The "Swales Out" Campaign

[Didsbury Dave]

He loved City and had things worked out on the pitch would have been a hero.

The campaign to oust him was a disgrace. Forward with Franny. Well that worked didn't it.

Peter Swales remains entrenched in our history.

"Had things worked out on the pitch"?!?!?!?!

Well they didn't. So he wasn't a hero. We flopped spectacularly on and off the pitch. He took us into financial peril too.

Look at that documentary. Do you see a potential hero?

The campaign had to happen because he refused to step down. 99% of our supporter base wanted him out long before.

 

[Gary James]

I don't believe there were any people coming forward with enough money to sort out the mess that Swales and his supporting directors had created. Mike Mcdonald was the closest other bidder (he ultimately became Sheff Utd chairman), but I don't truly believe there were other serious bidders capable of satisfying Swales' own personal demands and achieving anything at City.

The mess Franny found City in was much worse than anyone could have predicted. I've been fortunate to interview both Swales & Lee and both of them talked about the takeover battle. There are rights & wrongs on both sides but the lengths some of the other directors went to (according to Swales & Lee) were disgraceful.

As a fan it hurts me still knowing what they did.

There were several weird financial activities during the early 80s - including the proposed sale of the Kippax car park and part of the Kippax itself for a supermarket!

On the start of Swales Out - it started in 1982 (possibly even earlier!) with the 'Bring Back Trevor Francis Campaign' - I have leaflets which simply state 'No More Swales Rubbish!' and I have vague memories of hearing Swales Out during the 1982 season (around the time Bond left), but you are right to say that it wasn't really until we were in the Second Division that it increased. It continued to increase until Lee's campaign.

Ironically, Swales was a key figure behind the formation of the Premier League because I think he recognised its potential money-earning capabilities, yet his desire to match Utd prompted his panic sacking of Reid (just after he'd given him a better contract!) and that led to the Lee takeover decision. So Swales was never able to capitalise on his new PL baby.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

The other interested party was former newspaper tycoon Eddie 'Fat Man' Shah.

Do you know, that's rung a little bell somewhere. How keen was he? Is FBloke right that it was the momentum behind the Forward With Franny campaign which kept him out?

Fat Eddie was worth a few bob and was a regular in the Chairman' Lounge most match days.

Was worth considerably more than Fat Franny.

The Jewish business network were in full flow, but the piece with Alec Johnson was the clincher.

Swales, backed by Boler, easily had the financial muscle to hold out all day, but the fans were suckered by the Franny dream.

Shah was worth about £200m at the time and Swales was willing to accept a cash injection and an equity share just to spit Franny.

But it went on too long and the takeover was akin to highway robbery - about £3m was what I heard.

 

[Bill]

Does anyone know if Bernard Halford is considering writing a book about his time at City.
That would be a bombshell.

what he could tell us would be mind blowing, he'd never write it though.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Swales basically ran City like one of his TV shops in Altrincham.

I can't help but think he allowed his heart to rule his head, and for all his failings, it was his obsession of being City chairman and overhauling United, which clouded his thinking.

I got swept up when the Franny headlines first hit, but on reflection, Franny was no better.

Colin Barlow was reported to have taken £75k a year out of the club - for poncing around with his silk hankerchief.

One main player was John 'The Rug' Dunklerley, who helped prop up Franny with some cash.

At the time, Stephen Boler was the vital cog. He made his money through the Limelight Group and was the real power behind the throne.

He and his front man, jumped-up accountant Ashley Thomas also propped up the Swales era.

To which time, Boler decided to save the white rhino.

He died on Safari and his son Mark now brown-noses United at Mere Golf and Country.

The fan of the board- Dave Wallace - merely window dressing and lip service.

Only City could be involved in such a script and owned by two dead men, long after they had gone.

As for Franny, he sullied his previous good name. A £12m debt to McCalpines for building the Kippax became a huge burden to carry.

Colin Barlow, John Dunkerley and Franny Lee or

Freddie Pie, Steve Boler and Peter Swales

You choose :-)

You really are obessed with pie mate, aren't you, ha ha

Pye, Boler and Swales were worth £200m more - or should I say Boler was.

Barlow and Dunkerley just made it a more refined drinking men's club.

Tudor Thomas, Ian Niven, they were guys who no doubt had City at heart.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Colin Barlow, John Dunkerley and Franny Lee or

Freddie Pie, Steve Boler and Peter Swales

You choose :-)

You really are obessed with pie mate, aren't you, ha ha

Pye, Boler and Swales were worth £200m more - or should I say Boler was.

Barlow and Dunkerley just made it a more refined drinking men's club.

Tudor Thomas, Ian Niven, they were guys who no doubt had City at heart.

Wasn't it Niven who ultimately did for Swales at the board meeting where he lost his majority? Franny got to him and he switched allegience?

 

[fbloke]

That period has left me with the most surreal memories as a City fan.

I remember being kept locked in the club (free drinks and sandwiches) directors dining room when the biggest disturbances were in full swing.

Swales really wasnt that bothered and used to joke about it all blowing over when we started winning!

Incidentally FHL very rarely (if ever) turned up at Maine Road until it became clear he was going to win the fight.

"Hail the conquering hero!"

There are many, many things I saw and heard that mean I have no time for the man though.

And I would dearly have loved to slapped Dunkerley causing his wig to fly off!

 

[Wilmslow Road]

Bernard Halford Book

If Bernard Halford ever wrote a book it should be called.
" The Incompetence of the Ticket Office "

When he was in charge of it at Maine Road it was a nightmare.

 

[fbloke]

Re: Bernard Halford Book

If Bernard Halford ever wrote a book it should be called.
" The Incompetence of the Ticket Office "

When he was in charge of it at Maine Road it was a nightmare.

The whole place was a joke.

I used to turn up at the little window for comps only to find the dozy old git in there had given them to a random person.

I also remember being behind Bobby Moore as he 'queued' for his comps!

What club makes legends like that stand in the rain and explain who they are FFS!

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

That period has left me with the most surreal memories as a City fan.

I remember being kept locked in the club (free drinks and sandwiches) directors dining room when the biggest disturbances were in full swing.

Swales really wasnt that bothered and used to joke about it all blowing over when we started winning!

Incidentally FHL very rarely (if ever) turned up at Maine Road until it became clear he was going to win the fight.

"Hail the conquering hero!"

There are many, many things I saw and heard that mean I have no time for the man though.

And I would dearly have loved to slapped Dunkerley causing his wig to fly off!

That wig was worse than Swales'.

I remember Swales' wife crying in one of the lounges after one game because she had bought him a new suit and he had been egged!!

She was screaming, 'Oh Peter, look what they've done to your suit!'

Not sure the role re Niven (another great wig btw) and his backing for Franny.

His lad also worked at City and was a good man.

What Lee did to Colin Bell and Tony Book, I will never forget. Disgraceful.