TRUE BLUE STORIES

Ismael Carreras

?POR QUE AZUL? (WHY BLUE?)

I've read many fine WHY BLUES since subscribing to MCIVTA this winter. I've been a footie fan ever since I can remember, but I have no real complelling reason to be a City fan. I neither hail from Manchester, have family who were/are Blues, have had an opportunity to catch a City match, nor has City had a high profile American play for them (such as Keller). You see, I'm originally from Puerto Rico, a country whose football prowess matches that of Malta, and I have lived here in the States for most my life. So I really don't know why, of all sides, I would pick City as my favorite in all of England. (My other two favorite sides are Atletico Madrid, where I lived for four months back in 1989, and New England Revolution, the local MLS side - I live in Boston.)

I can say, however, that not only have I been to Manchester, but I have also paid a visit to Maine Road. Whenever I travel in Europe, I always make it a point to check out football grounds in the cities that I visit. I was flying home to the U.S. through Manchester during July of 1991, and had a day to spare exploring the city. I was wandering about the area near the hotel I was staying at (which if I remember correctly, was in the "Fallowfield" part of Manchester), and after a while I ended up right outside a football ground, although I didn't know which one it was. This was about mid-afternoon during the offseason, so there was no one around. It wasn't until I walked about some more that I could read a large sign from inside the stadium that read "Manchester City F.C." "Ah," I thought, "I am at Maine Road, home of the other major Manchester team."

Some of you on this list may take great offense by that last statement, but I've always been a fan of anti-glamour sports teams: I rooted AGAINST the Boston Celtics during the 1980's when they won regularly, and have ALWAYS DESPISED the Dallas Cowboys, two teams who drew/draw fans that are in the same mold of the Merchandise United supporters (fair weather, buy the merchandise, but when they start losing they're the first ones off the bandwagon). It takes more courage to be a City fan -- this is why I support Atletico over Real Madrid, and why it was natural for me to latch on to City over the Rags.

I guess, then, that my tendency to support unfancied teams, as well as the fact that I have been to Manchester and Maine Road, help explain why I AM A BLUE. I don't have the rich family history or experience that most of you have for being a City supporter, but one day, I will make it to Maine Road to cheer on the Blues with my soon-to-be-born child (June 30).

BTW: I'd like to purchase one of the City strips from the T.O.F.F.S. catalogue (which I have in front of me). I'm thinking that the 40s/50s one looks quite attractive. Any thoughts?