Jump to content
IGNORED

Anybody remember Fred Ford?


Recommended Posts

Yep, manager when I first started supporting City too .…and then a decade later spent 4 years with his son doing a degree, mostly in alcohol studies with a bit of football playing specialism. 

You wouldn’t have wanted to mix it with him either. A Sag, due to City’s treatment of his father from what I recall.

  • Like 1
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Ronnie said:

Yes a Sgt/Major type man who would take no messing about, but had a heart of gold and looked after those that did their bit in training and on match days.

Apparently, when he took over from Tommy Doherty , (it was a divided dressing room), he marched them all out to G S Park, got them all behind the toilets and offered every single one of them "out"..........there were no takers !

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

School holidays used to go down and watch the players train in Greville Smyth park.  iIRC lots of PE and very little ball work.  Used to hang around the Robins cafe for autographs and watch the players tuck into fry ups and mugs of tea.  

  • Like 1
  • Robin 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, slartibartfast said:

Yes, absolutely....................we don't play in red shorts anymore !

Yeah that was my introduction ,City in all red midfielders like Jonny Quigley,Bobby Kellard Chris Crowe and of coarse the likes of Parr Low and Danny Bartley running down the wing.

Those early 70s was a struggle,a 1-0 win on a Tuesday night was a bonus but Fred keeping us in the division set it up for Dicks to have a go and see us through.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, slartibartfast said:

Apparently, when he took over from Tommy Doherty , (it was a divided dressing room), he marched them all out to G S Park, got them all behind the toilets and offered every single one of them "out"..........there were no takers !

Peter. Senior moment Slarti? ?

  • Thanks 1
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, slartibartfast said:

Apparently, when he took over from Tommy Doherty , (it was a divided dressing room), he marched them all out to G S Park, got them all behind the toilets and offered every single one of them "out"..........there were no takers !

Doherty brought in a few Irish players and then managed to divide the dressing room along sectarian lines. I remember my dad saying he took out an ad in the Evening Post stating his religious persuasion, I can't remember which he was though.

Fred was Manager when I first used to go, 65/66, I am surprised to hear that his son feels he was badly treated, he had a good run and it was not Dolmans style to part with people on bad terms.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, slartibartfast said:

Apparently, when he took over from Tommy  PETER Doherty , (it was a divided dressing room), he marched them all out to G S Park, got them all behind the toilets and offered every single one of them "out"..........there were no takers !

You got the wrong one. Peter was an Irish international and came from Doncaster Rovers. Tommy was a Jock.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

43 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Doherty brought in a few Irish players and then managed to divide the dressing room along sectarian lines. I remember my dad saying he took out an ad in the Evening Post stating his religious persuasion, I can't remember which he was though.

Fred was Manager when I first used to go, 65/66, I am surprised to hear that his son feels he was badly treated, he had a good run and it was not Dolmans style to part with people on bad terms.

Not quite true about sectarianism, as far as I know, although it may have had a bearing.

In those days players only had a one year contract with summer wages a £ or two lower than in season. But any City player from 1955 promotion team, hadbeen promised no wages reduction in summer. Doherty tried to change this but John Atyeo led a players delegation to Harry D and Harry instructed Doherty to fulfil his promise. That was the major cause of the dressing room split which ended with relegation in 1960

  • Thanks 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, stephenkibby. said:

Yeah that was my introduction ,City in all red midfielders like Jonny Quigley,Bobby Kellard Chris Crowe and of coarse the likes of Parr Low and Danny Bartley running down the wing.

Those early 70s was a struggle,a 1-0 win on a Tuesday night was a bonus but Fred keeping us in the division set it up for Dicks to have a go and see us through.

My first city boss too. Grew up overlooking Muller Rd rec and Brian Clark trained the local amateur teams and let me join in which was awesome at 6 or 7 years old. Hence city supporter not gas as everyone else in school was  .Had the pleasure of playing against my hero Chris crowe when he dropped into local football. Bobby Kellard was small but legs like tree trunks and had a shot on him .

