MAINE ROAD DIARY - WINTER '96/97

This diary covers the events from the start of December 1996 through to the present day.

DECEMBER 1996

Sunday 1st

Wolves become the first side to complete a "double" over City in 1996/97, defeating City 3-0 at Molineux. Iwan Roberts scores twice and Robbie Dennison gets the other goal as City lose in front of the TV cameras yet again.

Monday 2nd

City shareholder Stephen Boler is rumoured to be ready to invest another £5 million into the club. MCIVTA 251 has news of this, several views of the Wolves game, the announcement of Bob Young's City Supporters' Club page, opinions on the state of the club and the players we're being linked with plus a pair of Why Blues, from Jen and Bob Evans.

Tuesday 3rd

It is revealed that Stephen Boler is the "third man" in the "J.D. Sports consortium" and that their overall investment will realise around £11 million.

Thursday 5th

City's AGM is attended by a record 600 shareholders who, despite hearing details of the rescue bid, give the board a hard time. There is still no decision on Phil Neal's future at the club as the board refuse to answer questions on this topic. MCIVTA 252 has news of the AGM, more views on the Wolves match, news of the Boler/Wardle investment package, the beginnings of a scheme to improve the atmosphere at Maine Road, a review of the December edition of CITY Magazine, a defence of City's out-of-form midfielder Nigel Clough plus a Why Blue from John Parker.

Saturday 7th

City get off to a great start against Bradford City at Maine Road, going two up after only 12 minutes through a Gio Kinkladze penalty and a goal from Paul Dickov. However, the Bantams fight back to equalise with a goal direct from a corner by Chris Waddle and a header from Robert Steiner; City have substitute Jeff Whitley to thank for the three points as the game ends 3-2.

Monday 9th

MCIVTA 253 has four reports of the Bradford game, transfer rumours, a report of the A.G.M. from the Platt Lane Correspondent, opinions, reminiscences and a Why Blue from Chris Hughes. City are drawn away to Brentford in the 3rd Round of the F.A. Cup.

Wednesday 11th

City's youth team let a two-goal lead slip against Walsall at Maine Road in the F.A. Youth Cup; the game ends 2-2. MCIVTA 254 has news of this, transfer rumours, details of the forthcoming rights issue, opinions on players, managers and the Bradford games, a collection of humorous quotes from football commentators and a Why Blue from Michael Murphy.

Friday 13th

Full back Michael Frontzeck is released from his contract by City so that he can try to resurrect his career back in Germany.

Saturday 14th

Steve Lomas plays in Northern Ireland's 2-0 victory over Albania, setting up the first of Iain Dowie's brace of goals.

Sunday 15th

MCIVTA F.C. finish last in a three-way tournament featuring teams representing Manchester United (the winners) and AEK Athens.

Monday 16th

MCIVTA 255 has transfer news and rumours, a report of Sunday's tournament, a report on Brighton's situation which puts the Blues' problems in perspective plus a Why Blue from Tony Hulme. The youth team win their replay at Walsall 4-2, with a hat-trick from George Doherty and the fourth from Jeff Whitley.

Tuesday 17th

16-year-old youth team goalkeeper Lee Daly is rushed to hospital after collapsing at his parents' home. A knock sustained in the victory at Walsall has caused kidney damage.

Thursday 19th

MCIVTA 256 has news of possible management appointments, transfer rumours and that City may be set to move from Maine Road. There's also news of the forthcoming rights issue, the result of the November Player of the Month poll, more on the situation at Brighton and a Why Blue from Thomas Bubendorfer.

Friday 20th

Two players go out on loan: Nigel Clough to Nottingham Forest and Chris Beech to Chesterfield.

Saturday 21st

City lose their second derby match of the season, 2-1 at Oldham. Gio Kinkladze sees his penalty saved but makes up for it with a lovely chip to give City a deserved half-time lead but the home side come back to win the game with goals from Ian Ormondroyd and Nicky Banger.

