Gary James said:As the site says the story is one I reported in "Manchester A Football History" (and to some extent first reported in "Farewell To Maine Road"), so it's worth me adding a bit more.
In my discussion with a former City director he first made the suggestion it wasn't paid, however in my research of Utd's history it is clear that everyone connected with the Reds believe it was.
The finances of Utd suggest it was paid, so if City's accounts suggest it wasn't then one of the 2 records is incorrect.
My assumption was - and remains - that it was paid in full.
The point of my piece in "Manchester A Football History" was to explain how Utd benefitted more from using Maine Rd than City did (many people claim City milked Utd for profit at this time - that's not true).
It's not really about whether they paid or not (and I do believe they paid as my chapter goes on to consider the other stuff). It's more about who benefitted most - and that was absolutely United not City.
I'm pleased that there is interest in all of this sort of thing and - obviously this might sound like a plug - if you really want to grasp the relationships between City & United (plus the other clubs) then you will benefit a lot by reading "Manchester - A Football History."
Borrow it from a library, download the kindle sections on Amazon, borrow a friend's copy - it will be worth it. There's some on special offer at ebay at the moment.
Can you imagine the press conference from slur. "this stinks of small time mentality"bobmcfc said:purely for comedy valueBoyBlue_1985 said:Surely we should sue them for this just due to the fact it would be funny. I mean £3.3 billion in real generated income would push Platini over the edge
Ardwick AFC said:You'll enjoy this Shankly interview explaining the state of the rags during that period. And how they were rescued by a blue!!!
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqbKBl22CA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqbKBl22CA</a>
blue b4 the moon said:So one team has cooked the books.
Ask yourself who that is likely to be.
Gary James said:MCFChistory said:It was a commonly held view by both sets of supporters at the time that United did not pay for their time at Maine Road.
Really? I'd like to see that evidence.
Gary James said:Ardwick AFC said:You'll enjoy this Shankly interview explaining the state of the rags during that period. And how they were rescued by a blue!!!
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqbKBl22CA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqbKBl22CA</a>
True - and another reason why the transformation in those post war years occurred. City fans loved Busby and genuinely wanted him to succeed at the then poor-relations. That's one of the reasons why fans went to watch both sides.
MCFChistory said:Gary James said:MCFChistory said:It was a commonly held view by both sets of supporters at the time that United did not pay for their time at Maine Road.
Really? I'd like to see that evidence.
Actually, I received an email today in which an elderly City fan who grew up in Moss Side confirms just this.
Ardwick AFC said:Was it true that after the war Busby was offered big bucks to go and coach in the USA, but opted to stay here.
Gary James said:MCFChistory said:Gary James said:Really? I'd like to see that evidence.
Actually, I received an email today in which an elderly City fan who grew up in Moss Side confirms just this.
You said both sets - that's the point where we need evidence. I did some research at Utd's museum and they have the minute books etc. and I've got microfilms of City's accounts. When I get chance I'll check them out again.