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
  • Robin 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, stephenkibby. said:

Yeah that was my introduction ,City in all red midfielders like Jonny Quigley,Bobby Kellard Chris Crowe and of coarse the likes of Parr Low and Danny Bartley running down the wing.

Those early 70s was a struggle,a 1-0 win on a Tuesday night was a bonus but Fred keeping us in the division set it up for Dicks to have a go and see us through.

Don't forget Lou Peters,chugging up and down the left wing (top scorer with 11 in 66-67)

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, slartibartfast said:

Don't forget Lou Peters,chugging up and down the left wing (top scorer with 11 in 66-67)

Lou didn't exactly chug if iirc. Lightning quick but no sense of direction. Had to keep the gates closed otherwise he would be off across G. S Park

  • Like 1
  • Haha 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, stephenkibby. said:

Yeah that was my introduction ,City in all red midfielders like Jonny Quigley,Bobby Kellard Chris Crowe and of coarse the likes of Parr Low and Danny Bartley running down the wing.

Those early 70s was a struggle,a 1-0 win on a Tuesday night was a bonus but Fred keeping us in the division set it up for Dicks to have a go and see us through.

Could do with some midfielders with the determination, tenacity and ball winning skills of Quigley and Kellard right now. Also someone with the silky skills of Chris Crowe on the right. Iirc he once took Alex Munro of the Gas to the cleaners so often in a match at AG that Munro broke his leg with yet another flying tackle in an a final attempt to dispossess Chris.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

He was the gaffer when I started watching the City, we’ve had 30 since FF!

Nigel Pearson 24 Feb, 2021 Present
Dean Holden 05 Jul, 2020 24 Feb, 2021
Lee Johnson 07 Feb, 2016 05 Jul, 2020
John Pemberton 14 Jan, 2015 07 Feb, 2016
Steve Cotterill 03 Dec, 2013 14 Jan, 2015
Sean O'Driscoll 14 Jan, 2013 28 Nov, 2013
Derek McInnes 19 Oct, 2011 13 Jan, 2013
Keith Millen 12 Aug, 2010 03 Oct, 2011
Steve Coppell 11 May, 2010 12 Aug, 2010
Keith Millen 18 Mar, 2010 11 May, 2010
Gary Johnson 26 Sep, 2005 18 Mar, 2010
Keith Millen 11 Sep, 2005 26 Sep, 2005
Brian Tinnion 05 Jun, 2004 11 Sep, 2005
Danny Wilson 27 Jun, 2000 05 Jun, 2004
Leroy Rosenior 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Fawthrop 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
David Burnside 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Pulis 05 Jul, 1999 14 Jan, 2000
Benny Lennartsson 28 Oct, 1998 05 Jul, 1999
John Ward 27 Mar, 1997 28 Oct, 1998
Gerry Sweeney 25 Mar, 1997 27 Mar, 1997
Joe Jordan 15 Nov, 1994 24 Mar, 1997
Russell Osman 21 Jan, 1993 14 Nov, 1994
Denis Smith 09 Mar, 1992 21 Feb, 1993
Jimmy Lumsden 08 Oct, 1990 24 Feb, 1992
Joe Jordan 16 Mar, 1988 01 Sep, 1990
Terry Cooper 20 May, 1982 16 Mar, 1988
Roy Hodgson 03 Jan, 1982 30 Apr, 1982
Bobby Houghton 01 Oct, 1980 03 Jan, 1982
Alan Dicks 01 Oct, 1967 30 Sep, 1980
Fred Ford 01 Jul, 1960 30 Sep, 1967
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

39 minutes ago, Jerseybean said:

He was the gaffer when I started watching the City, we’ve had 30 since FF!

 

Alan D was manager for thirteen years. We then had seven in the next 14 years.

I've read about Fred Ford in peter Godsiff's history of City. After dismissing Fred, Harry Dolan wanted Frank O'Farrell, then Torquay's manager, to take over. Frank turned us down as he was a friend of Fred Ford. Not long afterwards, Man U appointed Frank as their manager.

