TRUE BLUE STORIES

Paul Howe

Born in Norfolk, went to school in Suffolk and work in Cambridgeshire. So Why Blue?

I've been a City supporter for as long as I can remember and I'm not sure where it all began. Maybe it was the success of the late sixties or more likely it was because everybody else supported a certain team in red. Whatever it was doesn't matter any more; once a City supporter always a City supporter. I remember going to many away games at Ipswich and Norwich with my dad (an Ipswich supporter). In 1972, it finally happened, we made the trip to Maine Road. City versus West Ham: 4-3, a perfect day.

There have been many high points (as well as many lows!) and these include: having my autograph book passed around the City dressing room at Portman Road (Ipswich), the League Cup win in '76, receiving a signed letter from Colin Bell after he retired because of injury (thanking me for the letter I sent to him), the cup run of '81 including going to the 5th round tie at Peterborough, the semi-final at Villa Park against Ipswich (with my dad!) and the Thursday night Cup final replay.

That cup final replay - it probably typifies my relationship with City. Travelling to Wembley in excited anticipation, revelling in the atmosphere amongst thousands of City fans, going one nil down, going two one up, going three two down. That strike of Steve MacKenzie... that run of Ricky Villa both etched indelibly in my memory. That roller coaster ride that is the very essence of being True Blue City through and through. Yet through it all we love them from Bell, Summerbee and Lee to Rösler, Summerbee and Kinkladze, through highs and lows, through relegation and promotion, from defeats at Halifax and Shrewsbury to 5-1 wins over United. You just can't get away from it, supporting City is for life.