"Manchester The Greatest City"

[masterwig]

History isn't about trophies. The sheer amount of mad shit and crazy cock-ups in our history makes us a damn sight more interesting than most clubs. J

ust started reading Blue Moon Rising again to remind me of our amateurish period of changing managers multiple times a season. Some of the crap that went on beggars belief. Then again Hughes was sacked in pathetic circumstances so maybe we haven't changed.

I just wish the club would make more of people like Max Woosnam. As a young City fan it is good to hear about Bell, Lee, Summerbee, Young etc but I think sometimes that's all we ever hear about. Yes, the 1960s and 70s are a great part of our history but there's another 100 years of our history to explore.

 

[edgecroft]

I own a copy of "Manchester The Greatest City" that belonged to my wife's father. He was an ardent ManCity supporter who grew up in the shadow of Maine Road, raised his family in Wythenshawe, and moved his family to Canada in the mid 70's. When I took my wife and my step-kids over to England 11 or 12 years ago, we bought him a copy from the Maine Road souvenir shop.

After we got back, we gave it to him (he was in a nursing home at this point). On page 124 (if you have the book, get it out and have a look), there is a photograph taken at Maine Road on August 28th, 1926, City vs. Fulham. In that photo he recognized himself as a boy sat with his mother and his father watching City's entrance into the stadium.

Along with the book, there is a letter from Gary James explaining he remarkable circumstances of the photo being in the book (it's actually a still from a film of the event that Gary found in the British Film Institute).

Quoting from Gary's letter, "I believe that it's an incredible story. For you to receive a copy of the book, living in Canada, and to see yourself in a photo is like a chance in a million, but for that very same photo to have been created in the way that it has is also a million to one. You might also like to know that the book has now sold out, so had your daughter waited a little while before buying the book the chance would have been lost."

He also says later on, "I believe there's nothing more boring than a football book that only talks about tactics or specific events on the pitch. I'd much rather hear comments such as yours about delivering papers to Matt Busby."

I wish we had copies of my father in law's letter(s) to Mr. James, but we don't. Gary, do you remember this and do you still have a copy of his correspondence?

His name was John Berridge, and he was also a member of the famous Manchester Schools Children's Choir that recorded Nymphs and Shepherds in 1929. He died a few years ago, but when we were back in Manchester last May, we took some of his ashes and scattered them at the memorial garden at COMS, a lovely spot to end up.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ-yxhBZ7cM[/youtube]

 

[Gary James]

I own a copy of "Manchester The Greatest City" that belonged to my wife's father. He was an ardent ManCity supporter who grew up in the shadow of Maine Road, raised his family in Wythenshawe, and moved his family to Canada in the mid 70's. When I took my wife and my step-kids over to England 11 or 12 years ago, we bought him a copy from the Maine Road souvenir shop.

After we got back, we gave it to him (he was in a nursing home at this point). On page 124 (if you have the book, get it out and have a look), there is a photograph taken at Maine Road on August 28th, 1926, City vs. Fulham. In that photo he recognized himself as a boy sat with his mother and his father watching City's entrance into the stadium.

Along with the book, there is a letter from Gary James explaining he remarkable circumstances of the photo being in the book (it's actually a still from a film of the event that Gary found in the British Film Institute).

Quoting from Gary's letter, "I believe that it's an incredible story. For you to receive a copy of the book, living in Canada, and to see yourself in a photo is like a chance in a million, but for that very same photo to have been created in the way that it has is also a million to one. You might also like to know that the book has now sold out, so had your daughter waited a little while before buying the book the chance would have been lost."

He also says later on, "I believe there's nothing more boring than a football book that only talks about tactics or specific events on the pitch. I'd much rather hear comments such as yours about delivering papers to Matt Busby."

I wish we had copies of my father in law's letter(s) to Mr. James, but we don't. Gary, do you remember this and do you still have a copy of his correspondence?

His name was John Berridge, and he was also a member of the famous Manchester Schools Children's Choir that recorded Nymphs and Shepherds in 1929. He died a few years ago, but when we were back in Manchester last May, we took some of his ashes and scattered them at the memorial garden at COMS, a lovely spot to end up.

I do remember it very well. Sadly, I don't have the letters. I was so interested in the story that I did buy off the BFI a copy of the film and I sent that to Canada to John. At the time they weren't supposed to produce copies of the film due to internal policies, but the guy who produced it for me was also a football fan (Blackburn) and he recognised the uniqueness of the story. It took a bit of organising but it was something I thought would be of immense interest. I refer to the story in the 2nd edition of the book.

