Port Said Red Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 Looking at the U21 thread I saw the name Billy Milne in a team from 1973 who I vaguely remembered from those days. I seem to remember he was good but couldn't settle and went back to Scotland. I tried to look him up but there is a more famous much older player with the same name. Anyway, I also came across this quite moving article about Ralph Milne, it's quite old so may have been posted on here before, but hopefully it's new to some. It's quite long too, but worth persevering to the end. https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-1/remembering-ralph/ The goal that is referenced is here. https://youtu.be/b2TttALDVLc?si=INstNDc-pUxzIL39 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 7 minutes ago, Port Said Red said: Looking at the U21 thread I saw the name Billy Milne in a team from 1973 who I vaguely remembered from those days. I seem to remember he was good but couldn't settle and went back to Scotland. I tried to look him up but there is a more famous much older player with the same name. Anyway, I also came across this quite moving article about Ralph Milne, it's quite old so may have been posted on here before, but hopefully it's new to some. It's quite long too, but worth persevering to the end. https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-1/remembering-ralph/ The goal that is referenced is here. https://youtu.be/b2TttALDVLc?si=INstNDc-pUxzIL39 Great article. Ferguson has this reputation for being great with his former players but he treated Ralph really shabbily. He stopped him from getting a trial with a league club after Ralph sold a story to the media. Ralph was an alcoholic not an evil person & deserved to be treated far better, he was by no means the worst player Ferguson signed, that was simply vindictive. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 Outrageously gifted on the pitch, poor lad struggled off it. In his short time here he left us with a couple of memorable moments 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Port Said Red Posted February 1 Author Report Share Posted February 1 1 minute ago, GrahamC said: Great article. Ferguson has this reputation for being great with his former players but he treated Ralph really shabbily. He stopped him from getting a trial with a league club after Ralph sold a story to the media. Ralph was an alcoholic not an evil person & deserved to be treated far better, he was by no means the worst player Ferguson signed, that was simply vindictive. Yes, for those who bemoan our recruitment team, that list of failures that Fergie bought should be a bit of an eye opener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomThumb84 Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 I was in the East End, to the right of the goal by about 10 feet (our normal spot) and remember the cushioned volley Ralph Milne scored (pretty sure on debut) like it was yesterday. Could see straight down the line of it into the top corner. Was a hero to me as a boy from that moment on. Spent hours trying to replicate that. Sad story, but he bought a lot of joy on the pitch. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 17 minutes ago, Port Said Red said: Looking at the U21 thread I saw the name Billy Milne in a team from 1973 who I vaguely remembered from those days. I seem to remember he was good but couldn't settle and went back to Scotland. I tried to look him up but there is a more famous much older player with the same name. Anyway, I also came across this quite moving article about Ralph Milne, it's quite old so may have been posted on here before, but hopefully it's new to some. It's quite long too, but worth persevering to the end. https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-1/remembering-ralph/ The goal that is referenced is here. https://youtu.be/b2TttALDVLc?si=INstNDc-pUxzIL39 Forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you getting the name mixed up with Billy Menmuir? He came to City with Gerry Gow and the Ritchie brothers and was apparently better than all of them, but got homesick and went back to Scotland. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 15 minutes ago, Port Said Red said: Yes, for those who bemoan our recruitment team, that list of failures that Fergie bought should be a bit of an eye opener. Now, now Port Said. That's for other threads. Let's keep the focus on Ralphie .... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumpty Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 (edited) 12 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said: Forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you getting the name mixed up with Billy Menmuir? He came to City with Gerry Gow and the Ritchie brothers and was apparently better than all of them, but got homesick and went back to Scotland. As opposed to Jock Manure, which is a description we could apply to just about every other Scot we've signed since (Mr Murray being the exception) Edited February 1 by Scrumpty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 15 minutes ago, TomThumb84 said: I was in the East End, to the right of the goal by about 10 feet (our normal spot) and remember the cushioned volley Ralph Milne scored (pretty sure on debut) like it was yesterday. Could see straight down the line of it into the top corner. Was a hero to me as a boy from that moment on. Spent hours trying to replicate that. Sad story, but he bought a lot of joy on the pitch. That was a thing of beauty, but an impossible standard to maintain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Port Said Red Posted February 1 Author Report Share Posted February 1 10 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said: Forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you getting the name mixed up with Billy Menmuir? He came to City with Gerry Gow and the Ritchie brothers and was apparently better than all of them, but got homesick and went back to Scotland. Yes you are right. There was another one who stuck in my mind, he suffered from alopecia and was completely bald at 18. Was that Menmuir? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheltons Army Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 Contrary to the derision I’ve seen thrown in his direction over the years he was actually a cracking signing for us Brought something entertaining , and some special moments to us (York City away anyone ) and we received , what in those days was a really significant fee for us which must have helped in building the 89/90 side. Weve had hundreds that haven’t made any impact and certainly who have we have wasted money on , let alone make a decent and significant profit 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumpty Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 14 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said: Forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you getting the name mixed up with Billy Menmuir? He came to City with Gerry Gow and the Ritchie brothers and was apparently better than all of them, but got homesick and went back to Scotland. I'd suggest the 'better than all of them' bit was a bit of an exaggeration, baring in mind he achieved next to nothing after returning home, whereas Tom & Gerry went on to achieve legendary status. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leveller Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 7 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said: Contrary to the derision I’ve seen thrown in his direction over the years he was actually a cracking signing for us Brought something entertaining , and some special moments to us (York City away anyone ) and we received , what in those days was a really significant fee for us which must have helped in building the 89/90 side. Weve had hundreds that haven’t made any impact and certainly who have we have wasted money on , let alone make a decent and significant profit Yet when the news emerged that Manchester United were signing him, the reaction was universal disbelief and laughter. We thought they’d signed the wrong chap. So clearly, despite his obvious flair, he didn’t do that well for us overall. