My First City Game » 1955

What Game?

brian atkin — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:10:52 +0000

I can’t remember my first game, is it because it was so unmemorable or is it that I am now old. Coming along with my father, something must have happened as here I am over 50 years later. Through the lows of the early 60s, the highs of the late 60s and early 70s, the so so 80s and on to the millenium. Many teams, many players, but one club, mine, yours, OURS.

city v wolves a foggy day

charles william fox — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:49:08 +0000

my dad & charlie & uncle stanley took me to my first game when i was 8 or 9 so as i was born in 1947 it was probably `1955/6 season memories are of a swirling fog and i was in the platt lane stand,sometimes you could barely see the other end! i can remember being very excited, and i told one of my uncle frank who supported united & used to pull my leg about city, that i was going to my first city game. He used to ride a motor bike and had an enormously long football scarf which he wrapped around his neck several times to keep him warm. He said i could borrow this scarf to where at the game, and i took it thinking how superb it looked. Only trouble was it was black & gold the colours of wolves, i didn’t realise and wore it any way thinking i looked really cool! when i got to the ground irealised my mistake, but in those days the worst remark i got was “you’ve got the wrong colours on lad!” city lost i think 3-4 but it was a great game and the seed was planted 53 years later i sit in the east stand and still love city!

Cup glory

John Stelfox — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:33:41 +0000

I first went to City in 1951 but my most memorable game is City v Everton in 1955 when fans of both teams mixed in the Kippax and shared friendly rivalry and humurous banter. (No fighting in those days). HT City down 1-0 went on to win 2-1. and on to Wembley. My first time at Maine Rd. was just after the war, United v Blackpool. Whilst United had stars like goalkeeper Crompton and winger Jack Rowley, most kids were there to see the great Stanley Matthews

My First Match

John Partington — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:56:13 +0000

My first Manchester City match was FA Cup day 1955. We had our very first rented tv was delivered at midday and the first image (B&W)was City walking out at wembley. They lost that one but had the pleasure of winning the folowing year.

FA Cup Semi-Final

Alan Greaves — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:00:38 +0000

I was 10 years old and probably saw earlier games but this is the first one I actually recall. My dad got tickets from work on the Friday before the match and we travelled to Villa Park by coach. The weather was awful; it rained all day. I remember queuing in the rain to get in the ground and dad buying me a rosette. The opponents were Sunderland who were a good side with the great Len Shackleton and a big centre forward, ‘Cannonball’ Fleming. The pitch was a mudbath and we went through 1-0 thanks to a goal from Nobby Clarke. By winning we prevented a Tyne & Wear derby in the final as we were to face Newcastle at Wembley. Of course, as all City fans know, we lost that game 3-1 with ‘Wor Jackie’ Milburn scoring after just 54 seconds and Jimmy Meadows being carried off after about 20 minutes. No subs in those days so we played with 10 men for well over an hour. George Hannah, who was to later play for City, also scored and so did Bobby Mitchell. Bobby Johnstone scored for City just as he did 12 months later when we beat Birmingham in the 1956 final. My dad died yesterday (22 December 2008) and this memory is dedicated to his memory.

FA Cup Semi-Final

Alan Greaves — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:31:38 +0000

The first City match I recall attending was the 1955 FA Cup Semi-Final against Sunderland(I might have been at earlier matches, but I don’t remember them). I was just 10 years old at the time; my dad got tickets from someone at work on the eve of the game and we travelled to Villa Park by coach. The weather was horrendous, it poured with rain all day and the pitch was a mudbath. I remember queuing to get in the ground and dad buying me a rosette in City colours. As every City fan knows, we won 1-0 with Nobby Clark scoring the goal. Sunderland were a good side; I think the great Len Shackleton played and a big centre forward called ‘Cannonball Fleming. In winning the match we prevented a Tyne-Tees derby in the final, as we were to find out that Newcastle won the other semi. They beat us 3-1 in the Final with ‘Wor Jackie’ Milburn scoring after just 54 seconds but thanks largely to the terrible injury to Jimmy Meadows’s after just 20 minutes or so. My dad died today (22 December 2008) aged 88 and this City memory is dedicated to his memory.