On the film both John, his mother and father move around as the team come out. Well worth seeing.

Sadly, I never heard back from John when I sent him the film. I sent another letter some time later but still heard nothing. Did the film get through?

 

[mike channon´s windmill]

I own a copy of "Manchester The Greatest City" that belonged to my wife's father. He was an ardent ManCity supporter who grew up in the shadow of Maine Road, raised his family in Wythenshawe, and moved his family to Canada in the mid 70's. When I took my wife and my step-kids over to England 11 or 12 years ago, we bought him a copy from the Maine Road souvenir shop.

After we got back, we gave it to him (he was in a nursing home at this point). On page 124 (if you have the book, get it out and have a look), there is a photograph taken at Maine Road on August 28th, 1926, City vs. Fulham. In that photo he recognized himself as a boy sat with his mother and his father watching City's entrance into the stadium.

Along with the book, there is a letter from Gary James explaining he remarkable circumstances of the photo being in the book (it's actually a still from a film of the event that Gary found in the British Film Institute).

Quoting from Gary's letter, "I believe that it's an incredible story. For you to receive a copy of the book, living in Canada, and to see yourself in a photo is like a chance in a million, but for that very same photo to have been created in the way that it has is also a million to one. You might also like to know that the book has now sold out, so had your daughter waited a little while before buying the book the chance would have been lost."

He also says later on, "I believe there's nothing more boring than a football book that only talks about tactics or specific events on the pitch. I'd much rather hear comments such as yours about delivering papers to Matt Busby."

I wish we had copies of my father in law's letter(s) to Mr. James, but we don't. Gary, do you remember this and do you still have a copy of his correspondence?

His name was John Berridge, and he was also a member of the famous Manchester Schools Children's Choir that recorded Nymphs and Shepherds in 1929. He died a few years ago, but when we were back in Manchester last May, we took some of his ashes and scattered them at the memorial garden at COMS, a lovely spot to end up.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ-yxhBZ7cM[/youtube]

That´s bloody amazing coz my uncle Vic also sang on that record (wont give more details coz I want to maintain my anonymity) Vic was a city fan but didn´t go much after he got married - passed away in 86 god rest him

 

[BTH]

'Manchester: The Greatest City' should be given to every player and every member of staff who joins the club imo. It's a book which should always be stocked in the official club shop and a book which all true blues should want to own.

I'd also be interested in a 'A Decade of the City of Manchester Stadium' book if you were ever interested in doing one!

Agreed on these two points.

'Manchester: The Greatest City' is THE City book. Every City fan should own a copy.

 

[edgecroft]

I do remember it very well. Sadly, I don't have the letters. I was so interested in the story that I did buy off the BFI a copy of the film and I sent that to Canada to John. At the time they weren't supposed to produce copies of the film due to internal policies, but the guy who produced it for me was also a football fan (Blackburn) and he recognised the uniqueness of the story. It took a bit of organising but it was something I thought would be of immense interest. I refer to the story in the 2nd edition of the book.

On the film both John, his mother and father move around as the team come out. Well worth seeing.

Sadly, I never heard back from John when I sent him the film. I sent another letter some time later but still heard nothing. Did the film get through?

Unfortunately, I dont believe that it ever reached John or if it did that he ever saw it. At the time he was suffering from Alzheimers which was getting progressively worse and was living in a nursing home. Like it usually happens, his long term memory was fine but his short term memory was terrible, so if it did get to him, he most probably mislaid it or it was taken by one of the other residents, things went missing there all the time. He never mentioned it in any case, and we spent time with him pretty well every day.

But thank you so very much for going to all that trouble on his behalf. He was absolutely thrilled and astonished when he spotted himself and his parents in your book (the book is magnificent by the way).

He did have several friends who visited him regularly who were City fans. It is possible that he entrusted the film to one of them and then forgot to tell us about it. We'll check around and see if we can turn anything up, my wife would love to see that scene.

Thanks again!<br /><br />-- Sat Apr 10, 2010 12:45 pm --<br /><br />

That´s bloody amazing coz my uncle Vic also sang on that record (wont give more details coz I want to maintain my anonymity) Vic was a city fan but didn´t go much after he got married - passed away in 86 god rest him

I know that they had a reunion of the choir members in Manchester that my father-in-law attended, probably back in the 1990's, before I knew him.

