L.M.D

🔵⚽ THE BECKFORD BOYS DESTROY LIVERPOOL! Following the sad news of former @ManCity striker Darren Beckford's passing this week, aged just 59, we look back 39 years to a memorable afternoon when he lined up alongside his younger brother @Jason_Beckford On 20 January 1987, the Beckford brothers were both on the scoresheet as City's reserves thrashed Liverpool 5-0 — Jason bagging two and Darren adding another! Let's not forget, beating Liverpool at ANY level back then was some achievement. Hardly anybody managed it! A lovely reminder of the talent, flair and eye for goal both brothers possessed, and a special moment in City's history when the two shared the pitch and the scoresheet. 💙 Rest in peace, Darren Beckford. Here's the original match report from that memorable January afternoon in 1987. 👇 Tuesday, 20th January, 1987 City Reserves 5 . . . Liverpool Reserves 0 Quite true; NOT a misprint. A truly superb show from a Reserve side with a good balance of youth and experience. Fine wing play from Peter Barnes brought the first goal after 16 minutes. His shot was parried upwards by Hooper, and Jason Beckford raced in to catch the ball on the way down and force it in. Five minutes later Jason picked up a loose ball from just outside the Liverpool penalty area, moved in a couple of yards and gave the 'keeper no chance with a fine drive from twenty yards. Liverpool full-back Gary Ablett (more of him later) protested mysteriously, and the referee made a note of his name for his lack of appreciation! Ten minutes into the second half and City were 3-0 up when Darren Beckford matched his brother's clinical finishing, following a cross-field move by Peter Barnes and opportunist work by Simpson. Liverpool came near in the 64th minute when Ian Toole put a shot just wide, but three minutes later Tony Grealish notched his first City goal. And what a cracker! He lobbed a mass of players and the 'keeper from fully thirty yards to score in the top left-hand corner. He shook his head disbelievingly, but was no doubt delighted. John Wark hit back for Liverpool with a shot that Steve Crompton put away for a corner, but clearly it was too late for the Reds. Their misery was complete when Ablett (he of the overactive tongue) carefully rolled a back pass past his own 'keeper for our fifth in the 80th minute. The last time a comparable Central League score was achieved against Liverpool was over 60 years ago—November 6th, 1926, to be exact—a season which also saw a City win at Anfield by six goals to four. City: Crompton; Barrett, Robert Barnes; Ian Brightwell, Lake, May; Simpson, Grealish, Darren Beckford, Jason Beckford, Peter Barnes. Subs: Curry, Coward. Rest in peace, Darren Beckford. 💙

Incredibly sad news this morning to hear of the passing of former Manchester City striker Darren Beckford at the age of just 59. Taken far too soon. Manchester-born Darren was a prodigious young talent who came through the ranks at City, forming a formidable strike partnership with fellow youngster Paul Moulden. Together, they were a hugely exciting prospect, with many believing both had bright futures ahead of them. Sadly, Darren’s first-team career at Maine Road never quite reached the heights so many had predicted. He made just 12 appearances for City between 1984 and 1987, but his talent and goalscoring ability were never in doubt. After loan spells with Bury and Port Vale, where he began to show his eye for goal, Darren made a permanent move to Vale in 1987. He went on to enjoy a successful career in the game, representing clubs including Norwich City, Oldham Athletic and Hearts, scoring more than 100 goals in over 300 appearances. For those who remember Darren coming through City’s youth ranks, he will always be remembered as a gifted young footballer with a natural ability to find the back of the net, and someone who was once tipped for a very bright future in sky blue. At times like this, football becomes secondary. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Darren’s family, loved ones, former teammates and all those fortunate enough to have known him. RIP Darren 🩵