Mud Glorious Mud @ Villa Park

Bill Wrigley — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:34:57 +0000

The hero Royston Clarke-horizontal,covered in mud,heading the ball into the net.Me ringing my bell for all it was worth-were going to Wembley.By the bye I never did find the clanger out of the bell,I do hope it didnt hit any blues supporter??

heartbreak

sid lampard — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:29:03 +0000

fa cup final when city lost to newcastle made me a city fan.before the war my gran worked at maine road and would bring the kit home to wash and iron it so there was a connection already. in those days of no cars washing would be hung across the street, imagine that today! my dad and granddad took me to watch my first match but even before we got there i was amazed at the throngs converging on the stadium. many on bikes. no segregation preston fans were stood near us no problems. we went to each home game and i clearly remember asking my dad why so many more people were heading to maine road . stanley matthews is playing was the reply. well. he did not play, and the groan that greeted the news was deafening mixed wiyh more than a little anger.for the next fifteen years i saw the high and lows but the hooligan years finally put an end to my live football matches. the derby game when the ref took the players off to cool off was my last for many years. i am still amazed how depressed i get when city dont play well. and how good it feels when utd lose. not forgetting leeds of course they were so cynical . liverpool fans were the first to bring obscene chants to maine rd but chelsea fans took the biscuit for provocation by waving fivers at us .loadsamoney!

Joyce Gale — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:15:27 +0000

The teams emerge from the tunnel.
A blond Adonis wearing a green jersey positions himself in goal.
His charisma is palpable. His saves are spectacular.
Bert my hero – City my club.

Joyce Gale 1955

City Memories

Mr R McFarland — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:13:16 +0000

My first match was around ‘54 – ‘55 against Spurs at Maine Road, we lsot 3-1. I remember the atmosphere and seeing City run out for the first time. It was exciting, I was impressed by the sky blue shirts with red numbers, and Bert trautmann became my favourite straight away.
The disappointment of losing the ‘55 cup final and winning the ‘56 cup final. I was in the crowd to welcome back City with the cup, everyone chanting for Bert after his heroics during the match. The memories from when you are young are the most vivid, I can still recite both City teams from the ‘55 and ‘56 Cup Finals. I also remember a real “downer” towards the end of the fifties when city lost to Grimsby Town in the FA Cup at Maine Roa, what a miserable journey home.
Of course, the real highs came during the Mercer Allison period, wonderful memories of winning the championship and other trophies. I came to live in the Midlands during this time, and went to watch city at Maine road whenever I could, and went to matches around the Midlands when City were playing.
Inthe low period when we were in division 2, I had to take the “brickbrats” from villa, Wolves, WBA, Birmingham City and even walsall fans. The worst howevrr came from those Midland Man Utd fans, I stood my ground and gave as good as I got.
A nice memory was a pre-season firendly, wolves v City, July 2004. SWP made one of his fantastic runs down the right, cut inside and scored a great goal.
However the biggest thrill that happened for me, when my daughter booked a stadium tour as a surprise for my 60th birthday. We travelled to Eastlands in the summer of 2004, it was a glorious sunny day and the stadium was a magnificent sight.
City were to play Lazio in a friendly, so unfortunately we were unable to see the dressing rooms. I photographed various parts of the ground and rounded off the visit by having lunch in the cafe next to the museum. It was a wonderful experience and one I will always remember.
I am phyiscally an absentee supporter, but I am always with City in spirit, and await anxiously the result on match day, experiencing the highs and lows according to the outcome.
With the new dawn at Eastlands, I look forward to the exciting times ahead, and offer all concerned my best wishes for the future