Francis Lee, Tony Book and Mike Summerbee watch the latest City success
There was a time when Tony Book wondered if he would ever see Manchestere City lift silverware again. Now, though, he feels the club are on the verge of something special.
“I think they are,” he said. “They are certainly up there challenging with United now.
“And that can only be good for the Manchester football scene. It’s like it was in our day, with City and United both challenging at the top. It’s great.”
Until Yaya Toure’s shot billowed the Wembley net a fortnight ago, Book was the last City manager to win a trophy. The 35 years of hurt since the League Cup triumph of 1976 are over.
Book, though, remains the last man to captain the Blues to the league title, on a dramatic afternoon at Newcastle in May 1968. He would love to see that wait ended too.
But for now, there is the glory of an FA Cup victory to enjoy and the thrill of Champions League football to look forward to.
At last Monday night’s parade to mark the Wembley triumph over Stoke, Book was enjoying the moment as much as anyone.
There was a wide smile on the 76-year-old’s face as he joined Mike Summerbee, Francis Lee and Glyn Pardoe – and a stadium full of delirious Blues – in performing the Poznan dance.
It is only a few months since Blues supporters adopted the celebration, inspired by fans of Polish side Lech Poznan following their two meetings in the Europa League group stages.
Yet already it seems ingrained in the club culture.
“I think it’s amazing,” Book said. “The fans have enjoyed their experiences in the Europa League, and they’ve got a taste for more. I can’t wait to see how City get on the Champions League.”
This is a good time to be following City – highest league finish since 1977, first FA Cup since 1969, awaiting a first crack at the European Cup since 1968.
Book was there throughout the club’s last golden era, first as player and captain, then as manager. The game has changed hugely in the four intervening decades, but Book feels that Roberto Mancini has managed to find a blueprint for success to suit the modern era.
“The difference between our side in the 1960s and the current team is that our strength was in our five forwards – Tony Coleman, Neil Young, Francis Lee, Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee,” Book said.
“We knew we could play with a little bit of freedom because they could score goals. If we conceded two, we always felt we could score three. Joe Mercer and Malcolm Alison set up the team in that way.
“The manager now has more of an Italian style, where the team can set out to win games 1-0, take a lead and then hold it.
“But the current City side still has the quality of forwards capable of nicking that one goal that can make all the difference.”
Mancini’s success is one built on defence. The Blues let in just 33 Premier League goals during 2010/11 campaign, the fewest they have ever conceded in a top-flight season.
But for Book, City’s success has been built not just on the defence, but on solid teamwork, excellent spirit and no little skill.
“We won the league in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970,” Book said.
“And while the flair players such as Lee, Bell and Summerbee got all the attention, we had a good group of local lads backing them up as well – people such as Glyn Pardoe, Alan Oakes and Mike Doyle, players who had a real pride in playing for the club.
“What has impressed me about City over the last season is that, even though the make-up of the team is much more cosmopolitan now, you still have the pride and determination there.
“Players such as Vincent Kompany, Nigel de Jong and Carlos Tevez have been immense this season. They’ve set an example in every game by giving their best.
“It’s been a team effort throughout the club, driven by the ambition and investment of the owners and the hard work put in behind the scenes by Garry Cook and his team.”
Book’s affinity with City is as strong as ever, 45 years after Allison brought the full-back, then a few weeks short of his 32nd birthday, to Maine Road. The story of Book’s unlikely rise from apprentice bricklayer to First Division title-winning captain has been well told, but is no less remarkable for that.
Allison, who managed the defender in non-league football at Bath, then took him to play for a summer in Canada with Toronto, used all his guile to convince Plymouth’s directors to sign Book in 1964.
Big Mal didn’t think City would pay £1,500 for an older player, so he got Book to doctor his birth certificate to make it look as though he was 28. Allison’s powers of persuasion played a part in the full-back’s move to City, too.
Book recalled: “I was nearly 32 when City signed me, and Joe Mercer was a bit dubious about it. But Joe had made a big move from Everton to Arsenal when he was 31, and gone on to win the league title at Highbury. And Malcolm reminded him of that.”
Aside from a brief coaching stint at Cardiff in 1981, Book would remain at City for the next 30 years. His stint as manager between 1974 and 1979 brought stability to a club who had seen Allison, Johnny Hart and Ron Saunders spend brief stints in the manager’s chair, and covered the last great era in City’s history before Mancini’s arrival.
