My First City Game » 1950-1959

City v Spurs Aug 22 1956

Chris Wright — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:43:26 +0000

It was the first home game of the season and we drew 2-2.
My dad had said that he would only take me to a game when I reached 5 years old. My birthday was in July so I had to wait a month for the best present I’ve ever had from that day to this!
We stood behind the goal (where they eventually built the North Stand), I was pushed to the front, sat on the wall and knew I was home.
The smells, the noise,the cheering fans,the game, my heroes close enough to touch – I was now a proper fan and I was there!
53 years later and nothings changed – still a proper fan and still there.
Chris Wright

1953/54 season

richard gaygan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:09:26 +0000

12 years old and my first city game was the first home game of the 1953/54 season.full of expectation and excitement,city did nt let me down they lost 4-0! thats city my dad told me,you dont know what your going to get!how true,things have nt changed much!

Bert Trautmann

Dennis Briggs — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:35:58 +0000

I remember, like most, being taken to Maine Road and watching Bert Trautmann getting very Muddy

First match at City

William Thompson — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:35:54 +0000

I cannot remember the exact year but I think it was around 1958. It was at Maine Road with my Uncle Jim who lived in Moss Side which is a while ago now! It was against Preston North End, Sir Tom Finney was on the right wing for PNE and Bert Trautmann was in goal for City. The final score was 1-1 and I was in the Kippax near to the score board end. I have been a life long City supporter ever since.

Birthday treat that set a trend.

Terry Simpson — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:35:24 +0000

It was September 1957 and my granddad was an avid City fan, as was my dad. They asked me if I wanted to go to City for my birthday. The obvious answer was yes! As my birthday was 6th October the next home match was against Sheffield Wednesday on the 9th October. On the night before, I couldn’t sleep, I was up at the crack of dawn. I sat at the table with my City scarf and bobble hat on making my family laugh. I even had a blue and white rattle on the table.
At 1.30pm we set off and I was a bundle of excitement. We parked the car and it was the first time I had seen more than 1 or 2 coloured people at the same time. I was in a different world, one full of wonder, one of promise and one of amazement. We sat in the Main Stand and of all the places to sit I chose the front row on A Block so I could see the players. I remember some of the team that day; big Bill Leivers, Roy Little, Dave Ewing (who later turned out to be a good friend), Joe Hayes and Colin Barlow, but alas no Bert Trautmann who was injured. We won 2-0 courtesy of Colin Barlow and McAdams.
That was it- taken in completely, hoarse with cheering and right arm tired with using the rattle. The next season I had my first season ticket and never missed a match except for work commitments.
Now as a father and grandfather, my kids watch City as often as they can and maintain a constant following that makes me proud.

From that day on, Bert Trautmann was, and still is, my hero

Eileen Poole — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:33:41 +0000

My first City game was on 19th April 1954. We played Chelsea and the score was a 1-1 draw. City scorer was full back Ken Branagan. My late uncle took me to the game and we had seats in the old grandstand. I had never seen so much green grass. From that day on, Bert Trautmann was, and still is, my hero.

My first City game

James Sale — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:32:59 +0000

November 1953 8yrs of age a sunny saturday in November. We lived in a small terraced house in Ancoats, Manchester. My uncle Eric who lived 5 doors away said c`mon I will take you to maine road. In those days people went one week United next City. This particualar week City were playing WBA I dont remember all the players but Bert Trautman was in goal Roy Paul,Bill Spurdle,Roy Clarke,Johnny Hart,Don Revie & a 40,000 crowd. We were on the Kippax before it had a roof, the result City lost 2-3, Hart & Revie were the scorers, dont ask me why but from that day on it was City. My uncle Eric said you dont pick City they pick you & here I am 57yrs later still obsessed with all things City

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.

pete harney — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:39:50 +0000

My dad took me the start of the1949/50 season which was the first match of Bert Trautmanns match for city, sections of the crowd bood him which i didnt understand, weeks later they were cheering him, he was fantastic.

A wet Saturday in Manchester

Graham Johnson — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:42:53 +0000

I travelled from Glossop on the train with my close friend Eric – we still meet up at each home game even though we live 200 miles apart – and got the bus to the ground from Aytoun Street. The game was against Birmingham City and lasted about half an hour because of a waterlogged pitch! The score was 1-1. The whole day out cost me less than 10/-d (50p). The good old days!!