It’s finally online-the Peter Swales video we’ve been waiting for P31

[urban genie]

I don't think the Swales effect kicked in until he brought back Allison. Tony Book's mid 70's team were brilliant but they turned out to be nearly men. Swales seemed to be doing the right things as chairman up until 79. The return of Allison in harness with a dickhead like Swales was catastrophic for the club. The fact that Swales was there for another 15 years after he sacked Allison is truly amazing and quite sad.

The man seemed enamoured with Malcolm, both times and both times ended with us droping off as a team.

 

[Gary James]

Let's not forget that football back then was very much like this, and not only at Manchester city
most football clubs back then were not being run like a business, and it was more about the paying fans turning up that paid the wages, little to nothing in sponsorship, again little to nothing from TV it was bloody hard

yes, Peter Swales was running the show for a long time and got most things wrong, but you could never say he didn't back Malcolm Allison plans with major money for the rebuild, let's be honest here Allison was blowing smoke up Swales bum with his ideas, in fact Tony Book had built a very good team a good mix of youth and very good players that was pushing Liverpool for the title and won the league cup,

whatever went on with Swales, bringing back Malcolm Allison to replace Tony book as manager was the real reason why the club went down hill from there, Malcolm Allison must have had something on Swales and the worst decision ever at Manchester city was made

To be fair to Swales he was talked in to bringing Allison back by Ian Niven. I’ve interviewed several of the key figures from this period including Swales, Allison & Book and they all talked of Niven being the one who pushed for Allison’s return. At the time Niven openly talked about his ‘idea’ of bringing back Mal. Decades later he changed his story to put the blame on Swales.

I’m totally against the majority of major decisions that happened in the boardroom during this era and I blame Swales as chairman but I also firmly believe those directors who started the 1970 takeover, treated Mercer shabbily, broke up the successful City structure of 1970-71, brought Swales in, backed him all the way then somehow clinged on to their positions when Swales went were equally to blame. Swales had only a few shares when he became chairman and the rest of the board could easily have got rid of him at any point before 1983, but they chose not to. After 83 it became more difficult to dislodge him but it has to be remembered and stressed that those directors backed Swales completely and are equally to blame.

 

[eversince 76]

Started supporting City since late 76. Went on a few preseason tours when they were in UK and Europe ( good old days). Met Swales a few times and able to chat. Seemed a very nice fellow and loved the club.
It all went pear shape.

I would really like to see this video. Not available in the Netherlands. I really fck hate these kind of limitations. And the BBC for that matter.

Anyone knows a solution to this? I not already answered on here I apologise. Must’ve missed it.

 

[eversince 76]

To be fair to Swales he was talked in to bringing Allison back by Ian Niven. I’ve interviewed several of the key figures from this period including Swales, Allison & Book and they all talked of Niven being the one who pushed for Allison’s return. At the time Niven openly talked about his ‘idea’ of bringing back Mal. Decades later he changed his story to put the blame on Swales.

I’m totally against the majority of major decisions that happened in the boardroom during this era and I blame Swales as chairman but I also firmly believe those directors who started the 1970 takeover, treated Mercer shabbily, broke up the successful City structure of 1970-71, brought Swales in, backed him all the way then somehow clinged on to their positions when Swales went were equally to blame. Swales had only a few shares when he became chairman and the rest of the board could easily have got rid of him at any point before 1983, but they chose not to. After 83 it became more difficult to dislodge him but it has to be remembered and stressed that those directors backed Swales completely and are equally to blame.

You are always and have always been a very reliable person when it’s about City and history Gary. Thx for the objective addition.

 

[Bluearmy]

To be fair to Swales he was talked in to bringing Allison back by Ian Niven. I’ve interviewed several of the key figures from this period including Swales, Allison & Book and they all talked of Niven being the one who pushed for Allison’s return. At the time Niven openly talked about his ‘idea’ of bringing back Mal. Decades later he changed his story to put the blame on Swales.

I’m totally against the majority of major decisions that happened in the boardroom during this era and I blame Swales as chairman but I also firmly believe those directors who started the 1970 takeover, treated Mercer shabbily, broke up the successful City structure of 1970-71, brought Swales in, backed him all the way then somehow clinged on to their positions when Swales went were equally to blame. Swales had only a few shares when he became chairman and the rest of the board could easily have got rid of him at any point before 1983, but they chose not to. After 83 it became more difficult to dislodge him but it has to be remembered and stressed that those directors backed Swales completely and are equally to blame.