“I enjoyed management, but it was difficult, because I had to break up a team of legends,” he said. “Some big names left, while Ron Saunders signed Dennis Tueart and I brought in Dave Watson, Brian Kidd and Asa Hartford.
“That was a difficult thing to do because the lads leaving were those I had played alongside. But we won the League Cup, finished runners-up to Liverpool in the First Division and played European football in three out of my five seasons in charge.”
The League Cup was won in 1976 thanks to Tueart’s sublime overhead kick after Peter Barnes had put City in front with a free kick routine practised on the Platt Lane training ground.
“I thought we would have gone on after winning the League Cup,” Book said. “But mistakes were made and there were a lot of changes. Football clubs need stability.”
And so as City changed managers repeatedly, glory proved elusive – until May 14, 2011. Maybe 2012 will bring even more silverware to Eastlands.
“I would love to see them go for the Premier League title next year,” Book said. “Now that they have won one trophy, I’m sure there will be others to follow. But the Premier League title would be something special.”
TRAVEL BOLLOX
How much do you know about Poznan .... a quick skim of the web and some delightful bollox can be found or as they say ... bóllóx
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be the first capital of the kingdom of Poland. Poznań is now Poland's fifth largest city. It is the historical capital of the Wielkopolska ("Greater Poland") region, and is currently the administrative capital of the province called Greater Poland Voivodeship.
The name Poznań probably comes from a personal name Poznan "one who is known/recognized") and would mean "Poznan's town". It is also possible that the name comes directly from the verb poznać, which means "to get to know" or "to recognize". It may simply mean "known town".
Culturewise it is now accepted as a football celebration. Originally an unnamed celebratory 'gig' by Manchester City (UK) fans in the 1977-78 Season, it went as quickly as it came. Adopted by fans visiting from Poland back in the early ninties after a behind closed doors friendly between the two clubs, a bond was formed which flourished spectacularly at Wembley Stadium(LONDON, UK) nearly 20 years later.
More interesting facts about Poznan all this week in the Daily B*ll*x ... FREE
Is it crap?
Nice one for debating, best discussed in this thread ...
viewtopic.php?f=119&t=38939
Manchester City could face Barcelona in Champions League group stage
Manchester City set for Pot Three in Uefa draw • Champions League winners are possible opponents
Manchester City are likely to have a 20% chance of drawing Barcelona in next season's Champions League group stages. The line-up for Europe's premier competition was finalised over the weekend, along with the overall co-efficients from each competing club.
Final confirmation is still to be made by Uefa but it looks certain that City will be in Pot Three for the draw, even if all the clubs above them in the seedings who must face qualifying ties do not make it to the group stage. With Manchester United and Chelsea confirmed as top sides and Arsenal bound to join them if they make it through their final qualifier, City will have just five potential opponents from Pot One.
That list will be headed by Barcelona, whose brilliant display in Saturday's 3-1 defeat of United at Wembley has led many observers to acclaim Pep Guardiola's men as the best club side of all time. Real Madrid will also be in Pot One, along with the 2010 European champions, Internazionale; the Europa League winners, Porto; and, if they make it through the qualifiers, Bayern Munich. Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk would appear to be the strongest sides in Pot Two.
mcf.net THREAD:
OTHER BIG, FULL FAT BOLLOX
Blackpool are set to resist Leeds' attempts to revive a deal for midfielder Keith Southern. Yorkshire Evening Post
Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, who has spent two and a half of the past three seasons on loan to Wolves, is a £3m target for Bundesliga side Hamburg. Wolves and Stoke may yet submit offers to rival the German club's bid. Inside Futbol
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to react to his side's defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League final by overhauling his squad. Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric could be part of a revamped line-up next season, with a £20m bid being prepared for the Croatia international. Daily Mail
As many as 10 players could be on their way out of Old Trafford, with strikers Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov and midfielder Nani among those who could depart. Meanwhile, United boss Ferguson will want to establish if Paul Scholes is going to end his playing career, with one idea being that the former England midfielder could take over the reserve team. the Guardian
Scholes has already made his decision to end his playing career. The 37-year-old, who has made 676 appearances for the club, wanted to announce his retirement after the team clinched their 19th league title against Blackburn on the 14 May but was persuaded to delay until after the Champions League final. Daily Express
Atletico Madrid goalkeper David de Gea is expected to arrive at Manchester United by the end of the week in a £17m deal, with midfielders Ashley Young of Aston Villa and Jack Rodwell of Everton next on Ferguson's shopping list. the Independent
Barcelona are set to beat Tottenham to the signing of former Manchester United reserve forward Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal in a staggering £40m deal. Daily Mirror