Monday 23rd

MCIVTA 257 has a report of the Oldham game, transfer news and rumours, thoughts on the formation of an overseas branch of the Supporters' Club, news of a chance meeting with Joe Corrigan, several views on the possible stadium move and a Why Blue from Dave Lees.

Thursday 26th

The Nationwide League's biggest crowd of the season sees City lose 1-0 at home to Port Vale, Martin Foyle scoring the only goal of the game. The result puts extra pressure on the board to sort out the managerial position.

Friday 27th

MCIVTA 258 has several views of the Port Vale game, transfer and injury news, a guide for the forthcoming trip to Brentford in the F.A. Cup, some New Year predictions, plus a Why Blue from Geir Ove Neset.

Saturday 28th

City lose again, this time 2-0 at high-flying Barnsley. Jovo Bosancic scores a controversial penalty and Adrian Moses scores the second.

Sunday 29th

Phil Neal resigns when it becomes clear that he does not form part of new manager Frank Clark's plans for the backroom staff.

Monday 30th

Tony Book's 30-year association with City is ended when he is sacked as first team coach.

Tuesday 31st

MCIVTA 259 has news of the backroom changes, three reports of the Barnsley game, various opinions from both before and after Clark's appointment, plus a Why Blue from Richard Mottershead.

JANUARY 1997

Wednesday 1st

City's game against Birmingham City at St. Andrews is postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Thursday 2nd

Richard Money is appointed as first team coach, following manager Frank Clark from Nottingham Forest. MCIVTA 260 is a short one with just a few news snippets and Why Blues from Bob Young and Jim Bottomley.

Friday 3rd

Saturday's F.A. Cup 3rd Round tie against Brentford is postponed due to a frozen Griffin Park pitch.

Saturday 4th

Jeff Whitley elects to play his international football for Northern Ireland and is rewarded with a place in their squad for the forthcoming friendly against Italy. The Pools Panel give City victory at Brentford.

Sunday 5th

The draw for the 4th Round of the F.A. Cup gives Brentford or City a home match against either Oxford United or Watford.

Monday 6th

MCIVTA 261 has the latest news and transfer speculation, some quotes from Francis Lee and Stephen Boler about their working relationship, some optimistic opinions for the New Year, more on the campaign to save Brighton and Hove Albion plus a Why Blue from Chris Giles.

Tuesday 7th

Alan Hill resigns from Nottingham Forest and becomes Frank Clark's assistant manager. City go out of the F.A. Youth Cup, losing 2-1 to Leeds United at Maine Road.

Thursday 9th

City play a private game against Tranmere Rovers to give Peter Beagrie, Alan Kernaghan and John Foster some match practice following long lay-offs through injury. MCIVTA 262 has lots of transfer rumours, news of the latest backroom changes, the inside story of the "band" at the Port Vale game, a review of Volume 2 Issue 5 of City Magazine, opinions on the new manager, kit changes and the possible sale of Gio Kinkladze, plus a Why Blue from Brad Olds.

Saturday 11th

Frank Clark's first game in charge sees the Blues draw 1-1 with Crystal Palace at Maine Road. David Tuttle's own goal gives City the lead but George Ndah scores a late equaliser for the visitors.

Monday 13th

Michael Frontzeck is reported to have signed for German club Freiburg for £250,000 (though the fee is later recorded as £80,000). MCIVTA 263 has news of this, several views of the Palace game, opinions on the start of the Frank Clark era at Maine Road plus a Why Blue from Harry Swift.

Tuesday 14th

City's rearranged F.A. Cup 3rd Round tie at Brentford is postponed again because of a partly-frozen pitch. The decision is made only two hours before kick-off, thus incurring the wrath of over 3,000 fans who had travelled South from Manchester.

