Source: Man_City
City special: Wingers
Billy Meredith Welsh-born Billy Meredith joined City from Northwich Victoria in 1894 and became the first superstar in English football. Huge crowds would gather whenever the brilliant right-winger attended a public event in Manchester, such was the popularity of the Welsh wonder who began his working life as a pit pony driver at a colliery just south of Wrexham at the age of 12. Meredith made his senior debut for the Blues against Newcastle in November 1984 in a thrilling 5-4 defeat to City. The extrovert winger, who bizarrely always played with a toothpick in his mouth made 367 senior appearances for the Blues, scoring 129 goals while earning 48 caps for Wales. Roy Clarke Born into a mining family in Monmouthshire, Clarke began his footballing career as an amateur with Cardiff and became a professional when League football resumed after Second World War. At 22, newly-promoted City acquired the left-winger's services for £12,000 in May 1947 and Clarke was to remain a permanent fixture at first-team level for the Blues for the next decade. In his 11-year career with the Blues Clarke chalked up 349 senior appearances and collected 22 full caps for Wales. Mike Summerbee Born in Preston on December 15, 1942 Mike "Buzzer" Summerbee was one of the first names on Joe Mercer's "wanted list" when he was appointed City's manager in the mid 60s. Surprisingly one of the best wingers of his generation made only eight senior appearances for England after making his debut for the national team against Scotland in February 1968. In a career at Maine Road which lasted for a full decade Summerbee played in 357 first-team matches scoring 47 goals. Peter Barnes The son of former City legend Ken Barnes followed in his father's footsteps when he joined the Blues as an apprentice in 1972 aged just 15. Within two years he was a regular at Maine Road and scored a vital goal in the 1976 League Cup Final victory at Wembley against Newcastle and was voted Young Player of the Year by the Football Writers' Association. Barnes speed and control down the left flank took him into the England Under-21 and Under-23 squads and in the 1977-78 campaign he earned the first of six full England caps. David White Born in Manchester in October 1967 David White was spotted playing for Salford Boys and signed for the Blues in 1985 on his 18th birthday. Over 6ft tall and lightning quick he made his senior debut in September 1986 in a 1-0 defeat against Luton Town but soon became a regular. In December 1993, White was signed by Leeds in exchange for David Rocastle who was valued at £1.2m. He left Maine Road having made 343 first team appearances, scoring 96 goals. Craig Bellamy Like vintage wine, the fiery Welshman seems to get better with age and is a strong contender for this season's PFA Player of the Year award. On January 19th, 2009, Bellamy completed his move to Eastlands from West Ham for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £14m. As he signed, manager Mark Hughes stated: "I think people will soon see why I wanted to bring Craig to this club." Every City fan now knows what Hughes meant. Shaun Wright-Phillips Born in Greenwich, London in October 1981 the adopted son of former England international Ian Wright was discarded by Forest at the age of 17 on the grounds that he was too small to make the grade. Fortunately the Blues took a different view and drafted the pocket dynamo into their Academy in 1998. Now "back home" where he belongs following his Chelsea nightmare Wright-Phillips is still only 29 with his best years still to come.| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia Manchester City Fixtures Match reports League tables Fans' opinion Player Profiles Newsletter Sign Up Sign up to the weekly Manchester Cityupdate Featured Jobs Brought to you by
