Aston Villa at Maine Road on 23rd August 1980. I was 7 years old.
Driving to the ground with a City scarf flying from the car window.
A gang of kids asking my Grandad to ‘mind his car’.
The hustle and bustle of going through the turnstiles and being asked by some young kid if he could ‘double up’ with me.
My Grandad buying me a programme.
Walking up the steps of the North Stand and being gobsmacked by the size of the pitch.
Being given sweets by my Grandad’s mates.
The singing.
Peter Withe scoring at my end to put Villa ahead.
Looking up at all the grown ups around me stood up cheering when City scored.
Getting home and reading my programme over and over again whilst ‘Jim’ll fix it’ was on the tele.
Happy days.
Nearly 700 games later and I’m still going strong and have just taken my son to his first game. My late Grandad has a lot to answer for ! Rest in Peace ‘Big Friend’.