24th April 1973
City 2 Sunderland 2
Sitting on the top deck of the 41 bus from Sale to Moss Side swishing over the inky puddles on the Parkway. Arriving at Maine Road to be greeted by the noise of touts, louts and fans. The wrinkled old codger at the turnstile with his bronchitic laugh, the pungent smell of old men, cheap tobacco and draft beer filling the air. I took to my seat to see an oasis view of lush green turf under a slate grey sky, the deafening noise of 54,000 as the sky blue team of City took to the field; a hot vimto with its centre of the sun heat, a dodgy pie packed with mystery meat and good natured but foul language all around. A paper on the way home with a picture of a topless Miss Pink sporting only a sky blue bikini bottom and a wide Mancunian smile.

Burnt mouth, indigestion, a naked lady, three new swear words for school on Monday a great match and a very exciting 2-2 draw.

I couldn’t wait for the next match, I still can’t.

Phil Lines