Neil Young

I was shocked and upset to read that Neil Young is at risk of losing his left leg again. The guy had surgery three years ago and I know that he received many letters and cards from well wishers. I have asked Dave if there is any way that we can contact him to give our best wishes without interfering with his privacy. For those of you who haven't seen the story, you can access it here


http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1239788_city_hero_young_in_battle_to_save_leg

Bus Pass

Tony,
I did a similar thing myself once. in the early sixties. Trick was to grab the pole and run alongside until the driver changed gear and the bus paused when you coolly jumped on to the admiration of all the passengers. This time though the driver had already changed up and i finished up being dragged along. I had the presence of mind to let go before he reached top speed and was left floundering in the road, looking silly, with a hole in my Italian style suit trousers and a badly grazed knee. My mum sewed a little patch on about an inch square, but when we went out and sat down at places like the Plaza I used to pt my hand over it to conceal. And Sue still married me! This was after I'd inadvertently set fire to the jacket by putting a lighted dimp, which I obviously thought was out, in the side pocket. I had that invisibly repaired at Jackson the Tailors in town. happy days! I loved that suit!
Dave
PS - another time i was on the bottom deck of the bus and a drunk came downstairs, reached out for the pole, missed it completely, and fell off the platform into the road The bus was going at speed but he was that pissed that he was not hurt!
Up The Blues

West ham and stuff

West Ham, and the last game of the season, with nothing much at stake, so a relaxing trip to London was on the cards. We were privileged to stay with friends, Raymond and Christine, and took in a play,The 39 Steps at night. Apparently I disgraced myself by shouting out “Bolton” when, as part of the play, The Memory Man was asked “who won the cup in 1926?” Got some glares and was told “you’re not at the match now” Anyway it was very good (even if I wasn’t!)
So, a nailed on 1-1 draw, with little SWP rising like a salmon to nod home the equaliser.
MOTD didn’t disappoint. Little of our chances were shown and neither was the highlight of the game, Tevez coming on to a standing ovation all round the ground. Hansen reckons we need 6 players!?
News came through during the match that Chelsea were winning 1-0, 2-0 etc. which was a relief. “Two times, we beat the Champions two times”. Final score was 8-0, bloody negative Italian managers eh! And how many have they had in the last few years whilst still winning trophies? Another couple of myths exposed.
Spurs lost at Burnley and Villa at home to Blackburn so 5th spot it was. Oh what could have been. What about those bitter rags on the radio? After they beat Spurs a week or so ago, it was “We’ve just won the title today” After Chelsea’s win over Wigan, they won it "because they had all the luck!" Alan green didn't shout him down. Not for the first time then, the team that finished top weren’t worthy winners, the table doesn’t lie etc. This rule only applies when the rags win it. Ungracious bastards. Now if they’d kept Tevez!!?? Or even Forlan.
Mancini’s staying, and we look forward to Thursday nights and Sunday footy next year plus some juicy away trips.
Sad for Fulham tonight but fair do’s to Athletico who have to put up with Real. And it’s Blackpool v Cardiff in the play off final. Amazing.
Dave

Friday on my mind

Friday On My Mind
Well we couldn’t manage it against Spurs, so another disappointment. Despite our good season the disappointments have stuck more than the successes for me. The game that did us was Hull away.
Last night it was a visit to the Horwich Wind Tunnel to see our boys lift The Manchester Senior Cup. Dominant first half and 1-0 up, with good touches, control and passing. Second half Bolton pressed but without City’s fluency. It was an all round team performance and difficult to pick out any particular individual. Bolton’s goalie, Hungarian, Adam Bogdan impressed. Have we got any Hungarians? Hmm, hows about Marton Fulop!
Getting a bit sick of reading how Wigan, who always take it up the arse v united are gonna do them a favour by beating Chelsea on Sunday. Not a peep from the normally vociferous Pulis on how Stoke are gonna do the rags. Anyone remember the MOTD cameras in 1967 highlighting Paddy Crerand in close up and spitting in the face of Stoke’s Tony Allen? Bet there’s no pics of that knocking about. What a despicable club. No wonder everyone hates them. C’mon Chelsea.
West Ham on Sunday, here’s the It’s A Fix extract :

38) SUN. MAY 9TH : W.HAM (AWAY) K.O. 4 PM

Last promotion was in 2005, so this is their fifth season back, and how lucky were they in 2007 to stay up? No league titles and last F. A. Cup in 1980
Most recent connection: Craig Bellamy. Big name supporters : Russell Brand, Ray Winstone. 82nd Lg Meeting.