Thursday 16th

MCIVTA 264 has several views of the Brentford postponement and another of the Palace match, another transfer rumour, recollections of a famous disallowed goal at the Baseball Ground plus a Why Blue from Tim Edmondson.

Friday 17th

Belfast-born goalkeeper Tommy Wright joins City on loan from Nottingham Forest.

Saturday 18th

City avoid defeat in two consecutive games for the first time in the season with a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield. Steve Lomas gives the Blues a half-time lead but once again a set-piece proves to be City's undoing as Ian Lawson heads in a corner. Some good saves from débutant Tommy Wright are needed to save a point during a tense final few minutes.

Monday 20th

There's plenty of interest in MCIVTA 265 including two reports of the Huddersfield match, a report of the latest meeting of the Prestwich & Whitefield branch of the Supporters' Club plus opinion on City players' fitness levels, football in Taiwan and South Korea, how much football really means to us and City's changing kit styles.

Tuesday 21st

Paul Dickov is diagnosed as having shin splints.

Wednesday 22nd

Jeff Whitley, Steve Lomas and Tommy Wright are in the Northern Ireland squad defeated 2-0 by Italy in a friendly in Palermo. Dalian Atkinson and Czech Republic international defender Vaclav Nemecek train with the Blues.

Thursday 23rd

MCIVTA 266 has another view of the Huddersfield game, transfer and injury news and speculation, opinion on City's future fan-base (or lack of it) and youth policy, news from Platt Lane, a statistical survey of managers' performance, plus a Why Blue from Steve Swindells.

Saturday 25th

City's F.A. Cup 3rd Round tie at Brentford is finally played and the Blues win in London for the first time in over two years, Nicky Summerbee scoring the only goal of the game.

Sunday 26th

The winners of the City vs. Watford 4th Round F.A. Cup tie are drawn at home to Middlesbrough in the 5th Round.

Monday 27th

MCIVTA 267 includes many reports of the Brentford game, transfer news and rumours, the result of the December Player of the Month poll, opinion on the club's immediate future and a Why Blue from Sebastian Harvey.

Wednesday 29th

Colin Barlow announces that he is to step down as Managing Director, with Liverpool's Commercial Manager Mike Turner to take over as City's Chief Executive on March 3rd. City climb out of the relegation zone with a goalless draw against Sheffield United at Maine Road. Peter Beagrie makes his long-awaited return as a 66th minute substitute. The programme for the game includes an announcement that City's Official Web Site will soon be online.

Thursday 30th

MCIVTA 268 has a couple of reports of the Sheffield United game, news of the transfer and backroom moves, news of the formation of the Icelandic Branch of the Supporters' Club, plenty of opinions and a Why Blue from Martyn Hansen.

Friday 31st

Northern Ireland international midfielder Kevin Horlock joins City for £1,250,000 from Swindon Town. The fee will rise to £1,500,000 after he has made 50 appearances for the Blues.

FEBRUARY 1997

Sunday 2nd

City record their biggest win of the season so far with a 4-1 victory at Oxford United. The star of the show is undoubtedly Gio Kinkladze who scores two brilliant goals and is involved in the other two, an own goal by Phil Gilchrist and a late tap-in for Uwe Rösler. Paul Moody scores Oxford's consolation goal in a game which also sees Kevin Horlock make his début for the Blues.

Monday 3rd

City's inspired performance at Oxford results in MCIVTA 269 being a longer than usual edition. There are half a dozen reports of the game in addition to more transfer news and opinions on recent events in the media, plus a Why Blue from Jack Millington.

Wednesday 5th

For the first time this season, City win a second consecutive game, this time 3-1 at home to Watford in the F.A. Cup. City's goalscorers are Neil Heaney, Nicky Summerbee and Uwe Rösler, with Watford's reply coming from Gifton Noel-Williams after Steve Palmer is sent off for striking Steve Lomas.

