Manchester City v Bury friendly 1967/68

.CITY 4 BURY 2

Friendly

14th May 1968

Attendance 34,000

Scorers

City Young(62, 64, 77), Connor(?)

Bury Farrell, Owen

City Mulhearn, Book, Pardoe, Doyle, Heslop, Oakes, Lee, Bell, Summerbee, Young, Coleman - Subs Allison(77), Connor(45)

Bury Ramsbottom, Parnell, Tinney, Kerr, Turner, Lindsay, Farrell, Owen, Dawson, Parry, Grundy

The Championship trophy was presented to Tony Book prior to the friendly with Bury. The players then went on a lap of honour with the crowd celebrating the end of a 30 year wait. When the players returned to the Main Stand side of the stadium  Joe ran onto the pitch to hug Malcolm. Tony Book then gave the trophy to Joe who lifted it above his head to the roar of the crowd. Joe returned to the director's box for the game. City won 4-2, with most of the excitement coming in the closing ten minutes. George Heslop was substituted and his replacement was none other than Malcolm Allison. Allison quickly threw himself into the game. He forced a great save from Neil Ramsbottom, the Bury keeper, and had a goal disallowed. The City supporters chanted "Allison for England!" and then called for Joe to take the field. Joe sat smiling in the stand. He realised his playing days had long gone. FROM JOE MERCER FOOTBALL WITH A SMILE BY GARY JAMES

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