Free video on launch of MCFC

Gary James

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I did another online MCFC history talk last night and you can now watch it here:


This is about the launch of City in 1894 with particular focus on the work of Joshua Parlby. If you’re not certain who that is or what it’s all about give it a few minutes and see if it’s for you. Josh was the visionary who promoted City and without him there would not be a club.

If you’re not bothered about the birth of the club but are the sort of person who just likes to find stuff for point scoring purposes over rival clubs then you may want to jump to 37 mins 40 seconds and watch the bit about support.

The video will be free to watch for the next week. After that it’ll be for subscribers only, like the previous talk now is.

Thanks to everyone who joined me live last night for the talk. It really is appreciated. There’ll be another talk soon. The next one will be about 2005 to 2009 - another transformational period.
 
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I 'attended' the live show and it was excellent, even got a couple of my questions answered so thanks for that Gary!
It's great having someone put on stuff like this for the fans, there can't be many clubs who have someone to find, publish and present this kind of information so we're very lucky in that respect.
 
Really enjoyed it Gary. Thanks for sharing it. Loved the colourised Ardwick pic. Wish someone would do likewise with the 1904 Cup Winners team pic.
 
I did another online MCFC history talk last night and you can now watch it here:


This is about the launch of City in 1894 with particular focus on the work of Joshua Parlby. If you’re not certain who that is or what it’s all about give it a few minutes and see if it’s for you. Josh was the visionary who promoted City and without him there would not be a club.

If you’re not bothered about the birth of the club but are the sort of person who just likes to find stuff for point scoring purposes over rival clubs then you may want to jump to 37 mins 40 seconds and watch the bit about support.

The video will be free to watch for the next week. After that it’ll be for subscribers only, like the previous talk now is.

Thanks to everyone who joined me live last night for the talk. It really is appreciated. There’ll be another talk soon. The next one will be about 2005 to 2009 - another transformational period.
Fantastic stuff as ever Gary, missed the live but will be devouring this in detail once I’m done with work tomorrow
Any plans for any more live film shows? The last one at the Roadhouse was a brilliant night and my mates keep asking about whether there will be another one
 
Fantastic stuff as ever Gary, missed the live but will be devouring this in detail once I’m done with work tomorrow
Any plans for any more live film shows? The last one at the Roadhouse was a brilliant night and my mates keep asking about whether there will be another one
I’d love to but not certain it‘d be popular again. I think we’d need a sponsor to cover the costs but I’ve never managed to get one for anything before. If any BM regulars know any company or individual able to sponsor the film show or a similar talk then I’d be very interested in talking to them. Cheers.
 
I’d love to but not certain it‘d be popular again. I think we’d need a sponsor to cover the costs but I’ve never managed to get one for anything before. If any BM regulars know any company or individual able to sponsor the film show or a similar talk then I’d be very interested in talking to them. Cheers.
God forbid, maybe the actual club might one day want to do something for the ‘heritage fans’…
 
I 'attended' the live show and it was excellent, even got a couple of my questions answered so thanks for that Gary!
It's great having someone put on stuff like this for the fans, there can't be many clubs who have someone to find, publish and present this kind of information so we're very lucky in that respect.
Thanks for the comments it’s been my passion since the 1980s and my aim now is to make www.GJFootballArchive.com a repository for all my research, writing, interviews etc. Only a small fraction of my stuff has ever been published and so there’s lots more to post.

My site has a subscriber section where the archive is being developed. I know some hold the view that nothing should be behind a paywall but sadly I‘m not paid to do research and have no sponsors or advertisers. I put a lot of content up for free but for those who can afford to subscribe or want to then I’m determined to keep building up the archive. I’m immensely grateful to those that do support my work. Thanks.
 
Just a reminder that the video is free to watch until Thursday morning only:

 
Today’s the last day of this being free to view. Tomorrow it is only available to subscribers to my site.

Here‘s the link to watch it. If nothing else fans may be interested in the stats that appear from about the 37th minute which show attendances for City and Utd in the early days. Evidence there that in the seasons when Utd first won the League City bettered Utd’s support (and we’re the best supported club in the entire League the second time Utd won the title). Football history isn’t always what it’s painted to be by others.

 
Really good stuff Gary. Get yourself a spot in the museum as part of the North Stand proposals. History tours with Gary James!
 
Hi Gary, really appreciate all the lectures and presentations you do, so thanks for that.

One question relating to the formation of Manchester City Football Club.
You're always at pains to point out that MCFC were an entirely separate entity and that Ardwick FC and MCFC co-existed for some time. My question is, by the end of City's first season, when I think I'm right in saying Ardwick had ceased to exist (correct me if I wrong there) what percentage of MCFC's playing and non-playing staff were ex Ardwick?
I accept the 'separate entity / new club' argument but I'm curious about the degree of continuity in terms or personnel.
 
Hi Gary, really appreciate all the lectures and presentations you do, so thanks for that.

One question relating to the formation of Manchester City Football Club.
You're always at pains to point out that MCFC were an entirely separate entity and that Ardwick FC and MCFC co-existed for some time. My question is, by the end of City's first season, when I think I'm right in saying Ardwick had ceased to exist (correct me if I wrong there) what percentage of MCFC's playing and non-playing staff were ex Ardwick?
I accept the 'separate entity / new club' argument but I'm curious about the degree of continuity in terms or personnel.
Most of the Ardwick people had backed MCFC by the time the 1894-95 season started. It didn’t take long for the vast majority to get behind MCFC. Although I’m keen to ensure people do not see this as simply a name change, because it wasn’t, I am keen for everyone to recognise the continuity of people through the various incarnations. So, for example, Walter Chew, who had founded Belle Vue Rangers and was a key figure with Gorton and Ardwick, was a MCFC supporter throughout his life and was interviewed a few times about his role in MCFC’s history. Another, Lawrence Furniss, was a St Mark’s church attendee and went to Rev Connell’s funeral. He played for Gorton, managed Ardwick and was initially opposed to MCFC BUT eventually became a City director. He was the chairman responsible for Maine Rd’s construction and the club’s president when they won the League in 1936-37.

So, while MCFC was a new club the roots go back all the way. This is a similar situation to MUFC - Utd was a new club but they put it across as a continuation to avoid any issues with the League. I’ve a good article I found where a former Newton Heath man tells how he was not welcome by the new MUFC despite all his years of graft trying to keep NH afloat.

In 1894 Parlby put across that MCFC was a new club because it is high likely Ardwick would’ve had issues with the League. Both MCFC in 1894 and MUFC in 1902 were new clubs though.
 

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