Thursday 6th

MCIVTA 270 has a couple of views of the Watford game, more comment on Alan Ball, Francis Lee's statement on the 3rd anniversary of his takeover, a number of opinions on City's progress under Frank Clark's leadership, much praise for Gio Kinkladze, a review of Volume 2 Issue 6 of CITY Magazine, plus one or two miscellaneous opinions.

Friday 7th

City sign stopper Paul Beesley from Leeds United for £500,000. Lee Crooks is selected by Brian Horton for the Nationwide League representative squad to face a side from Italy's Serie B on 19th February.

Saturday 8th

Another super show from Gio Kinkladze inspires City to a 3-0 win over Southend United at Maine Road, completing City's first winning "double" of the season. The Georgian scores one himself and makes another for Uwe Rösler, who scores twice.

Monday 10th

MCIVTA 271 has three views of the Southend game plus another one of the Watford match, opinions on City's improved form, the future of Gio Kinkladze at the club and of the ticket office, details of the City Fans' Committee, some old songs and some humour.

Tuesday 11th

Jeff Whitley makes his international début for Northern Ireland in their 3-0 win in a home friendly against Belgium, coming on as substitute for the last 3 minutes. Steve Lomas, Kevin Horlock and Tommy Wright also play. In Cardiff, Kit Symons plays for Wales in their goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland.

Thursday 13th

MCIVTA 272 has transfer news, details of the Official City Web Site, a report from the first meeting of the Icelandic Branch of the Supporters' Club, minutes of the 3rd February meeting of the Fans' Committee, more songs from the past, plus opinions on the Ticket Office and the move to the Millenium Stadium.

Friday 14th

Charges of indecent assault against Andy Dibble are dropped by the complainant. It is also revealed that City's rights issue has raised £11.8 million, £1 million more than expected.

Saturday 15th

City are dumped out of the F.A. Cup, 0-1 at home to Middlesbrough. Juninho scores the only goal of the game.

Monday 17th

MCIVTA 273 has several views of the Middlesbrough match, news and speculation, details of FIFA rule changes for next season plus opinions on the Ticket Office, Frank Clark, the proposed move to the Millenium Stadium and dubious refereeing decisions in City's last 4 F.A. Cup exits.

Tuesday 18th

Tommy Wright is signed in a deal worth £450,000 but this will only come into effect after 1st March because Forest need him as cover for the suspended Mark Crossley. Wright's loan period is extended in the meantime to allow him to face Swindon on Saturday. Andy Dibble goes on loan to Sheffield United.

Thursday 20th

MCIVTA 274 has more on the Middlesbrough game, regarding events before, during and after the match, transfer news, an interesting article from the Sunday Times in Singapore about Manchester United fans, more opinions on the Ticket Office, a research request plus a Why Blue from Frank Fariello in New York.

Saturday 22nd

City get back to winning ways with an easy 3-0 home win over Steve McMahon's Swindon Town. Kevin Horlock and Nicky Summerbee both score against their old club, with Uwe Rösler grabbing the third goal. Swindon's Peter Holcroft is sent off for striking Summerbee in the face, the third time an incident of this nature has happened in recent home games. Season ticket prices for the 97/98 season are announced, with no increase over the 96/97 prices.

Monday 24th

City's request to have the season extended due to fixture congestion is rejected by the Football League. MCIVTA 275 has news of this, several views of the Swindon game, transfer rumours, opinions on the ticket office, City's charges for mascots, the violence after the Middlesbrough game and current form, plus a Why Blue from Peter Talbot.

Wednesday 26th

Peter Beagrie is charged with 3 counts of indecent assault against two women during a short break for the first team squad in Jersey. Mikhail Kavelashvili's City career will end at the end of the season as he has not played enough games to have his work permit renewed.

Thursday 27th

MCIVTA 276 has the week's news and transfer speculation, the result of the January Player of the Month poll, opinions on City's play-off prospects and the policing at the Middlesbrough game plus several requests for information including one offering some money!