April 1953, my first visit to Maine Road. I was taken by my honoury uncle, a keen supporter himself, who chose this particular match against Preston so that I could see Tom Finney play. My most enduring memory is my first view of the pitch as we emerged at the the back of the main stand. First a surprise – the pitch was a huge piece of brown earth, not the green grass I had imagined. Then the excitement of seeing the biggest pitch, the biggest stadium and the biggest crowd I had ever seen in my life. The Kippax opposite, without a roof in those days, was packed. I can still see that picture in my minds eye and remember the buzz of excitement and anticipation around the ground, plus the sound of the Beswick Prize Band who played at every match in those days – to this day the sound of a brass band still makes me think of that day. The game? I remember nothing clearly,the sheer excitement of being there and seeing the players in the flesh probably overwhelmed me……and City lost 2-0, perhaps an appropriate start for one who was to become City fan for life.