My first match was January 1966 versus Preston North End at Maine Road. Many blues will recall this season as the beginning of a golden era. Joe Mercer had arrived as manager the season before and we were about to take everything before us in the next few seasons. This season we won the 2nd Division title. I remember very little of the actual game but the lead up to the match and the atmosphere inside the ground will stay with me to this day.
My Dad had been a City fan since the 1930’s and decided it was time his 5 year old son was to follow City as well. I can’t remember were we parked up, I think somewhere off Yew Tree Road, but I could not wait to get inside the ground. There were appeared to be hundreds of people hanging around on the forecourt in front of the Main Stand and for some reason I remember a man shouting at passersby holding high his “Save Jesus” placard.
Finally I’m through the turnstile and inside the ground, my first view of the pitch from high up in the Main Stand is etched on the memory. The smell of pipe smoke lingers and the volume of noise experienced for the first time. The pitch looked completely bare not much green grass on display but the white line markings illuminate the surface. The match I had waited to see for so long passed in a flash and ended 0 – 0. The crush through the exits back onto Maine Road was made and we went of home. At home Mum told my Dad a 0 – 0 match must have been boring and he had put me of City for life.
How wrong I was hooked, it just was the start. The next few seasons were brilliant, I thought this great I’ve got this for life beating United and winning cups. We all know it didn’t last but supporting City is for life whatever happens. There’s something about the club, you just can’t seem to get them out of your system no matter what. Whenever I look back to that day in January 1966 and see it as the start of beautiful friendship.