Unfortunately my dad cannot be here to tell you about his early experiences at Maine Road. So i will try.
The first match was in the 1927 as a young lad of 11 years old. He had no money so he sneaked in under the turnstiles, other games he would wait and sneaked in at 3/4 time.always walking from and to Blackley.

Something he did regular until 1930 when he started work. He went to Wembley in 1933 and made the last visit to wembley in 1976.

thanks dad for making me a blue.
and it’s ok, i DO forgive you.

That was the first City game I attended at Maine Road. As a young lad of 8 years old it was my first memory of big league football. Going to the ground was amazingly exciting and an adventure in itself. Seeing the imposing height of the main stand and hundreds, no thousands of people milling around the gates was awe inspiring. Going through the gates and into Maine Road for the first time was a joy. I can still remember the unique smell of that ground which I experienced for the first time that day.

The most breathtaking element of my first game was walking up the flights of stairs and seeing the glorious Maine Road pitch for the first time. It literally took my breath away. All my dreams had come true. This was only topped when the crowd went wild with singing and chanting when we scored. With a mixture of slight fear and delight this 8 year old was hooked on football for life. I saw many fans carrying big inflatable bananas and I instantly knew I wanted one as soon as I got out of the ground. I was already part of the unique breed that is the quirky and loyal city support after 90 minutes.

As for the game itself, well I was so consumed with everything that was going on around me that the game is difficult to remember. I know that Paul Lake swallowed his tongue and lie motionless for a long time. As for the result. I know we hammered them – was it 4-2 or 5-2? I can’t remember!

the first game i remember was the 4-1 mauling of united, shaun wright phillips was forever in my heart from that day, lovely little dancing

My first city match was against villa at maine road…
Curle missed a penalty and Kinkladze scored his first goal for city!!

I will never forget the amazing atmosphere at the ground, blue is in my blood but this was a day that i will never forget.

My first game at Maine Road ( I’d already seen City the year before at Ibrox, in the Tennent Caledonian Cup )was on 8th October 1977. City beat Arsenal that day, and we ( my brother travelled with me ) almost missed the first goal!
We left home at 7.00am on the Saturday morning, and boarded a train to Glasgow and on to Manchester ( via Preston ). First time in Manchester saw us arrive at Victoria Station – how do we get to Maine Road ? Basically, we followed the crowd and asked the locals. Finally reached the ground, just before kick-off. How do we get a ticket ? Completed this part of the exercise and watched City beat Arsenal in the “comfort” of the wooden seats in the Platt Lane Stand. We then had to do the trip in reverse, reaching home ( Ayr ) at 12.00 midnight.
A day which I’ll never forget.
I’ve been to many games since ( even owning a Season Ticket for a few seasons at Eastlands ), but none has been as interesting and unforgettable !!!!
Hugh Miller – City Till I Die !

Being the son of a CITY player had it’s advantages and at the tender age of 5 years and 8 months, my first vivid memory of watching my father, Dave Watson, play for CITY was the Wembley showdown with Newcastle United in ‘76. The drive down to London was just as memorable, as once e left the M6 and joined the M1 we came across a black and white army of fans. I was instructed by my Granddad to put thumbs up to CITY fans and thumbs down to the opposition, which I carried out for the rest of the journey, receiving the same signals in return, with some fist shaking from the less hospitable of Geordies. Once we arrived at Wembley, I was overwhelmed by the amount of people, the noise and the colours! Blue and white everywhere! I could hardly see anything once we entered the stadium, I was just too small . . and when we Peter Barnes scored the first goal, I was lost under a sea of CITY fans jumping about and kissing each other. It all becomes a blur after that, just too much for my tiny mind to cope with . . I do remember that my Dad cut his face and when we met up after the game, he had stitches just above his eye (which became a near weekly event). I’ve been a Blue ever since, and even though my dad went onto play for other clubs I’ve always stayed a Blue!

My first city match was against Ipswich Town, Friday 16th August 1996, i was 7 and Ipswich Town was also my dads first game. His was Saturday 28th February 1970. Coincidently both matches ended 1-0 with the scorer of my match being Lomas and his was Lee. Ill never forget the intensity of our fantastic support when i stepped out, a true fan knows their home when they see their team even so young…

My first game came as a young 8 yr old.

I was taken to Maine Rd to watch City v Stoke, it transpired to be a bore draw.

Of note for me though as an 8yr old, was the build up to going to the match. I recall being giddy the night before waiting and dreaming of what may be.

I had been bought a City hat n scarf and laid it out ready to show my colours. We drove to the ground, walking the final mile. I remember as a lad from Whitworth, being amazed at seeing how multicultural Moss Side was. I was amazed at the sea of alleyways and ginnels which were packed with people making their way to this mecca of football.

I turned down Platt Lane and there she was, huge, towering above everything else. We joined a cue to get in, people laughing joking. We were in i, was excited and yet wary of this mass of people.

What do i remember about the game itself ?, not a lot really… i just remember asking my uncle who kept ringing the Bell. Little did i know that Helen was a legend in her own right. A flower seller outside MRI and the giver of a feather to my childhood hero J.Corrigan. Godbless

I like to think of myself as a huge City fan. My dad and I have followed City for years everywhere, from Bournemouth to Belgium. But when I think of my first game I am sad to say I cannot remember it.
When I think of the early days of supporting City I just have flash backs to certain memories and feelings. I started watching City in the early to mid eighties. City were in the old second division.

One of the earliest memories I have is beating Charlton 5-1 to gain promotion back to division one. I remember being sat in the Platt Lane Stand with the long wooden benches.

If I close my eyes now I can go back there.

I can see the front of the Platt lane over flowing with people, I had been to see City before but never had I seen the ground so full or noisy. As I look to my right I can see the Kippax running the length of the massive green Maine Road pitch the sun beating down creating large shadows across the grass.
I feel the butterflies in my stomach I had that day still now. I remember Paul Simpson celebrating one of the City goals in the net in front of Platt Lane. A true blue Simo.

At the end of the game the crowd streamed on to the pitch, my dad and I included. We nicked a bit of the pitch that is still in our back garden today. Sorry Stan! (Gibson)

Little did I know that day what would lie ahead in supporting City, the affect the club would have on my life. Inflatable banana’s, fancy dress, invisible men, 10- 1 wins 8-1 defeats, relegation, promotion, Swales out – Franny in, 14 managers, Kinkladze, grasping defeat from the jaws of victory, division 3, That Dickov goal at Wembley, The fans on the hill at Blackburn, feed the goat, the last derby win at Maine Road, Eastlands, Thai owners, Arab owners, Robinho…The ride continues.

City had just been crowned First Division Champions that spring, and my dad, Eddie, took me to my first game, age eight. It was City vs Bury in a pre-season friendly. Don’t even remember the score, just the noise, the crowd and the sight of the turf! A true Blue from that minute, and always. CTID.