MAINE ROAD DIARY - SUMMER '96

This diary covers the events from the end of the '95/96 season in May until the start of the '96/97 season in August.

MAY 1996

Monday 6th

MCIVTA 191 starts the inquest into a disastrous season with four reports of the final match plus plenty of comments. There's also a Why Blue from Mike Brierley. Meanwhile, and to nobody's great surprise, Gio Kinkladze is voted City Supporters' Player of the Year. Michael Brown wins the Young Player award.

Tuesday 7th

City send a strong-looking team to Wrexham for Cliff Sear's testimonial but are thrashed 6-1, Spurs' Chris Armstrong scoring a hat-trick. Buster Phillips scores City's goal.

Wednesday 8th

In the reserves' final game of the season, they beat Mansfield Town 6-1.

Thursday 9th

The big summer clear-out begins with 8 young players being released. MCIVTA 192 continues the relegation inquest, with many opinions of where things went wrong and what is likely to happen in the summer. There's also news of City's pre-season friendlies (including a tour to the Republic of China) and a Why Blue from Mark Henshall.

Friday 10th

Youngster Ray Kelly, who had mistakenly been named amongst the players to be released, is offered a new contract. There are rumours that Gio Kinkladze is having talks with Barcelona.

Monday 13th

MCIVTA 193 expands on the transfer rumours and is also full of opinion - mainly of the "Ball Out!" variety. There's also a Why Blue from Peter Birbeck.

Thursday 16th

It's a quiet week at Maine Road with only a few transfer rumours but there's still plenty of opinions on offer in MCIVTA 194, mainly of the Ball Out variety. There's also a Song for Gio, an appeal for sponsorship for MCIVTA and a Why Blue from Euan Bayliss.

Sunday 19th

The MCIVTA football team have their second get-together at the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield.

Monday 20th

MCIVTA 195 has transfer and non-transfer news, a variety of opinions on the manager, team etc., a quiz and a Why Blue from John Durham.

Tuesday 21st

Michael Brown gets a late call-up into the England U-21 squad for the annual Toulon Tournament after a number of other players withdraw.

Thursday 23rd

MCIVTA 196 has the latest news, rumours and wild speculation, reviews of the MUEN's Blues Review and Francis Lee's Soccer Round the World, the result of the April/May Player of the Month poll, more opinions on manager and squad plus a Why Blue from Mike Edwards.

Friday 24th

Michael Brown plays in England U-21's 1-0 victory over Belgium in the Toulon Tournament.

Sunday 26th

Niall Quinn scores for the Republic of Ireland in their 3-0 victory over Celtic in Mick McCarthy's testimonial in Dublin. Alan Kernaghan also plays for the Irish. Meanwhile, Kit Symons plays for Wales in a warm-up game for their World Cup qualifier versus San Marino; Wales are beaten 2-1 by a Leyton Orient XI consisting partly of trial players.

Tuesday 28th

Michael Brown is part of the England U-21 team beaten by Angola in the Toulon Tournament. MCIVTA 197 includes a report of the Ireland vs. Celtic game, news and rumours, a call for participants for Euronet'96, a call for designs for the second MCIVTA T-Shirt, various opinions and a Why Blue from Christine Haynes.

Wednesday 29th

Alan Kernaghan captains an experimental Republic of Ireland side which narrowly loses to a last minute goal at home to Portugal. Niall Quinn also plays, as a substitute for Tony Cascarino. Steve Lomas plays in Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw at home to Germany, a match in which both Jürgen Klinsmann and Andy Möller miss penalties.

Thursday 30th

Michael Brown and rest of the England U-21 team are beaten 3-1 by Portugal in the Toulon Tournament. MCIVTA 198 has transfer rumours (denied by City) involving Niall Quinn and Keith Curle, the announcement of the MCIVTA end of season poll, opinions on the new away kit, Alan Ball's visit to Singapore and the squad plus a Why Blue from Penny Warburton.

JUNE 1996

Sunday 2nd

Niall Quinn's 89th-minute equaliser prevents a record sixth successive defeat for the Republic of Ireland. Quinn is captain for the 2-2 draw with Croatia in Dublin. Alan Kernaghan is also involved, as a substitute.

Monday 3rd

MCIVTA 199 has news of international games, transfer rumours, more on Alan Ball's visit to Singapore, an offer of accommodation for overseas visitors, various opinions and the answers to the quiz set in MCIVTA 195.

Tuesday 4th

Alan Kernaghan is in action for the Republic of Ireland again; the Irish take the lead against Holland in Rotterdam but eventually lose out 3-1.

Thursday 6th

MCIVTA 200 includes speculation as to who our rumoured Georgian midfield target is, more info on the pre-season matches, a summary of a Gio Kinkladze interview in FourFourTwo magazine, more on Alan Ball in Singapore, plus opinions on whether City should move to a new stadium.

Sunday 9th

The third MCIVTA F.C. training session takes place at the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield. Niall Quinn and Alan Kernaghan play for the Republic of Ireland in their opening U.S.Cup fixture against the United States, who win 2-1.