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumpty Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 2 minutes ago, Leveller said: Yet when the news emerged that Manchester United were signing him, the reaction was universal disbelief and laughter. We thought they’d signed the wrong chap. So clearly, despite his obvious flair, he didn’t do that well for us overall. He had his moments (debut goal and York away), but in-between he was fuseless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRock Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 Not just any old Ford Escort club cars…. he was given a white XR3i !!!! Envious or what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcfc01 Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 28 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said: Forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you getting the name mixed up with Billy Menmuir? He came to City with Gerry Gow and the Ritchie brothers and was apparently better than all of them, but got homesick and went back to Scotland. I think Menmuir and Gow were already at AG when the Ritchie brothers arrived. It didn't work out for Menmuir, although i think he did play for the first team a couple of times. He went back to Scotland (Hearts I think), same as a couple of others at that time - Jimmy Brand (Morton I think) and another whose name I forget, both Scottish schoolboy internationals. City had a production line from Scotland in those days with Tom and Gerry (!) being the jewels in the crown. I think City were initially after Steve as he was seen as a rising star at full back having played for Scotland schoolboys, but Tom turned out to be a legend for City and Steve went back to Scotland. He played in the Scottish cup final for Aberdeen before coming back down here and playing for Torquay and Yeovil. Seems the production line is now the Channel Islands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvio Dante Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 59 minutes ago, TomThumb84 said: I was in the East End, to the right of the goal by about 10 feet (our normal spot) and remember the cushioned volley Ralph Milne scored (pretty sure on debut) like it was yesterday. Could see straight down the line of it into the top corner. Was a hero to me as a boy from that moment on. Spent hours trying to replicate that. Sad story, but he bought a lot of joy on the pitch. Here you go, 21:40 on this. Thing of beauty, doesn’t show the crossfield 1-2 with Walshie before but does show the finish: 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptr6 Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 Scored a blinder in a league cup game at Oxford too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 14 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said: Here you go, 21:40 on this. Thing of beauty, doesn’t show the crossfield 1-2 with Walshie before but does show the finish: What stays with me watching that is the sound of the crowd anticipating a certain goal that does not materialise: "Yeaaa-hhh .... ohhh! " Sums up 87/88, sums up the 1980s, the last 40 years ..... proper ball boys back then mind, City ski hats, kicking the ball out of the back of the net, celebrating with the players 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 7 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said: What stays with me watching that is the sound of the crowd anticipating a certain goal that does not materialise: "Yeaaa-hhh .... ohhh! " Sums up 87/88, sums up the 1980s, the last 40 years ..... proper ball boys back then mind, City ski hats, kicking the ball out of the back of the net, celebrating with the players Whilst all true, for balance the pitch is absolutely shit & there’s hardly anyone there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomThumb84 Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 44 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said: Here you go, 21:40 on this. Thing of beauty, doesn’t show the crossfield 1-2 with Walshie before but does show the finish: Thanks, dreamy. Great days. Will spend most of the evening now trying to pick out me, my Dad, and my Grandad jumping about by freezing every frame!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 32 minutes ago, GrahamC said: there’s hardly anyone there Still more than the Gas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forbespm Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said: Contrary to the derision I’ve seen thrown in his direction over the years he was actually a cracking signing for us Brought something entertaining , and some special moments to us (York City away anyone ) and we received , what in those days was a really significant fee for us which must have helped in building the 89/90 side. Weve had hundreds that haven’t made any impact and certainly who have we have wasted money on , let alone make a decent and significant profit Remember his goal at York away like it was yesterday, great celebrations in the away end 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1960maaan Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 Loved Ralph, gutted when he left. Thanks for sharing the article @Port Said Red , I read most of it then nipped over to Amazon and bought his biography . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDarwall Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 2 hours ago, ptr6 said: Scored a blinder in a league cup game at Oxford too. One of my favourite goals & away performances of all time. Andy Leaning got a goal on debut as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh Louie louie Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 Ralphs autobiography is worth a read, I think it was the Walsall play off second leg he talks about, Joe came off the bench, and decked three defenders in five minutes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red ponty Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 On a hopefully slightly different note, we left Walsall on that bank holiday Monday replay and defeat something to do with the playoffs straight after the game , and walked straight into the porterhouse bar nightclub on Prince Street Bristol and Ralph was already sat at the bar having played in that game , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh Louie louie Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 The Scottish winger that came in around when Milne left was much the better player for me, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 6 hours ago, bcfc01 said: I think Menmuir and Gow were already at AG when the Ritchie brothers arrived. It didn't work out for Menmuir, although i think he did play for the first team a couple of times. He went back to Scotland (Hearts I think), same as a couple of others at that time - Jimmy Brand (Morton I think) and another whose name I forget, both Scottish schoolboy internationals. City had a production line from Scotland in those days with Tom and Gerry (!) being the jewels in the crown. I think City were initially after Steve as he was seen as a rising star at full back having played for Scotland schoolboys, but Tom turned out to be a legend for City and Steve went back to Scotland. He played in the Scottish cup final for Aberdeen before coming back down here and playing for Torquay and Yeovil. Seems the production line is now the Channel Islands. No, pretty sure they all travelled down together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted February 1 Report Share Posted February 1 6 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said: No, pretty sure they all travelled down together. Tom Ritchie speaking in Gerry Gow's biography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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