Arsenal could be tempted to make a summer move for Liverpool target Axel Witsel after it emerged that the Standard Liege midfielder's ambition is to play in the Premier League. Metro
West Ham striker Demba Ba is being tracked by Everton , but his wage demands may scupper any move to Merseyside. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are set to announce the signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel on a two-year deal to replace the error-prone Heurelho Gomes as the club's number one for next season. Daily Mail
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid is eyeing a move to former club Nottingham Forest following his release from Blackpool. Daily Mail
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, 30, is set to be offered back to former club Tottenham after he was omitted from the team for the Champions League final. Metro
But United are set to beat arch rivals Liverpool in the £15m race to sign Aston Villa's 25-year-old England winger Ashley Young. Sunday Mirror
Chelsea and Manchester United are willing to triple Luka Modric's wages to lure him away from Tottenham. The 25-year-old midfielder would also cost around £30m. News of the World (subscription required)
Aston Villa are discussing whether to break a 28-year transfer hoodoo by making a £15m double bid for goalkeeper Ben Foster, 28, and 24-year-old defender Scott Dann from their local rivals Birmingham City. No player has moved directly from St Andrew's to Villa Park since Alan Curbishley in 1983. Sunday Mirror
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce aims to make relegated Blackpool's striker DJ Campbell, 29, and Birmingham's 25-year-old midfielder Seb Larsson his first captures of the summer. Sunday Mirror
Lazio keeper Fernando Muslera, 24, has emerged as a transfer target for Tottenham. Insidefutbol.com
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola may have commited his immediate future to the European champions but Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to break the bank to lure the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge. Sunday Mirror
Despite insisting that manager Gerard Houllier will return next season after health issues, Aston Villa's chances of persuading David Moyes to become their new boss have been boosted by the Everton manager learning he will have to finance new signings at Goodison Park this summer by selling established players. Metro
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has reassured fans the club will buy players during the summer transfer window but hinted there will not be an extravagant spending spree. Metro
England manager Fabio Capello will hold talks with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand this week to clear the air over stripping him of the international captaincy. Sunday Mirror
Chelsea star Frank Lampard is set to propose to TV presenter girlfriend Christine Bleakley next week on board one of club owner Roman Abramovich's luxury yachts during a romantic holiday in Sardinia. Sunday Mirror
Pep Guardiola is set to become Europe's most wanted man after revealing he will spend only one more year as Barcelona manager. Daily Mirror
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony claims no other manager could have achieved what Darren Ferguson has at the club after he led them to a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield in Sunday's League One play-off final. Talksport
Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi was once banned from playing in his native Argentina because he was too small. Daily Mirror
Former France left-back Bixente Lizarazu, a World Cup winner in 1998, has said he will make good on his promise to streak naked through the streets of Evian after his local side secured promotion to the top flight of French football.the Independent
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was replicating a tradition from championship-winning basketball teams when he cut the net from the goalposts at Wembley to take home as a souvenir following the Champions League win over Manchester United. (the Independent)
COMMUNITY BOLLOX
Details Surrounding The FA Community Shield 2011
Both Manchester City and Manchester United will battle it out for the FA Community Shield, formerly known as the Charity Shield on Sunday 7 August 2011.
Wembley Stadium will see around 70,000 Mancs travel to the capital at the beginning of the English football season. In other words the paltry 25,000 tickets allocated to the Blue half of Manchester for the FA Cup final will rise by approximately 10,000, albeit the number is subject to confirmation.
Community Shield match rules
The match lasts 90 minutes, comprising of two 45 minute periods that are separated by a 15 minute break. If the scores are level after 90 minutes the match will go to a penalty shootout, where each side takes five penalty kicks each, and the winner is the team who scores more goals in the shootout. If the scores are level after each team has taken five penalty kicks, the match goes to sudden death, whereby each team takes one penalty kick each in succession, and the winner is the team who scores their sudden death kick when the other team misses.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for the 2010 FA Community Shield ranged from £40, £30, £20 and £15, with The Football Association distributing all proceeds to charitable projects across England. With 86,000 fans attending the 2009 event, over £2 million was expected to be donated to charity.
Interest in this years competition is expected to top last years attendance and that includes the usual dignitaries and prawn sandwich brigade.
BOLLOX BOLLOX
Someone has unfurled a MUFC 19 times banner at Old Trafford in recognition of how many times Utd touched the ball on Saturday night.
