MAINE ROAD DIARY - WINTER '95/96

This diary covers the events from the start of December '95 to the end of February '96.

DECEMBER 1995

Friday 1st

CarlingNet, a re-vamped version of PremierNet is launched, including a new City Home Page.

Saturday 2nd

City's impressive run continues with a 1-0 victory at Elland Road, the first away win of the season. Substitute Gerry Creaney heads the winner on the hour but the star of the show is Georgiou Kinkladze, who upstages Leeds' record signing Tomas Brolin, making his home league début.

Monday 4th

MCIVTA 149 includes reports of the victories over Aston Villa and Leeds United, a Press Association interview with Alan Ball, suggestions for the post of Honorary President of MCIVTA, a report of a trip to see the recording of T.V. show There's Only One Brian Moore, opinions on City's recent revival and a request for comments on a new uk.football newsgroup hierarchy. City are drawn away at Leicester City in the 3rd Round of the F.A. Cup.

Thursday 7th

MCIVTA 150 has news of the F.A. Cup draw, team and injury news, transfer speculation, details of the MCIVTA xmas get-together, opinions on a possible stadium move, the team's changing fortunes and midfield options, a Why Blue from David Hall and finally, a ditty about Eric Cantona.

Saturday 9th

Georgiou Kinkladze scores a brilliant solo goal but City's unbeaten run comes to an end with a 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Sunday 10th

Results from an exploratory operation reveal that Richard Edghill has suffered severe knee ligament damage and will be out for the rest of the season.

Monday 11th

MCIVTA 151 includes two reports of the Middlesbrough match, news of injuries and suspensions, opinions on merchandising, MCIVTA going "official", recent transfers & full backs, an interview with Uwe Rösler from The Big Issue and a Why Blue from Daniel Nunn.

Tuesday 12th

The club's Annual General Meeting is held in the new Kippax Stand and it is revealed that the club is now £19,000,000 in debt, largely due to loans taken out to cover the cost of the new stand. Goalkeeper Eike Immel is signed until the end of the 1996/97 season.

Thursday 14th

It is announced that Danish midfielder Ronnie Ekelund has been signed on a two-month loan from Barcelona, with a view to a permanent transfer. The documentation from the Spanish club arrives too late for him to be included in the squad for Monday's game against Nottingham Forest though. MCIVTA 152 has various miscellaneous news items including the signing of Ekelund, comments on the Club's recently-published accounts, a report of the AGM, opinions on Terry Phelan, Georgiou Kinkladze, Paul Lake and various other topics, and finally a Why Blue from Mike Barry.

Friday 15th

Following many beaurocratic problems, Georgiou Kinkladze's mother finally arrives from Tblisi to spend the rest of the season in Manchester. The young Georgian had been feeling homesick.

Monday 18th

Dutch defender Michel Vonk is sold to Sheffield United for a fee of around £350,000. City concede a goal at Maine Road for the first time in over a month but escape with a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest in the Monday night televised match. Uwe Rösler opens the scoring for City but the Blues let the initiative slip once again and Kevin Campbell equalises in the second half following a long period of pressure by the visitors.

Tuesday 19th

MCIVTA 153 has two reports of the Forest game, transfer news, more Pointers from Platt Lane, a request from a Georgian newspaper editor to set up an interview with Georgiou Kinkladze, news of an internet football league and a Why Blue from Helen Pickup.

Thursday 21st

MCIVTA 154 has the final details of the MCIVTA Christmas meeting, another report of the Forest match, views on the FA's interpretation of the Bosman verdict and its impact on the 3-foreigners rule, the result of the November Player of the Month poll, a review of the Football Fan's Guide and a Why Blue from Tom Rhodes.

Friday 22nd

Ronnie Ekelund is finally registered with the Premier League after a week of hold-ups. In a surprise move, the Premier League abolishes its "three foreigners" rule following City's request to field Ekelund, Rösler, Immel and Kinkladze against Chelsea. After the Bosman verdict, to deny such a request would have been illegal.

Saturday 23rd

City field all four of their foreign players (Ekelund coming on as substitute for Rösler) but it isn't enough to prevent a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Maine Road, Peacock scoring from close range after good work by Ruud Gullit.

Tuesday 26th

City drop back into the bottom three with a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn in another BSkyB televised match. Spectacular oals from Alan Shearer and David Batty do the damage in an entertaining match in which both sides hit the woodwork and kept the goalkeepers busy.

Wednesday 27th

City sign defender Eduardo Abazaj on a two-month loan from Benfica. Although he's Albanian, he holds a Portuguese passport and therefore counts as an EC national. MCIVTA 155 is a brief edition (most contributors off for their Christmas breaks) which has reports of the Chelsea and Blackburn games plus news of the signing of Ekelund and the associated changes to the three-foreigners rule.

Thursday 28th

After having loan periods at three clubs already during the course of the season, David Brightwell signs for Bradford City with a transfer fee of £30,000. Richard Edghill has an operation to repair the damage to his cruciate ligament; it is thought to be a success.

