It was September 1957 and my granddad was an avid City fan, as was my dad. They asked me if I wanted to go to City for my birthday. The obvious answer was yes! As my birthday was 6th October the next home match was against Sheffield Wednesday on the 9th October. On the night before, I couldn’t sleep, I was up at the crack of dawn. I sat at the table with my City scarf and bobble hat on making my family laugh. I even had a blue and white rattle on the table.
At 1.30pm we set off and I was a bundle of excitement. We parked the car and it was the first time I had seen more than 1 or 2 coloured people at the same time. I was in a different world, one full of wonder, one of promise and one of amazement. We sat in the Main Stand and of all the places to sit I chose the front row on A Block so I could see the players. I remember some of the team that day; big Bill Leivers, Roy Little, Dave Ewing (who later turned out to be a good friend), Joe Hayes and Colin Barlow, but alas no Bert Trautmann who was injured. We won 2-0 courtesy of Colin Barlow and McAdams.
That was it- taken in completely, hoarse with cheering and right arm tired with using the rattle. The next season I had my first season ticket and never missed a match except for work commitments.
Now as a father and grandfather, my kids watch City as often as they can and maintain a constant following that makes me proud.