In our house we watch a lot of sport especially football. My husband who is a lifelong City supporter suggested that we go to the City of Manchester Stadium to watch the second leg of the UEFA cup after watching the 2-2 draw from Copenhagen. We had never been to the stadium (my husband went as a youngster to Maine Road) and I had never been to a “proper” football match. The evening started off well, we left Blackpool in plenty of time and despite the awful drizzle arrived in Manchester with no hold-ups. That was until the instructions we were given ran out!! Eventually after driving around the centre of Manchester we headed the right way….we parked up, wrapped up and set off for the stadium.

We stopped off in the shop for the essential shirt (for him) and scarf (for me) and headed for out seats. Colin Bell stand, entrance X and very easy to find. The stewards were very helpful pointing us to our row and what a great view, and what a fantastic stadium, it was awesome. We were there early (despite the detour) and watched as the stadium filled up. Already there was a large contingent of FC Copenhagen fans who were certainly enjoying the event and making themselves heard. 26,108 attendance.

We had a burger and chips complete with hot chocolate (very appropriate for the weather) and settled in to watch the warm up and then the game. All the players were cheered when announced and then the singing began…..

The game was great, much better than watching on TV as you had the whole pitch to see rather than a player or a move. Two Bellamy goals certainly helped (scored at the end that we were). We actually missed the FC goal as my husband wanted to miss the rush from the car park (now I know why people leave early with crowds that size), but with a 4-3 overall score line I didn’t miss anything vital.

We are now contemplating season tickets for next season, because of course I want to go again……..

My first match was Leicester at Maine Rd in Jan ‘77 – the result a 5 – 0 home win meant I was hooked. But what I remember most was that I tried to climb one of the roof supports at the North Stand end of the Kippax to get a better view of the action and got covered in anti-climb paint which my mum couldn’t get out of my new Wrangler jacket.

My Father had very little interest in football,he was more of a boxing fan(being the landlord of a pub in the Ancoats/New Cross area he had to be !!)so my first baptism to Maine Road was down to my sister Mags and my future brother in law Joe.He had told me all about Mercer and Allison and the City ledgends of yesteryear,and they were going to take me to my first match which was our first home game of the 72-73 season.
I can remember going on the match bus and listening to some of the choice language and good banter!from the fans.Everyone seemed to be talking about this God like figure they called Rodney Marsh!
The admission for the North Stand was 80p and the match programme was 5p.
The first sight of the hallowed turf under floodlights is something i will never forget.
The game itself is a bit of a blur,although i remember we lost 1-0,and the man sat behind me giving the referee a tirade of abuse,and asking him why he had left his handbag at home!!
I was at that moment CTID.
My love for City has stayed with me ever since(probably stronger now than ever)and was a regular visitor to Maine Road in the 70s-80s until i moved to Ireland in 1990.
Saddly Joe is no longer with us,he passed away in November 2000 with cancer, at the very young age of 53.The last time i spoke to him on the phone was just after the 4-1 Blackburn promotion game and he said “typical,City going up,Me going down!”Very sad.
I still get over for 3 or 4 matches a season and often meet up with Joes lad Martin.So if your up there looking down on us from the great North stand in the sky Joe,ask God if he can put some silverware in our direction?

my first game was against everton
at the city of manchester stadium i enjoyed every bit of it even though they lost 1-0

my first manchester city game was on the 17th january 2009 when city played wigan on wayne bridge’s debut.Me , my best friend Louis Dad, johnwe all,went as a group first we went to the townly and thats were i saw a signed top by Micah Richards,s and ,the atmosphere was brillient we sang loads opf city songs like,Istanbull we are coming,and the fan managed to make up a new one,Stevie bruce the elephant man. It was a fantastic game when entered the second half 0-0 but zabaleta managed to slip one past Kirkland to win city the game !

City of Manchester stadium…

My 1st city game was last night! I went with my kids, my boyfriend, his niece and his dad, we sat in the south stand block 117. I loved it and so did the kids! I won a bet that the score would be 2-1! We’ll definately be going again…..XX

my first game was mancity vs arsenal it was amazing and i new from then on i was going come back to this stadium.
mancity lost 2-1 and Anelka near the end scored the one for us off a freekick

I think 1975 we lost to Sheffield united at home 0 1, geoff Salmond scored direct from a corner. think Asa Hartfords and Dennis Tuerts debuts, may be 1974 any help?

My first game ever was against Portsmouth at Eastlands 2008 May time ish and my new boyfriend took me what a brill day one i will remember for the rest of my life not only did i meet a brill bloke but now support a brill team and the chippy is great