Gaynor Austin 💙(was Norris)

I find it genuinely astounding, and quite frankly disappointing, that @ManCity continually seem to overlook the contribution of Kevin Horlock to our football club. This is a player who was idolised by the fans. A player who made over 230 appearances, scored 42 goals across three divisions of English football and played an instrumental role in three promotions, helping drag Manchester City back from the third tier of English football. Super Kevin Horlock was a huge part of our club's revival, and his contribution deserves to be remembered and celebrated. Yet somehow, when birthdays come around, the club regularly acknowledges numerous former players and managers, including Mark Hughes, a Manchester United legend whose relatively brief spell as City manager was hardly a roaring success. But Kevin Horlock? Not a mention. Paul Dickov, quite rightly, receives recognition and birthday wishes from the club. And nobody would ever question Paul's place in City folklore. But let's not forget that Horlock actually scored more goals for City than Dickov, despite Paul being a striker. And, of course, without Kevin's crucial goal at Wembley in 1999, would Dickov's iconic equaliser and everything that followed have carried quite the same significance? Both players played their part in changing the course of this football club. This is absolutely no disrespect to Paul, who deserves all the recognition he receives. The point is that Kevin deserves recognition too. We've also recently seen the sad passing of Peter Dobbing, a former Manchester City player from the early 1960s, seemingly without a single acknowledgement from the club. That, too, is incredibly disappointing. Regardless of the era they played in or how many appearances they made, anyone who had the honour of representing Manchester City deserves to be remembered and respected. Surely acknowledging the passing of a former player is the very least we should expect? City are rightly proud of everything the club has achieved, and to be fair, the club does regularly celebrate former players and important moments from our history. That recognition is welcome and absolutely as it should be. But that's precisely why it feels so disappointing when certain individuals appear to be consistently overlooked. It's not that City don't celebrate our history. It's that some of the people who made that history seem to receive far less recognition than others. The players who represented this club through the difficult years, who fought for the badge when success was anything but guaranteed, are every bit a part of what makes Manchester City the club it is today. And before anyone says, "It's only a birthday message", that's completely missing the point. This isn't really about wishing someone a happy birthday. It's about taking those simple opportunities to acknowledge, respect and celebrate the people who helped build our club, particularly those whose contributions far outweigh the recognition they receive. Our history belongs to everyone who contributed to it, not just the names we hear about most often. Kevin Horlock is a Manchester City hero to an entire generation of supporters. He deserves to be treated as one. We should celebrate our present and future, absolutely. But we should never forget the people who helped give us both. Come on, City. We can do better than this. 💙 Super Kevin Horlock. Never forgotten by the fans. And rest in peace, Peter Dobbing. Once a Blue, always a Blue. 💙

