my first city game was in 1972

i went with my best friend and his dad to maine road. city were playing wolves. we won 5-2

fantastic, loved every minute of it

My neighbour asked my dad if I would be interested in going to a City game. I was only 11 and didn’t support a club. Wow – what a first game. It was a 3-3 draw with Frannie Lee hitting two (I think). We sat in the North Stand. True blue through and through ever since. Now watching from afar in New Zealand – would love to visit UK and watch the blues again some time.

Stoke (I think), Christmas 1979, 8 years old. Police horses, the smell of chips and holding on tight to my dad’s hand. Up the steps through the back of the Main stand to see the pitch – the brightest green I’d ever seen and Joe Corrigan who looked like a giant. I was freezing. Dad said, “Don’t worry. If it snows, we’ll be fine. We’ve got undersoil heating. United haven’t got that you know.”

- Vicky, Manchester

My earliest memory is going to see City in the early 70s and being allowed to visit the home dressing room after the game (my friends dad had some sort of City connection). We ended up chatting with the players while they were in the process of getting changed. I remember being amazed by the huge communal bath. I recall Mike Summerbee having a joke with us and producing a coin, seemingly from behind his ear! I must have been in awe.

- Andrew, Manchester

I am 51 years of age now.The first time I saw Manchester City was as a 17 Year old youth in my home town of Carlisle. It was Carlisle v City Tuesday 6 November 1973 on a very cold Tuesday evening.

Even though I am a local lad by nature I had always admired City. I used to play football on scrub land with believe it or not local lads David Geddes and Kevin Beattie both of Ipswich Town and Kevin later of England.

We all came from a rundown estate in Carlisle called Botcherby

The highlight of the week was kicking lumps out of each other at the field before Gerald Sinstad and Brian Moore took the afternoon TV stage on a Sunday.

Some lads in Wellington boots others barefooted.

All of the lads would ceremoniously go to Brunton Park week in week out. At the time I was afraid to mention to the BIG lads that I had a soft spot for City Greats like Franny Lee. Mike Summerbee,Tony Book, Willy Donachie and Big Joe Corrighan.

It was a tremendous game with both teams going at it hammer and tongs with City coming out on top 1-0 winners. There was no way that i was going to show who i was truly supporting that night as i could easily have found myself tied to a lamp post in only my underwear.

Thinking back to those hard times the whole estate was that poor including my own family I doubt whether  I had any underwear on.

- Jimmy

My first game was when we played Bristol city at home. The date was the 11/09/1976 we won 2-1. I remember this day well because my grandad took me. My grandad and i were very close i was 16. When i went to this game i was glad he took me because sadly he died a month later .

My first City game was in 1977 – Man City 3 Leeds Utd 0.

I remember entering the Kippax through a tunnel. I could hear the noise building as i got closer. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. As i left the tunnel i saw Maine Road for the first time. WOW! It was a very grey, rainy day and i was a blue from that day onwards. 

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

My memory is of the size of the crowd and the blue of our shirts, and going with my Dad, who tells me my first game was at home to West Ham in 1972. I do know Rodney Marsh scored and I can still hear the roar of the crowd when we scored. We walked back to Oxford Road, ate chips while queuing for the bus – I was hooked.

- Dale, Stockport

The Reds were champions and champions of Europe, but we ran away with it and won 3-1, but the abiding memory is of Mike Channon scoring and then doing his trademark windmill celebration right past us.

- Mike, Fallowfield