My first game came as a young 8 yr old.

I was taken to Maine Rd to watch City v Stoke, it transpired to be a bore draw.

Of note for me though as an 8yr old, was the build up to going to the match. I recall being giddy the night before waiting and dreaming of what may be.

I had been bought a City hat n scarf and laid it out ready to show my colours. We drove to the ground, walking the final mile. I remember as a lad from Whitworth, being amazed at seeing how multicultural Moss Side was. I was amazed at the sea of alleyways and ginnels which were packed with people making their way to this mecca of football.

I turned down Platt Lane and there she was, huge, towering above everything else. We joined a cue to get in, people laughing joking. We were in i, was excited and yet wary of this mass of people.

What do i remember about the game itself ?, not a lot really… i just remember asking my uncle who kept ringing the Bell. Little did i know that Helen was a legend in her own right. A flower seller outside MRI and the giver of a feather to my childhood hero J.Corrigan. Godbless