I was invited to my first city match by a friend of my Dad’s. The match in question was a Saturday in September ‘88 I think, v Walsall, the match after Oldham had thumped us 4-1 at the start of what proved to be an unforgettable promotion season.

I recall vividly pulling up along one of the terraced streets behind a huge shed known simply as the ‘Kippax’. Despite the relative gloom surrounding football and City at the time, I could sense the tangible excitement drifting on a breeze of fried onions and barely edible burgers from the many independent food vans.

I recall my Dad’s mate paying about £3 for me to enter the perimeter wall and advising me on how to carefully manouver through the heavy turnstiles. Finally I was in. At last!

As I was led through the huge tunnel I can clearly remember the awesome sight of the barrelled roof over the Maine Stand, before gazing down onto the most magnificent green I had ever seen. With each descending step towards the perimieter fence, the green became brighter, the heroes warming up became larger, more recognisible, from Lake to McNabb and Moulden.

I stood holding onto the cold metal railings for the whole match, inbetween celebrating a couple of city goals in a 2-2 draw (I think).
As the whistle blew for fulltime I knew Saturdays (Sundays, Wednesdays and subsequently Monday nights) would never be the same again. I knew I had found a new home. Maine Road RIP

i was sat in the north stand with my dad and i was so nervous and it got worse when fighting broke out but when play started again city destroyed united 5-1 hinchcliffe with the best of the goals! when i got home i played football on the local field with my mates recreating all the goals even hughes goal! city til i die

I was 9 years old when I went to see my first CITY match. It was Tommy Booth’s testimonial in 1981 (cup winners of 69 verses cup finalists of 81), and my dad took me and my friend Lee Riley. I remember being at the front of the kippax sat on the wall. I just saw all these goals go in and loved every minute of it. I think it ended up 9-2, and Tommy played one half for each team. I was hooked, and I now I watch CITY with my son.

Tony Mayor

Although a blue since childhood, coming from the North East it was not until I was serving in the RAF and posted close enough did I get the chance to see my first live game.
Along with a friend and fellow blue we managed to arrived at Maine Road late for the game.
We already had tickets for the Kippax and rushed in full of excitement and expectation but being only 5′6″ in a crowd bursting at the seams I did not see much live action and had to rely on my mate Tony at 6′ to give me commentary.
We eventually lost 3-0 I saw little of the game didn’t see any of the goals but what an atmosphere!!
I have since travelled to many a game both home and away all due to that first match experience!
I now have 3 daughters all with blue blood and all with their own stories to tell!

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!

My first City was the promotion game against Charlton at the end of the 1984/85 season. Having always been a fan of football I had supported numerous clubs, glory hunting with Liverpool, following my grandad’s team, United, before finally settling down to following Altrincham around the country, home and away. My best mate, Woz, was an avid blue. He was season ticket in the Kippax and he invited me along to the Charlton game. Victory was required to ensure Billy McNeill’s side’s promotion to Division One. A full house at Maine Road roared a David Phillip’s inspired team to an easy victory and a well mannered pitch invasion. And that was it, 24 years later I’m now a long-term season ticket holder in the Family Stand with my youngest son, Thomas. I must admit the years in the lower leagues have been some of the best, winning promotions with Joe Royle and King Kev the highlights. Favourite game Blackburn away to gain promotion to the Premiership. Favourite player, Big Niall. Stick with Sparky and the kids coming through and success will finally come our way I’m sure.

my earliest memorymiled and give me th of being at Maine Road is me being sat on the wall at the front of the Kippax. i remember the players warming up and me shouting ‘hey Curly wurly!’ to Keith Kurl. when he turned around smiled and gave me thumbs up it made my day! I cant not remember if we won or lost that day i just know i was hooked and have been going to the matches ever since with my dad.
My dad says my first game was a testimonial against United. He said tthat when he went to pay me in the guy on the turnstile said ‘dont worry you can lift her over’ and the other guy said ‘they are getting younger!’

So its thanks to my dad that i support city. the good times may not come that often but when they come they are well worth the wait!!

Please note this category is not 2008..it goes way..way..past that time, before & to the end of the second World War..’The Kippax Kid’ ..thats the name my mates gave me when I lived in Kippax Street..Moss Side..during and after the war..sneaked in the one-way big turnstile at the Kippax for City & the Rags matches then every school holidays..my mates and I use to train in the Pink entry Car Park with all the Old time players..ie., Frank Swift..Bert Sproston..Joe Fagan..Georgie Smith ..Andy Black..Eric Westwood etc.,..we joined in the heading tennis sessions..and the manager chased us off ? I must hold the record for being passed down the Kippax over the Fans heads..to the wall on to the pitch..the crowds were 60 to 82,000 in those days..Alan Oakes..my old pal in the 50s to the end of his career and my career (injuries finished me for life)holds the record for playing for the 1st Team most times..I hold the record for having played on the sacred MaineRoad pitch more times than anyone else..!!..I have many stories to tell..my Family say why dont you write a book..I say a 24/7 30yr.carer does not have the time?..P.s. To all our Fans.. God Bless you All & our Team..(the Club of the Future)..!!

I had no chance on ever supporting any other club I’m named after colin bell and francis lee (first name colin, middle name lee, thank god my mum said no to colin bell lee eh!)
My first game was City V Ipswich in 1982, I dont remember to much about that game we drew 1-1 asa hartford scored for us, but my second game sticks clear in my mind even now, 1985 last game of the season. We beat Charlton 5-1. It was a really warm day and I managed to get sat on the wall at the front of the Kippax best view in the ground atmosphere and noise makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up now just thinking about it! really enjoyed the day apart from my dad making us leave with 5 minutes to go and we missed the last goal and the celebrations!! since then I’ve never left early even when were playing terrible!!!

My dad and uncle took me to my first game in May 1982 when I was 8 years old, we plyerd Coventry City, Joe Corrigan had hurt his neck and Alex Williams played in goal. Unfortunately we lost 3-1. I sat in the main stand and remember looking across at the Kippax which seemed to have a life of its own the way all the people swayed about. I thought then, that is where I want to be, and from as soon as my mum and dad would let me at about age 13 I stood on the kippax right next to the away supporters, the atmosphere was amazing, and when City scored you could end up along way from where you started as everybody jumped around, I loved it. I am now 35 and have stood or sat in the kippax (or east stand as it now is) for over 20 years and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else when City are playing.