Once A Blue Man City

Today we're thrilled to unveil the inaugural weekly blog by football historian and City aficionado Gary James, which can be found on our brand new Once A Blue Man City website.

Gary will be writing from the heart about his many encounters with City players and managers, starting this week with Manchester City's esteemed goalkeeper Bert Trautmann.

Click the link below to read:

https://onceablue.com/gary-jamess-city-soundbites-1-bert-trautmann/

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Bert Trautmann | Once a Blue Introducing GARY JAMES’S CITY SOUNDBITES, the first in a series by the renowned football historian and City aficionado.

Delighted with our latest signing! 💙✍️

Gary James

My series of articles for Once A Blue Man City start tomorrow. Delighted to be doing this. The former players have, overwhelmingly, always supported my research and it’s an absolute pleasure writing for them now. More tomorrow.

Manchester City’s team of matchday ambassadors comprises the crème de la crème of former Blues, from Joe Corrigan and Tommy Booth to Peter Barnes and Gary Owen.

Every home game these idols host and/or visit the many hospitality suites in the Etihad Stadium, meeting and greeting supporters and sharing their stories and memories.

The lads have asked us to announce that another Once A Blue Man City member has been added to the group this season...the one-and-only Andy Morrison!

Andy starred for City between 1998 and 1999, notching up 48 appearances. He is fondly remembered by Blues’ fans for his passion, tenacity and determination on the pitch, none more so than when captaining the side that famously gained promotion to Division One in 1999.

It’s that strength of spirit that has helped Andy off the pitch, too, as many of you will know that he was earlier this year diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that affects the facial nerves. He has very bravely opened up about his experiences in order to remove stigma and raise awareness, and we have nothing but respect for him.

Andy tells us that he’s on a slow but sure road to recovery, but that his new matchday role, and the chance to reconnect with other ex-Blues (including David White, who's pictured with him below) has given him a real boost.

Feel free to send your goodwill messages to Andy below, and we’ll pass them on!

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🏆 Massive congrats to the fabulous Bunny Shaw…PFA Players’ Player of the year and rightly so!

In a league of her own 👑
 
Congratulations to Bunny Shaw, 2026 PFA Players’ Player of the Year! 🏆

🏆 Well done, Nico lad…fully deserved!

Congratulations, Nico O'reilly 🩵

🤝 Our partnership with the Manchester City Official Supporters Club remains as strong as ever, and we were pleased to have a presence at the organisation's recent AGM at the Etihad Stadium.

Representing Once A Blue Man City were President Joe Corrigan MBE as well as Paul Lake, Andy Dibble, David White, Peter Barnes and Alex Williams MBE.

Pictured with the former Blues (and the FA Cup) is Carol Beale from the OSC.

Further on in the proceedings saw Once A Blue being presented with a very generous donation from the OSC. This will go towards funding our THRIVE events which aim to improve the health and wellbeing of our ex-players, some of whom struggle mentally and physically post-retirement

Thanks to the OSC and its affiliate clubs for their continued support. It's very much appreciated.

Paul Lake David White Andrew Dibble Peter Barnes

📚 How many of you have a book authored by football historian Gary James on your City bookshelf? The Complete Record, perhaps, or Manchester City Folklore?

Plenty of former players have...indeed, some of them have collaborated with him in the past, or have contributed to his many publications.

That's why we're THRILLED that Gary has joined forces with Once A Blue Man City. Starting this Friday, he'll be producing a weekly article on this page (and our NEW website, www.onceablue.com) which will relate to his unique encounters and interviews with City players of the past.

As well penning dozens of top-notch books (and curating his own online Football Archive), Gary is an Honorary Research Fellow at De Montford University, with recent work including female participation in football, most notably the Manchester Corinthians women's team.

His knowledge of the Blues is second-to-none and we're delighted to have him on board. We think you will be too 💙

(And thanks for the snapshots, Gary...we're loving the pic of you with youngest daughter Anna and grandson Wilfred!).

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New City season, new City manager...and a new Once A Blue Man City website!

Today we’re delighted to launch our online platform, which aims to provide news and updates for former players and Blues’ supporters. You’ll also find our Once A Blue store, where you can purchase unique OAB merchandise. Keep your eyes peeled for some special website-only offers and prizes, too!

Come and have a browse on https://onceablue.com

As you know, our organisation exists to Connect, Support and Celebrate every professional who’s pulled on the famous sky blue shirt. We are hugely proud of our rich heritage and are keen to recognise everyone who’s played their part in our history, whether they’ve made one appearance or one hundred.

But we’re keen to reach out to our brilliant fans, too. As far as we're concerned, we're one big happy family!

The past year has shown us how much love and affection there is for our former players (we’ve been overwhelmed my messages of goodwill from Blues everywhere).

As such, our website also contains details of how our followers and supporters can become more involved in Once A Blue in the future, and how they can join us in celebrating players past and present.

On behalf of our President Joe Corrigan MBE, our Chairman Ian Brightwell and the OAB Committee, may we thank you all for your continued support.

Here’s to a brilliant 2026-27 season 💙

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Once a Blue – Manchester City Former Players Club Connect The City Family Support Our Community Celebrate Our Heritage ONCE A BLUE – The Manchester City Former Players’ Club – is a ‘not for profit’ club CONNECTING, SUPPORTING AND CELEBRATING our former City players, their families, supporters and the wider community. Become a Part of Our ...