When City won promotion in 1965, the players came out to celebrate after the game, but Fred didn't come out. His reasoning being that it was the players, not him who had won the promotion.

 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Red Moseley said:

Could do with some midfielders with the determination, tenacity and ball winning skills of Quigley and Kellard right now. Also someone with the silky skills of Chris Crowe on the right. Iirc he once took Alex Munro of the Gas to the cleaners so often in a match at AG that Munro broke his leg with yet another flying tackle in an a final attempt to dispossess Chris.

I was there and the sound as he collided with the ringside seats was horrible. He had been trying all night to send Crowe half way up the Enclosure terracing.

Bad injury, would not normally wish it on anyone but in this case, the "biter got well and truly bitten".

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Jerseybean said:

He was the gaffer when I started watching the City, we’ve had 30 since FF!

Nigel Pearson 24 Feb, 2021 Present
Dean Holden 05 Jul, 2020 24 Feb, 2021
Lee Johnson 07 Feb, 2016 05 Jul, 2020
John Pemberton 14 Jan, 2015 07 Feb, 2016
Steve Cotterill 03 Dec, 2013 14 Jan, 2015
Sean O'Driscoll 14 Jan, 2013 28 Nov, 2013
Derek McInnes 19 Oct, 2011 13 Jan, 2013
Keith Millen 12 Aug, 2010 03 Oct, 2011
Steve Coppell 11 May, 2010 12 Aug, 2010
Keith Millen 18 Mar, 2010 11 May, 2010
Gary Johnson 26 Sep, 2005 18 Mar, 2010
Keith Millen 11 Sep, 2005 26 Sep, 2005
Brian Tinnion 05 Jun, 2004 11 Sep, 2005
Danny Wilson 27 Jun, 2000 05 Jun, 2004
Leroy Rosenior 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Fawthrop 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
David Burnside 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Pulis 05 Jul, 1999 14 Jan, 2000
Benny Lennartsson 28 Oct, 1998 05 Jul, 1999
John Ward 27 Mar, 1997 28 Oct, 1998
Gerry Sweeney 25 Mar, 1997 27 Mar, 1997
Joe Jordan 15 Nov, 1994 24 Mar, 1997
Russell Osman 21 Jan, 1993 14 Nov, 1994
Denis Smith 09 Mar, 1992 21 Feb, 1993
Jimmy Lumsden 08 Oct, 1990 24 Feb, 1992
Joe Jordan 16 Mar, 1988 01 Sep, 1990
Terry Cooper 20 May, 1982 16 Mar, 1988
Roy Hodgson 03 Jan, 1982 30 Apr, 1982
Bobby Houghton 01 Oct, 1980 03 Jan, 1982
Alan Dicks 01 Oct, 1967 30 Sep, 1980
Fred Ford 01 Jul, 1960 30 Sep, 1967

Yet the first thirty years of watching City there were only four.

Pat Beasley, Doherty, Ford and Dicks

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

He was the gaffer when I started watching the City, we’ve had 30 since FF!