Friday 29th

Saturday's game against Southampton is called off due to a frozen pitch.

JANUARY 1996

Monday 1st

City start the year with a 2-1 win over West Ham at Maine Road, both goals coming from Niall Quinn. It's the first time City have scored 2 goals in a league game all season. West Ham field Neil Finn in goal; at 17 years and 3 days he's the youngest player ever to play in the Premiership. Also making his début is City's Martin Phillips, on as substitute for Uwe Rösler.

Thursday 4th

After an unsuccessful five-year battle against his knee injury, Paul Lake sadly announces his retirement as a player. He hopes to take up a new career in physiotherapy. MCIVTA 156 is delayed due to technical difficulties but includes two reports of the West Ham game, transfer news and rumours, news of Paul Lake's retirement, comments on City from Oasis in the New Musical Express, news of problems affecting users of UK Internet access provider Pinnacle, opinions on players' attitudes, tactics & current form plus a Why Blue from Fraser Davidson.

Saturday 6th

City just about manage to earn an FA Cup 3rd round replay with a goalless draw at Filbert Street.

Sunday 7th

The winners of the City versus Leicester replay are drawn away to Coventry City in the 4th round of the F.A. Cup.

Monday 8th

MCIVTA 157 has news of the F.A. Cup draw, a report of the recent fans' committee meeting, opinions on Paul Lake, cuurent form & Euro'96 ticket distribution plus a review of Issue 5 of CITY Magazine.

Tuesday 9th

The away game at SOuthampton which was postponed will now be played on Wednesday 31st January, 7:30pm kick-off.

Thursday 11th

MCIVTA 158 includes a belated report of the Leicester match, lots of transfer speculation, news of the re-arranged Southampton game, some Kinky titbits, news of Maurizio Gaudino and opinions on Euro'96 and City's current rut.

Saturday 13th

A solitary Chris Armstrong goal is enough to condemn City to a 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane.

Monday 15th

MCIVTA 159 has several reports of the Spurs game, transfer news & rumours, the result of December's Player of the Month poll plus news of another Internet football site, from McEwans.

Wednesday 17th

City cruise through to the 4th Round of the F.A. Cup with a 5-0 replay win over Leicester City. There are goals for Uwe Rösler, Niall Quinn, Steve Lomas and substitute Gerry Creaney, but the night belongs to Georgiou Kinkladze who scores one and sets up three of the others.

Thursday 18th

MCIVTA 160 includes another report of the Spurs match plus three reports of the Leicester match. There's more speculation and opinions on possible transfer moves, new lyrics to a current City fans' song and opinions on the squad as a whole, particularly the full backs.

Friday 19th

It's a busy day on the transfer market with Tony Coton sold to neighbours Manchester United for £500,000 and Nigel Clough signed from Liverpool for £1,500,000. Ronnie Ekelund returns to Barcelona as his loan period ends.

Saturday 20th

City share the points with Coventry in a 1-1 draw at Maine Road. Uwe Rösler opens the scoring but Dion Dublin equalises for the visitors. City are left regretting missed chances, particularly Niall Quinn who missed two good opportunities towards the end of the first half.

Monday 22nd

MCIVTA 161 has three reports of the Coventry match, transfer news and speculation, a personal message to all City fans from Paul Lake, another version of Wonderwall, opinions on various topics, particularly Tony Coton's defection to rivals United plus another review of The Pride of Manchester.

Tuesday 23rd

City finally sign a left back, and it's another foreigner - former German international Michael Frontzeck who costs £350,000 from Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Wednesday 24th

Kit Symons plays for Wales in a friendly international against an impressive Italy, who win 3-0.

Thursday 25th

MCIVTA 162 is unusual in that it is put together by Ashley's wife Linda, a United fan! It includes another report of the Coventry match, transfer news and lots of opinions on the recent transfers in and out of the club, news of a possible Oasis show at Maine Road plus more opinions on various topics.

Friday 26th

Saturday's F.A. Cup tie at Coventry is postponed due to a frozen Highfield Road pitch.

Sunday 28th

The City party leave the Meon Valley Golf and Country Club near Fareham and move to another hotel following allegations of rowdy behaviour on the part of some of the playing staff.

Monday 29th

MCIVTA 163 features the return of the Platt Lane Correspondent, news of the F.A. Cup draw and opinions on it, two songs in honour of Gio Kinkladze, opinions on Peter Reid and Tony Coton and a review of the Joe Mercer biography Football With A Smile.

Wednesday 31st

Michael Frontzeck and Nigel Clough make their City débuts as City salvage a point at Southampton. A 25-yard strike by Neil Shipperley gives the Saints the lead but Uwe Rösler scrambles a late equaliser. City manager Alan Ball receives a hostile reception on his first return to the Dell since leaving the club.

FEBRUARY 1996

Thursday 1st

MCIVTA 164 has three reports of the Southampton match and one of Tuesday night's reserve game against Barnsley, news of the hotel switch the previous weekend, more opinions of Peter Reid, Tony Coton, Keith Gillespie & the F.A. Cup draw, more songs for Gio Kinkladze, a query about the Manchester City Ladies team plus a Why Blue from Chris Egerton.

