Anybody remember Fred Ford?

[Port Said Red]

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?

[richwwtk]

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!

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

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

[slartibartfast]

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

[Davefevs]

Downing and Simpson too

[pongo88]

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 

[Red Moseley]

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

[Red Moseley]

On 22/08/2021 at 18:35, slartibartfast said:

Yes, that's what they used to say . 

Very high pitched squeaky voice as well. Used to join in our games of football in Greville Smyth Park. Just imagine doing that today!!!!

[slartibartfast]

33 minutes ago, Red Moseley said:

Very high pitched squeaky voice as well. Used to join in our games of football in Greville Smyth Park. Just imagine doing that today!!!!

That's where he got his nick-name, Shadow Williams used to call him "Lou Costello"! 

[gavlin]

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 
 

[slartibartfast]

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 ?

[stephenkibby.]

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.

[stephenkibby.]

6 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 ?

yeah Savino as i recall was never a regular and Crowe was maybe a year later?

[stephenkibby.]

Well don't like doing it, but Big John retired a year before Crowe came to the Gate.

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

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 August 23, 2021 by The Dolman Pragmatist

[gavlin]

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 . 

[gavlin]

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 .

[PHILINFRANCE]

47 minutes ago, gavlin said:

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

Sandwiching Jack Connor.

[cidered abroad]

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 August 24, 2021 by cidered abroad

[Joe Ford]

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

[BTRFTG]

Went off The Avon Gorge, so I heard it said....

[Red-Robbo]

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.

[ashton_fan]

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

[ashton_fan]

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:

 

[cidered abroad]

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!

[blockbrowt1]

Yes one of my first managers.

[archie andrews]

Didnt he manage oxford early 80s?..

 

[GrahamC]

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 December 9, 2022 by GrahamC

[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

[redysteadygo]

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.