Big Mal returning in 1989?

[isab23502]

Saw a YouTube interview about Howard Kendall taking over in 1989 - it has Big Mal on it, saying he had discussed with Swales becoming manager again, on the basis that we had a good young team that he would be perfect to develop (Allison) compared to the "old team who weren't willing to work" he claimed to have inherited in 1979 (not mentioning that having swapped that old team for his own chosen young and/or crap team his previous stint had been a disaster).. he also "his team" had been to the Cup Final in 1981, and concluded by saying him and Swales had finally agreed he shouldn't return in 1989 as it might set both of them up for a fall. Interesting stuff.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

I remember that

 

[lancs blue]

Well, Mal made the "old" team he took over a lot older by flogging Barnes and Owen to West Brom! Great coach but he was a poor manager in both spells at City, I'm afraid.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I've seen something - I'm pretty sure it's the 1981 "City!" documentary, where John Bond discusses having Allison as his number 2 with Swales.

 

[mancunial]

Yes he did but Swales no chance that will never happen, it was the palace game in the fa cup, Allison bond and Swales were all sat there with cigars, bond said I would him to work one day here with me, Swales replied it would like Abbott and Costello running a football club?

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Here is an interview with Big Mal discussing Hinchcliffe, Redmond, Lake and White from 1989 - a few weeks after the 5-1.

 

[Gary James]

Let's not forget that there were even calls to bring Allison back by some fans in the late 90s when we were struggling to keep a manager for more than a few minutes. It was so bizarre. I ended up including a small piece on it in my 1st edition of Manchester The Greatest City.

 

[Mikejl]

Here is an interview with Big Mal discussing Hinchcliffe, Redmond, Lake and White from 1989 - a few weeks after the 5-1.

A bit brutal but his assessments weren't far wrong, still possibly our greatest coach, but a lousy manager

 

[Bill]

You can look at his appointment as manager as the Turning point of our club. He destroyed a brilliant side. It lasted till the takeover.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

I've seen something - I'm pretty sure it's the 1981 "City!" documentary, where John Bond discusses having Allison as his number 2 with Swales.

I streamed that last night, it was a great watch. Remember it from back in the day but not seen it about 30 years. Nice stroll down memory lane

 

[bumbleblue]

Shit I feel older than ever after that. As others have said great coach, awful manager.

 

[M18CTID]

Here is an interview with Big Mal discussing Hinchcliffe, Redmond, Lake and White from 1989 - a few weeks after the 5-1.

Was when we lost at home to Villa, 2-0 I think. Am I right in thinking that that game was played on a Sunday afternoon live on TV but oddly was only screened in the Granada and Midlands area? Whereas the return fixture, which we famously won 2-1 of course, was screened live across the whole ITV network.

 

[lancs blue]

Was when we lost at home to Villa, 2-0 I think. Am I right in thinking that that game was played on a Sunday afternoon live on TV but oddly was only screened in the Granada and Midlands area? Whereas the return fixture, which we famously won 2-1 of course, was screened live across the whole ITV network.

Yes that Villa home match was definitely on a Sunday, although I didn't know about the restricted coverage. The return match was a "typical City" classic, first away win of the season at a team challenging for the title (and also on the day of the Strangeways riot). It sent us on a run that took us out of relegation trouble.

 

[Gary James]

Was when we lost at home to Villa, 2-0 I think. Am I right in thinking that that game was played on a Sunday afternoon live on TV but oddly was only screened in the Granada and Midlands area? Whereas the return fixture, which we famously won 2-1 of course, was screened live across the whole ITV network.

Yes - back then Granada, Yorkshire & Central TV often collaborated on games that weren't viewed as of national interest. They knew they'd get good viewing figures in their regions, and so they'd often have regionalised coverage. Sometimes they'd have special progs only shown in Granadaland & Yorks or Granadaland & Central. It was unusual for them to do live games, but it did happen at times and this game was definitely one of them.

 

[City_Shirts]

Pretty sure that Villa home game saw Justin Fashanu make his City debut after a scoring run in the reserves while on trail

 

[petrusha]

Pretty sure that Villa home game saw Justin Fashanu make his City debut after a scoring run in the reserves while on trail

Made two sub appearances, I believe, the other being away to Derby a couple of weeks later. The less said about that game, the better!

Actually, Fashanu had two trial spells with us. The first had been in the 1988/9 season, but he didn't sign up. I remember seeing him score a cracking header for the reserves at Old Trafford to put us 1-0 up in the mini-derby. An incredible game - United then went 3-1 up, and held that lead with less than 5 minutes left. City won 4-3, with Trevor Morley and Paul Moulder twice scoring. I know the match was during a Christmas holiday when I was at university and I can date it because John Deehan, playing right back, snapped some rag kid in two with one of the worst challenges I've ever seen (but stayed on, unbelievably). By New Year 1990, Deehan was no longer at the club. If it had been a first-team derby, it would be up there as one of City's all-time greatest wins.

As for Mal, I have heard the story that he applied for the job when Machin was sacked. It would be hard to believe that Swales considered it, though. I've also just looked in David Tossell's excellent biography of Mal, which doesn't mention it, suggesting that it wasn't ever close to happening.

 

[isab23502]

Made two sub appearances, I believe, the other being away to Derby a couple of weeks later. The less said about that game, the better!

Actually, Fashanu had two trial spells with us. The first had been in the 1988/9 season, but he didn't sign up. I remember seeing him score a cracking header for the reserves at Old Trafford to put us 1-0 up in the mini-derby. An incredible game - United then went 3-1 up, and held that lead with less than 5 minutes left. City won 4-3, with Trevor Morley and Paul Moulder twice scoring. I know the match was during a Christmas holiday when I was at university and I can date it because John Deehan, playing right back, snapped some rag kid in two with one of the worst challenges I've ever seen (but stayed on, unbelievably). By New Year 1990, Deehan was no longer at the club. If it had been a first-team derby, it would be up there as one of City's all-time greatest wins.

As for Mal, I have heard the story that he applied for the job when Machin was sacked. It would be hard to believe that Swales considered it, though. I've also just looked in David Tossell's excellent biography of Mal, which doesn't mention it, suggesting that it wasn't ever close to happening.

The City Villa was on live TV in Oxfordshire I recall. What a treat at the time to see a live City game on the box. I think that apart from the Liverpool FA Cup match in 1988 (urghh) and Chelsea 0-2 (arggh) in 1984 that was our first one since the Cup Final of 1981. Yes - I remember Fashanu playing. Wonder if he is the only gay player to have turned out in the sky blue? Statistically unlikely but only one I have heard of. David Oldfield always looked a bit camp (and also a bit like Peter Davidson).

 

[BlueMojito]

Just read a book called Forever Boys by James Lawton which includes interviews with players from 68-70 and their view about how big Mal was a truly brilliant coach, but a hopeless manager. They describe how buying Rodney Marsh cost the title and how big Mal regretted coming back to City a second time. Fantastic read, just couldn't put it down, read it in 2 days on holiday.