Bernard Halford: Remembering ‘Mr Manchester City’

Bernard Halford: Remembering ‘Mr Manchester City’ On this day in 2019, the man they called 'Mr Manchester City' - Life President Bernard Halford sadly passed away. Here we look back at the dedication and devotion he showed our football club throughout his life... A lifelong City supporter, Bernard was born in Chadderton in May 1941 and completed his education at St Gregory’s in Ardwick in 1956.

But he was never happier than watching his beloved Blues at Maine Road or in the FA Cup finals in back-to-back years with his father Harold. After beginning work in the cotton industry, Bernard joined his local club, Oldham Athletic, as secretary. He was then offered the ‘dream job’ at City but initially turned it down out of loyalty to Latics chairman John Lowe.

However, he was worth waiting a little bit longer for, eventually joining in 1972/73 as Company Secretary before becoming Club Secretary, a position he was to fulfil for nearly 40 years as we changed managers, players, divisions, ownership and even stadiums during his tenure. By his own admittance, Bernard “ate, slept and breathed” City and never missed a home game in 42 years. It was a role he thrived in and he was key to hundreds of transfers in and out of the Club, from Denis Law’s shock switch from United in 1973 to the arrival of Patrick Vieira from Inter in 2010.

Bernard was a hugely influential figure in the creation of supporters’ organisations, helped with the founding of the Junior Blues and was also instrumental in the success of the Club’s Academy. He was also a passionate advocate of grassroots football and served as Manchester FA’s Representative to the Football Association for 11 years from 2005 to 2016 and received an Honorary Life Membership from Manchester FA in 2016. In 2006, Bernard was elected to the Club’s Hall of Fame - the only non-player to be bestowed this honour, and in 2010, Bernard became only the Club’s second Life President as he approached 40 years of service.