Consulting my Ray Goble City Compilation book the date had to be April 18, 1959. I can’t find Blackburn in the first division in the immediate preceding years.
My first ever visit to a professional football match was a spontaneous ride on a Charabanc with our local supporters club from the Wellington Inn on Stretford Road – Hulme. Jim lyons, my father, surprised me by suddenly announcing that there was room on the coach and I had to grab my jacket and away we were! Until that moment I hadn’t even been aware of any connections with the Wellington, because if my Dad had a ‘pub’then it had to be the ‘Grant’s Arms’ on Jackson Street.
Very few memories remain of the game, I vaguely remember that Blackburn had a number of legends playing for them, Douglas, Clayton spring to mind. What I can remember, vividly was the vast crowd compacted into Ewood Park, locals and Mancunians intermingled and the incessant unmalicious banter throughout the game. The frightening squashed feeling as we were channeled towards and through the claustrophobic exits after the game and the ride home again to Hulme at the back of the bus. I was sick of course. Oh and City got beat that day, some things never change!

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!

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

Watching the Newcastle game on Wednesday reminded me that it was almost exactly 50 years since i saw my first City game. My Dad took me to watch City play Grimsby in an FA Cup replay. Unfortunately we lost 2-1 and I think a guy called Ron Cockerill scored for the. I remember the walk through Platt Fields. it seemed to take forever. My Dad used to tell me that I spent the whole match complaining of the cold!

Eight years old,taken to a match by a friends dad. one of the most amazing days of my life.The buzz of the crowd,the feeling of excitement,seeing the ground. Was this Camelot, no MAINE ROAD and I was City till I die

I think it was 1956 on my 7th birthday .City were at home to Blackpool and Stanley Mathews was on the wing for Blackpool.The memory of him teasing people inches from the line and only feet from me sat on the wall infront of the Kippax stand will stay with me for ever.

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.

Ref to: and additional information..The Shirts used as an experiment for the Flood lighting..1st Set Flourecent Lt. Blue..Red No on the back…the other..2nd Set Flourecent Lt. Orange..P.s. Dont let anybody call David Beckham..we wore Knickers in those days!

I was a Bound Apprentice Printer and a Part-time Pro’ for M/City F.C.on £4.00p a week I had just played 10 games for the England Youth team in the Mini World Cup in Germany..I also played along side Sir Bobby Charlton..& Wilf McGuiness..I was asked to play/sign for the Busby Babes..at the time my family/friends told me (its a Lynch job)? My 1st game was when the 1st & 2nd Teams tried out the Floodlights out @ maine Road..at Half-time the boss switched the forward lines..to my suprise..I was playing in the 1st Team later on I got injuries that finished my career ! Web: truegreats.com

The cup replay against Newcastle. I was almost five when he took me to this, my first game. I can still remember the noise of the crowd, the smells and the excitement. Sat right at the back of the main stand, sat next to a strange man in a great coat and bobble hat yelling at the top of his voice, I was fascinated. I can just about remember tiny figures running around on the pitch but nothing else. Mind you this was the perfect match to begin a life in Blue. Three up at halftime, 3-3 at full time. 4-3 up and then losing 4-5. This set the tone for the future and I’ve loved every minute of it though my fingernails haven’t!

Bill Chapman
Sydney Australia