I was born in may 1940. Dad was back from the war..he was in the RAMC (medical corps) so wasn’t demobbed until 1946.
His business had failed during the war so he bought into a shop at Withington with my Auntie Minnie.Her and Mum ran it,Dad joined the Ministry of Food. One day my brother Brian(5yrs older)told me City had been promoted to the 1st division and we would go and watch them next year. We walked to the match down Platt Lane..sorry don’t recall who it was against or the exact date in 1947 but I remember Eric Westwood at left back..why him I don’t know! We drew..thats all I can remember.
BUT from playing on the local “rec” with pals at every spare minute..I became – and still am 61yrs later – hooked on soccer,the “blues” and a United “hater”!. Since then I have followed City everywhere..”head down Nobby” (Roy Clarke – a Withington neighbour) got 3 season tickets for Dad,Brian and I – we had to give them up – each at different times and for different reasons – thro neccessity and only after many,many years. I then stood on the terraces..and honestly enjoyed it more!Brian lives in Essex but he and Dad – I’m sure (up there somewhere)still follow the Blues.
However, as I am now retired and live in the Isle of Man (moved there with my job – not as a tax exile!)I cannot really justify the cost of going to watch City..Its my ambition to get to Easlands – I haven’t been yet.. before I turn my toes up! I will make it!!. What will the future hold for the great unpredictables? they have caused me more enjoyment and heartache than..well anything else! But come on City ..give Mark a chance..HE NEVER showed that arrogance and pettiness so typical of most Untd players over the years. Don’t let this wonderful opportunity pass..we are rich but maybe our wonderful pedigree is more importent, don’t lose the true “blue”. Finally lets hammer Untd at “old trafford” – I refuse to call it anyhting else!.
Sorry I have gone on..but I hope I live long enough to see us back on top..in style..the way we won the league that night at Newcastle..where we belong.Unfortunately my son supports Liverpool 1st but City 2nd!
Roy Oliver

Not sure of exact year but Les put the ball in the city net 3 times !!

I think it is a record that nobody has beaten !!!

Ray (Windsor)

for heavens sake, so long ago, the memories fade with time, just ask anyone in the 70s,i know it was a freezing cold winters day when frank swift came strolling out of the tunnel, as a small boy, he seemed to me to be a giant of a man and reaching the goal posts he tossed his flat cap into the corner of the net, then turned to face the enemy, there were no parades in those days, nor a warm up, you came out , the coin was tossed, and the game began, i think sam barkas was in defense but i think it was too soon for roy clarke, and the score escapes me also, like i said, when you reach the 70s, the memories fade, but frank swift walking to the goal mouth is indelibly linked in the memory bank,and the rodney marsh debut thats one ill never forget nor i imagine will the other 50,000 at maine rd that day.

It was a long ago day, back in December 1947 in fact, that I saw my first City game. Just eight years old and taken by an older brother down Oldham Road to Manchester on a No 98 bus, across the tramlines at Piccadilly (where trams could still be seen) and onto Parker Street bus station for a “football special”. City’s opponents were Liverpool, not the great team they woukl later become but still a formidable combination that had won the 1st Division Championship the season before.
The impressive edifice of the Main Stand loomed and a modest halfcrown plonked on the turnstile gained us entry. It would be nice to say I could remember every kick of the game, but I don’t. But I remember the goals. George Smith scored the first and Eddie McMorran the second as City ran out winners by 2-0.
Thus began a life time love affair with the Blues. Not an affair littered with trophies. Some half dozen cup wins. A solitary League Championship, some promotions (preceded of course by relegations) – not much in sixty years really.
Visions of idols, some greats, some less great and numerous also rans. Days of anguish, frustration with just occasional ecstasy. Finger nails bitten to the quick and all started by a trip on a bus on a murky December day sixty years ago. Best wishes for the next 60 years.
A McKenna

I was 8 years old, my dad took me to Maine Road for the first time, where I saw Frank Swift just before he retired. Stanley Matthews was supposed to play that day but didn’t. Unfortunately can’t remember the score. Been a blue ever since.