My school mate Ian Gilman couldn’t attend every Junior Blues game due to a Saturday Job he was ‘forced’ to take.
I’d been ‘threatening’ to go to a game at city all through senior school but now I was actualy given an oportunity to go!
So I went in his place. (Well actually he sold ‘em to me to get some of his money back from his season ticket).
Des McCloghlin’s dad took Des, Me, his mum and sister in their car.
We arrived several hundred yards away from the ground. This young lad came running up to us: “Can I mind your car” “How much this time? “Only 50p.”
My god, my first visit to Main Road was met with such a nice little boy. “What a great place it is ’round here? Everyone must be a city fan?”
As we marched to the ground, disolving into the masses who streamed into the side streets and alleyways of the stadium’s approach, I was pulled to one side by Des’s dad. He made clear the consequences of refusing to pay ‘protection.’
I think the first game was Man City versus Stoke City with Peter Shilton (pre-back as first choice England Team as then Ray Clements was begrudgingly 1st choice & Joe Corrigan was creeping up with Jimmy Rimmer at that time).
I was sat with Junior Blues – weather was cold, the benches were colder.
Peter Shilton was fantastic! Shilts was about 27 then but he’d been around a long time. The game ended up being 0-0 but we should’ve scored 2 or 3.
The game finished then we walked towards to exit. It dawned on me “Do I have to join in with any violence?”
Fans from both sides were channelled away from the ground by the police without a cross word to be herd.(I’m not suprised at 0-0).
I went on and off to Main Road all through that season. I saw Brian Kidd score 5 against Spurs – snatched he match ball at final whistle – ran off into the tunnel and then ‘the sunset’ Peter Barnes beat every player including the ref – against Bristol – Dennis Tueartdoing the same (not televised then).
We came second to Liverpool – a great experience!