The 33-year old wasn’t alive to see Breakfast Time, the first British breakfast time television programme, broadcast by the BBC, but he was alive – albeit a few weeks – when the compact disc (CD) went on sale in early March 1983.
So – depending on your age – what do you remember about life in the UK in 1983?
We run the rule over City, English football and popular culture on and around the day he was born…
League Champions
Bob Paisley’s reign as Liverpool managed ended with a First Division title, finishing 11 points clear of their nearest rivals. He retired from the game shortly after the title win as he bowed out with an impressive record of 21 prizes in his nine years at Anfield. Newly promoted Watford were the surprise package of the season as they finished second in their first ever season in the top flight.
The 1982/83 season was a bad one for City as they were relegated to the Second Division with Swansea and Brighton. Their replacements for the 1983/84 season were QPR, Wolves and Leicester.
Rob Atkinson won the first trophy of his managerial reign at Manchester United when they beat Brighton 4-0 in the FA Cup final replay at Wembley after the original tie ended in a 2-2 draw.
Paisley’s Liverpool were crowned League Cup champions for the third successive season as they beat Manchester United 2-1 after-extra-time at Wembley. With it being Paisley’s last year in charge, the team insisted that he should be the man to collect the trophy rather than the tradition of the captain.
Aston Villa led the way for English sides in Europe with them lifting the European Super Cup after a 3-1 victory on aggregate against Barcelona.
Famous Birthdays
2007 X Factor contestant Rhydian Roberts shares his birthday with Bacary, having been born in Sennybridge, Wales on Valentine’s Day in 1983.
The birth date of 14 February is quite a popular one with footballing personnel as no fewer than five players share it. Bacary’s former team mate Phillipe Senderos, Christian Eriksen, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani and Kevin Keegan were all born Valentine’s Day.
Looking further afield, actors Freddie Highmore, Dean Gaffney and Simon Pegg, plus WWE wrestler Tommy Dreamer were all born on 14 February.
Top 5 songs in the UK in the week
1. Too Shy – Kajagoogoo
2. Down Under – Men at Work
3. Sign of the Times – The Belle Stars
4. Change – Tears for Fears
5. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Number 1 Box Office film of year
Return of the Jedi
The UK in 1983
1983 saw the introduction of the one pound coin, which was brought in to replace the one pound note. Its obverse has featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since the coin’s introduction on 9 February 1983.
Three different portraits of the Queen have been used, with the latest design by Ian Rank-Broadley being introduced in 1998.
In March of the year, The Budget raised tax allowances and, with it, cut taxes by a total of £2billion.
In June 83, Margaret Thatcher remains as the Prime Minister – a position she had held since 1979 – with a landslide victory with a majority of 144 seats over Michael Foot, who was representing the Labour party.
UK transfer record in year
Bryan Robson - £1.5million (West Brom to Manchester United)
World transfer record in year
Diego Maradona - £3million (Boca Juniors to Barcelona)
Prices in year
Loaf of bread: 38p
Glastonbury ticket: £12
Pint of milk: 21p
Anniversary
Sagna has yet to play for City on his birthday, due to him only being at the Club for just under two years as well as being injured for today’s game..
The closest game to his 32nd birthday last season was the 2-1 home defeat against Barcelona on 24 February. Bacary came on late in the second half as the Blues suffered a narrow defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 game at the Etihad.
City
City played two days before Bacary was born in Sens, France as they travelled to Highfield Road to take on Coventry City.
The Blues were in bad form having not won in the league in nearly a month of action and headed to a high flying Coventry, who were in seventh place and had only lost once at home in the league all season.
Jim Melrose opened the scoring for the home side before Mark Hateley doubled their lead with a long range effort. Second half goals from Gary Gillespie and Steve Hunt completed the 4-0 rout as City’s winless run continued, a spell that lasted until 2 April when they beat West Brom 2-0.
Ultimately, 1982/83 was a season to forget for City fans as they saw the Club relegated from the First Division.
The battle to stay up went down to the final day with City going head-to-head with Luton Town at Maine Road in front of over 40,000 for the final relegation place.
City had only taken 12 points from their previous 17 games and went into the game knowing that a draw would see them survive.
The Blues had chances to win the game but didn’t take them and the misses were punished with four minutes to play. Raddy Antic was the Luton player who struck the killer blow as he fired in from the edge of the area to end City’s 17-year stay in the top flight of English football.
