My First City Game » 1987

A disappointing loss that set the scene

Tom Parish — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:09:32 +0000

Ipswich Town in the Full Members Cup, I finally persuaded my dad that I was old enough to sit through a full match. As a 7 year old, I instantly loved the Kippax, the clunking turnstiles, the stench of the outside loos, the ‘no alcohol past this point’ signs over the tunnel, the mystery of the abandoned staircases at the back (post-Hysel), the naughty words being shouted by men rolling up cigarettes, I was bamboozled by the whole experience, but I had no real idea what was going on during the game. I spent part of the second half cheering on Mick McCarthy, to whom I took an instant liking for some reason. I don’t remember much else but I do remember feeling the electricity around me when Varadi scored our second goal. We still lost 2-3, but I was hooked.

My dad took me to a few games after that, most of which were pretty awful, but it was him leaving me at home for the 10-1 the following season that really got me buzzing. Dad took me every week during our promotion season, and I’ll never forget the Bournemouth 3-3 and being sat anxiously watching the vidiprinter and the news that we’d clinched promotion at Valley Parade.

Dad bought me a season ticket for my first season in the top flight, and it was 21 years before I missed another home game after that.

The day I saw The Light

Iain McCallum — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:41:55 +0000

First game was Kevin Moran’s testimonial at OT in 87. I was 8 yrs old and I went as a red (it was the done thing my mates said). City got beat 5-2 but they played well and i was shocked at the comments being made from supporters around me towards city and their fans. That day i decided to become a blue and it’s been the right decision regardless of anything else that has happened

City vs Plymouth – My 1st Home Game!

Jonathon McCormick — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:59:45 +0000

My first home game experience for Manchester City was the game where City played Plymouth Argyle (I can’t remember if it was the cup or league game that I attended). It was my first taste of a manchester city game with my father & I remember it was a great atmosphere to the game – the club had just brought about the ‘banana craze’ – I think I still have mine somewhere!
It was such a special occassion as it started my love affair with the club – it was also the beginning of Howard Kendall’s managerial reign at City. There have been so many good memories of supporting city – Francis Lee’s takeover, the red devils’ airplane ddisplay, facing Gillingham in the division 2 playoff final at wembley – I could go on!

What a way to start….

Victoria Greenwood — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:39:37 +0000

…my career as a City fan! I was 7 years old and tiny! My Dad, born in Moss Side, a lifelong Blue took me to watch City play Barnsley away. At first, with all the noise and all the people, I was terrified!

I can’t remember the score, or even the result but my over riding memory was the atmosphere amongst the City fans; the sense of humour and the banter. When I hurt my foot and cried, a complete stranger asked if I was OK and gave me a few chips. He then proceeded to commentate on the whole game for me. I’ll never forget that day and the baptism of fire I experienced.

What a way to start….

Victoria Greenwood — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:39:36 +0000

mr

jody nile — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:30:16 +0000

amazing day on the Kippax when City beat Forest 1 . 0 i was 7 years old i can remember it like it was yesterday
the best feling ever when Imre Varadi scored that great header the buzz from the other fans was ace i will never forget it mcfc till i die

owe it to my dad

Andy Burt — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:32:34 +0000

hey my name is Andy and i live in ipswich suffolk… i owe my dad for making me a city fan as main road was the first football ground my old man took me. city vs ipswich cant even remember the score but guessing city won lol. my dad and i were both town fans but going to maine road opened my eyes to a much bigger and much bluer world !! from that day till i die ill always be a city fan thanx the my old man ! he died in jan 08 and i so miss telling him how great my city is !!! R.I.P dad and thanx xx

Hull V City . . . Lost but adicted forever

Phil Wordsworth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:33:11 +0000

20 years ago…..On a dark cold rainy night in Hull, My first ever City game, I was 15 years old. My friend gave me an away shirt to wear, the black and red checked Philips shirt, which was my first ever football shirt. I travelled by train , Tuesday the 29th of Sept 1987 in the old second division and we lost 3-1. I was sat in an uncovered seat and got soaking wet. Why oh why after such a night and performance I was hook I do no know. I guess I always did favour the under dog, and City were down on their luck so it was just destiny. . . I wore that shirt for every sunday kick about and it was still with me for my next game, the famous 5-1 against utd so its not all bad.

Not The Best Start……….But Thing were At Lost Worse At One Point

Shaun Pickles — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:13:08 +0000

My First game was in March/April 1987, it was a game against Southampton at Maine Road, I went with my Auntie Cath and we sat in the North Stand(Block M, Row 11, Seat 7 which was the same as my future season ticket)

I can’t remember much about the game except that England legend Peter Shilton was the visitors goalkeeper, we lost the match 4-2, it was the period when a bunch of promising City youngsters were coming through including Paul Lake, David White, Paul Simpson, Andy Hinchcliffe, Ian Brightwell, Steve Redmond and Paul Mouldon, players who never reached their potential at City.

my first city game

Sarah Heaney — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:03:53 +0000

I was eight years old when my dad took me to my first game, i can’t remember who we played but i remember how taken back i was when i walked up those steps to see maine road for the first time. The atmosphere was amazing and i remember finding the chants really funny. ive learnt now that a sense of humour helps being a city fan, but i wouldnt change it for the world.