Thanks for that and I totally agree about Steve. It's always important for anyone researching City's (or indeed any) history to acknowledge their sources. We all build on someone else's work or are influenced in some way. I remember sitting down with Steve in the City Social a few years back when he produced evidence that a cup game v Preston which, for over 60 years, had been recorded as being abandoned which then went to a replay was in fact completed and just ended ina draw, not an abandonment. Like me, Ray & co. Steve spent hours, days, weeks, months, years researching the oddest of details sometimes but the result for us is a set of stats that match our history - often quirky, sometimes bring back bad memories, but all part of City's rich tapestry.BTH said:Glad you gave Steve Kay a mention, Gary. He used to drive us mad with his stats, but I often think of him, wondering what he would make of it now if he was still with us. He was truly a lovely bloke and I think if his hard work could somehow be continued or included elsewhere it would be a terrific testimony to him. I think he'd have liked that. RIP Steve. x
Gary James said:I've posted this on the main forum instead of history because I'm not certain many people are aware of it, so here goes....
About three years ago Ric and I had a chat about the site which ended with me offering to give stats and history related material I'd researched and gathered over about 25 years to him for publication on the site. Years ago Steve Kay had set up his old stat site (which I'd helped with when he was first talking about setting it up) but sadly, following his death, that was not maintained and, after discussions with some at the club made it clear City weren't ready or able to create a site covering the club's history in this way, Ric and I felt it was right to get the history of the club out there in an authoritative manner with free access.
The Bluemoon history section was revised and relaunched by Ric with my stats/material which he now maintains. This is a fantastic resource showing lineups, goalscorers and so on for every 1st team game in the club's history together with profiles of every 1st team player. The site also includes pen pictures of every City manager and details on City's chairmen plus much more. It really is a great resource and Bluemoon deserves all the credit for presenting and preserving this material for anyone to access.
Having said all of that I'm not certain as many people use it or know it even exists as we'd like, so please spread the word. It's definitely a major plus point that a group of fans have set this up and maintain it.
If you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about then please take some time and have a look here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/History/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/History/</a> It's well worth exploring and, if nothing else, means you won't need to seek out the Complete Record book if you want to know who appeared at York in 1998-99.
Ric and I have talked in the past about updating the history section with further material, so if it gets used enough and there's enough interest going forward then please let us know what you'd like to see added. Thanks.
Gary James said:Thanks for that and I totally agree about Steve. It's always important for anyone researching City's (or indeed any) history to acknowledge their sources. We all build on someone else's work or are influenced in some way. I remember sitting down with Steve in the City Social a few years back when he produced evidence that a cup game v Preston which, for over 60 years, had been recorded as being abandoned which then went to a replay was in fact completed and just ended ina draw, not an abandonment. Like me, Ray & co. Steve spent hours, days, weeks, months, years researching the oddest of details sometimes but the result for us is a set of stats that match our history - often quirky, sometimes bring back bad memories, but all part of City's rich tapestry.BTH said:Glad you gave Steve Kay a mention, Gary. He used to drive us mad with his stats, but I often think of him, wondering what he would make of it now if he was still with us. He was truly a lovely bloke and I think if his hard work could somehow be continued or included elsewhere it would be a terrific testimony to him. I think he'd have liked that. RIP Steve. x
It's just a pity that Steve, John and Dennis (and so many others) are not here to see what their club has achieved.
Now BTH when are you going to write a book? You know you've got the talent and it'd be a great read. I'd certainly buy it.