My abiding memory was that the pitch was so green and everything was perfect. August games are full of optimism and hope. I was with my Dad and my big brother and City won 6-0. I thought it was always going to be like this. I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for but my timing was great. The next 12 years were fabulous.

I can’t remember who we were playing. Who cares! I do remember that I was with my school friend, Pete Mills (where are you now, Pete?), that we’d have a pint of Chesters mild in the Parkside immediately before the match, that we would spread out on the sparcely populated benches in the Platt Lane End of Maine Road about 5 minutes before kick-off. City were in the old Second Division, recently relegated and George Poyser promoted to manager. I can’t remember who we played, but I can remember the City team. Harry Dowd was in goal. Cliff Sear and Vic Gomersall were the full-backs. Half-back line was Mick Doyle, George Heslop (not quite sure about George for that first match) and Alan Oakes. Forwards were Neil Young (still out on the wing), Matt Gray, Jimmy Murray, Derek Kevan and David Wagstaff. I went most weeks, including the 6000 lowest gate, and did quite a few ‘aways’. A few years later Joe and Mal had arrived and I was able to enjoy most of the ‘glory days’ (at Newcastle with my dad for the league title win in 68, Wembley cup final with girlfriend the following year)until I moved away from Manchester – just a bit before Joe himself moved on. Seen only a few games since. Never visited the City of Manchester stadium. But look most days on the City website and passing on the ‘passion’ to my 7 year old son. Since that first schooldays visit, I’ve had various jobs, lived in various places, had various wives (and divorces)! The one and only constant during those 40+ years has been that I’m a Man City supporter! And most people who know me know that as well.

i was taken to my first city game on a lovely sunny summers day in 1964. i was a boy of 6 who sat proudly on my uncles shoulders spellbound by the sight of so many happy faces singing and chanting out city songs. we won the game and from that day i knew i was forever to be a city fan. now im 51 with a family i have brougt up to be city fans. and now i bring my grandson who is proudly called Michael Colin Francis Campbell (MCFC) and i proudly see in his face the feeling i had that first day back in 1964. city till we die

I first went to watch City on October 3rd 1964 aged 7. Me and my best mate Dave Esser were taken by his Dad and Uncle who were season ticket holders. We sat on top of the parapet above the tunnel in the Kippax.(No health & Safety in those days!)Maine Road seemed so vast and crowded…yet there was only 15,000 there. City beat Rotherham 2-1. From then on we attended nearly every home game and few away as well.Particularly remember the FA cup games against Leicester and Everton where the crowds really were huge. My over riding memory is of the pitch being very muddy, Citys shirts getting more pale blue as the season wore on and the all pervading smell of cigarette and tobacco smoke.I moved away from Manchester in 1968 but have always continued to follow City and get back to COMS 5 or 6 times a season and go to most matches in London. Did’nt get ticket for 69 cup final but made the League cup final in 70 and the 81 Cup finals. Looking forward to what this new era brings but am prepared to be patient!

My first game was Bert Trautman’s Testimonial at Maine Road in 1964 . Steve’s Dad Ronnie took us in his Ford Pop and I remember it being a combined City / Utd side against an all stars England team. There were players such as Charlton ,Law , Matthews and the ground was packed out. I don’t remember a great deal about the game but the atmosphere I have never forgotten . I do recall that the blues and reds won 5 – 4 though !..Thats what started me off and I have had the bug ever since through good times and bad.

At home to Norwich City in the 2nd division at Maine Road – aged 8 years (May 1964 i think). To enable a better view of the game climbed up the ladder of the scoreboard at the back of the old scoreboard end. I received a clip round the ears and told never to go up there again. City won 5-2 and i was hooked.

Stood in the north stand singing we want 7 Keven
(derek Kevan i think) been hooked ever since.

I was taken to my first City game, as an 11 year old, by my next door neighbour Mr Allen, who was a lifelong City fan. Walking to Maine Road, and then seeing the pitch from the back of the Platt Lane Stand (with its wooden benches!) still sends shivers up and down my spine! As for the match, well it was a 1-1 draw with Bury – Harry Dowd got injured, Matt Grey went in goal, and Harry then went and scored the equaliser – how could you forget that! And, if my memory serves me, The King (Colin Bell) was also playing for Bury – so I saw him even before he played for City! Brilliant, and I’m still going – thanks Mr Allen!

I went with my old mate John West for my first City game, away at Preston North End, in a 2nd division fixture. I was supporting the team from the town of my Birth, Preston. We travelled by Maynes Coaches from Stalybridge, no car in those days. City won 4 goals to one, thanks to three goals from David Wagstaffe, who was later transferred to Wolves.
Ive been a City Fan for the last 44/45 years, thanks to Wagstaffe.

This was my first game as an 8 year old taken to see the blues by my old dad in the “real” doldrum George Poyser years when City played to home crowds of circa 15,000. We just about won this game but it was notable for the appearance of one Tony Book playing for Plymouth!!! From that day to this 44 years in total I have had blue blood in my veins and am proud to say still watching the best club in the world with my youngest daughter (8) from the family stand. She is as blue as I was all those years ago.