Zola’s squad includes : Green, Upson, Gabbidon, Faubert, Daprela, Parker, Noble, Stanislas, Behrami,
Mido, Cole, Dyer, Collison,…..

This season so far : At COMS on a September Monday night it was a 3-1 City win. Tevez scored in the 5th minute and Cole equalised in the 24th. Petrov put us in front in the 32nd and Carlos wrapped it up in the 61st for a comfy win. Crowd was 42,745 with 1100 ‘ammers.
They went out of both cup competitions and in the league are currently 17th with 34 points from 37 games and 7 wins 4 draws and 7 losses at home.

Our form at West Ham: Last season on a March Sunday we went down 1-0 to a 71st minute Collison goal, in front of 34,562 with 1,889 Blues. Wins down there have been rare recently, in fact just the one, 2-0 on the opening day of the season in 07/08. Otherwise it’s been 6 losses and one draw (0-0 in 02/03) in the Prem.

___________________________________________
Upton Park

Capacity : 35,146 (3,000+for City
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Groundwise: Same again at Upton Park. We’re in the left hand side of the Centenary stand (looking at the pitch!) Not as intimidating since they built the new main stand, with the pitch not as close to the crowd as it used to be, and no sign yet of the chicken run stand to our left being replaced. In fact they’re considering moving to the Olympic Stadium

Comment : They’ve had a stinker of a season with even greater turmoil than normal, with Sullivan, Gold and Brady quitting Birmingham and taking over, causing all sorts of trouble. They dropped into the relegation zone but are now clear, and, like us, don’t need a result desperately today, although a draw will confirm 5th place for us.
Obviously some comparisons may be drawn to the last day of the 86/87 season when we lost 2-0 at Upton Park and were relegated. That day a bond between both sets of fans was forged and those of us who were there won’t forget the respect their fans showed to us in our time of depression.
Anyway, last game of an eventful season, let's enjoy it.

Wind Ups : You can stick your …...
WWTWTWShite : Averaged 17,679 in 55/56, so not bad.
Their current home average att : 33,512
Away day zines : On the Terraces, Over Land and Sea, Knees Up Mother Brown
Pubs : Tricky, The Boleyn Tavern, Millers Well, Denmark Arms
Parking : On the street. Bugger to get away from!
Sat Nav : E13 9AZ

Here’s an excerpt from the forthcoming KOTK Us and Them book :

Neil Shaw : THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE
Like most City supporters, I’ve always admired the close knit support that follow West Ham. The Irons boast a fierce reputation, but their fans have always made City welcome. Somehow I doubt that united are offered the same hand of friendship.
According to his autobiography, Tony Adams launched into an epic drinking spree after the Semi Final defeat at Euro 96. Eventually, he surfaced in the Greyhound at Bethnal Green. The pub has always been a magnet for late drinking City fans.
At this point I should also pay homage to the Kings Arms in Bow and the Black Lion in Plaistow. Treat people as you find them and West Ham will always give you respect.
When Spencer Prior opened the scoring in 2000, a City supporter aimed a volley of abuse at his neighbour on the other side of the segregation barrier. Apart from being ill advised, he was also oblivious to the notion that some City supporters, myself included, were keeping quiet on the other side of the barrier. An hour later we were losing 4-1.
I knew that City were going to be relegated from the moment that Paulo Di Canio humiliated Nicky Weaver from the penalty spot. There was something about the goal that epitomized the gulf in class between City and the rest of the division.
From Mark Ward and Steve Lomas, to Ian Bishop and Trevor Morley, the similarities between City and West Ham are endless. Both clubs have enjoyed a colourful history with self destruction always lurking around the corner.
A Premier League without West Ham wouldn’t be a proper competition. They haven’t won a trophy since 1980, but their place in history is set in stone.
I remember the ICF controlling the block between the Main Stand and the Platt Lane in 1982. The following season they bought all the seats in H Block. In terms of organised hooliganism, West Ham were light years ahead of the opposition.
I’ve seen City win, lose and draw at Upton Park. I’ve witnessed a Bianchi goal in the opening minutes and a Colin Hendry winner in the last minute. Some things never change, but the relationship between City and West Ham is surprisingly warm for English football.

