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Manchester City on this day: Andy Morrison

By Jason Bardwell

6 Jan 2001: Andy Morrison of Man City holds off Dele Adebola of Birmingham City during the AXA FA Cup third round match between Manchester City and Birmingham City at Maine Road, Manchester. Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey/ALLSPORT
6 Jan 2001: Andy Morrison of Man City holds off Dele Adebola of Birmingham City during the AXA FA Cup third round match between Manchester City and Birmingham City at Maine Road, Manchester. Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey/ALLSPORT /
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Manchester City have been competing for titles and trophies, on a consistent basis, over the last few years. Sometimes, you can forget the past struggles we had as a club, some not too far in the past.

I like to look back on some of these days in our history sometimes because, honestly, they tend to be forgotten. Andy Morrison is one of those pivotal characters we had in our darkest hours, without which, we may not be where we are now.

Joe Royle had taken the Manchester City hot seat as we struggled in the second tier of English football. Coming in February though was too late to stop the inevitable, and City slipped into the third tier. That would be the lowest City would fall in their history, and almost was the financial end of our club.

That season saw the last games of legends such as Uwe Rosler, Georgi Kinkladze, Ian Brightwell and Kit Symons. Pre season thoughts were that City would dominate the league and get promotion sewn up with multiple games to go.

31 Jan 2001: Andy Morrison of Man City challenges Emile Heskey of Liverpool during the match between Manchester City v Liverpool in the FA Carling Premiership at Maine Road, Manchester. Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey/ALLSPORT
31 Jan 2001: Andy Morrison of Man City challenges Emile Heskey of Liverpool during the match between Manchester City v Liverpool in the FA Carling Premiership at Maine Road, Manchester. Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey/ALLSPORT /

Fifteen games in though, City had only won five and drawn six. That had us with twenty-one points from a possible forty-five. At that rate we’d finish the season with sixty-three points, and around mid-table, which would be nowhere good enough. Even more concerning, from my point of view, was that we’d only kept four clean sheets in that time.

It must have concerned Joe Royle too, who instantly went out and bought Andy Morrison from Huddersfield Town. A no-nonsense defender, maybe not world-class, but certainly committed to the cause, and that’s what we needed at the time.

Making his debut for the Blues at Maine Road in a 2-1 victory against Colchester, he scored in the process. The next game, away to Oldham, he also scored. City kept a clean sheet in the process as signs of life began to show.

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City went the rest of the season with only four more league defeats, Wycome (2), York and Oldham to finish in the play-off places. We all know what happened next, and Morrison became only the fifth different City captain to lift a trophy at Wembley. He is actually also the last City Captain to lift a trophy at the ‘Old’ Wembley.

The next season, and injury ended his season early. Off and on the field, Andy remained an inspirational captain, and displayed fantastic leadership skills. He had a way of encouraging the younger and less experienced players, elevating their game. Ultimately he was a players player.

Even now, as then, he is loved by the City fans. And it is reciprocated. Back then Morrison would attend Supporters club meetings and be visible at the Junior Blues events. Even now he can be seen around the club. He was on the latest City TV month review with Chappy.

Back to back promotions saw Morrison in the Premiership, and that would be where his City career ended. Liverpool at Maine Road would be the last time he officially pulled on that shirt. He left the Premier League and, temporarily, so did City.

In his book, ‘The Good, The Mad and the Ugly’ he is as uncompromising as he was on the field. The darker times of his life are recounted, some for the first time, and I certainly recommend it.

Next: On this day: First live Manchester derby

PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 26: Former Plymouth Argyle player Andy Morrison leaves the pitch at half time during the npower League Two match between Plymouth Argyle and Northampton Town at Home Park on November 26, 2011 in Plymouth, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 26: Former Plymouth Argyle player Andy Morrison leaves the pitch at half time during the npower League Two match between Plymouth Argyle and Northampton Town at Home Park on November 26, 2011 in Plymouth, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) /

Now, in management, Andy has the same grit and determination. Managing Connah’s Quay Nomands FC in the Welsh Premier League.

Currently second, after eleven games, and a Europa League adventure of sorts, Andy has the side flying. Beating HJK Helsinki, 1-0, in Wales was a fantastic result. Yes they lost 3-0 in the return leg in Finland, but the result will live long in the memory.