City Vault: Enter The Mighty Quinn!

We’re opening the City Vault again by carrying Niall Quinn’s first interview after signing for Manchester City in 1990.

Men’s Team

Featured in the City v Chelsea matchday programme in March 1990, Quinn – who celebrates his 60th birthday today – discussed his move from Arsenal and his hopes with the Blues.

Niall Quinn, the 23 year old Republic of Ireland international, signed for the Blues last Thursday in an £800,000 deal from League champions, Arsenal, but had to watch his new team-mates in action at Kenilworth Road last weekend, having missed the deadline for registration with the Football League by just 10 minutes.

City supporters are therefore likely to get their first chance to see the giant striker in a light blue shirt against Chelsea tonight, and Niall is straining at the leash for regular First Division action once more.

“My first team appearances at Highbury have been restricted and there was no real prospect of the situation changing. I am really looking forward to playing for City and I don’t think I’ll let anyone down,” said Quinn, who last Thursday morning trained with his Arsenal team mates, oblivious to what would happen in the next few hours.

“It all happened so quickly – George Graham pulled me out of training to tell me to get up to Manchester to see Howard Kendall and later the same afternoon I became a Manchester City player, although unfortunately it was just too late to be considered for the Luton game.”

Niall didn’t see the recent 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Maine Road but ironically he spent a lot of time talking about the Blues with one of his former playing colleagues the same weekend.

“It’s quite strange really – I went out for a meal with David O’Leary and it seemed like the only topic of conversation was Manchester City – maybe it was an omen!

Men’s Team

“Anyway, I’m delighted to be here and hope to settle in quickly. I’m a single lad and although I don’t know Manchester at all, I’m really excited by the challenge ahead.”

Born in Dublin, the 6ft 4in centre forward played a total of 67 League games with Arsenal, his only club before City and undoubtedly his most memorable game was his League debut against Liverpool at Highbury in December 1985, when he scored in a 2-0 triumph.

This season, Niall has claimed four goals in nine League and Cup appearances for the Gunners, being on target against Norwich and Millwall in League fixtures, hitting a late consolation goal as Arsenal tumbled out of the Littlewoods Cup at Oldham and heading the vital winner against Stoke in the FA Cup.