My wife, then girlfriend, was at Uni in Manchester from ‘90 – ‘93 and we together began to take an interest in Manchester City FC. When back in Norwich (my home town) in August ‘91 we decided to go to see the Blues for the first time at Carrow Road. A pretty dull 0-0 result was enlivened by the great travelling City fans and we even got to sing ‘we are top of the league!’ all be it after only 4 games of the season! We at once felt part of a very friendly and fun crowd whose enthusiasm and love for their team was infectious. By the 92-93 season Nicole was living on Thornton Road in the shadow of the Platt Lane stand and we became regulars at Maine Road and have had the Blue Bug ever since. I sometimes feel like one of the only City fan who’s NOT from Manchester, but I always feel welcome among the Blues and love that feeling of unity when amongst a City crowd. CTID!

My first City match was City vs QPR, the first ever televised ‘Monday Night Football’ and the Blues’ first home game in the new Premier League in August 1992. I was 9 years old and had managed to resist the pressures of my school friends to join the ‘dark side’ and went along to Maine Road with my dad, whose side of the family had always been big City supporters.

Of the game itself, I remember little but was completely overwhelmed by the noise and the swearing! As it was the first game of its kind, Sky Sports organised cheerleaders, fireworks and the Red Devils (who obviously didn’t go down too well) parachuting into the stadium which was suited more to the Superbowl, not a dark, damp Mancunian evening. I was balanced on top of one of the freezing cold metal barriers about half way back in the centre of the Kippax Stand. The crowd sang, swelled and moved like a single organism. My dad had to hold me tightly when David White scored City’s opening goal to prevent me falling off the barrier!

From there on in, I was hooked. – Chris

With my husband being a City fanatic, he took me to my first game against Luton Town in February 1992. We won 4-0. I remember it particularly as I was sat behind one of the supporting pillars in the Main Stand! Also, I managed to miss 2 goals when getting a cup of tea! 

I lost my husband last year but City still plays a part in my life with my son Jamie being a seasoncard holder. Up the blues!

-Sarah

I’d been pestering my dad and my sister about taking me for years, so as a birthday present we went to the opening game of the season in 1992. It was also the first game of the Premier League on Sky, so we saw all the razzamatazz – cheerleaders, fireworks, someone singing ‘Baker Street’ and army parachutists dropping into the centre circle before kick off. It was only a draw with QPR, butit was the start of a beautiful friendship.

- Karen, Sale