Nigel Pearson 24 Feb, 2021 Present
Dean Holden 05 Jul, 2020 24 Feb, 2021
Lee Johnson 07 Feb, 2016 05 Jul, 2020
John Pemberton 14 Jan, 2015 07 Feb, 2016
Steve Cotterill 03 Dec, 2013 14 Jan, 2015
Sean O'Driscoll 14 Jan, 2013 28 Nov, 2013
Derek McInnes 19 Oct, 2011 13 Jan, 2013
Keith Millen 12 Aug, 2010 03 Oct, 2011
Steve Coppell 11 May, 2010 12 Aug, 2010
Keith Millen 18 Mar, 2010 11 May, 2010
Gary Johnson 26 Sep, 2005 18 Mar, 2010
Keith Millen 11 Sep, 2005 26 Sep, 2005
Brian Tinnion 05 Jun, 2004 11 Sep, 2005
Danny Wilson 27 Jun, 2000 05 Jun, 2004
Leroy Rosenior 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Fawthrop 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
David Burnside 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Pulis 05 Jul, 1999 14 Jan, 2000
Benny Lennartsson 28 Oct, 1998 05 Jul, 1999
John Ward 27 Mar, 1997 28 Oct, 1998
Gerry Sweeney 25 Mar, 1997 27 Mar, 1997
Joe Jordan 15 Nov, 1994 24 Mar, 1997
Russell Osman 21 Jan, 1993 14 Nov, 1994
Denis Smith 09 Mar, 1992 21 Feb, 1993
Jimmy Lumsden 08 Oct, 1990 24 Feb, 1992
Joe Jordan 16 Mar, 1988 01 Sep, 1990
Terry Cooper 20 May, 1982 16 Mar, 1988
Roy Hodgson 03 Jan, 1982 30 Apr, 1982
Bobby Houghton 01 Oct, 1980 03 Jan, 1982
Alan Dicks 01 Oct, 1967 30 Sep, 1980
Fred Ford 01 Jul, 1960 30 Sep, 1967

That list includes Sweeney, presumably as a caretaker manager? I seem to remember that Les Bardsley also did some caretaker duties at least once, perhaps more?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

That list includes Sweeney, presumably as a caretaker manager? I seem to remember that Les Bardsley also did some caretaker duties at least once, perhaps more?

Gerry Sweeney was manager for one game, a 2-1 win at Crewe so if you measure by PPG our most successful manager ever!

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

That list includes Sweeney, presumably as a caretaker manager? I seem to remember that Les Bardsley also did some caretaker duties at least once, perhaps more?

It also leaves out the ‘gang of three’ - Russell Osman, Mark Aizlewood and Gary Shelton - who were joint caretakers after Denis Smith, before Osman got the job permanently.

Also Tony Fawthrop was very briefly, and very bizarrely, manager on his own in 2000, before spurious accusations about his business interests led to him being sacked and replaced with Danny Wilson

  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

He was the gaffer when I started watching the City, we’ve had 30 since FF!

Nigel Pearson 24 Feb, 2021 Present
Dean Holden 05 Jul, 2020 24 Feb, 2021
Lee Johnson 07 Feb, 2016 05 Jul, 2020
John Pemberton 14 Jan, 2015 07 Feb, 2016
Steve Cotterill 03 Dec, 2013 14 Jan, 2015
Sean O'Driscoll 14 Jan, 2013 28 Nov, 2013
Derek McInnes 19 Oct, 2011 13 Jan, 2013
Keith Millen 12 Aug, 2010 03 Oct, 2011
Steve Coppell 11 May, 2010 12 Aug, 2010
Keith Millen 18 Mar, 2010 11 May, 2010
Gary Johnson 26 Sep, 2005 18 Mar, 2010
Keith Millen 11 Sep, 2005 26 Sep, 2005
Brian Tinnion 05 Jun, 2004 11 Sep, 2005
Danny Wilson 27 Jun, 2000 05 Jun, 2004
Leroy Rosenior 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Fawthrop 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
David Burnside 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Pulis 05 Jul, 1999 14 Jan, 2000
Benny Lennartsson 28 Oct, 1998 05 Jul, 1999
John Ward 27 Mar, 1997 28 Oct, 1998
Gerry Sweeney 25 Mar, 1997 27 Mar, 1997
Joe Jordan 15 Nov, 1994 24 Mar, 1997
Russell Osman 21 Jan, 1993 14 Nov, 1994
Denis Smith 09 Mar, 1992 21 Feb, 1993
Jimmy Lumsden 08 Oct, 1990 24 Feb, 1992
Joe Jordan 16 Mar, 1988 01 Sep, 1990
Terry Cooper 20 May, 1982 16 Mar, 1988
Roy Hodgson 03 Jan, 1982 30 Apr, 1982
Bobby Houghton 01 Oct, 1980 03 Jan, 1982
Alan Dicks 01 Oct, 1967 30 Sep, 1980
Fred Ford 01 Jul, 1960 30 Sep, 1967

