Old Maine Road photos thread

[Gary James]

It's day 5 of my 100 day Maine Road countdown. Today a little story about this image from the 1920s and a small boy who spotted himself on it in 1 of my books 70+ years later when it was given to him in Canada!

Maine Road 100 – Day 5

The fifth of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today it’s about the Players’ Tunnel at Maine Road… Before I start notice on the black and…

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[Gary James]

I’m not going to post a link in here every day as anyone can check out the images and stories being posted daily to my site but once in a while I’ll stick a link up if it’s something that might be different. Today’s post tells the story of the Platt Lane tunnel. Why it was changed within 8 years of Maine Road's construction. It's a free post, like the others in this 100 day series:

Maine Road 100 – Day 7

Day 7 of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today it’s the story of the Platt Lane tunnel. Maine Road had four large corner tunnels, plus two in the K…

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[Rory Bluelow]

Slightly off topic but does anyone remember Shakin Stevens scoring for United against big Joe Corrigan at Maine Road. It’s in my Billy the Fish Yearbook so it must be true…Buzzer in the background on the photo…who remembers the game ?

 

[The Black Shed]

My vantage point for many years, and like the Tetley's, I'm Bitter

Rammed

 

[Gary James]

This wonderful photo is of Maine Road as most of us have never experienced it. No traffic etc. and a great aerial image. Today’s Maine Road post:

Maine Road 100 – Day 13

Day 13 of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today is another name that year. Have a look at this amazing photo of Maine Road and tell me when you think thi…

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[bladdered]

 

[dennishasdoneit]

I’m not going to post a link in here every day as anyone can check out the images and stories being posted daily to my site but once in a while I’ll stick a link up if it’s something that might be different. Today’s post tells the story of the Platt Lane tunnel. Why it was changed within 8 years of Maine Road's construction. It's a free post, like the others in this 100 day series:

Maine Road 100 – Day 7

Day 7 of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today it’s the story of the Platt Lane tunnel. Maine Road had four large corner tunnels, plus two in the K…

gjfootballarchive.com

Great detail there. I find it interesting that City decided to alter the tunnel due to the safety problems Wembley had at the time in supporters leaving the ground ..shows how on a par Maine Road was with the national stadium back in the day.

I grew up understanding that MR was known as "The Wembley of the North" when it was built ,and the above confirms this view.

Over the years,I soon learned to arm myself with such facts when involved in banter with opposition fans ,and also threw in the Tallest Floodlights snd "Widest Pitch" stats ..all of which used to shut folk up.(they had no clue). .which as an out of town supporter,standing your ground, was important. ; )

 

[isab23502]

Turned ugly after that,lol

Think Borat must have been based on Antic's accent!

 

[bladdered]

And if you didn't fancy walking down from Longsight, there was always the 53!

 

[Gary James]

Great detail there. I find it interesting that City decided to alter the tunnel due to the safety problems Wembley had at the time in supporters leaving the ground ..shows how on a par Maine Road was with the national stadium back in the day.

I grew up understanding that MR was known as "The Wembley of the North" when it was built ,and the above confirms this view.

Over the years,I soon learned to arm myself with such facts when involved in banter with opposition fans ,and also threw in the Tallest Floodlights snd "Widest Pitch" stats ..all of which used to shut folk up.(they had no clue). .which as an out of town supporter,standing your ground, was important. ; )

Not really Wembley of the North - better than that. Aims were much higher - the English Hampden was what they aimed for at a time when Hampden was regarded as the greatest stadium in the world.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Not really Wembley of the North - better than that. Aims were much higher - the English Hampden was what they aimed for at a time when Hampden was regarded as the greatest stadium in the world.

And indeed.. looking at the pics of early Maine rd ,I instinctively thought Hampden...I agree
But where did the 'Wembley of the North "phrase come from Gary?

 

[Shirley]

And if you didn't fancy walking down from Longsight, there was always the 53! View attachment 81329

The 53, now that really brings back memories. I used to take it everyday in the early 60’s to school….when I wasn’t wagging it.

 

[Gary James]

And indeed.. looking at the pics of early Maine rd ,I instinctively thought Hampden...I agree
But where did the 'Wembley of the North "phrase come from Gary?

I’d have to look at my research but I think it came in mid 30s with the huge crowds. In 1923 Wembley was trashed in a lot of the media, saying it’ll never stage a FA Cup final again because of the chaos.

 

[Gary James]

This wonderful photo is of Maine Road as most of us have never experienced it. No traffic etc. and a great aerial image. Today’s Maine Road post:

Maine Road 100 – Day 13

Day 13 of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today is another name that year. Have a look at this amazing photo of Maine Road and tell me when you think thi…

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I’ve posted the answer - it’s 1953. Today’s image & post in my free 100 day Maine Road countdown tells the story of the steps to nowhere. What? Have a read here

Maine Road 100 – Day 14

Day 14 of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game… I mentioned on a previous day how during 2002-03 I managed to wander around the stadium often exploring w…

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[dennishasdoneit]

Tea time. View attachment 75005

Vintage graffiti right there...The Stone Roses..painted on the red brick of a house.

 

[The Colonel]

View attachment 81259

I love the way the Kippax terrace is just the same (without the roof obviously) as it always was. You can pick the spot where you stood and the steps or tunnel that you entered with anticipation every week.

 

[Shirley]

Old one…

 

[Gary James]

Today’s day 20 of my free to read Maine Rd 100 features and it’s about the original concrete dug outs which were actually ‘dug out’. It must have been a nightmare watching a game from in them. Roy Bailey tells me that Dave Ewing always seemed to bang his head getting in and out. Here’s the link to the feature and photos:

Maine Road 100 – Day 20

It’s day 20 of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game and today’s feature is on the original Maine Road dug outs. Nowadays the playing staff areas ta…

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The player dug outs were not the only ones at the ground. Anyone remember the dugouts in the corners? I explain about them in the article. Cheers

 

[bladdered]

Think I was somewhere up there. Did I think we would ever be celebrating a treble back then? No way. Drink it in. History has been made.

 

[Gary James]

So far there have been 35 days in my 100 day Maine Road countdown series of free to read features and images. I know some have dipped in and out and not had chance to see them all so, to make life easy, here they are so far in one handy place. Enjoy following the link to read them all. It's a monumental series of articles on the old stadium and I hope it gives those who attended a nice reminder of the old place and those that didn't (and it was 20 years ago!) a feel for what it was like.

Maine Road Features – First 35 All In One Place…

So far there have been 35 days in my 100 day Maine Road countdown series of free to read features. I know some have dipped in and out and not had chance to see them all so, to make life easy, here …

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