MANCHESTER’s got football in its blood.
So it goes without saying that the city’s history festival this February and March is taking more than just a sidewise glance at the beautiful game.
From tours and pub quizzes to a football play and a Town Hall debate, Manchester Histories Festival offers reds and blues the opportunity to get even closer to their top team.
The Football Pub Tour
Thursday 1 March, 6–8pm. Start Malmaison Hotel
A tour of Manchester city centre’s historical footballing sites, including anecdotes and stories connected with the Blues’ and Reds’ first successes and most recent triumphs, the birth of the football league, the PFA and the players’ social hangouts from the 1950s to today. Followed by a lighthearted football quiz. Guides are Jonathan Schofield and Gary James, author of Manchester A Football History. Starting point: Malmaison Hotel, Piccadilly. Tickets £7/£6 from Quaytickets on 0843 208 0500 or quaytickets.com
A City United: the relationship between Manchester ’s football clubs since 1800
Saturday 3 March 10.30-11.30am, Friends’ Meeting House, Mount St
Gary James, author of Manchester A Football History, focuses on the relationship between the Blues and Reds from the 19th Century to today. Covering the growth of support, the assistance provided, Manchester ’s third team, ground sharing, tragedy, proposed mergers, banners, welcomes and much more. Free, but booking recommended on 0161 306 1982 or click here.
Foreign Ownership in Football Debate
Friday 2 March, 6.30–7.30pm, Manchester Town Hall
Join Gary James (author of Manchester A Football History), Colin Savage (football financial expert), Dave Wallace (former MCFC ‘fan on the board’/ fanzine editor), Dr Vanessa Toulmin (Man Utd regular and historian) and Andy Walsh (FC United), for a debate considering if foreign ownership in Manchester’s football teams has moved the clubs too far away from their historical community roots and aims. Free, but booking recommended on 0161 306 1982 or click here.
I'll Be Bert
Fri 2 March, 8.30-9.30pm, Sat 3 March 12noon-1pm, Manchester Town Hall
Enjoy an amusing story of hero worship, a broken neck, forgiveness and redemption in this one-man performance by Bill Cronshaw about legendary former prisoner of war and Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann. Free, but booking recommended on 0161 306 1982 or click here.
To see the whole programme, visit the festival website click here. 0161 306 1982 E: info@manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk Find Manchester Histories Festival on Facebook and on Twitter @mcrhistfest
