Once A Blue Man City

25/09/2026

It's Friday, so it's time for the latest article in Gary James's City Soundbites series.

This week he features his face-to-face with the late, great Trevor Francis.

What are YOUR memories of this superb striker's short-but-sweet stint at Maine Road? 💙

fans Once A Blue Man City

In 1981 City signed their third separate £1m footballer Trevor Francis. It was a truly major signing.

24/09/2026

Lovely to see ex-Blue Nedum Onuoha taking a trip down memory lane.

City in the Community Foundation's new community space looks fabulous...

Once A Blue Man City

Former Manchester City player and City in the Community (CITC) Trustee, Nedum Onuoha, has returned to Harpurhey to open a newly regenerated Healthy Goals space.

23/09/2026

🎾 Great to see the Once A Blue Man City padel event being spotlighted on the official Manchester City website!

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Former City players including David White, Ian Brightwell and Michael Brown took part in a special 'Once a Blue' former players' padel event.

21/09/2026

Big thanks to the players and supporters who participated in the inaugural Once A Blue Man City padel event at Pure Padel Stockport last Thursday.

A cross between tennis and squash, padel can be as gentle and as competitive as you want it to be, which makes it a very accessible sport for all ages.

Congratulations to former City midfielder Michael Brown for winning the runners-up trophy, coming second only to tournament winner Joe Eaton. Michael is a big padel fan and, displayed plenty of skill, athleticism and enthusiasm...not unlike his footballing days!

Cheers to Manchester City Football Club for providing us with a gallery of photos of the day which feature snapshots including ex-Blues .brightwell, Gary Jackson, , David Brightwell, Chris Shuker, Gary Owen and Richard Jobson.

Our appreciation also goes to our sponsors, Intuitive Engineering Solutions and Blues in Business who helped us make this event go with a (racket) swing.

Special thanks, too, to OAB supporter and panel enthusiast Mike Marshall for his valued advice and guidance.

And not forgetting, of course, Lewis Kirk and the fantastic team at Pure Padel Stockport ...we hope to be gracing your fantastic courts again soon!

21/09/2026

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Once A Blue Man City City in the Community Foundation

21/09/2026

Thanks again to the players and supporters who participated in the Once A Blue Man City inaugural padel event at Pure Padel Stockport last Thursday.

A cross between tennis and squash, padel can be as gentle and as competitive as you want it to be, which makes it a very accessible sport for all ages.

Congratulations to former City midfielder Michael Brown for winning the runners-up trophy, coming second only to tournament winner Joe Eaton. Michael is a big padel fan and, displayed plenty of skill, athleticism and enthusiasm...not unlike his footballing days!

Cheers to Manchester City for providing us with a gallery of photos of the day which feature snapshots including ex-Blues Ian Brightwell, Gary Jackson, Scott Hiley, Gary Owen, David Brightwell, Chris Shuker, Richard Jobson and David White.

Our appreciation also goes to our sponsors, Intuitive Engineering and Blues in Business, for helping us make this event go with a (racket) swing. Special thanks, too, to OAB supporter and panel enthusiast Mike Marshall for his valued advice and guidance.

And not forgetting, of course, the fantastic team at Pure Padel UK Stockport...we hope to be gracing your fantastic courts again soon!

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18/09/2026

👬🏿 A number of brothers have played for Manchester City, among them Ian and David Brightwell, Ron and Paul Futcher and Jim and Jeff Whitley.

💙 So it was great to welcome another dynamic duo to the Etihad for the City v Norwich City Carabao cup tie.

🥅 Longsight-raised Darren and Jason Beckford broke through the youth ranks to make senior City appearances in the 1980s, with Darren totalling 12 and his younger sibling Jason hitting the 25 mark.

⚽ They're pictured here with Steve Thomas, son of City's late-great Life President Tudor, who very kindly offers match day hospitality to Once A Blue Man City members.

🤩 Hope you enjoyed the match, guys!

18/09/2026

Football historian Gary James has released the latest of his City Soundbites, which he is writing exclusively for Once A Blue Man City.

This week Gary shares his memories of 1950s right-winger Fionan 'Paddy' Fagan, a hugely popular player on and off the field who, together with team-mates Roy Little and Roy Clarke, laid the foundations for the Manchester City Former Players' Association.

Once A Blue owes Paddy so much, and we're delighted to feature this tribute on our website.

Read it here:

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The latest in a series by the renowned football historian and City aficionado. #4: Fionan ‘Paddy’ Fagan One of the original founders of City’s Former Players’ A

17/09/2026

🎾 We’re enjoying a fantastic Once A Blue Man City padel event at Pure Padel UK Stockport!

Former Blues currently displaying their racket-and-ball skills at the Adlington venue include Michael Brown, Gary Owen, Scott Hiley, Richard Jobson and the Brightwell brothers.

Many thanks to Lewis Kirk at Pure Padel, Andrew Ancell at Intuitive Engineering, Blues in Business, Mike Marshall and all the OAB Executive Committee for organising the event, which we hope will be the first of many.

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13/09/2026

⚽️ It’s day, and who better to reminisce about this special fixture than Joe Corrigan MBE?

🥅 City’s legendary goalkeeper (and Once A Blue president) played in dozens of City v United head-to-heads, behind such luminaries as Dave Watson, Tommy Booth and Mike Doyle.

💬 Listen to Big Joe’s abiding Derby memories here…

…and, on behalf of , may we say a big C’MON YOU BLUES!!!

Once A Blue Man City fans