TRUE BLUE STORIES

David Brierley

I was born April 18th 1956, a few weeks earlier City had won the FA Cup beating Birmingham City 3-1. Of course that was a long time ago, ermm well 40 years in fact, so as far as I know all City's trophies were won in the first half of my life.

My early childhood was spent in an area called Reddish, but despite its name it was, as I was to learn, Solid Blue. I was a raggedy-arsed kid in those days, and I learned to live by my wits, i.e. if some of the big kids accosted you they would say, " Do you support City or United? The correct reply in these circumstances was to say " City" But ever a sucker for a good hiding, I once bought a packet of sweet cigarettes, you know those white things with a blob of red on the end, and they had these cards featuring famous football players.. Call me dyslexic if you will, but I was convinced that the bloke on the card with a red and white shirt played for ....S U N D ermmm LONDON! yes! that was it..

Haha! So once more I was accosted.
"Who do you support?"
"London" I replied proudly.
Now this answer caused some perplexion on my would be attackers...viz.
" London?"
"No such team"
" but there has to be"
"no there ain't" and as my would be attackers debated the point as to whether there was a football team from London, I departed.
Y'see You had to be smart to survive.

My footballing Career:

I cannot play football. I am totally uncoordinated, but that did not stop me from playing left back in the school team for a good few years. My game play tactics were simple. I'm Left Back.. I STAY left back. And so, as the other kids on the team chased the ball around the field like a swarm of bees, I resolutely stood my ground, only ever going towards the ball if it encroached on my patch. Basically I was a lazy twat...but it worked, it really did. Mr. Hargreaves the PE teacher would sometimes blow his whistle and say "Look at Brierley! he knows his position" I was amazed. Just by standing still and only going for the ball when it was in "My bit" I was the ace player! Not being the selfish kind I imparted this basic knowledge to my fellow Right back. Hey! it worked for him too! A good defence needs rapport. The problem was the Goalie.. I told him, " me and him are going to get the ball if it ever comes near us" The Goalie sniffed. |" I don't wanna be in goals" he whimpered Now that's true. I played in goals once..let 7 in and the rest of the team blamed me. bastards. As a tried and tested left back I decided, with my fellow right back, to cheer up the Goalie. We decided to make mud pies in the goal area. This was a bad mistake. Mr. Hargreaves spotted us, blew his whistle, and went, livid faced to our muddy playground "DO YOU THINK" he shouted, slobbering, "THAT CITY AND UNITED PLAYERS" he gasped " MAKE MUD PIES?" We sniffed abjectly. no sir. mm no. I was dropped from the team. I was made to play with the other kids, and I never ever played for the school again. That was when I was 10... fortunately for me.. it was England winners 1966, World Cup Willie nougat bars and stuff like that. England 4 W Germany 2 ... I KNEW England were going to win all along of course, and this rekindled my interest in football.

It was several years later that I actually went to a proper football match. It was a carnival atmosphere...well umm no it wasn't. The fixture was Stockport County v Torquay (0-0), Friday night is County night and all that. Despite the match being completely abysmal I was hooked...and craved more.. and soon I went to my first ever league match at Maine Road. City v Coventry. This is more like it I thought as City cruised to a 3-0 lead, the Blues looked invincible.. then it was 3-1, soon 3-2, Hang On ! Whats going on here? Anyway, Dennis Tueart popped up to score City's 4th ..ahh! everything was OK again. It was a little taster for me that you "can never tell with City"

And so I became a regular, standing on the Kippax. My favourite moments supporting City include the 76 League Cup win v Newcastle, the 10-1 v Huddersfield and the 5-1 v the Rags. Going to away matches was always an adventure, I remember in particular the 76/77 opening match of the season v Leicester ...7000 of us that day!

Up until last season( 95/96 ) I was a season ticket holder in the Umbro stand, but these days I am living in Georgia, USA, and so more than ever I appreciate the efforts of the organizers and contributors of MCIVTA.