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.

Nine years old and me and my dad were going to Sheffield Wwednesday to watch City play…This was my first ever match. When we arrived we sat in the main stand all the seats had blue plastic mats on them.Can’t remember if we won or lost ut the following week my Dad took me to Maine Road we went in Platt Lane stood up all the match!!!! What a shock!!! Never looked back

I grew up in Manchester where most of my family were reds but i hated that colour as a young boy so i decided at 8yrs old I was a Blue. An uncle took me to my first game – I was 10. It was away against Everton at Goodison Park and I don’t even recall the score! but left 3 distinct memories: 1) We weren’t playing in blue!! 2) the shaking of the wooden floor in the stand as people stamped their feet and clapped their hands. 3) The best of all – Seeing Colin Bell in the No. 8 shirt and the roar from our fans every time he had the ball and crossed the half way line in a break forward.

In an era when football on T.V was limited to the F.A Cup Final, I was taken by my uncle to watch City play W.B.A as a 9th Birthday treat on 9th April 1960.Wrapped up in my pristine sky blue and white scarf and flask of Oxo for half time, my abiding memory was Bert Trautmann , a collossus in goal for the Blues,keeping the Albion at bay . City lost one nil but that day gained a lifelong fan

1968/’69, I forget exactly as I was only about 6. It was at Maine Road V Stoke , with my late father and older(red)brother, Frank.We lost 2-1,(gutted)and my (red)brother tried brainwashing me into supporting Utd, all the way back to Newton; fat chance!Still Blue-always will be-CTID…Craig Harrison.

My uncle took me to my first game.

United V City 1968 at Old Trafford.I was 6.

I was carried above everyone’s head to the front.

He was a red and I was not really bothered so I bet him a “tanner” City would win.
We did 1-3.
My uncle had to wait 20 minutes for me to get back to him after the game was over-he was not best pleased.
I have been hooked ever since. I never did get my tanner……

My Dad took me and my friend from school in Kendal. I had got a photo of Francis Lee sent it to Maine Rd and he returned it with a message (Ive still got it) and never stopped supporting since even though the pitch was terrible we lost 5 – 1 (franny scored )and i could be wrong but I think Martin Peters scored with a volley from the half way line unbelievable ! It was a baptism of fire but I have to say that simple photo was magical to a ten year old and ive never forgotten it or the friendliness of the club.

It was back in the late 1960’s when I was about 10 years old. My mate lived close to maine road and every home match we use to hang around the small staff carpark at the front of maine road waiting for my hero colin bell to arrive. Colin let me carry his bag from the carpark to the main entrance every time and just after half time the gates were left open when I was able to enter maine road, mix with the crowds attempting to look over someones shoulder to see my hero. wow all those people, and the singing and clapping and that woman ringing her bell as my bell scored. Now I am 50 and having worked overseas for some years I am reconnecting with my city siting in a stand named after my hero and I am still looking out for Colin Bell to carry his bag. Maybe he will let me one day soon.

Geoff Siddall

this was my first of many matches to which my uncle peter took me to. He always found a bar fro me to sit on at the scoreboard end while he went a few yards to cuss and swear with his mates. This day was not the best we lost heavily, I think 6-1, and Bert Trautmann was sent off. I remember him peeling off his green sweater and then big Bill Leivers taking over. I was hooked despite the loss and have been ever since. Joy and sadness in abundance. I would not have it any other way but to experience some of those great days has been a privilege.

i was 14yrs old when i went to my first city game it was city v everton city won 2.1 i went with my dad who was as big blue and he went to every game it took me a while to get him to take me because he said football was not for girls every match day i asked can i come with you and then came the day when he said ok i give in you can go i was over the blue moon as they say and off we went to maine road we sat in the platt lane stand it was packed when the game started i remember the noise was deafening yet that did not matter i was at maine road watching city watching them win and later that season win the league that was the day i fell completely in love with m.c.f.c.and colin bell and after all this time i am still hooked so are my son and granddaughter who go with me now to every game.sadly my dad passed away in 2002 still a true blue yet i will never forget my first city game that he took me to.city till i die lynn p daly