City at the Manchester Histories Festival

[gary james]

I'd like to thank everyone who participated in all the football related activities at the Manchester Histories Festival this year, especially those on the panel for the Ownership Debate and everyone who came along to support the events.

The Festival is still in its infancy to some extent, and I've been keen to ensure football - and City - plays its part.

There were Walks, Plays, Talks and the Debate. I think they all went well in the end, and am happy that so many Blues participated. Hopefully future festivals will see more activities fans will enjoy.

Thanks to Colin Savage & Dave Wallace for joining the debate panel and making valuable and interesting contributions.

We also arranged for Bill Cronshaw to stage his excellent play about Bert Trautmann - "I'll Be Bert" - and I know that was also well received.

Virtually all the activities were free.

Keen to hear any views from anyone who attended any of the football activities.

Also, while I'm talking about history details of how to subscribe to my new book have been announced: http://www.manchesterfootball.org/publications.php and I'll be guest tonight at Halifax Supporters Club in Sowerby Bridge if anyone wants to know more about the Festival or my books.

[bobby brows]

I was thinking about that debate at lunch time, i didn't realise it had come and gone!

I've often thought we've been considered bad ownership because of the negative perception british people seem to have when it comes to specuation to accumulate in football (because so often the wrong people get it wrong) and the natural jealousy that consumes people of the clubs its not happening to. As we were not perceived as a big club we're seen as another Leeds waiting to happen whereas if it had happened to Liverpool who were/are in worse financial & infastructre shape than we were it would be considered good for the game!

I think our owners have been great, and have really engaged with supporters (i.e. the bingo lewis thread) , I've often wondered if that bloke who bought Portsmouth hadn't spouted off about buying the best players in the world and if we hadn't bought Robinho on deadline day (and bought say a Peter Crouch journeyman type player) if there wouldn't be such negativity around the club or given the owners and Mark Hughes more time to build a team (as opposed to purchasing 3) and highlighting the infastructure that the new owners have built up instead of the huge wages we were offering.

[gary james]

I was thinking about that debate at lunch time, i didn't realise it had come and gone!

I've often thought we've been considered bad ownership because of the negative perception british people seem to have when it comes to specuation to accumulate in football (because so often the wrong people get it wrong) and the natural jealousy that consumes people of the clubs its not happening to. As we were not perceived as a big club we're seen as another Leeds waiting to happen whereas if it had happened to Liverpool who were/are in worse financial & infastructre shape than we were it would be considered good for the game!

I think our owners have been great, and have really engaged with supporters (i.e. the bingo lewis thread) , I've often wondered if that bloke who bought Portsmouth hadn't spouted off about buying the best players in the world and if we hadn't bought Robinho on deadline day (and bought say a Peter Crouch journeyman type player) if there wouldn't be such negativity around the club or given the owners and Mark Hughes more time to build a team (as opposed to purchasing 3) and highlighting the infastructure that the new owners have built up instead of the huge wages we were offering.

Interesting points. On Friday the panel consisted of a mix of City, United, FC Utd and a neutral and I think it went well. I chaired the debate and so had to be neutral, but did compare the adulation Michael Knighton got when he arrived at Utd (false dawn for them) with Thaksin's when it was suggested by those of a Red persuasion that City wanted success at any price. To me all fans want success and if it has eluded a club for so long then they will focus on someone who promises a change.

[bobby brows]

On another ownership note, did anyone watch the QPR: 4 year plan documentary on bbc2 last night? if not, i advise you to get it on the iplayer it was really insightful into the hotshot running of a club!

6 managers in 2 1/2 years, everytime they'd lose a game Briatore would have to be convinced not to sack the 'idiot' coach. in fact after he'd resigned as chairman the only time he phoned was to demand Neil Warnock had lost his first game in the league at xmas and they were top!

there were other insighful things as well. Like how all QPR fans were made to look like proper chavtistics wannabe hooligans.

Bernie Ecclestone, net worth £2.6b, complaining about the cost of the bottled water available to the players.

The owners discussing savings to the club by recycling flowers and cutting the cost of the food in the hospitality boxes.

Flavio Briatore came across like the worst human being in the world! I wouldn't have been shocked if they'd said that he bought the club with Nazi gold by the end

The 4 year plan is Milan Mandaric has made an art out of! By a club in englands second or third tier that is grateful for your cash, spend a few quid, get them to the premier league and flip them for a huge profit before it all collapses!