TRUE BLUE STORIES

Tim Morgan

Years ago growing up in Manchester I cannot remember making a conscious decision to become a City fan, although my bike was blue, and my sisters had red bikes, so it seemed natural to join the faith, although at that age I had no idea what effect this would have on my life. I always thought of red as a girls colour and the Rags as girls blouses.

I can remember being depressed for wks. after the defeat at Wembley by Wolves in the League Cup in the early 70's. I remember though going to Maine Road through the mid / late 70's and becoming totally transfixed by the teams, the 76 final against Newcastle, the "almost" league titles, Mick Channon for some reason always used to fall over, 300,000 transfer fee seems nothing now but his signing was to have brought the title to Maine Road. I remember whenever Channon was interviewed on Granada Reports or Kick Off having to ask my Mum to interpret. Later in life I moved to Hampshire and it then all became crystal clear. I seem to remember though horses always came into the conversation, perhaps Channon secretly eloped with Shergar and they are living happily together in Newmarket.

My brother then came into the act and started following City with me, we were on the train coming back from Nottingham in the early 80's when several windows were shot out. To this day my brother Chris swears John Wayne rode by on horse back with a Notts. County scarf in one hand and a air gun in the other followed by Channon riding Shergar, which he promptly fell off.

There are far too many memories to put into words some good others bad, but every Saturday whereever or whatever I am doing I think of City.

No other team in English football over the yrs. has promised so much and delivered so little. Shit team, Great fans sums up the whole story, and perhaps explains the kinship which still after all these yrs. burns so strongly in City fans. Once a yr. I get to a City game (this season it was the first home game) and for all of you that despair at times because of the teams performances think of life without City. Next time you are at Maine Road look around not at the ground, players or the pitch but at the fans, thats what being a Blue is all about.