It was a long ago day, back in December 1947 in fact, that I saw my first City game. Just eight years old and taken by an older brother down Oldham Road to Manchester on a No 98 bus, across the tramlines at Piccadilly (where trams could still be seen) and onto Parker Street bus station for a “football special”. City’s opponents were Liverpool, not the great team they woukl later become but still a formidable combination that had won the 1st Division Championship the season before.
The impressive edifice of the Main Stand loomed and a modest halfcrown plonked on the turnstile gained us entry. It would be nice to say I could remember every kick of the game, but I don’t. But I remember the goals. George Smith scored the first and Eddie McMorran the second as City ran out winners by 2-0.
Thus began a life time love affair with the Blues. Not an affair littered with trophies. Some half dozen cup wins. A solitary League Championship, some promotions (preceded of course by relegations) – not much in sixty years really.
Visions of idols, some greats, some less great and numerous also rans. Days of anguish, frustration with just occasional ecstasy. Finger nails bitten to the quick and all started by a trip on a bus on a murky December day sixty years ago. Best wishes for the next 60 years.
A McKenna