Monday 10th

MCIVTA 201 features a report of the U.S.A. vs. Eire game, more on Alan Ball in Singapore and a report of Sunday's MCIVTA F.C. get-together.

Tuesday 11th

City announce that Brother have extended their sponsorship deal with the club for a further 3 years in a deal that could be worth as much as £3 million. At the same press conference, Gio Kinkladze states that he intends to honour the remaining 3 years of his contract with City. Uwe Rösler reiterates that he has no intention of leaving the club either.

Wednesday 12th

In an ill-tempered U.S.Cup match between Eire and Mexico, Niall Quinn is sent off in a bizarre incident following the dismissal of team-mate Liam Daish. Eire manager Mick McCarthy, another former Blue, is also red-carded later in the game which ends 2-2.

Thursday 13th

MCIVTA 202 has a report of the Eire vs. Mexico and England vs. Switzerland (Euro'96 opener) games plus a Why Blue from Russell Town.

Friday 14th

Kit Symons replaces Paul Lake as President of the Junior Blues.

Saturday 15th

A large bomb devastates part of Manchester's city centre. Miraculously, nobody is killed. City's Assistant Manager Asa Hartford is part of a Scottish veterans team that defeats their English counterparts 3-1 as part of the pre-match entertainment before the England vs. Scotland Euro'96 clash at Wembley. Alan Kernaghan captains the Republic of Ireland for their final U.S.Cup match, a 3-0 win over Bolivia.

Sunday 16th

The fixture list for 1996/97 gives City a home game against Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season.

Monday 17th

MCIVTA 203 has reports of the England vs. Scotland and Eire vs. Bolivia games, City's fixture list for 1996/97 (subject to extensive changes for live TV coverage) plus a clarification of the handball rule following the controversial penalty award in the England vs. Switzerland match.

Thursday 20th

MCIVTA 204 sees the return of the Platt Lane Correspondent, a report of the Supporter Cup help recently in Norway (City reached the semi-finals), some good will messages following the Manchester bombing, opinions on TV coverage of City in the forthcoming season and Why Blues from Mike Thomas and Paul Monaghan.

Monday 24th

MCIVTA 205 has a report of England's recent 4-1 victory over Holland, news that City won't be entering the Anglo-Italian Cup, matchday admission prices for 1996/97, opinion on Alan Ball plus a Why Blue from Roly Allen.

Tuesday 25th

City will kick off the season a day early after being chosen for Sky's first Friday night game of 1996/97.

Thursday 27th

MCIVTA 206 includes a report of England's Euro'96 quarter-final victory over Spain, a review of Issue 10 of CITY Magazine, various opinions and a Why Blue from Andy Holgate.

JULY 1996

Monday 1st

Newspaper reports link Steve Lomas with a move to Wimbledon, the fee ranging from £1.5 million to £3 million. MCIVTA 207 has news and opinions of this, opinions on the new away kit (still not available) and a Why Blue from Bob Campbell.

Tuesday 2nd

Keith Curle is relieved of the club captaincy and, following a discussion with the manager, is transfer-listed.

Thursday 4th

Steve Lomas decides not to join Wimbledon after failing to agree personal terms. Kit Symons is made club captain. MCIVTA 208 has news and opinions on these developments, more opinions on the away kit and a Why Blue from Julian Griffiths.

Friday 5th

Reserve team coach Les Chapman is relieved of his duties.

Monday 8th

MCIVTA 209 has a rumour from the weekend's papers about two Norwegian businessmen trying to buy into City plus the latest transfer speculation, the result of Jim Egan's Euro'96 competition, a review of City's 1995/96 video, various opinions and a Why Blue from Andy Lamb.

Tuesday 9th

Former City player Kevin Bond is appointed as reserve team coach, replacing Les Chapman. American rock band Bon Jovi hold a major concert at Maine Road.

Thursday 11th

A restructuring of the board is announced, with seven of the older directors including vice chairman Freddie Pye and senior director Ian Niven to be phased out over the next twelve months. Onto the PLC board comes City fan David Bernstein of the clothing company French Connection. David Kerr is sold to Mansfield Town for around £20,000. MCIVTA 210 has all the latest news and rumours, a review of Issue 11 of CITY Magazine, opinions, anagrams and a Why Blue from Ken Howarth.

Sunday 14th

MCIVTA F.C. have another session at the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield. There are reports in the papers that a major cash injection from the middle east will be heading City's way.

Monday 15th

MCIVTA 211 has more on the Norwegian takeover speculation, news of the sale of David Kerr and of Alan Ball and Uwe Rösler's meeting to settle their differences, opinions on City transfer target Christian Dailly, Niall Quinn and City's end of season video, a report of Sunday's MCIVTA F.C. session plus a Why Blue from James Talbot.

Wednesday 17th

The first team squad are back at Platt Lane for the start of pre-season training. Christian Dailly signs for Derby County instead of City. Rumours of a £70 million Arab investment into City continue.

Thursday 18th

MCIVTA 212 has more details on the Arab rumours, news that City have failed to land Christian Dailly, the announcement of a new City discussion page on the World Wide Web called Blue View, opinion on the current situation plus a Why Blue from Simon Veksner.

