TRUE BLUE STORIES

Peter Astbury

I remember when I was undergoing my professional training, at one of the first lectures we had, we were asked how come we had ended up choosing this particular profession. The general answer was, well it just happened that way. We were told that thing just didn't happen but that fate led us to have the talents, gifts or attributes that lead us in a certain direction. Well I suppose God does have a sense of humour because he conspired to make me a Blue .

My father and his father before him were English and Protestant ,my mother and her side of the family were Irish and Catholic. All my father's side are City fans, all my mothers side of the family are Rags. I and my brothers were all raised as Blues. Most of our friends appeared to be in the same position, proddy Blues or catholic Rags. There were of course those who crossed boundaries but they were the idiots who supported whoever was winning, these glory hunters were ignored by both sides as the morons that they were and not being fickle I stuck to my true love.

I can't remember the first time I was taken to Maine Road but it must have been when I was old enough to stand unaided. The first memory I have of a football match was actually watching Oldham v Peterboro, as dad had taken us as one of his mates had invited him along (most probable mum wouldn't let him go without the kids, as I have subsequently discovered since I became a dad). I remember we moaned all thro the game that it wasn't city. The first game I remember at Maine Road was when I was about five, so about 1962/3. The game was so bad that our kid and I went round the back of the Kippax and played on the dirt bank (nothing changes). I have a vague memory of us getting promotion but my main memories are of the glory years of the late 60's early 70's.

I do remember that we were so poor (cue big ahhhh) that we could only afford one City shirt between my two brothers and myself and that we use to run round doing errends the morning of the match to get enough money for the game. Tuppence for the bus fare (one way, Moston to Alex Park on the 88 bus) sixpense to get in to the game and tuppence back. Big money for us in those days.

So when I was about 10 or so my heroes were Bell, Lee and Summerbee, names hand sewn into sky-blue and white hooped scarfs. The joy of those days were unbelievable. I remember the victory at Newcastle and grandstand going over live at the end of the game and me jumping around the living room. My brothers weren't there as the had gone to Ragsville to cheer on Sunderland, I of course refused to step near the place if City weren't playing. I remember listening to City winning The F.A. CUP and my younger brother and I jumping around the living room, my older brother had actually gone to the game as he was the only one able to get a ticket, wearing the family red and black striped family shirt. When he got back he was interrogated as to every aspect of the trip. I remember listening in vain to the radio trying to get the ECWC game but only getting some stupid Leeds-Chelsea irrelevant cup final replay but then hearing the news and jumping around the living room. I finally got to go to Wembley in 70 to see the W.B.A. game, got home and jumped around the living room. We finally had to move as the house had become structually unsound.

I was there in 74 and 76 as well as 81 both times. I even went to the full-members but left early and missed our glorious fightback (did any City fans actually stay to the end). I even went to Europe to see our glorious away draw at Twenty Enschede (good story about Ipswich player and the brothel on Kanal Strasse).

Believe it or not following City has not always been joyous, losing to Wolves, Tottenham, Crying as I walked away from Maine Road after the Luton game (if you ever see a bloke in a light suit and white shoes, jumping about - Punch him) as well as numerous other games Halifax away, Blackpool, have to stop. pain too much .

I have had a season ticket since I was about 14 years old and have travelled up and down the country watching my beloved Blues, wagged school and gone sick at work, Ipswich-away-midweek, been to every ground in the premiership, first and soon second division and have already bought myself and my eldest daughters season ticket for next year.

Times have changed, I'm married have two daughters (both with their own shirts, scarfs, Gio posters and various other City items). I own my own home, car, have a well-paid job , take holidays abroad. But every so often in that land between sleep and being awake in the early hours of the morning my mind drifts back to; 5-1, 10-1, Ipswich at villa park, 76, 70, Newcastle away, Kippax 62/62 AND THEN I BLOODY WAKE UP

So why Blue? well because I am and always will be even if we continue do drop faster than City keeping a lead, but fate has dictated that is the way it is.

C.I.M.G. City in my genes