Following our chat with Manchester City legend Paul Lake, we recently had the chance to speak to another special character from the club’s history – Steve Redmond. City’s youngest ever captain, Steve was a mainstay in the MCFC defence between 1984 and 1992, making over 200 appearances for the club.

Steve also played for the club in a pretty interesting game for the club which we’ve discovered online. In December 1990, City played Spurs at home, just as they’re doing this weekend (check out the video we discovered below of the original game). On this occasion though, thick fog in Manchester meant that the club had to don their maroon away kit just so they could be seen on the Maine Road pitch. A rare appearance of an away shirt being worn by the home side, it proved to be a lucky omen, with City beating Spurs 2-1. Steve Redmond got the first goal on that occasion, a rarity for him, and something he was happy to talk about!

Do you remember that goal Steve?

‘Yeah, it was off my knee I think! Quinny headed the ball to the back-stick, and it came off my knee, and then Clarkey (Wayne Clarke) claimed it! I didn’t score that many, I remember my first for the first team, against Coventry away on Boxing Day. I played in centre midfield and we drew 2-2, and I got both goals. I also got a header against Oxford at Maine Road, and a left-foot free kick against Luton on the plastic pitch, they all stick out.’

What was it like to captain Manchester City at 18 – the club’s youngest ever?

‘It was a bit weird at first, as a youngster I wasn’t the loudest. But when I went to City I moved from centre forward to a centre back, and from there it’s easier to see everything and dictate to people. To be honest, it wasn’t that bad, I didn’t have to give anyone a rollocking in the dressing room or anything like that. We had a good group of lads which helped. I wasn’t a big time Charlie, so hopefully the other players just respected me for who I was. I got a bit of abuse just because I was a Scouser – if anything went missing in the dressing room, I usually got the blame, that kind of thing!

I remember when I was captaining the first team, looking back at the lads in the tunnel and thinking ‘I’m in charge of these guys’. I always remember my mum telling me that her and my dad cried when I lead the team out, that’s something that will always stick with me. But once you’re out on the pitch, it doesn’t’ really matter who the captain is, there should be 11 captains. But as an honour, to do it as an 18 year-old and to progress so quick, it’ll stay with me forever.’

You were also part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup against United. Was that a highlight of your time at the club?

‘I remember that game well – it was a two legger, we drew 1-1 at Old Trafford, Lakey (Paul Lake) scored a penalty, and we got them back to Maine Road and we won 2-0. The 5-1 would have to be the highlight though – the win for the Youth Cup against United was the first – but for a result in the first team it would be have to be the big one at Maine Road. Also, being a Liverpool fan, the first time playing at Anfield always stood out. I’ve still got the video of the 5-1 in the house, once every blue moon I’ll put it on and show my son, ‘look, your dad was a footballer!’ It was just one of those days that I’ll never forget, everything clicked for us and we scored some great goals.’

You played during a great era for English football, who were the best players you played alongside and against?

‘It’s difficult to single one person out to be honest. Players like Keith Curle, Colin Hendry, Mick McCarthy, they all had things that made them great players, they’d run through walls for the team, the ultimate player would be a combination of all three. It’s the same with players you’ve played against – people like Lineker or Ian Rush stood out because they were quick, but then there’s Mark Hughes who was as strong as an ox. Dalglish was very clever, and then someone like Mick Harford who you knew was going to smash you to bits. That’s why it’s hard to pick one, when you’ve played against such a collection of different players.’

It seems like a different era, in terms of defending and what was allowed in the game?

‘You watch games now, and any time an attacking player gets near the box, everyone backs off. It’s going to get to the stage where you won’t be able to make a tackle. In my day, centre forwards knew that in the first two minutes they were going to get smashed, and they just got on with it. Nowadays, every tackle is scrutinised on TV, there’s no chance of just having a moan and getting on with it. I loved a tackle, and it’d lift the crowd almost as much as a goal would. I’d be sent off most weeks if I was playing today!’

Do you still watch City today?

‘I go to watch City when I can, and I always enjoy it. In terms of the current squad, I do like Kompany, I’d have liked to have played alongside him. I wouldn’t fancy facing someone like David Silva though!’

Thanks to Steve for taking the time to speak to us. You can buy the classic Manchester City away shirt that was worn in 1990 for the game against Spurs NOW – it’s on sale at the Umbro website now, alongside the classic home shirt from 1989. Head to Umbro.com for more details.