Power, a huge City fan himself, enjoyed over a decade playing in his beloved blue - and was captain for seven of those years.
Supporters adored Power’s passion and determination whenever he put on the shirt and he was famously skipper of the team that achieved promotion back to the top-flight in 1984/85, leading the side out in one of Maine Road’s most memorable games - a 5-1 mauling of Charlton on the final day.
Today, to mark his special birthday, he tells us about ‘My Maine Memories’.
MAINE MATCH
I would say the year we got to the FA Cup final and we replayed against Everton in the quarter-final.
We drew 2-2 with them at Goodison Park. I scored the equaliser in that game and then when we brought them to Maine Road, I scored again that night.
Dennis Tueart played a magnificent ball to me. My forte was running off the ball. Dennis played me through at just the right pace for me to reach the ball.
I remember running through with just Seamus McDonagh to beat. I knew exactly what I was going to do. It was one of those when people talk about being in the zone. Because I’d had such a good season and I’d scored goals in just about every round of the FA Cup except against Peterborough, I knew exactly what I was going to do with the ball as I was running 1v1 with the keeper. I slotted it home and it got us into the semi-finals where we played Ipswich.
MAINE TEAM-MATE
Kenny Clements was my room-mate. He was my best mate. We signed professional forms on the same day. We always negotiated our contracts with Tony Book at the same time.
He always used to send me in first. My first contract was about £45 a week and then when we became established in the first team, we’d say to each other: ‘What do you think we should ask for?’
We didn’t have a clue. We didn’t have agents. I’d go in and say: ‘I feel I’ve established myself and I think £250 a week isn’t being cheeky.’ He said: ‘Oh you don’t think that’s being cheeky, do you? Anyway leave it with me.’
So I came out and said to Clemmy: ‘I think we’ll be alright’.
Clemmy went in and asked for £270 and got it! He did me in!
MAINE GOAL
I know it’s not at Maine Road but if you’re talking about best goal, it’s got to be my FA Cup semi-final goal against Ipswich at Villa Park.
It was in the Maine Road era, so I’m picking that one!
We beat them 1-0. It was a free-kick towards the end of the game, in extra time. I think Dave Bennett had been fouled and it was just outside the box.
We used to set the free-kick up when it was on the right hand side of the box where Steve MacKenzie would touch it to me and then the player off the end of the wall would come and close my shot down and then I’d play it on to Tommy Caton who would rifle it with his fantastic left foot.
But nobody came off the end of the wall. Brian Kidd used to say: ‘If you don’t buy a raffle ticket, you don’t win a prize’. So I thought: ‘I’m going to buy a raffle ticket here’.
I curled it into the top corner past Paul Cooper in their goal right in front of the Holte End.
People remember me for that particular goal for helping City reach the FA Cup final.
MAINE MANAGER
I loved Malcolm Allison because he gave me the captaincy.
It was totally unexpected. There were lads in the dressing room who were far more experienced than me, like Dennis Tueart, Asa Hartford, Joe Corrigan.
But he had faith in me to give me the armband.
I loved Tony Book, too. I probably played more games under Tony’s management than any other manager. I loved his honesty, his loyalty, his professionalism, his will to win, his big association with the club.
My hero was Neil Young. But Tony was one of my heroes.
MAINE SEASON
I’m going to have to go for the season we got to the FA Cup final.
I played at Wembley a few times in games that were less important like the Charity Shield.
But to actually play in the FA Cup final and all the build-up that comes with it was amazing, unforgettable.
It was totally different from any other game back then.
I thought we deserved to win it. But it was a bridge too far for us.
We allowed Ricky Villa to make a name for himself in the history of the competition.
MAINE OPPOSITION
It would always be Liverpool.
That’s the team that included Graeme Souness, Phil Thompson, Jimmy Case.
Jimmy Case would have to be the hardest opponent.
When I jumped for a ball with Jimmy Case, I knew the elbows would be coming into my ribs and if I got past Jimmy, I’d then have to get past Tommy Smith. It wasn’t enjoyable against those two, especially at Anfield.
MAINE OPPONENT
That would have to be Steve Coppell.
He obviously went on to manage City but I’d left the club by then.
If I got past Steve, I knew he’d chase me back.
Most wide players, you’d get past them and they wouldn’t want to defend at all. They wouldn’t track back. But Steve was an honest professional and my most difficult opponent by far.
MAINE SUPPORT
I’d sum it up in one word – unbelievable!
I remember when I joined Everton, I scored in a game at Maine Road against City and I didn’t celebrate because of the respect I had for the club and also, all my mates were still playing for City. I didn’t want to rub their noses in it.
But then when I got in the dressing room, I got a rollicking from Howard Kendall, the manager.
He said: ‘When you score for Everton, you celebrate!’
But I had some fantastic times at City and at Maine Road that will stay with me forever.
