I like this but it wouldn't happen today.
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HE was City's superstar of his day - but unlike today's millionaire heroes Max Woosnam wasn't paid a penny for thrilling the fans.
Max played for the love of the game and was the star turn in the squad from 1920-23.
But as well as being a city hero, Max captained England, won a tennis gold medal for Great Britain at the 1920 Olympics and fought on the western front during World War One and in the Gallipoli campaign.
Now his incredible story is being recreated for a new generation. Max is being brought to life at the Museum of Science and Industry this weekend by a museum presenter, who will don a 1920s City kit as part of National Storytelling Week.
Max's days were very different from the training schedules and pampering sessions enjoyed by players at the City of Manchester Stadium today.
Max relied on travel expenses and a job at East Manchester's Crossley Engineering plant for his income - a far cry from the massive wages of today's stars. To thank him for his services City named him captain for their first game at the then brand new Maine Road stadium on August 25, 1923.
He was born in Liverpool in 1892 and came to Manchester in 1919 to work at Crossley Brothers. He once told team chiefs he couldn't play one weekend because he was scheduled to work at the Crossley plant.
Manchester City Museum spokesman Gary James said: "It was only because his boss was a City fan that he played in the end. His boss said he would still get paid and he had to play."
Museum presenter Lee Wolstenholme will don the extra long `shorts' and itchy football shirt of the 1920s player and regale visitors with stories of Max's days at the club. He said: "Max's story shows the reality of life for footballers in the past, and their dedication despite the lack of financial reward."
Gary James said: "In 1921 Max broke his leg during a game at the club's old Hyde Road ground. "Max was being carried out of the ground on a stretcher when he spotted some lads waiting for autographs outside. He told the stretcher-bearers to stop and signed autographs for them."
Max recovered and went on to captain the team he had supported since being a boy. Ironically, it was another leg break that eventually ended his career in the 1923-24 season.
He went on to become a director of ICI and died in 1965.
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HE was City's superstar of his day - but unlike today's millionaire heroes Max Woosnam wasn't paid a penny for thrilling the fans.
Max played for the love of the game and was the star turn in the squad from 1920-23.
But as well as being a city hero, Max captained England, won a tennis gold medal for Great Britain at the 1920 Olympics and fought on the western front during World War One and in the Gallipoli campaign.
Now his incredible story is being recreated for a new generation. Max is being brought to life at the Museum of Science and Industry this weekend by a museum presenter, who will don a 1920s City kit as part of National Storytelling Week.
Max's days were very different from the training schedules and pampering sessions enjoyed by players at the City of Manchester Stadium today.
Max relied on travel expenses and a job at East Manchester's Crossley Engineering plant for his income - a far cry from the massive wages of today's stars. To thank him for his services City named him captain for their first game at the then brand new Maine Road stadium on August 25, 1923.
He was born in Liverpool in 1892 and came to Manchester in 1919 to work at Crossley Brothers. He once told team chiefs he couldn't play one weekend because he was scheduled to work at the Crossley plant.
Manchester City Museum spokesman Gary James said: "It was only because his boss was a City fan that he played in the end. His boss said he would still get paid and he had to play."
Museum presenter Lee Wolstenholme will don the extra long `shorts' and itchy football shirt of the 1920s player and regale visitors with stories of Max's days at the club. He said: "Max's story shows the reality of life for footballers in the past, and their dedication despite the lack of financial reward."
Gary James said: "In 1921 Max broke his leg during a game at the club's old Hyde Road ground. "Max was being carried out of the ground on a stretcher when he spotted some lads waiting for autographs outside. He told the stretcher-bearers to stop and signed autographs for them."
Max recovered and went on to captain the team he had supported since being a boy. Ironically, it was another leg break that eventually ended his career in the 1923-24 season.
He went on to become a director of ICI and died in 1965.