This was the game where Spurs had just signed Ardiles & Villa, in the close season after the ‘78 world cup. My dad took me and we sat in the Platt Lane End, on those wooden painted benches. I can’t remember if we won, think it was a draw. But I do remember that a couple of Spurs fans had infiltrated the blue ranks, but there was no animosity, in fact it was all very jovial, good natured banter, and unlike today, people were standing up, not just in their seats, but in the aisles too. It was very exciting to be in this huge hubbub of noise and passion, and as a 10 year old kid, seeing this vast theatre, filled with your heroes, just amazing!

I remember my first ever match as if it were yesterday.

I was born in Wythenshawe hospital in July 1968 and lived on Roundwood Road in Northenden until I was 5. This would be the reason I first became a City fan.

We moved to Fleetwood, near Blackpool to be near my grandparents.

Of course City lost 3-1 on the day with Brian Kidd scoring City’s only goal. I’m sure it was Cyrille Regis who scored a hat-trick for WBA.

My dad and my uncle Phil took me to the match in my uncle’s shiny Ford Granada and we sat in the Platt Lane stand on what could only be described as long, narrow wooden benches that my dad had to sit side on to squeeze his legs in! I think, at the time, they were referred to as “orange boxes”.
At half time I tasted my first ever Maine Road meat and potato pie – I am still finding the gristle in my teeth to this day!

My biggest memory, however, was hearing my dad sing “who’s the b£$%^&d in the black” for the first time – I will never forget it!

I didn’t attend another match until the early 80’s as my dad had lost interest and I couldn’t travel alone. I joined the Blackpool branch of the Supporters Club, bought a season ticket and went on the coach to, pretty much, every single match (home and away) for the whole of the 80’s and well into the late 90’s. Since 1998 I have been to as many matches as possible but with 2 daughters find it very difficult.
Now I live in France with my wife and daughters.

The UEFA group draw took place and we ended up getting Paris St Germain at home!
Oh well – let’s see if we can progress and get a French team away in the knock-out stages…

CTID
Andy Fildes

My first memory is actually not a game but a visit to maine road with my dad in the late 70s to show me the ground we got there and the groundsman allowed us to have a look round as long as “we don’t go onto the pitch.” Dad was always talking about Colin Bell so imagine his delight when we looked through a door and there he was training with Tony Book. Dad told me that he had been injured and was on the road back. His excitement was infectious and has stayed with me forever.

My actual first game was when we played southampton and dad took my brother and I. City scored and as we jumped up my brother hit me in the face as he threw his hands in the air. I got my one and only black eye at that game it was worth it though we won!!!!!!!!

- H