They missed out Gerry Sharp '82

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Never to the dark side said:

Lou Peters if I recall correctly that a ball dropped on the top of his  head against Bournemouth? and the ball ended up in the back of the net

It might be a different match but I can remember Lou Peters scoring with a rocket shot from the corner of the penalty area. Unfortunately it was an own goal and he said afterwards that it was an attempted clearance. He would have been a great player if only the pitch was 2 or 3 yards longer,  as he often beat the full back but ran out of pitch 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 22/08/2021 at 18:23, cidered abroad said:

I was there and the sound as he collided with the ringside seats was horrible. He had been trying all night to send Crowe half way up the Enclosure terracing.

Bad injury, would not normally wish it on anyone but in this case, the "biter got well and truly bitten".

Yes, I was there as well, and he had been trying to make his mark (sorry about the pun) on Chris all game.

If he had caught Chris he would have broken his leg, so I agree with you - got precisely what he deserved for that performance

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 21/08/2021 at 22:33, stephenkibby. said:

Yeah that was my introduction ,City in all red midfielders like Jonny Quigley,Bobby Kellard Chris Crowe and of coarse the likes of Parr Low and Danny Bartley running down the wing.

Those early 70s was a struggle,a 1-0 win on a Tuesday night was a bonus but Fred keeping us in the division set it up for Dicks to have a go and see us through.

Fred Ford was manager 1960 to 1967. 
Took them up to Division 2 ( championship now ) in 1965 with a 2-0 win over Oldham my second home game . Then had a chance to take them to League 1 with City in the promotion mix but they lost to Southampton, another promotion challenger over Easter , first clash of fans in the East End that day, Finished there promotion push. 
Unlucky for Ford,  Ayteo retired and left a hole that they didn’t fill and struggled for goals . Struggled the following season and Ford got the sack.

It was Dicks who took over in 1967 a struggling side and for the next four or five seasons, battling relegation was the norm . 
The first side I saw was Gibson, Drury, Ford, Crowe, Parr, Bartley, Savino, Rogers , Clark, Atyeo, Derrick 
 

  • Robin 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, gavlin said:

Fred Ford was manager 1960 to 1967. 
Took them up to Division 2 ( championship now ) in 1965 with a 2-0 win over Oldham my second home game . Then had a chance to take them to League 1 with City in the promotion mix but they lost to Southampton, another promotion challenger over Easter , first clash of fans in the East End that day, Finished there promotion push. 
Unlucky for Ford,  Ayteo retired and left a hole that they didn’t fill and struggled for goals . Struggled the following season and Ford got the sack.

It was Dicks who took over in 1967 a struggling side and for the next four or five seasons, battling relegation was the norm . 
The first side I saw was Gibson, Drury, Ford, Crowe, Parr, Bartley, Savino, Rogers , Clark, Atyeo, Derrick 
 

Sorry, I don't think Crowe and Savino ever played together, pretty sure Atyeo and Bartley never did either  and who's Rogers ?

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, gavlin said:

Fred Ford was manager 1960 to 1967. 
Took them up to Division 2 ( championship now ) in 1965 with a 2-0 win over Oldham my second home game . Then had a chance to take them to League 1 with City in the promotion mix but they lost to Southampton, another promotion challenger over Easter , first clash of fans in the East End that day, Finished there promotion push. 
Unlucky for Ford,  Ayteo retired and left a hole that they didn’t fill and struggled for goals . Struggled the following season and Ford got the sack.

It was Dicks who took over in 1967 a struggling side and for the next four or five seasons, battling relegation was the norm . 
The first side I saw was Gibson, Drury, Ford, Crowe, Parr, Bartley, Savino, Rogers , Clark, Atyeo, Derrick 
 

Ok my memories as a kid were a bit blurred. I bow to your recall. the first City game for me was Atyeo's last game  4.1 win over Ipswich his last game.