Today : Villa v Blackburn, Burnley v Spurs, Hull v Liverpool,

Wednesday

Wednesday
Went to see the ‘Beautiful House‘ play at the Library Theatre the other night and bumped into big Blues Carole and Keith and their mum and had a pleasant chat on all things Blue. John Henshaw was in the play, which was brilliant, and he came on set clutching his City mug!
Had a chat with him afterwards and, like you do, when you’re a bit awestruck spoke gobblygook and when I asked if he was confident about tonight he misheard and replied “no, I’m working here, in the play”. He must’ve thought I was a right plonker!
Last night it was the Points Of Blue meeting which was very well attended. Main topic was, of course, the situation regarding the transfer of season ticket holders from the North Stand and Monday’s farcical situation regarding the queuing in the cold of thousands of Blues for hours on end, who wanted to have first dibs on alternative seats. Most people accept that progress and change is inevitable but the way this has been sprung on people was heavily criticised. I asked if anything said tonight would change anything but whilst the club accepted that it was badly handled it looks like a fait accompli, so much for “supporting our supporters” Us East stand level two types are waiting to receive a letter next week telling us of our situation over the next couple of years.
Anyway, having turned down various radio interviews recently, I agreed to do 5-Live this morning at the unearthly hour of 7.20 am! So to tonight’s game, here’s the It’s A Fix updated extract :

37) WED. MAY 5TH : SPURS (HOME) K.O. 8 PM

Spurs’last promotion was in 1978, since then they’ve been successful in the F. A., League and UEFA Cups, and their last pot was the League Cup in 2008. Most recent connection : Vedran Corluka Big name supporters : Chas and Dave. 122nd League meeting

Harry Redknapp’s squad includes : Gomez, Dawson, King, Woodgate, Corluka, Huddlestone, Palacios, Assou-Ekkotto, Bentley, Defoe, Lennon, Kranjcar, Pavyluchenko, Jenas, Modric, Cudicini, Bale, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Bassong……but no Robbie Keane!

This season so far : At the Lane in December we went down 3-0 in a poor display. We started off reasonably well but goals from Kranjcar in the 37th and 90 th minute, plus a Defoe strike in the 54th had us well beaten, and signalled the end of Hughes’ reign.
They’re currently in 4th place with 67 points from 36 games and 6 wins 5 draws and 6 losses away.
In the Carling Cup they laid down at united as usual, and in the F. A. Cup they lost to Pompey in the semi-final. This didn’t demoralise them though, and they bounced back with home wins over Arsenal, Chelsea and Bolton, but lost at united.

Our form at home to Spurs : Last season in November, just after beating Twente (congratulations to MacClaren and them for their first ever league title) in the UEFA Cup we lost yet again to Spurs. Robinho put us ahead in the 16th minute but Bent won it for them with goals in the 27th and 64th minutes. Fernandes and Dunne got their marching orders followed by Assou-Ekotto for Spurs. Crowd was 41,843 with 2,613 Spuds.
Out of the 12 home games in the Prem we’ve only managed 2 wins, 5-2 in 94/95 and 2-1 in 07/08. Otherwise it’s been 8 losses and 2 draws. Woeful.

Comment : It’s taken a long time to re-arrange this game and the timing makes it massive. Biggest game we’ve had for a few years, maybe, let’s show we’ve got the bottle, nothing less than a win will do.
They were too good for us at The Lane, and despite becoming a bogey team we can still eke out a result in what is a showdown for 4th place. All to play for.

Wind Ups : Usually the 3-0 up and you f*cked it up, even though we won f*ck all. No doubt they’ll trot out the one Ricky Villa one.

Their current average home att: : 35,766
WWTWTWShite : Averaged 20,859 in 85/86 so not bad

Hansen and Grotty

Hansen and Grotty
Villa then and what a great win. MOTD sank to new depths with it’s coverage and comments by Hansen (who is usually decent to City) and Lawrensen (who is not) How anyone could class that as a dull game is beyond me. Superb skill by Johnson for our second goal? No, it was bad defending. The Sunday morning show on Sky with Chris Kamara had it as a great game, so time, really for MOTD pundits to clear off. Go forth said Gary Lineker, you bet.
Round and about, Chelsea won at Liverpool, Gerrard’s back pass matching Curle’s hand ball for a Villa penalty that time. Spurs beat Bolton and rags scraped a win at Sunderland.
Tonight’s MEN had united’s reserves putting on a “Champion show” Did they win 3-0, 4-0? No it was 3-3 and they won on pens, wow.
David Sadler (who is always welcomed at City do’s) couldn’t understand why some Liverpool fans weren’t bothered if Chelsea won. United folk. They just don’t get it do they?
Tonight it’s the POB at COMS, 6.30pm in the Colin Bell Stand. No doubt the season ticket situation will be the main topic. See you there. Don’t moan if you can’t be arsed to have your say.
Dave