51 years ago today - Swales became chairman

[Mancity1980]

God, I was 1 when he became chairman, my childhood was destined to be ruined.

 

[bluemanchester]

Such a complex area. First Swales Out on record came in 1979 but before that he was seen fairly positively. Personally, I have a lot of negativity towards Ian Niven and the others who did the 1970 takeover (that ultimately led to Swales getting power). Their treatment of Mercer right at the start was disgraceful and Niven was ultimately the one who brought Allison back.

I did do the last recorded interview with Swales. I was very much a Swales Out man and he knew that when he allowed me to interview him. I did leave feeling those who had supported him for years let him down - they changed sides to protect their own positions.

Ian Niven told me personally that he had the deciding vote that forced Swales out.

 

[paulchapo]

20 years to win one league cup under his tenure, though we were a little unlucky not to win three more trophies. The mess he left the club in meant we went another 15 years after he left before winning anything. It's fair to say his 20 years as chairman were a disaster.

 

[1961_vintage]

Total fucking whopper and utterly out of his depth.

But he can't have been the only one.

 

[City Hobgoblin]

Don't think he ever flogged rotten meat to schools though...?

 

[Gingers Dad]

Bringing back Mal was the biggest mistake to befall the club. We never recovered from it. It was all last-ditch, hanging on, gambling on the toss of a coin stuff from thereon in.
Franny was worse. Be careful what you wish for- never a truer aphorism.

The difference with Franny was that he had the good sense to sell up.

 

[radcliffe1309]

Lovely fella :)

 

[Gary James]

Ian Niven told me personally that he had the deciding vote that forced Swales out.

Ian Niven told me Joe Mercer never achieved anything at City… l Not certain I’d trust his views. Oh and Swales was never actually voted out.

 

[paulchapo]

Ian Niven told me Joe Mercer never achieved anything at City… l Not certain I’d trust his views. Oh and Swales was never actually voted out.

History says otherwise as he was the manager in our most successful period before the present day. They were a team him and Mal, like Clough and Taylor. Just like that partnership neither was as successful without the other.
Niven sounds like a right suit ****.

 

[Mr Ed (The Stables)]

Feck me I was nearly an apprentice, oh those teenage years, City, rock bands and getting laid for the first time. A long while ago thats for sure:-)