My First City Game » 1977

MEMORIES OF MILAN MAYHEM

RICHARD CRABTREE — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:56:37 +0000

I will never forget my first trip to Maine Rd – an evening mid week fixture in the old UEFA cup and the opponents the mighty AC Milan.
I can still remember the anticipation and butterflies I had as I climbed the last steps to to the stand where I would eventually take my place. But as I reached the top and caught the first glimpse of the hallowed turf, the lights, colour, noise and excitement hit me. I knew I was at my rightful home – wow!
The atmosphere was electric, the singing, the slick football, the happiness – it was some concoction.A good City team played some great football and they added to what was an unforgettable evening.
I think it was 2-2 from the first leg and the result of the game I watched was by the way 3-0! But that didn’t matter – I was spellbound by the experience which has stayed with me ever since.
It is something I am looking forward to sharing with my young twin boys who as soon as they are old enough (almost 2 now) will have the privilege of enjoying that ‘first game’ experience.

City took hold of me that day and ever since – City til I die.

Richard

Maine road memories

mrs joan ferguson — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:56:36 +0000

My first City game was in 1977 Monday 26/12/1977 city 4 newcastle 0 I first became interested in city when I worked for Colin Bell at his restaurant in Whitefield, hence my son became interested too and wanted a city strip, I bought him the strip for xmas and told him I would take to the next home match if I wasnt working that day,of course the next home match was the following day Boxing day so I had to take him, Colin Bell came on for the second half after being out injured, and the crowd went mad, I had tears in my eyes and from then on I was hooked. I now take my Grandchildren.

Hero Returns

richard russell — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:32:41 +0000

Boxing day 1977 my dad asked if i wanted to go and watch City.Dreams do come true.Sat in the main stand with tears rolling down my cheeks as my hero Colin Bell runs out on to the pitch for the second half.what more can you ask for?

Running away from away fans

Andrew William Evans — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:28:41 +0000

I remember running away from away fans down Kippax Street!

First of many

Hugh Miller — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:15:55 +0000

I had already seen City play in the pre-season cup at Ibrox, against Southampton.
My first game at Maine Road later the same year ( 1977 ).
It was 10th October 1977.
My and myself left home ( Ayr, Scotland ) at 7.30am on the morning of the match. We headed to Manchester via Glasgow and Preston. Arriving at Victoria Station in Manchester, we had no idea how to get to Maine Road. After getting a bit of advice from the locals, we arrived safely at Maine Road – what about a ticket ???
We finally overcame this hurdle, and entered the Stadium for the first time. Sat in the old wooden seats in the Platt Lane Stand, we were just in time to see Peter Barnes scoring the first goal in a 2-1 victory.
The return journey was every bit as adventurous, and were home before midnight.
Needles-to-say, my trips to games are a bit more sedate, but it would take a lot to beat MY FIRST CITY GAME !!!!

Hugh Miller
45, Masonhill Road
Ayr
KA7 3NY
01292 287784

he lost his hat!!!

jilll langley — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:47:32 +0000

One dark ,wintry night, spent in an endless queue for tickets into the Kippax.My father, brother and me! We were playing Liverpool, my father’s team.We were crammed into the stand, it seemed like everyone was holding each other up.I could hardly see the game. We scored,the crowd surged forwards,a hand tapped my fathers trilby off his head and it flew over rows of heads infront of us.It never came back!!!
Come on, hand it over!

Ruined Wrangler!

Gareth — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:32:44 +0000

My first match was Leicester at Maine Rd in Jan ‘77 – the result a 5 – 0 home win meant I was hooked. But what I remember most was that I tried to climb one of the roof supports at the North Stand end of the Kippax to get a better view of the action and got covered in anti-climb paint which my mum couldn’t get out of my new Wrangler jacket.

DIDN’T SEE A THING BUT….

Phil Thorley — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:54:29 +0000

26/11/77 dank winters day was extinguished by the brightly lit green oasis that I witnessed after the exhausting never ending climb to the top of the Kippax steps.Dad, elder brother & I had to leave early to ensure we got the bus. End of the alleyway turning around the back of Platt Lane, I can still hear & feel the noise when Dave Watson headed in the winner in the top of the table 2-1 victory over Ipswich. Being young in the Kippax I couldn’t really see anything all game but that was irrelevant, the emotion of it all was all that mattered. If you’re reading this from up above Dad, thanks for a most wonderful day & for putting me on this specifically challenging path.

my first game

s mc millan — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:22:49 +0000

my first game was city v spurs and a certain ussie ardeles and ricky villa wasplaying ther 1st game for spurs and iwas on holiday in blackpool and my wife was 8 mths pregnantand my love affair with city was to strong so i was at maine rd for the game the result was fantastic city 2/ spurs nil

It’s in the blood

Phil Jones — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:02:09 +0000

Boxing Day, 1977. My Dad takes me into the North Stand to watch City play Newcastle. We won 4-0. But the memory remains dedicated to the return of the Legend Colin Bell. He came on as sub after that injury. Grown men stood around me. Crying. Only Wembley 1999 has come anywhere close to what I experienced that day. Mesmorised and addicted, I am blue forevermore. Thanks Najinsky, and thanks Dad for taking me to Maine Road!