Friday 19th

City start their pre-season campaign in Ireland with a 3-1 victory over Athlone Town, the goals coming from Uwe Rösler and Niall Quinn (2). The home side's late consolation comes in the form of an own goal by Keith Curle.

Saturday 20th

City win 3-1 again, this time at Cork City, with goals from Alan Kernaghan, Niall Quinn and Mikhail Kavelashvili.

Monday 22nd

MCIVTA 213 has news of the wins in Ireland, more on the Arab investment rumours, a new rumour that Niall Quinn has been sold to Malaysian club Selangor plus a Why Blue from Ian Howarth.

Tuesday 23rd

Scott Thomas breaks a leg in two places whilst on loan in Virginia, U.S.A. There's brisk trade at the City Stores where the new away shirt is on sale for the first time.

Wednesday 24th

Alan Ball denies that Niall Quinn is leaving the club after he is withdrawn from the trip to China because of an ankle injury which apparently renders him unfit to travel.

Thursday 25th

Most of the City squad fly out to China for the pre-season tour. Niall Quinn and his wife Gillian fly out to Malaysia to consider a move to Selangor of Kuala Lumpur. MCIVTA 214 has reports of the games in Ireland, news of Scott Thomas' injury, transfer speculation involving Niall Quinn and Damien Mori, an Australian player who will be having a trial with City in China, an updated fixture list for 1996/97, ball skills ratings for the youth team, news of Malcolm Allison in Hong Kong, comment on the summer transfer activity and on City's new away kit, plus a request for information on a former City star called Jimmy McMullen.

Saturday 27th

City draw 1-1 with Sangsing in China (Gerry Creaney is the City scorer) but the tour is then abandoned due to severe flooding which meant that the players' safety could not be guaranteed. Meanwhile, Niall Quinn, showing no sign of a damaged ankle, plays for Selangor in an exhibition match against Middlesbrough.

Monday 29th

MCIVTA 215 has news of City in China and Niall Quinn in Malaysia, that City are to adopt a "nursery club" in the Republic of Ireland, rumours of another potential investor in the Club, information on Jimmy McMullen, opinion on the abandonment of the China trip and of the new away strip plus the results of the 1995/96 MCIVTA Poll and Survey and the fixture lists for the reserve and youth teams.

Wednesday 31st

Keith Curle is sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £650,000. City play a series of three half hour games behind closed doors at Blackburn. City take the lead in the first session through Nicky Summerbee but end up losing 4-1 overall. A friendly game against Scarborough is arranged for Saturday afternoon.

AUGUST 1996

Thursday 1st

MCIVTA 216 has news and opinion on the sale of Keith Curle, a view from the Platt Lane Correspondent, official news on a variety of topics plus a suggestion that players' salaries should be capped.

Saturday 3rd

City draw 2-2 at Scarborough. Andy Ritchie and Ian Thompstone (pen) are the home scorers, with Gio Kinkladze (pen) and Niall Quinn replying for the Blues.

Monday 5th

MCIVTA 217 has two reports of the Scarborough game, injury news and opinion on the season to come and Keith Curle.

Wednesday 7th

City turn down a £1 million bid from Sunderland for Niall Quinn. City's valuation is £1.3 million for the Irish international. City's bid of £500,000 for Damien Mori is turned down by Adelaide as City's offer of a first insalment of £250,000 is not satisfactory.

Thursday 8th

City reject a £5 million Sheffield Wednesday bid for Gio Kinkladze. A back-in-form City side beat Exeter 3-1 at St. James' Park. City's goals come from Niall Quinn (again), Steve Lomas and Mikhail Kavelashvili, with Barry McConnell scoring the Grecians' lone reply. MCIVTA 218 has news of this win, opinion on the possibility of a players' strike, Keith Curle and City's form at the training ground, plus more thoughts on the season ahead.

Saturday 10th

A back-out-of-form City side lose 1-0 at Plymouth, for whom Bruce Grobbelaar makes his first appearance. Chris Leadbitter scores the only goal of the game. City announce they they have now lost interest in Damien Mori.

Monday 12th

MCIVTA 219 has reports of the Exeter and Plymouth games plus a reserve team outing at Wilmslow Albion. There's plenty of gossip and opinions on the ever-widening gap between the rich and poorer clubs, Damien Mori and the pre-season friendlies, news of a possible source for the elusive Georgian national team shirts and a farewell from subscriber Andrew Conway.

Tuesday 13th

City hold an open day in the afternoon at Maine Road which attracts several thousand fans including many youngsters on their school holidays. Despite some organisational cock-ups such as opening late and allowing people onto the pitch, the event seems to be quite a success.

Wednesday 14th

Croatian international defender Elvis Brajkovic starts a two-week trial with City.

Thursday 15th

Niall Quinn is sold to Sunderland for £1,300,000. MCIVTA 220 has news and opinions of this move and the inaugral MCFC Open Day, gossip from the training ground, a review of Issue 12 of CITY Magazine, opinion on the team and manager plus thanks to Leo Fewtrell following his spell as guest editor of MCIVTA.