we could have seen another cricket score. Leicester probably edged the overall game but City clung on well and should have had more goals. Three points well won. Saturday brings a chance to pay back the Dons for their victory at the Academy last year.

Very bad news about TC if it means his career is over. City can't complain; he's given us sterling service and no-one would blame him for hanging up his gloves. Let's hope we do see him back between the sticks however.

NEWS

A bit of an update regarding the fiscal situation at Maine Road (Tuesday's MEN).

It appears as though City were somewhere in the region of £4 million in debt even before Lee's consortium finally managed to wrestle control away from PJS. The further outlay on Walsh and Beagrie forced the debt to climb to £6 million (so Lee's accusation that the debt was all down to the previous board is somewhat inaccurate). You can see why the takeover took so long; would you want to acquire a club in such bad shape? However, the £6 million debt hasn't stopped Lee promising money is available to Horton to strengthen the squad.

On the plus side the executive restaurant in the Main Stand has already made more than a £1 million, so that looks like it's quite successful. Quite a shrewd move by Lee to temporarily move the club's offices into an office block near the Princess Parkway (major road link between the city centre and the motorway network) and convert the existing area into a money-making restaurant.

The club also hopes to raise a further £2 million by selling ordinary shares at £1.00 a share. I'm not sure if owning these shares are beneficial to the holder or not. If I remember rightly though they do give you the option to buy voting shares should any become available.

Is anybody in MCIVTA/WWW page willing to buy these shares? I wonder if there's a minimum you have to buy?

NEWS

TC's seen the other surgeon for a second opinion and it looks like surgery may not be needed. It's been recommended that TC rest for upto 6 weeks to enable the muscle tear to repair itself and then hopefully the discs won't be a problem. If I was TC I'd think long and hard as to whether to continue; this problem could occur again at any time and it could lead to far more serious implications. I'd prefer to be able to walk in future years! I just wonder how much pressure City are putting onto TC to get himself back playing (we pay your wages and want you fit!!)?

It's also been reported that Simon Tracey has sustained a shoulder injury, so he too will be unavailble, even though his loan period is not quite over. City are now down to two goalies, Dibble and Margetson. I wonder if City will rely on them or will they sign another goalie as cover?

I see three of City's players are walking a disciplinary tightrope, Rösler and Lomas are one booking away from a suspension. I'm not sure who the third is, but I think it might be Beagrie. Could City afford to lose these three key players through a suspension?

The Newcastle Coca Cola Cup game is a near sell-out; with just a week to go there are about 1,000 tickets left. That should make it a cracking atmosphere and hopefully the game will live up to expectations. Get the tissues out if City win, we're heading into definite nose bleed territory, the quarter finals!!!!!

NEWS

A report in Today newspaper claims that TC's career is not yet over. He saw a leading neuro-surgeon in Manchester who told him that time and rest could produce a cure. City manager Brian Horton said

"Tony's going to rest and let it heal. We've been told he can start training in four or five weeks."

The goalkeeping position is still causing City problems though: Simon Tracey (whose loan period is almost over anyway) suffered a shoulder injury in training yesterday. Brian Horton will have to go out searching again unless Martyn Margetson is considered fit enough to return.

NEWS

Steve McMahon has requested a free transfer.

Sheffield United manager Dave Bassett offered to allow Simon Tracey to stay at City for another month, but Tracey wants to go back. My guess is that he wasn't made to feel a part of the squad (he was generally on his own during training sessions etc).

Also received from James Nash and Anthony Johnson

NEWS

Cheers from Lakewood Ohio USA!! Good news- no... great news!!! about TC. I was fortunate to have spoken with Mr. Coton's brother-in-law today (Wed 23 Nov) and the word is that surgery will not- repeat not- be required!!:-). As I understand it, TC is to remain totally inactive for six to seven weeks and then he can begin light training!!! The doctors do say that it is too early to forecast a return to full action, but light training is better than "full recovery" There was no word on whether "totally inactive" extends to not changing diapers on new-born daughters!!! Will provide more as it arrives.

NEWS

Steve McMahon has emerged as favourite for the player/manager job at Swindon Town after their approach to Chris Waddle was rejected. McMahon is keen on the idea, and the only sticking point seems to be the transfer fee. McMahon wants a free transfer but City are likely to ask for £200,000.

Brian Little resigned as Leicester manager on Monday, citing "personal reasons". He claims not to have been approached by Aston Villa to fill their managerial vacancy, even though he once said in an interview in Leicester's The Fox fanzine that the Villa job would be his "dream job". Amazingly, the Leicester board have accepted his resignation, which will mean that they get no compensation if he does take over at Villa. First team coach John Gregory resigned on Wednesday evening, hours before the team's 2-1 victory over Arsenal. The pair are red-hot favourites to succeed Ron Atkinson.

NEWS

The long-running debate as to the future of Steve McMahon may soon be settled. He is in the running for the Swindon manager's job. He's made it clear that he wants to branch into the managerial side of the game, so the idea of player/manager might appeal to him. Swindon have been given permission to speak to him but a problem might arise over transfer fees. Macca has already asked for a free transfer but it's most likely that City will want to recoup some of the £900,000 they paid for him three years ago. A fee of £200,000 has been mentioned by City but as Swindon are struggling for funds they might find it impossible to raise that. It's been mentioned that some clause in the Summerbee deal may be revoked to allow Macca to leave for free (I would assume Swindon will get a certain amount of money after a certain number of games have been played by Buzzer junior). So, if Macca goes it's another experienced player leaving!

