Once A Blue Man City

04/09/2026

⚽ Ahead of City v Coventry, the Manchester City website features a great piece on Frank Lampard, who speaks very fondly of his time at the club.

He may have only spent one season with the Blues (2014-15) but he made a huge impact for Manuel Pellegrini's team, scoring eight goals in 38 appearances.

We want OUR sky blues to emerge with the three points this weekend, of course, but we'll still be giving Frank a warm welcome as he returns to the Etihad.

Give the article a read here 👇🏽

City host Coventry on Saturday with our former midfielder, Frank Lampard, returning to the Etihad as boss of the Sky Blues.

04/09/2026

😬 Our Once A Blue Man City website is currently offline, as are our emails (apologies...it's being rectified) but we didn't want you to miss out on our weekly Gary James article.

So here are Gary's reflections on the inimitable Malcolm Allison...

Malcolm Allison was a crucial part of the 1960s and early 70s successes. However, he was also the man who in 1979 broke up a great team, selling some of my own personal favourite players. In 1992 I interviewed 65-year-old Allison about Joe Mercer and decided I could save the thorny discussions about 1979 for another day.

I met him at his home in Yarm which he shared with his partner Lynn and young daughter. Lynn brought out coffee and a plate of biscuits. Placed in the centre was an orange Club biscuit, surrounded by Bourbons. As the plate was offered to me the toddler tried to take the Club biscuit. Lynn said: ‘No, you know that’s your Daddy’s favourite!’ Feeling as if Big Mal’s eyes were fixed on me, I decided to take a Bourbon. He took the orange Club of course!

Allison talked passionately about City: ‘They had always meant something to me. Back in 1933 I listened to Everton beat City in the Cup Final – it must have been the first one I really listened to – and something about the Club appealed. I know people think it’s just something you say, but City really did appeal to me as a boy. When Joe asked me to join him, I knew there was potential and I simply had to join him.’

He explained how attending a United celebration in 1965 influenced his approach: ‘I had to listen to all those comments about how they “hoped” City would get promoted and so on. I couldn’t stomach it. Pat Crerand wound me up and bet me £10 that City would never get a crowd above 30,000 again, and then Matt Busby said there’s room for two teams in Manchester. I thought to myself, “Yeah, baby and you’re gonna get two teams!” I then said to Sandy, Matt’s son, “your father’s got a twenty-year start, but I’ll pass him in three” and we did!’

When talking about his relationship with Joe he said: ‘Joe and I were very, very close during those years at City. We used to be frank with each other. People often leave their views until it’s too late. It usually happens with parents and children when you leave things unsaid, but with Joe and I we did tell each other… We had disagreements sure, and we both said things we shouldn’t – perhaps I was most outspoken – but in the end we still talked. We still communicated. I remember him coming to me at a dinner a few years later and he threw his arms around me. The strength of feeling was still there.’

Allison asked me if I could give him a lift. He picked up a pair of football boots and we drove off. He wasn’t impressed with the dust in my battered Ford Fiesta! After a while he asked me to pull over at a football pitch. He said he was helping someone out. As I watched this 65-year-old man trudge off with boots over his shoulder I couldn’t help but be in awe. His love of football remained strong, but I couldn’t work out if he was coaching, refereeing or even playing.

I met Allison a few times over the years and every time that passion – and love of City – was clear. We may not agree with everything he did – especially that second spell – but what he achieved working with Joe Mercer was remarkable.

See more of Gary’s writing at www.GJFootballArchive.com or follow him (X) or facebook.com/GaryJames4

02/09/2026

⚽ Footballers pursue all sorts of careers once their playing days are over. Some will remain in the game, working as coaches, physiotherapists or administrators. But many ex-pros will opt for completely different occupations within other industries.

Included in our Once A Blue Man City ranks are teachers, builders, lawyers, artists and publicans (and even West End performers...here’s looking at you, Jim Whitley!).

But many of you will know that former Blue defender David Brightwell, who made 53 appearances for Manchester City between 1992 and 1995, went on to forge a successful career with Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service.

And last week, following 23-years' service in Crewe and Winsford, David officially retired from the job.

He was given a fabulous send-off by his employers, with Chief Fire Officer Alex Waller making a special visit to the Winsford HQ in order to pay a personal tribute to his long-serving colleague.

