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As it's Remembrance Sunday I thought I'd post the link here to my latest mcfc blog listing the first team mcfc players who died in action in WW1. This includes 2 of the 1904 FAC winning team, one of whom died after the war but was still on active service. He is buried in Denton cemetery - if any Blues live in the area it may be appropriate to leave a few flowers? I've not been but assume he has a ww1 white military grave.

Here's the blog:

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Club-news/20 ... mes-blog-8

RIP to all who lost their lives for their countries. Senseless waste and some things never change.

I seem to be continually thanking you for your efforts Gary and once again, that piece was superb. I have always tried to emphasise to City fans younger than me (just about everyone) that City did not evolve in isolation from the community. City's history and heritage impacts on our own personal and family history. Especially those who have lost their lives in the continued armed conflicts since City were 1st founded.

It also shows that in these days where top footballers are in many ways removed and protected from general society, Those early footballers were very much a part of the community.

(You could probably exclude Max Woosnam from that last statement as he was a wholly different kettle of fish, which I keep meaning to post about)

Thanks for the comments. I'm still plugging away after over 25 years since my first City book was published to uncover more. I won't rest until City's history is given the attention and prominence it deserves. I accept that many Blues may not be interested in anything pre their own first game, but to me it's important to know where our club comes from and why we have the feelings/approach we have at times. I'd urge every fan to read my latest published research that has been published in an academic journal about City winning the FA Cup in 1904. This tells of the mix of fans at that time as well as the way that success promoted football in Manchester and, actually, made Manchester a football city. It's free for the moment here: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10. ... 014.961378

On WW1, it's also worth remembering that some of our players were wounded and survived but their careers were over. The most obvious was Peter Gartland who wrote to the MCFC match prog at the end of the war to tell fans what had happened to him: "Just a few lines hoping to find you and the Directors and all the boys in the best of health. I am pulling myself together now. I was very unlucky to lose my leg, as my wound was just the size of a threepenny piece, and I sat down and bandaged myself up and I was in hospital within two hours of being hit.

I was not in hospital for more than ten minutes before they had my leg off, as it happened to be a gas shell and the gas was working right up my leg. But I am doing fine now, and am sorry to say I have finished with the game my heart and soul were in.

Remember me to the boys. I would like to see them at the top this season. So now I must close, wishing you all the best of luck. I remain yours sincerely, Peter Gartland."

I know many, many people suffered as a result of WW1 but maybe Gartland's story shows how a life would be turned upside down by it. No prospect of work & the end of his football opportunities.

Super read that

Piccsnumberoneblue wrote:Super read that

Agree whole heartedly. Really interesting. Of course, such history would be considered unimportant by most media outlets and go unnoticed. Many thanks Gary for these insightful and frankly, invaluable, forays into our heritage.

Look forward to more please

Thanks again for the comments. Best thing we can all do is make sure that as many Blues (and non-Blues) get to read this research. It's the best way to spread the news about our heritage and hopefully the world will get an understanding of what our club is all about. Thanks again.

Whoa there Gary...Don't get too impressed by the comments on here Mate....The research is valued, your work is gratefully and greedily read...but...

Your phraseology (if that is even a word) is crap....Not all of it....just one little bit of it in particular...The little particular bit where you said the "Manchester was U....."..erm! Can I introduce you to the word UNIFIED.

Cheers Mate.....Hahahahahahahaha.

john68 wrote:Whoa there Gary...Don't get too impressed by the comments on here Mate....The research is valued, your work is gratefully and greedily read...but...

Your phraseology (if that is even a word) is crap....Not all of it....just one little bit of it in particular...The little particular bit where you said the "Manchester was U....."..erm! Can I introduce you to the word UNIFIED.

Cheers Mate.....Hahahahahahahaha.

Ah - good point!

On WW1 I have posted some further images and details on the City first team deceased on my facebook if anyone's interested: https://www.facebook.com/GaryJames4

Quality as ever Gary!!!