NOVPUB
Chapter 96: 1994/1995 Manchester City Club Portrait
The weather that day was surprisingly pleasant, with bright sunlight that made it hard to believe they were still in Manchester. It was a stark contrast to the gloomy rain that had lingered over the past two days since Richard had returned from Scotland.
A new manager. A new owner. A new season.
Only three days remained until the start of the 1994–95 Second Division season, with City set to open at home against Blackpool.
There were no plans for the match to be broadcast live—but for die-hard City fans, especially their notorious hooligan firm, it was the hottest topic of the weekend.
That afternoon, after training, Richard sat in the director’s box overlooking the Maine Road pitch, awaiting the arrival of two guests he had personally invited.
The first was Ric Turner, a freelance web developer based in Manchester, best known as the founder and owner of Bluemoon-MCFC, an unofficial Manchester City Football Club website. Since technology was still in its early stages, the site was relatively basic.
The second guest was Mikkel Jonas, the owner of the Bluefandk account on Bluemoon MCFC, visiting from Denmark. He had personally witnessed the brutality of the Guvnors during a Manchester City match.
English football hooliganism has deep and dark roots, stretching back decades. It gave rise to well-organized firms that once terrorized cities across Europe.
The violence was so intense that clubs like Manchester United and Leeds United were even banned from UEFA competitions during the 1970s.
Take the Guvnors of Manchester City, for example. Before the season began, Richard personally reviewed the names of every known member and planned to ban them for life.
The group had risen to prominence in the 1980s, a time when the government was actively trying to curb the growing violence at football matches. Guvnors weren’t just brawling on the streets of Manchester; they were clashing with rival hooligan firms all over England—especially during the mid-1980s, when organized football hooliganism was at its peak across the country.
The reason for their ban? It had to do with their dark history.
The Guvnors were frequently criticized for allegedly attacking women and children on several occasions. One such claim even surfaced on the Bluemoon MCFC forum, further tarnishing their reputation, with Mikkel Jonas being a witness.
That’s why Richard invited these two guys to dig deeper into the information about Guvnors.
"They always pretend to be tough in their fights. They never talk about the many cowardly attacks on women and children," Jonas said, frustration and anger written across his face.
Richard glanced at John, seated beside him, and gave a small nod before turning back to Turner and Jonas.
"So, only this name? No others?" Richard asked.
Benion—the current leader of the Guvnors—was the name most frequently mentioned to Richard. He was notorious for his violent tendencies, often hiding behind the guise of social causes like anti-racism in football to justify or deflect criticism of his actions.
Richard looked over the document detailing Benion’s personal background, focusing especially on one quote he had once said: "In the end, those who cling to things like racism are just sheep. You can’t have a democracy that’s made up of only one culture. Democracy is about embracing differences," Benion had stated firmly.
’Pretending to be a superhero?’ Richard shook his head. He was the worst of them all. He then turned toward Turner and Jonas in front of him. "Is that all?"
"No, I mean you need to ban not just the core members, but everyone on this list!" Jonas said anxiously.
The efforts from the English police and government to crack down on hooliganism had been intense—but even so, it was like cutting off one head only for a dozen more to grow in its place. No one could have predicted that from the ashes of a fallen group, a new and even more dangerous organization would rise.
"From what I’ve heard, it’s not just Benion—it’s his friends, and then their friends too. That’s what makes it all the more alarming. The network runs deep, and the influence spreads far wider than anyone expected."
He then handed Richard another piece of paper and began explaining, "Some of Benion’s friends have already formed a new group since the fall of the Guvnors after the police crackdown. A few of the members used to be part of the Cool Cats. You’ve heard of them, right?"
Richard gave a small nod. He hadn’t known much about them initially, but ever since taking charge of City, he made it a point to understand the club’s supporter culture.
Cool Cats were a diverse, multi-ethnic group of Manchester City fans from the 1970s. Because of their background, they were often subjected to racist abuse—especially from rival fans, with Chelsea supporters being among the worst offenders at the time.
