City beat a strong Everton side 2-0 (Bell and Lee)in round 4 of the cup. But it was the electric atmosphere that night that will live with me forever. I sat on a wall in the old scoreboard end at Maine Road and was transfixed by the colour of the pitch, the size of the Kippax, the glow of matches and lighters in the crowd, and the brilliant green of the pitch (we only saw football in black and white in those days). I was just hooked. My brother-in-law’s brother took me on the bus from Middleton – I was 11 years old and had been desperate to see a live game.

My greatest game came a few months later when we beat Shalke 5-1 in the CWC semi-final – there has never been a performance to beat that since by any City side.

I REMEMBER GOING TO THE GAME WITH MY BROTHER, GETTING ON THE SOUTHERN CEMENTRY BUS AT PICCADILLY GARDENS. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT MAINE ROAD WE WOULD GO INTO THE CITY CHIPPY BEFORE WALKING ROUND TO THE KIPPAX STAND, WE WOULD WALK UP THE STAIRS AT THE CORNER OF THE KIPPAX TO SEE AN AMAZING SIGHT- THE MAINE STAND! WE WOULD THEN GO AND STAND RIGHT ON THE HALF WAY LINE AT ONE OF THE GREEN GATES. AT HALF TIME WE WOULD GET A DRINK FROM THE SELLERS WHO WOULD WALK AROUND THE GROUND. THE ACTUAL GAME FLEW BY. ALTHOUGH WE LOST THE GAME 2-1, I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE PLACE VERY QUICKLY AND I WAS ALWAYS ASKING MY BROTHER WHEN I COULD GO AGAIN.

A day I will never forget,attending Maine Road for the first time ever with my Dad for a 1-0 FA Cup Quarter Final victory over Tottenham.On a muddy Maine Road pitch,Francis Lee scored the winner midway through the second half.
My Dad was a Spurs fan,and we had travelled up from London for the game with my Mum and sister.
I fell in love with Maine Road,the friendly and electric atmosphere,the passion emanating from the crowd and the formidable team.
My allegiance changed to City that day,the family moved to Manchester by happy coincidence just two years afterwards, and I remain a passionate Blue still attending with my Mum as a Season Ticket holder 37 rollercoaster years later.And I wouldn’t change anything-it was love at first sight with Manchester City,and my love for the club will stay with me until I die!!

Saturday 3rd january 2009, As i get ready in my home in lincolnshire, for my first trip to the manchester city stadium, for the match city v forest, I,m wondering what the fans will be like, will i find parking easy ? and most of all i hope that city do not win by a to big a margin. Took the scenic route along A57 some lovely views, got near the ground found parking and was directed to the sportsmans bar, for my lucky pint, the bar was full with forest and city fans and the atmosphere was jovial.
Left the bar to walk the short way to the stadium, turned the corner and it was there, this magnificent arena, city fans have something to be proud of.
Had a walk around the front popped in the shop, got a tray of chips and gravy , spoke to city fans. All the fans friendly ,wished each other luck, but i really think myself included forest were here just for a day out.Got into stadium the atmosphere electric with nearly 7000 forest fans. had a pint and a pie . Took my seat { what a good view } watched the match and went home with a smile as forest had pulled off the unthinkable and won by 3 goals to nil. I would just like to thank the fans of city who were friendly and no trouble at all, for making this an enjoyable day. Paul Vincent

November 25th 1995 is a day that will live with me forever; City v Villa was my first City game, and what a game!! I was in the Platt Lane (Umbro)Stand and the atmosphere bristled from before kickoff as Bert Trautmann was honoured before the City faithful. Keith Curle led the Blues on to the field to the strains of ‘Roll with it’ by Oasis and City played well against a decent Villa outfit. Just as it seemed that the game would finish deadlocked at 0-0 City launched a final determined attack. Niall Quinn (minus disco pants!) showed a deft touch on the edge of the box, collecting the ball with his back to the Villa goal before skillfully laying it off to the Georgian magician who duly dispatched the ball into the far corner of the Villa goal. Throughout the hallowed ground unadulterated bedlam greeted Kinky’s first goal for City and a raucous rendition of Blue Moon brought the game to a victorious conclusion. And after all….you’re my Alan Ball! Still gives me goose bumps when I think of it.

I had just come to live in the area and was looking for some football one evening so I went along to this League Cup evening match which City won 3-1 I think. Marsh. Bell. Lee etc. Little did I know what was to come! 36 years later and still going! Joys and heartache aplenty!

I had the most amazing day on Boxing Day 2008 – my best friend and her great family (all life long Man City fans from Worcester) took me to watch my first City game. Turkey sandwiches, Maltesers and a brilliant home win – I guess it does not get any better than that! Thanks Becky and thanks City!

I can’t remember who we were playing. Who cares! I do remember that I was with my school friend, Pete Mills (where are you now, Pete?), that we’d have a pint of Chesters mild in the Parkside immediately before the match, that we would spread out on the sparcely populated benches in the Platt Lane End of Maine Road about 5 minutes before kick-off. City were in the old Second Division, recently relegated and George Poyser promoted to manager. I can’t remember who we played, but I can remember the City team. Harry Dowd was in goal. Cliff Sear and Vic Gomersall were the full-backs. Half-back line was Mick Doyle, George Heslop (not quite sure about George for that first match) and Alan Oakes. Forwards were Neil Young (still out on the wing), Matt Gray, Jimmy Murray, Derek Kevan and David Wagstaff. I went most weeks, including the 6000 lowest gate, and did quite a few ‘aways’. A few years later Joe and Mal had arrived and I was able to enjoy most of the ‘glory days’ (at Newcastle with my dad for the league title win in 68, Wembley cup final with girlfriend the following year)until I moved away from Manchester – just a bit before Joe himself moved on. Seen only a few games since. Never visited the City of Manchester stadium. But look most days on the City website and passing on the ‘passion’ to my 7 year old son. Since that first schooldays visit, I’ve had various jobs, lived in various places, had various wives (and divorces)! The one and only constant during those 40+ years has been that I’m a Man City supporter! And most people who know me know that as well.

Nine years old and me and my dad were going to Sheffield Wwednesday to watch City play…This was my first ever match. When we arrived we sat in the main stand all the seats had blue plastic mats on them.Can’t remember if we won or lost ut the following week my Dad took me to Maine Road we went in Platt Lane stood up all the match!!!! What a shock!!! Never looked back

It was either 1945 or 1946 – probably 45 – when I was taken by my dad, who was a strong City supporter, to my first game at Maine Road. We stood on the terrace at the scoreboard end. Frank Swift was in goal. I struggle to remember the names of any other players in the team. Was one of the full-backs called Banks?

We lived in Clayton and travelled to the ground on the special buses laid on by Maynes on Ashton New Road, next to the Carlton cinema.

I was 5 years old.

George Derbyshire
Watford