No doubt all were inept. Swales was just the smiling face of the organisation that everyone knew and gets all the heat. The whole lot of them were a cancer to the club.

 

[Gingers Dad]

To be fair to Swales he was talked in to bringing Allison back by Ian Niven. I’ve interviewed several of the key figures from this period including Swales, Allison & Book and they all talked of Niven being the one who pushed for Allison’s return. At the time Niven openly talked about his ‘idea’ of bringing back Mal. Decades later he changed his story to put the blame on Swales.

I’m totally against the majority of major decisions that happened in the boardroom during this era and I blame Swales as chairman but I also firmly believe those directors who started the 1970 takeover, treated Mercer shabbily, broke up the successful City structure of 1970-71, brought Swales in, backed him all the way then somehow clinged on to their positions when Swales went were equally to blame. Swales had only a few shares when he became chairman and the rest of the board could easily have got rid of him at any point before 1983, but they chose not to. After 83 it became more difficult to dislodge him but it has to be remembered and stressed that those directors backed Swales completely and are equally to blame.

I don't know the structure of the club and how it was run but Swales put himself out there in front of the media. Never known a chairman since who was interviewed as much as he was. So if he gets more than his fair share of the blame then as far as I'm concerned he brought it on himself

 

[ancoats]

To be fair to Swales he was talked in to bringing Allison back by Ian Niven. I’ve interviewed several of the key figures from this period including Swales, Allison & Book and they all talked of Niven being the one who pushed for Allison’s return. At the time Niven openly talked about his ‘idea’ of bringing back Mal. Decades later he changed his story to put the blame on Swales.

I’m totally against the majority of major decisions that happened in the boardroom during this era and I blame Swales as chairman but I also firmly believe those directors who started the 1970 takeover, treated Mercer shabbily, broke up the successful City structure of 1970-71, brought Swales in, backed him all the way then somehow clinged on to their positions when Swales went were equally to blame. Swales had only a few shares when he became chairman and the rest of the board could easily have got rid of him at any point before 1983, but they chose not to. After 83 it became more difficult to dislodge him but it has to be remembered and stressed that those directors backed Swales completely and are equally to blame.

I understand it was a group of people on the board with shares and a vote and elected chairman, so the blame for what happened to Manchester city should be on all of them also with Swales being chairman, but something was never right with the setup at that time, but after the league cup win in 1976 a major disaster happened

Manchester city were properly the one of the best challenge to Liverpool title, we pushed them close only missing out by 1 point, Tony book had built a fantastic team and had some great young players even England stars, it was a great time at Maine road,

so i great to know by yourself the inside information with Ian Niven role in bringing in malcolm allison again
I would like to know how many players of Tony book's team that malcolm allison sold, he even sold peter barnes and gary owen to WBA

 

[Gary James]

I understand it was a group of people on the board with shares and a vote and elected chairman, so the blame for what happened to Manchester city should be on all of them also with Swales being chairman, but something was never right with the setup at that time, but after the league cup win in 1976 a major disaster happened

Manchester city were properly the one of the best challenge to Liverpool title, we pushed them close only missing out by 1 point, Tony book had built a fantastic team and had some great young players even England stars, it was a great time at Maine road,

so i great to know by yourself the inside information with Ian Niven role in bringing in malcolm allison again
I would like to know how many players of Tony book's team that malcolm allison sold, he even sold peter barnes and gary owen to WBA

I don’t like answering things like this with a book plug but I’ll make an exception…. I really go to town on this here and answer most of the questions, including quotes I’ve gathered from my interviews over the decades with the people I’ve mentioned (Swales, Book, Allison, Niven, Barnes, Owen etc.).

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

We owe it to ourselves, life tested us with a incompetent egotist, did we crumble? No we laughed, we cried, we got rat arsed, we stayed true to ourselves.

I thought life was a sideshow. The real test was PS; and we survived with honours. How many of us got to go to Buck House for a gong for services to supporting a football team despite what was thrown at us? I'm still waiting for the crested HRH letter!

 

[Goatmeal]

From this 1981 Granada TV documentary for anyone who hasn’t seen it

Unless you have lived through this like I, then I don’t think you can fully appreciate what we have now is beyond our widest dreams.