Jonas continued, "I heard that since the time of Francis Lee, they’ve already started recruiting people to form a successor to Guvnors—something called the Main Line Motorway Service Crew. That’s why..." he trailed off before continuing, "I’m afraid this crew might end up being even more terrifying than Guvnors."
"But there’s already action being taken by the FA and the government, right?"
Since Hillsborough disaster, England has tackled football hooliganism through a multi-pronged approach: stronger police presence, stadium improvements like all-seater arrangements and fan segregation to keep rival groups apart, increased CCTV surveillance, banning orders for alcohols and known troublemakers, even harsher penalties for violent offenses.
Jonas shook his head slowly, a grim expression on his face. "Things might look better on paper, sure, but the streets tell a different story. The police have been trying to curb this kind of violence since the 1970s and 1980s—yet they still can’t stop these mass brawls."
Richard nodded in understanding. Still, while banning someone like Benion might be possible, banning everyone associated with him wasn’t so simple. He needed solid justification—especially since this was a new era under his leadership.
Banning fans who hadn’t been proven guilty of anything could be seen as baseless accusations or even favoritism toward other firms, which would only create more division. That would be slander. Maybe some of them had committed acts of violence during the Swales or Lee era, but Richard didn’t have the evidence. Punishing them now wouldn’t be fair.
However, Richard also couldn’t simply dismiss their opinions—especially since the two of them could become valuable allies in combating City’s hooligan problem. On top of that, they could also serve as free marketing for Manchester City.
He nodded in agreement. "I understand. But for now, we’ll monitor them more closely—especially the names you gave me. We’ll also coordinate with the police and the FA to ensure no violence breaks out."
Then he looked at both Turner and Jonas more seriously. "But I also want to ask for your help. You both know the pulse better than we do. If anything feels off, if you hear anything, I need you to tell us immediately. Not just to protect the club’s reputation—but to protect lives. I want City to move forward, not be dragged back into the darkness."
Jonas and Turner exchanged a glance. Jonas gave a small nod. "We’ll do what we can."
Richard was satisfied with this. Done listening to Jonas and his concerns about City’s firm, Richard turned toward Turner.
"Turner, I’ve heard about what you’ve been doing with Bluemoon-website."
Ric Turner instantly puffed out his chest with pride.
Richard Maddox—the name was far from unfamiliar. He had clawed his way to the top to become City’s sole owner. Not only that, his sharp eye for talent and his success as a football agent had earned him a strong reputation in the football world. Not to mention his high-profile acquisition of the Rover Group through his company, Maddox Capital.
This was a billionaire praise!
Being praised by someone of that caliber made Turner feel that everything he had worked on was truly worth it.
Richard continued, "To be honest, if I could help you with your project, I’d do it right away. But as you know, financially we can’t support it—because of the issue with independence and authenticity."
Most fanbases value their independence. If a club starts funding them, fans might be seen as being "bought" or controlled — losing the raw, passionate, sometimes critical voice that makes fandom authentic. This to avoid creating the perception of favoritism or interference. Nobody wants to be a PR puppet.
"However," Richard continued, speaking seriously, "that doesn’t mean we can’t engage with or support fanbases—it’s just about maintaining a clear line."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone firm but encouraging."So, since you’re interested in being involved with digital journalism, I’m going to grant Bluemoon-MCFC the same level of access and privileges as the Official Manchester City Magazine. You’ll get media passes, early press releases, and exclusive content."
Manchester City launched its first official club magazine in the 1967–68 season, the brainchild of the club’s first-ever press officer, Dick Carpenter. It had since become a direct bridge between the club and its supporters. Now, Carpenter was very old and already preparing for retirement.
As a tribute to Carpenter’s invaluable contributions, Richard had no intention of letting him go, even though the veteran was now well into retirement age. Instead, he planned to appoint Carpenter’s daughter—herself a journalist like her father—to carry on the legacy he had built.