55 year-old David was presented with a customary gift – a mounted firefighter’s axe, beside his medals and commendations – and was also given a tongue-in-cheek blue plaque (note the reference to ‘Ian Brightwell’s brother’, a label that dogged him at City and beyond!).

Joining him on his very special day – and pictured below – were his family (L-R: mum Annie, son Samuel, daughter Amelie, wife Samantha and mum-in-law Joy).

Said David: “I count myself really lucky to have enjoyed such a long and varied career with the Fire Service, but I felt that the time was right for me to step down.

“I’ll miss my fellow firefighters, of course – there’s a lot of camaraderie, like in football – but I’m more than happy to wave goodbye to the weekend shifts and the 3.00am call-outs.

“It’ll be nice to chill out with my family and, as a Once A Blue committee member, I’ll have more time to help our organisation reach out to other former City players.

“And, since my weekends are now free, I’ll be able to fit in plenty more games at the Etihad!”

On behalf of everyone at Once A Blue, we’d like to wish David all the best for his well-deserved retirement.

Join us in congratulating him by leaving a message below 👇🏼🚒

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Manchester City fans Samantha Brightwell Gary Brightwell

01/09/2026

Another nostalgia treasure trove in the September issue of the Manchester City magazine!

Featured players of the past include Vedran Corluka, Vincent Kompany and Alex Williams, and there are two brilliant new articles about memorable away days (anyone remember Notts County v City in May 1985?) and notable City tours, friendlies and testimonials.

It's well worth a read...💙

https://www.mancity.com/features/sept2026/citymag/

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31/08/2026

🕺🏾 We'll soon be seeing former City star Shaun Wright Phillips strutting his funky stuff in BBC Strictly Come Dancing...
..but in the meantime, why not read this great piece currently on the Manchester City website, which chronicles Shaun's career with the Blues.

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How the boy became a City hero.

28/08/2026

Today we're thrilled to unveil the inaugural weekly blog by football historian and City aficionado Gary James, which can be found on our brand new Once A Blue Man City website.

Gary will be writing from the heart about his many encounters with City players and managers, starting this week with Manchester City's esteemed goalkeeper Bert Trautmann.

Click the link below to read:

https://onceablue.com/gary-jamess-city-soundbites-1-bert-trautmann/

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Introducing GARY JAMES’S CITY SOUNDBITES, the first in a series by the renowned football historian and City aficionado.

27/08/2026

Delighted with our latest signing! 💙✍️

Gary James

My series of articles for Once A Blue Man City start tomorrow. Delighted to be doing this. The former players have, overwhelmingly, always supported my research and it’s an absolute pleasure writing for them now. More tomorrow.

27/08/2026

Manchester City’s team of matchday ambassadors comprises the crème de la crème of former Blues, from Joe Corrigan and Tommy Booth to Peter Barnes and Gary Owen.

Every home game these idols host and/or visit the many hospitality suites in the Etihad Stadium, meeting and greeting supporters and sharing their stories and memories.

The lads have asked us to announce that another Once A Blue Man City member has been added to the group this season...the one-and-only Andy Morrison!

Andy starred for City between 1998 and 1999, notching up 48 appearances. He is fondly remembered by Blues’ fans for his passion, tenacity and determination on the pitch, none more so than when captaining the side that famously gained promotion to Division One in 1999.

It’s that strength of spirit that has helped Andy off the pitch, too, as many of you will know that he was earlier this year diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that affects the facial nerves. He has very bravely opened up about his experiences in order to remove stigma and raise awareness, and we have nothing but respect for him.

Andy tells us that he’s on a slow but sure road to recovery, but that his new matchday role, and the chance to reconnect with other ex-Blues (including David White, who's pictured with him below) has given him a real boost.

Feel free to send your goodwill messages to Andy below, and we’ll pass them on!

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26/08/2026

🧑🏽‍💻 Here’s Once A Blue Man City Executive Committee member David White with a message about our new website!

www.onceablue.com

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25/08/2026

🏆 Massive congrats to the fabulous Bunny Shaw…PFA Players’ Player of the year and rightly so!

In a league of her own 👑
 
Congratulations to Bunny Shaw, 2026 PFA Players’ Player of the Year! 🏆