NEWS

Defender Chris Fairclough has been transfer-listed by Leeds at his own request as he has been unable to get into the side recently. This has fuelled further speculation that City will buy him, though with the current financial situation, a player-exchange would be more likely. Top of Leeds' wish-list is Niall Quinn, but it's very unlikely that City would be prepared to let him go.

Arsenal and England star Paul Merson has admitted to having a £150/night cocaine habit since January. He claims to have kicked that habit now and is fighting for a second chance at Arsenal.

NEWS

From the BBC:

Steve McMahon is favourite to get the Swindon manager's job, as a player/manager. He was quoted saying something along the lines of, "I was disappointed not to make the shortlist for the Oldham job, but Swindon would suit me just fine." Nice touch of enthusiasm for the (probable) new club.

Other news:

After Paul Merson came clean over his cocaine addiction, George Graham said, "I've told the lad that he has a week to sort it out". If it works, expect the Arsenal book on self-help and beating addiction any day now. Merson's confession suggests some of the 'Rocky' stories might be true.

WELCOME OR NOT?

Following on from Paul's thread regarding players that have left City, here's some thoughts:

As for players who would be welcomed back with open arms:

• Clive Allen
• Ian Bishop
• Trevor Morley

It was always good to see and hear the reception they got when they came to Maine Road with West Ham. City fans never forget players who played well for the club and these always did. Clive set an example, a goal every three games including all his substitute appearances (I'll never forget him coming on against Notts County, scoring a goal and kissing the badge). As for selling him, that's another story that the management should have been made to explain.

Those who wouldn't be welcomed back, a few suggestions (just a personal opinion):

'Tricky' Ricky Holden

Never produced the goods consistently enough

Paul Stewart

A hero to some, despised by others. I fall into the second category, he left the club under a cloud. He made it plain that he wanted away from the club and basically stopped playing until his move to Spurs was finalised.

Paul Simpson

Left under a cloud, though not his fault. He just wasn't cut out to be a left-back! Didn't do his cause any good by claiming he'd always been a red; could fans forgive that one statement?

Brian Gayle

Old 50p head? I'm not bothered either way, but some of the mistakes he made?

Any more?

WELCOME OR NOT? II

I remember Paul Moulden being cheered when scoring against us for Oldham, the last game of the season a few years ago. It did only make it 5-2 to City though.

Those who wouldn't be welcomed back:

I agree, Stewart has had hostile receptions several times now. Forgot about him. As for Holden, well there's no comparison with Beagrie, is there?

Brian Gayle will always be a hero for me after the own goal he scored that won Leeds the title three years ago. He even smiled after scoring it! One that I would add to the list is Mark Ward, now playing in central midfield for Birmingham City. City fans never really took to him even though he scored a number of important goals for us. Jason Beckford was a red too, wasn't he? Somebody who always gets a hostile reception is Mark Robins, Norwich and ex-United player. He used to be a Junior Blue!

HUMOUR (SCOUSE STYLE)

I thought you might like to hear this from an Evertonian who passes MCIVTA on to a Blue who is Internet-less. [Ashley]

INCIDENT IN THE LIVERPOOL DERBY

It was great to see the 4 sides of the ground filled with Blues, the Park End is home fans only. The TV coverage managed to miss the streaker who ran the full length of the pitch whilst play continued. It was obviously pre-planned as he had "Brian Clough is an" with an arrow pointing to his bum!

HUMOUR (CITY STYLE)

How many Man Utd fans does it take to change a light bulb?.

Answer :-

540,001. That's one to change it, 40,000 to say they've been changing it for years and 500,000 to buy the replica kit! In fact, it could be argued 540,002, as someone will have to compare the light bulb to George Best. Boom Boom.

RESULTS & LEAGUE TABLE

Nov 23, 1994   Tottenham       - Chelsea          0 - 0
               Leicester       - Arsenal          2 - 1

Total Nov 23, 1994

Manchester_U    15    11   1   3    31  -  10    34
Blackburn       15    10   3   2    31  -  13    33
Newcastle       15    10   3   2    33  -  16    33
Liverpool       15     9   2   4    32  -  16    29
Nottingham      15     8   4   3    25  -  15    28
Chelsea         15     7   3   5    25  -  19    24
Leeds           15     7   3   5    23  -  19    24
Manchester_C    15     6   4   5    25  -  25    22
Norwich         15     5   6   4    13  -  13    21
Southampton     15     5   5   5    23  -  26    20
Arsenal         15     5   4   6    18  -  16    19
Crystal_Palace  15     5   4   6    15  -  18    19
Coventry        15     5   4   6    18  -  26    19
Wimbledon       15     5   3   7    17  -  26    18
Sheffield_W     15     4   5   6    16  -  22    17
West_Ham        15     5   2   8     9  -  16    17
Queen's_PR      15     4   4   7    23  -  27    16
Aston_Villa     15     3   4   8    19  -  27    13
---------------------------------------------------
Tottenham       15     5   3   7    24  -  30    12
Leicester       15     3   3   9    16  -  27    12
Everton         15     2   5   8    11  -  24    11
Ipswich         15     3   1  11    14  -  30    10