Turner’s eyes lit up with excitement. This was more than he expected. Recognition from the club itself, especially under a new regime, was a big step forward—not just for Bluemoon-MCFC, but for independent fan journalism as a whole.
"Ah, they’re here," Richard said, cutting off the conversation as he pointed toward the Maine Road pitch.
Their attention was drawn to a new arrival—the woman now in charge of Manchester City’s official club magazine.
Sadie Carpenter walked onto the pitch alongside her father, the club’s long-serving press officer who had taught her everything he knew. They were accompanied by a small media crew, carrying cameras and helping to arrange chairs on the pitch.
Shortly after, they saw O’Neill and his staff gathering the players. He instructed them to put on their official home kits and called over the first-team coaches to join the session. The coaches sat neatly in front while the players lined up behind them in two orderly rows, forming a fan-like shape based on their height.
Bathed in the glow of the bright Manchester sun, O’Neill sat at the center of the front row, his demeanor warm and slightly smiling, while the surrounding coaches wore relaxed expressions. In contrast, the players behind them displayed serious faces as Sadie signaled to the photographer to capture the best angles with the optimal lighting for the perfect shot.
Manchester city 1994/1995.
Manager Martin O’Neill, Assistant John Robertson, Coaches Steve Walford, René Meulensteen, and Steve McClaren, Goalkeeping Coach Terry Gennoe, Youth and Reserves Coach Willie McStay, and Domènec Torrent.
Starting XI: Shay Given, Cafu, Sol Campbell, Ian Cox, Roberto Carlos, Ian Taylor, Tony Grant, Steve Lomas, Paul Lake, Ronaldo, Emile Heskey.
Bench: Tony Coton, Nicky Weaver, Richard Edghill, Tony Vaughan, Nick Fenton, Richard Jobson, Keith Curle, Ian Ferguson, Mike Phelan, Jamie Pollock, Jeff Whitley, Keith Gillespie, Graham Fenton, Paul Dickov, Shaun Goater, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The photographer climbed atop the chair to capture the striking image of the proud first-team players alongside their coach from a slightly elevated perspective.
After the team’s "family portrait" for the 1994-95 season was taken, Richard bid farewell to Turner and Jonas, asking John to accompany them before turning his attention toward the pitch.
"Sadie," Richard called, as he turned toward the young woman, who radiated energy like a burst of sunshine.
"Yes, boss?" she responded with a smile, her attention immediately on him.
"Give me one shot," he said.
Sadie pouted, thinking that this new owner was very narcissistic, but still, she pulled her camera from the bag slung over her shoulder. She moved quickly, the lens capturing the moment as Richard stood with his hands in his pockets, exuding a somewhat aloof demeanor, reminiscent of a young mob boss.
Once the photographs were printed, Richard instructed the staff to display the family portrait in the club’s corridor, while the striking, cool image of the first team with their coach would be enlarged for promotional purposes.
The next day, fans flipping through the official Manchester City magazine or Bluemoon-MCFC website were greeted by an unexpected sight—posters of the new squad proudly displayed outside the club. If they scrolled further down the Bluemoon site, they’d find Richard striking a pose with the iconic Maine Road pitch in the background.
"What an asshole," one fan muttered, clearly unimpressed by Richard’s over-the-top pose. It was like he was trying to channel the vibe of a slick, 90s gangster film.
In just three months, from the manager and staff to the players, City had undergone a remarkable transformation. While the future remained uncertain, one thing was for sure—the present was undeniably vibrant.
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Current City Non-Sporting Management:
Chairman: Richard Maddox
General Manager: John Maddock
Official Club Secretary: Miss Heysen
Solicitor (Legal): Frank Shepherd
Barrister: Gordon Barry
Kit Manager: Jimmy Rouse
Official Manchester City Magazine: Sadie Carpenter
For Sporting Management, only two remain: Scouts: None, Physio: Gerrard Moddie, originally a fitness coach, also holding additional responsibilities, along with his team.