💙 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ONE AND ONLY PAUL LAKE! 💙 @Paul_Lake You'd do well to find a more popular, more talented or genuinely nicer fella than City's original 'One of Our Own', Paul Lake. Lakey was surely destined to wear the famous @ManCity blue. From the moment his local milkman, Albert, kindly took him along to Maine Road to witness @RodneyMarsh10 score a winner beneath the famous old stadium's floodlights in September 1975, Manchester City was ingrained in Paul's DNA. Just eleven years later, he was part of the club's historic first-ever FA Youth Cup-winning side, defeating Manchester United over two legs in 1986. And it was fitting that Paul's talent shone through on that occasion too, with Lakey scoring from the penalty spot in the first leg at Old Trafford. His first-team debut arrived on 24th January 1987, and what a baptism of fire it was! A trip to Plough Lane to face Wimbledon's infamous Crazy Gang was hardly the gentlest introduction to senior football, but Lakey played his part in a goalless draw, and his City career was up and running. A further 134 first-team appearances would follow, including a starring role in City's memorable 1988/89 promotion campaign. He also played his part in that famous 10-1 demolition of Huddersfield Town the season before, although his contribution understandably tends to get overlooked amid the remarkable hat-trick heroics of the afternoon! And let's not forget his performance in that unforgettable September 1989 Manchester derby, when City demolished United 5-1 at Maine Road. Lakey was magnificent that afternoon, and you only had to look at the passion etched across his face to see exactly what it meant to this lifelong Blue to put one over on the old enemy. It wasn't just another derby for Paul Lake. It was personal, and boy, did it show! 💙 Lakey chipped in with 11 goals during his City career, including some absolute crackers. One that deserves far more recognition was his magnificent volley in an FA Cup replay against Millwall. One of the finest volleys you'll ever see, yet another moment overshadowed by City's eventual cup exit. But then, sadly, so much of Paul's extraordinary talent would ultimately be overshadowed by injuries. It's well documented that Lakey was on the brink of Bobby Robson's England squad for the 1990 World Cup, only to miss out on the final selection, with the more experienced Paul Parker among those who made the trip to Italy. And from a personal point of view, I've always believed Lakey would have made a difference in that England side. But hey, that's just my opinion! His talent continued to flourish, and perhaps the ultimate recognition came when Howard Kendall handed him the City captaincy at the beginning of the 1990/91 campaign. Paul proudly led his beloved Blues out at White Hart Lane against Tottenham, in what must have been one of the proudest moments of his footballing life. And in typical modest Lakey fashion, when Kendall pulled him aside beforehand, Paul actually thought the gaffer was about to tell him he'd been dropped! Instead, he'd been made captain of the club he'd supported since childhood. You could almost see the pride bursting through that City shirt as he led his team out that afternoon. Unfortunately, fate had other ideas. The cruel injuries that followed would rob both Paul and Manchester City of what should have been so many more wonderful years together. Despite showing incredible courage, determination and resilience in his battles to return to full fitness, including that emotional comeback in City's historic first Monday Night Football encounter against QPR in August 1992, Lakey was eventually forced to call time on his playing career far too soon. There's a phrase often used whenever people talk about Paul Lake: "The best player you never saw." Well, for those of us fortunate enough to have actually seen Lakey play, there's an equally strong argument that he was one of the best players we ever DID see. And that's what makes his story so special. Because while football may have been cruel to Paul, it certainly never diminished the man. Away from the pitch, he's continued to make an enormous contribution, from his work as a physiotherapist through to his involvement with the FA and his professional counselling work. Once again, it tells you everything about the character of Paul Lake that, having experienced so much adversity himself, he's dedicated so much of his life to helping others. These days, you'll regularly find Lakey back where he belongs, around his beloved Manchester City, often in his role as a matchday ambassador. There's always that familiar smile, always time for a chat, and always a genuine warmth towards everyone he meets. He's also helping to build something special through City's wonderful @mancityfpc former players' association, ensuring that the bonds between those who have worn our famous shirt remain as strong as ever. And, of course, alongside Paul you'll find his wonderful wife and partner in crime @Joanne_Lake Together, they probably make the best team Lakey has ever been part of! 💙 Paul, you've always been one of my genuine footballing idols, not simply because of the extraordinary footballer you were, but because of the remarkable person you are. You represent so much of what Manchester City has always meant to those of us who grew up loving this football club. Talent, loyalty, humility, courage and, above all, a genuine love for the Blues. I hope you have a fantastic birthday, Lakey, surrounded by those who mean the most to you. And hopefully City can round off the celebrations with a victory tonight. Although knowing you, I'm sure victory for the Blues was probably one of the first things on your mind when you woke up this morning! Once a Blue, always a Blue. And there really is only ONE Paul Lake! 💙 Please join me in wishing one of Manchester City's finest a very happy birthday! 🎂💙 Happy Birthday, Lakey! 💙🎂

Happy 58th Birthday to former blues defender Michel Vonk who appeared 103 times in the shirts scoring six goals between 1992-95 following his move from Dutch side SVV Dordrecht.

💙 Sad news this evening as we remember former Manchester City forward Peter Dobing, who has sadly passed away at the age of 87. Born in Manchester, Peter joined City from Blackburn Rovers in 1961 for a fee of £37,500. Such was his talent and reputation that he was seen as a replacement for the great Denis Law. He made an immediate impact, making his debut in a 3–1 victory over Leicester City before enjoying a remarkable first season in sky blue. Starting all but one match, Peter finished as City's leading goalscorer with an impressive 22 goals. Even as the club endured a difficult following season that ended in relegation, Peter continued to give his all, scoring another 10 goals in 50 appearances. His journey would eventually take him to Stoke City, where he became a true club legend, lifting the League Cup and making over 300 appearances. Sadly, two broken legs brought his playing career to an end in 1973, but his contribution to the beautiful game would never be forgotten. Football is about so much more than trophies and statistics. It's about the players who represent our clubs, the memories they leave behind and the generations of supporters who remember them with affection. Peter Dobing was one of those players. A Manchester lad who proudly pulled on the sky blue shirt and earned his place in our club's history. 💙 Our heartfelt thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Peter's family, friends, former teammates and everyone at Stoke City who held him so dearly. RIP Peter - Once a Blue, always a Blue.