The first time I watched Man City was at Maine Road in 1943, although it would have been handy if Eastlands was built then as I lived on Every Street right next to the new stadium. I cannot remember who it was against but I remember that some the the players playing in the match were Franck Swift, Sam Barkas, Les McDowel, Peter Doherty, Alec Herd, Brook and Tilson. It was in wartime days and so the teams relied on guest players who were footballers in the armed forces who were home on leave and allowed to play for their local teams. I am now 80 years old and live in Lancaster but still support City as much as I always have but due to poor eyesight can’t drive so cannot get to see as many games as I would like and cannot see the game very well but can follow the players movements and when I do attend but listen to the game on headsets that they provide at the new stadium which is extremely helpful.

Norman

I was 10 years of age living in Crowther Street in Gorton. Our next door neighbour-Keith Moray- took me to the game. Manchester City vs Halifax Town-a wartime fixture. It was a time of German air-raids, ration books, and gas masks. The fact that any football was played at all was due to the indomitable spirit of the British people. “Business as usual.”

There were no match programmes. The players names were entered in chalk onto a blackboard and this was paraded around the playing area before kick-off (2.15pm- no floodlights then). The City team was Swift-Sproston-Barkas-Walsh-Fagan (later to manage Liverpool)- McDowall (later to manage City)- Dunkley- Hend (who had played in the 1934 Cup Final)- Smith- Black- and Emptage.

City led 2-0 at half-time with goals by Hend and Smith. In the second half Halifax took control and dominated the game. A hat-trick by Tommy Barkas (brother of City’s Sam Barkas) gave Halifax a victory by 3-2.

City had England internationals in Swift, Sproston, and Barkas- also Walsh (Republic of Ireland), Mcdowall (Scotland), and Herd (Scotland). A bus home cost 2d (old money) and I delivered sporting papers on the Saturday evening. The old Empire News had all the results from the days’ fixtures. I have been a supporter all these years. I am now 75.

Walter Allison

I was taken to Maine Rd by my eldest brother and saw City defeated by 2 goals to one by Blackpool. As he at the time supported City I became a fervent supported too. But the next time I saw City they went down again to Blackpoool, in a war-time cup final in 1944, again 1 – 2. I got used to the idea that my team could lose but my hero was Peter Doherty and I wanted to go just to see him. Further disaster struck when he refused to stay with City and Derby picked him up for a knock-dowm price. Thereafter I got used to the disappointments of following City, with only the (one) league title and two FA cups to lighten the gloom. The future seems brighter now so I hope they don’t let me down again.

Can’t recall the exact match, but the team was Swift, Sproston, Barkas, Walsh, Cardwell, McDowell, Dunkerley, Herd, Contantine, Smith & a guy on loan Pearson, I think from Grimsby. Most of the lads were in the Forces, & our team had a lot of older players, but still as excited now as when the Blues came out at Maine Rd then.

My father was on leave and took me to Maine Rd.
We played Barnsley (I think).I dont know the score, but I remember their kit was a vivid red with hooped socks they looked like world beaters to us youngsters when they ran out.
After that I found my own way, and it was City one week united next. Before each game we played on the car park City v Utd with a Tennissy(tennis ball)
My favourite was Billy Walsh a classy wing half.
I can never forget Frank Swift. Being born 1933 the same day he made his Maine Rd. debut I was reminded of the fact each boxing day until 1980. Two games I shall never forget were Birmingham away in the cup 1947. I went with my dad by coach from the local pub. On the way we were snowed under and had to be dug out by German p.o.ws. It took 7 hours and we just made the kick off. Amazingly the pitch was cleared and the game went ahead.
We lost 5-0.
Another debacle was Bradford in the war time cup. We won there 3-1 and lost at home 8-2. I saw both games.
Anyway after 65years watching City I am still of sound mind (I THINK)
Up the Blues.