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I was actually interviewing Kath Clarke (former social club and, of course, Roy's wife) yesterday when I heard the news from her that Fionan 'Paddy' Fagan had died. He was a wonderful character and a real charmer. I always enjoyed talking with him.

When I get chance this afternoon I'll post an interview I did with him in 2004 on my facebook account. I always feel it's important to remind everyone of the players' views on their own careers, so will get on to it as soon as I can.

He was a great guy and in the interview he talks about the use of his nickname which I always felt a bit uncertain about using for obvious reasons. He didn't mind it though (he also told me what politically incorrect terms they used for his great friend Bert at times but obviously I couldn't put that in my articles!).

RIP Paddy and I hope football properly remembers your contribution to the game, especially in Ireland, Hull & Manchester.

gary james wrote:I was actually interviewing Kath Clarke (former social club and, of course, Roy's wife) yesterday when I heard the news from her that Fionan 'Paddy' Fagan had died. He was a wonderful character and a real charmer. I always enjoyed talking with him.

When I get chance this afternoon I'll post an interview I did with him in 2004 on my facebook account. I always feel it's important to remind everyone of the players' views on their own careers, so will get on to it as soon as I can.

He was a great guy and in the interview he talks about the use of his nickname which I always felt a bit uncertain about using for obvious reasons. He didn't mind it though (he also told me what politically incorrect terms they used for his great friend Bert at times but obviously I couldn't put that in my articles!).

RIP Paddy and I hope football properly remembers your contribution to the game, especially in Ireland, Hull & Manchester.

Sad news RIP, We failed to do anything public for Frank Hannah Gary who recently passed away, his wife also passed away in the same week, any reason.

There was a piece in the MCFC match prog on Frank, which is how I heard. I met Frank a couple of times and another who was passionate about the game - especially grass roots football in Manchester. I didn't know his wife had died as well until I saw your mention. So sad. From what I remember she hadn't been well and Frank had acted as her carer, so it sounds like an awful situation.

Again, our thoughts should be with their family.

gary james wrote:There was a piece in the MCFC match prog on Frank, which is how I heard. I met Frank a couple of times and another who was passionate about the game - especially grass roots football in Manchester. I didn't know his wife had died as well until I saw your mention. So sad. From what I remember she hadn't been well and Frank had acted as her carer, so it sounds like an awful situation.

Again, our thoughts should be with their family.

Thanks I will have the Prog, every person whoever kicked a ball on a park pitch in Manchester will not know it was the likes of Frank and many more like him that have kept it going, Frank was a class act, he once sat in the reception area with me at the New Manchester FA headquarters, I was with a player who had two reds in two appearances for us all be it over a 6 week period. No knowing him whatsoever, I was whispering to the player, just stay calm and give your version of events, Frank, just off the cuff said "I suggest you get em talking, they love to talk" I was my lunch hour, well 90 mins later, he still got 35 days ban. Frank sat there as am observer piped up hey Brendan as we left, "How does it feel to do 90 mins. It was funny TBF. The same lad took a Cup from him we won later that season, Pausing to have a chat about the last time they met. so great fella and good for a laugh

Posted my interview with paddy now: https://www.facebook.com/GaryJames4#!/G ... =1&theater

Enjoyed reading that, Gary, thanks for posting it.

Thanks for that Gary,

When I was six, it was waytching the likes of Bert Trautmann, George Hannagh, Bobby Johnstone, Joe Hayes and Paddy Fagan that cementedmy lifetime love for the blues.

As kids, all used to keep scrapbooks with pics and cuttings, then take them to Maine Road to get them autographed. They are sadly all long lost but Paddy was a hero in those to us kids.

RIP Paddy..and thanks for the memories.

Used to go to City in the 50's with my Dad. I was in primary school. Used to sit on one of the crush barriers in the Kippax which were reserved for small boys if you got there early. one of my earliest memories is of Paddy Fagan, Billy McAdams and Colin Barlow who my memory tells me played in the same team. Paddy Fagan used to score a few cutting inside, McAdams used to miss a lot of sitters but got a few, and Colin Barlow was very quick but the original headless chicken. He did wear very short shorts though. The class act at the time were Barnes and Joe Hayes who had a free kick routine, ball to far post where midget heads it home, which produced loads of goals. Crowds weren't segregated.. I remember getting beat by Everton at home in about 1956, Paddy Fagan getting a screamer and an Everton fan giving me toffees. Though we lost there was never a hint of abusing the away fans, a gentler age.

getdressedmctavish wrote:Used to go to City in the 50's with my Dad. I was in primary school. Used to sit on one of the crush barriers in the Kippax which were reserved for small boys if you got there early. one of my earliest memories is of Paddy Fagan, Billy McAdams and Colin Barlow who my memory tells me played in the same team. Paddy Fagan used to score a few cutting inside, McAdams used to miss a lot of sitters but got a few, and Colin Barlow was very quick but the original headless chicken. He did wear very short shorts though. The class act at the time were Barnes and Joe Hayes who had a free kick routine, ball to far post where midget heads it home, which produced loads of goals. Crowds weren't segregated.. I remember getting beat by Everton at home in about 1956, Paddy Fagan getting a screamer and an Everton fan giving me toffees. Though we lost there was never a hint of abusing the away fans, a gentler age.

I've always wondered, when and why did football change from that to the violence of the 70s and 80s?

RIP. Scored twice in a 5-0 at the swamp in 1955. You can never have too many players who do that!

Probably when the chanting started in the mid 60's, we went from cheering out teams to jeering the opposition.