Here's the B-side of the record they both appeared on:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ9vUG6Khao[/youtube]

 

[Gary James]

'Manchester: The Greatest City' should be given to every player and every member of staff who joins the club imo. It's a book which should always be stocked in the official club shop and a book which all true blues should want to own.

I'd also be interested in a 'A Decade of the City of Manchester Stadium' book if you were ever interested in doing one!

Agreed on these two points.

'Manchester: The Greatest City' is THE City book. Every City fan should own a copy.

Thanks for the comments. Very much appreciated. I notice the ebay copy has had a few bids but still looks like a bargain. <a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Manchester-The-Greatest-City-Football-Book_W0QQitemZ200459261632QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportsMemorabilia_Football_Memorabilia_ET?hash=item2eac4d96c0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Manchester-The-Gr ... 2eac4d96c0</a>

For anyone interested.... "Joe Mercer, OBE: Football With A Smile" is now at the printers and will be arriving for despatch during the last week of April. Amazon seem to be taking orders now (although the publication date shows as 10th April - it's actually 29th). <a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joe-Mercer-OBE-Authorised-Successful/dp/0955812747/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271069806&sr=1-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joe-Mercer-OBE- ... 806&sr=1-1</a>

Thanks again to all those who've bought my books in the past.

 

[HelloCity]

Gary, with the renewed interest in the club, have you not asked City about whether they'd be interested in getting 'Manchester The Greatest City' back out there?

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Gary, with the renewed interest in the club, have you not asked City about whether they'd be interested in getting 'Manchester The Greatest City' back out there?

I believe it's a lot more complicated than that.

 

[HelloCity]

Gary, with the renewed interest in the club, have you not asked City about whether they'd be interested in getting 'Manchester The Greatest City' back out there?

I believe it's a lot more complicated than that.

What issues are there? It's utter madness that this book isn't always available from the club.

 

[tonea2003]

gary question for you. i know its not your book, but do you know if there is a more up to date "manchester city a complete record" by ray goble and andrew ward, my particular copy only goes up to the 1992-93 season. its a great reference book and compliments with your books superbly. albeit yours are far more up to date.

 

[Gary James]

gary question for you. i know its not your book, but do you know if there is a more up to date "manchester city a complete record" by ray goble and andrew ward, my particular copy only goes up to the 1992-93 season. its a great reference book and compliments with your books superbly. albeit yours are far more up to date.

Yes there is and... the updated version is my book. It came out in 2006. "Manchester City The Complete Record" By Gary James, ISBN 1 85983 512 0

I had full approval and support from Ray Goble and Andy Ward is one of my favourite writers (and inspiring when I first started writing), so I was happy to write the newer version.

-- Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:14 pm --

I believe it's a lot more complicated than that.

What issues are there? It's utter madness that this book isn't always available from the club.

Difficult to go through it all now, but the main issues with producing an updated "Manchester The Greatest City" are:

- the cost of production (at the time this was produced it was by far the most expensive club based book ever produced and since then the publishing world has become more volatile)
- copyright issues (photos mainly, but a significant issue now)
- official approval (probably not too much of an issue to overcome)
- finding a publisher prepared to spend the money needed (the biggest issue)
- persuading booksellers to stock the book (never easy - that may change when we find success but there are less book retailers now - only Waterstones and WHSmith but how often do Smiths take a City book?)
- Retail cost (initial version cost £24.95, a new version would have to be £30 or more)
- Book size (at the level of detail I went into it would be difficult to update it without taking the book to about 600 pages; last version was 496)
- time (it took me about 4 years of hard research and writing to do the initial version, okay it wouldn't be as long for the last 8 years or so, but I'd still want to put a lot of effort into it)

All of that made the first version a landmark book as far as national reviewers were concerned, and it set new standards, but most of the publishers I've spoken with since have been astounded by the size and scale of it.

I did come close to agreeing to do a new volume covering the period since 2002 (an add on which wouldn't repeat the content pre-2002) but felt that wouldn't be right.<br /><br />-- Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:02 am --<br /><br /><a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Manchester-The-Greatest-City-Football-Book_W0QQitemZ200459261632QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportsMemorabilia_Football_Memorabilia_ET?hash=item2eac4d96c0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Manchester-The-Gr ... 2eac4d96c0</a>

I see the ebay sale has gone up quite a bit!