I remember all the players you say played in that first game for you. That you can remember the line up, well i tip my hat.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, slartibartfast said:

Sorry, I don't think Crowe and Savino ever played together, pretty sure Atyeo and Bartley never did either  and who's Rogers ?

I’m pretty sure that Danny Bartley played in Atyeo’s last match, the 4-1 win over Ipswich, and indeed supplied at least one of the crosses for Atyeo’s two goals (from a corner).

Agree about Crowe and Savino though, certainly never played together. Crowe was later (with Quigley and McIlmoyle).

Edited by The Dolman Pragmatist
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

I’m pretty sure that Danny Bartley played in Atyeo’s last match, the 4-1 win over Ipswich, and indeed supplied at least one of the crosses for Atyeo’s two goals (from a corner).

Agree about Crowe and Savino though, certainly never played together. Crowe was later (with Quigley and McIlmoyle).

Yes you are right it was Gordon Low who partnered Parr at the heart of the defence . 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

45 minutes ago, gavlin said:

Yes you are right it was Gordon Low who partnered Parr at the heart of the defence . 

And the others I missed were Peters not Rogers . The chant would go up Ouch takes a corner when Peters took corners. Jack Connor and Briggs at the back as well .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

I’m pretty sure that Danny Bartley played in Atyeo’s last match, the 4-1 win over Ipswich, and indeed supplied at least one of the crosses for Atyeo’s two goals (from a corner).

Agree about Crowe and Savino though, certainly never played together. Crowe was later (with Quigley and McIlmoyle).

Bartley's debut was on 28 December 1966, under the new four pylon floodlights and he played several games with Atyeo during the rest of that season. We of course lost to Wolves!

Savino played three or four with Crowd at end of 1966/7 and start of 1967/8

McImoyle arrived end of March 1967 and played his last match for us 16 Sept same year. Galley arrived 16 December same year.

Chris Garland made his debut in first match after McImoyle's last.

Edited by cidered abroad
  • Like 2
  • Flames 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 22/08/2021 at 17:19, Jerseybean said:

He was the gaffer when I started watching the City, we’ve had 30 since FF!

Nigel Pearson 24 Feb, 2021 Present
Dean Holden 05 Jul, 2020 24 Feb, 2021
Lee Johnson 07 Feb, 2016 05 Jul, 2020
John Pemberton 14 Jan, 2015 07 Feb, 2016
Steve Cotterill 03 Dec, 2013 14 Jan, 2015
Sean O'Driscoll 14 Jan, 2013 28 Nov, 2013
Derek McInnes 19 Oct, 2011 13 Jan, 2013
Keith Millen 12 Aug, 2010 03 Oct, 2011
Steve Coppell 11 May, 2010 12 Aug, 2010
Keith Millen 18 Mar, 2010 11 May, 2010
Gary Johnson 26 Sep, 2005 18 Mar, 2010
Keith Millen 11 Sep, 2005 26 Sep, 2005
Brian Tinnion 05 Jun, 2004 11 Sep, 2005
Danny Wilson 27 Jun, 2000 05 Jun, 2004
Leroy Rosenior 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Fawthrop 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
David Burnside 14 Jan, 2000 27 Jun, 2000
Tony Pulis 05 Jul, 1999 14 Jan, 2000
Benny Lennartsson 28 Oct, 1998 05 Jul, 1999
John Ward 27 Mar, 1997 28 Oct, 1998
Gerry Sweeney 25 Mar, 1997 27 Mar, 1997
Joe Jordan 15 Nov, 1994 24 Mar, 1997
Russell Osman 21 Jan, 1993 14 Nov, 1994
Denis Smith 09 Mar, 1992 21 Feb, 1993
Jimmy Lumsden 08 Oct, 1990 24 Feb, 1992
Joe Jordan 16 Mar, 1988 01 Sep, 1990
Terry Cooper 20 May, 1982 16 Mar, 1988
Roy Hodgson 03 Jan, 1982 30 Apr, 1982
Bobby Houghton 01 Oct, 1980 03 Jan, 1982
Alan Dicks 01 Oct, 1967 30 Sep, 1980
Fred Ford 01 Jul, 1960 30 Sep, 1967

