Before the game yesterday, City director Bill Roper kindly donated two photographs to the museum. They are both from the 1970s and show some of the celebrations following promotion to Division Three (League 1 equivalent) of the Football League. The first one (left) is of a Civic Reception at City Hall. Pictured are: Ces Podd, Hughie Martinez, Tibor Szabo (front), Bill Roper, Roy Stead, Peter Hardcastle, Bernie Wright, Bob Martin, Frank Hillam (Lord Mayor), Bobby Kennedy, Rod Johnson, Trevor Davidson, Jack Tordoff (middle), John Dunne, John Napier, Ron Barrett, Steve Thompson, Dave Fretwell, Gary Watson, Joe Cooke, Don Hutchins, Alex Spark, Peter Downsborough and Terry Dolan (back).
The second was taken at an FA dinner in London at The Royal Lancaster Hotel. Pictured are Bill Roper, Bob Martin, John Garside, Rod Johnson, John Napier, Bernard Ellison, Bryan Edwards, Terry Newman and others.
thanks to David Markham for the names. If you know any of the missing ones, please drop us an email or comment.
The Manningham Mills strike that led to the formation of the Labour Party is a well-known tale. However, barely known is Manningham Rugby Club's role in the dispute. Of course, many of the supporters were employed at the Mill, so there was bound to be an economic impact on the Valley Parade club, but the club, and many of its high ranking officials, actively supported the strike.