Saturday 3rd

City secure a vital 2-0 win at home to Queens Park Rangers. In a match with many niggly fouls but few nasty ones, referee Graham Poll issues 10 yellow cards, 7 against the visitors who have substitute Daniele Dichio sent off just before the end. Nigel Clough opens the scoring on his home début after Rangers fail to clear a Martin Phillips (making his first start for City) cross. There's another first in the second half as Kit Symons scores his first goal for the Blues to make it 2-0.

Monday 5th

MCIVTA 165 includes four reports of the Q.P.R. game, a call for votes for January's Player of the Month, opinion on Graham Poll (referee for the Q.P.R. game), a suggested pre-match pub for the forthcoming visit to Coventry, news of the recently-announced Sky TV Web Site, some amusing stories involving Keith Gillespie and Uwe Rösler plus a Why Blue from Dave Bara.

Wednesday 7th

An injury time equaliser from Dion Dublin earns Coventry a replay following a 2-2 draw in the F.A. Cup 4th Round tie at Highfield Road. The home side take the lead early on through Noel Whelan but City strike back with an own goal by David Busst and a Garry Flitcroft effort 9 minutes from time. A 5th Round trip to Old Trafford looks on the cards until Dublin's late, late strike.

Thursday 8th

MCIVTA 166 has two reports of the Coventry game plus a belated report of the Q.P.R. game, news of an Oasis show at Maine Road, the return of the Platt Lane Correspondent, opinions on various topics including the squad, UEFA proposals to change the format of European competitions & away fans in home sections of the ground, plus a Why Blue from Eric Graham.

Saturday 10th

City lose 2-0 at Everton, the goals coming from Joe Parkinson and a penalty from former Blue Andy Hinchcliffe. Left back Michael Frontzeck is controversially sent off just before the end but it has no impact on the game as a very lacklustre City are totally overpowered by the home side.

Monday 12th

MCIVTA 167 includes a report of the Everton match, news of the next MCIVTA meeting, ricket distribution & suspensions, the result of the January Player of the Month poll, comments on the team's motivation, superstitions, the squad, media attitudes towards the club & the current situation, a review of Issue 6 of CITY Magazine plus a Why Blue from Piers Pennington.

Wednesday 14th

City secure an Old Trafford showdown with United in the F.A. Cup by defeating Coventry 2-1 at Maine Road. Nigel Clough and Niall Quinn are City's scorers, with Dion Dublin scoring his customary late goal to keep the fans on the edges of their seats right 'til the end.

Thursday 15th

MCIVTA 168 has four reports of the Coventry replay, various news items relating to Sunday's derby match, opinions on Richard Edghill, the team and its detractors, all-seater stadia & European Super League proposals plus a Why Blue from Gavin Hodge.

Sunday 18th

Uwe Rösler scores his first derby goal to give City the lead in the F.A. Cup 5th Round tie at Old Trafford but United storm back to win 2-1 with a controversial Eric Cantona penalty and a winner 13 minutes from time by Lee Sharpe.

Monday 19th

MCIVTA 169 features another report of the Coventry replay plus many opinions of the derby and that penalty. There's also transfer speculation, comments from Tony Coton on his transfer to Manchester United, a report from the fans' committee, more from the Platt Lane Correspondent, opinions on the lack of atmosphere at Maine Road and a radical suggestion for the restructuring of English professional football!

Wednesday 21st

City sign full back Scott Hiley on loan from Birmingham City until the end of the season.

Thursday 22nd

MCIVTA 170 has two reports of the derby match, news of forthcoming suspensions and the signing of Scott Hiley, plenty of opinion about the events on and off the field at the derby, views on Dave Bara's thoughts in the previous edition and a Why Blue from Martin Parker.

Saturday 24th

A capacity Maine Road crowd see a thrilling 3-3 draw against Newcastle United. City take the lead three times through Niall Quinn (twice) and Uwe Rösler but the Geordies hit back through Philippe Albert (twice) and Faustino Asprilla. The Columbian striker is in trouble after the game though as T.V. evidence clearly shows him elbowing and head-butting Keith Curle.

Monday 26th

The F.A. announce that Keith Curle is to be charged on one count and Faustino Asprilla on two counts of misconduct following their clashes in Saturday's game. MCIVTA 171 has news of this plus four reports of the match, prices for 1996/97 season tickets, news of a new "twinning" arrangement with Irish club Cork City, ten reasons why Gio Kinkladze should be Footballer of the Year from The Independent and various opinions on recent games.

Thursday 29th

MCIVTA 172 has news that City have taken two young Exeter City players on trial and that reserve team home games are to be played at Witton Albion's ground. There's transfer speculation and also rumours that Oasis are set to become City's shirt sponsors, a report of the F.A. Cup derby from a Red viewpoint, a review of Issue 7 of CITY Magazine, news that former City star Maurizio Gaudino has been convicted of insurance fraud plus opinions on a number of subjects.