 

Quite something isn't it - 2 managers for the 20 years of 1960-1980, 14 (not counting temps) for the 20 years thereafter and 13 for 2000-2020.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 23/08/2021 at 08:00, richwwtk said:

Gerry Sweeney was manager for one game, a 2-1 win at Crewe so if you measure by PPG our most successful manager ever!

I spoke with Gerry before a match a few years ago and he mentioned this statistic and that he was the only City manager with 100% win rate

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fred Ford was a bit before my time but he got the team promoted to Div 2 while John Atyeo was still playing. They did ok the first season up but once Atyeo retired the team struggled, he was difficult to replace. In his last season aged 34 he was still the top scorer with 19 goals. This home defeat against Blackpool was Fred's last game in charge and coincidentally was on MOTD:

 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, Joe Ford said:

Fred is my grandad, he died before I was born. I would love to hear any stories you might have of him or pictures that he’s in?

Joe Ford

If you've read all my previous posts on this thread, you'll know how well I regarded him both as a manager and a person. But those were the days when all the players lived amongst us, they were approachable and Fred always treated us, the fans, with respect. To spend six or seven hours on an overnight train to Manchester with half a dozen teenage supporters was not unusual. Those were the days!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

Quite something isn't it - 2 managers for the 20 years of 1960-1980, 14 (not counting temps) for the 20 years thereafter and 13 for 2000-2020.

Absolutely, I first started watching us circa ‘71, mad to think now that it was nearly 10 years into me supporting that we changed our manager for the first time in that period.

Mind you it is just like Prime Ministers, we only had 3 between 1979 & 2007, (everyone forgets now that John Major was PM for 7 years) we then had that many this summer..

Edited by GrahamC
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Joe Ford
9 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

If you've read all my previous posts on this thread, you'll know how well I regarded him both as a manager and a person. But those were the days when all the players lived amongst us, they were approachable and Fred always treated us, the fans, with respect. To spend six or seven hours on an overnight train to Manchester with half a dozen teenage supporters was not unusual. Those were the days!

Thank you @cidered abroad

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fred was manager throughout my teenage years and can remember when passing his house in West Town Lane looking in in awe. Just checked to confirm my memory and after a season managing the Gas he went to Swindon for 3 seasons and they finished in their highest position, 3rd in League 2. They also won the Anglo Italian Cup twice beating the likes of Napoli, AS Roma and Juventus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 22/08/2021 at 09:49, red colin said:

My first city boss too. Grew up overlooking Muller Rd rec and Brian Clark trained the local amateur teams and let me join in which was awesome at 6 or 7 years old. Hence city supporter not gas as everyone else in school was  .Had the pleasure of playing against my hero Chris crowe when he dropped into local football. Bobby Kellard was small but legs like tree trunks and had a shot on him .

Same here first city manager although a long time ago thought Bobby kellard was brought in to replace johnny Quigley both class midfielders  cant remember them playing together allthough  i wish they had .

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, archie andrews said:

Didnt he manage oxford early 80s?..

 

Think it could have been Swindon - but earlier. Might have lived in Oxford though as I have a very hazy memory of visiting his house … Kidlington rings a bell.

I might well be wrong though as I seemed to spend most of my youth on a mission in other people’s house/flats  …. normally associated with the pursuit of free alcohol. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Joe Ford
On 10/12/2022 at 15:47, Robbored said:

Just refreshed my memory of Fred Ford by looking him up on Wiki. He only managed three clubs, City, Gas and Swindon and died aged only 65…………that’s younger than me………:ermm:

I wonder what his cause of death was?…………:dunno:

Unfortunately he died of cancer. Neither a smoker or a drinker and incredibly active his whole life…

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...