Atmosphere Thread | 2025/26

[Sofiablu]

I can't remember how old I was, perhaps 14, I was stood on the Kippax as the teams kicked off for the second half. I couldn't work out what was going on as the stand was nearly empty, hardly anyone had come back.
It turned out that the Grand National was also on and everyone has stayed by the bars to listen to radios they'd brought with them. Once the main race was over they all returned.
Ok this was a one off but it, to me, highlights how people are looking through rose tinted specs.
According to a lot of people on here the Kippax was always rammed 10 minutes before kick off, they sang throughout the match and didn't leave until the lights were turned out.
Bollocks. The Kippax had people arriving late and leaving early it was just not as noticeable. It was also often quiet during a game as no football club had fans that sang for 90 minutes.
Seats make it look far worse but trust me, fans have always gone to the bar/bogs whilst the match is on.

Got to agree with this. I was on the Kippax from mid 70’s until it was demolished. City fans always loved a beer and often arrived late and departed early. “Missing the traffic “ was a big thing. Also the atmosphere was, as now, very mixed. Sometimes amazing but often poor. I remember the singing section at the top/middle of the Kippax but other than that there could be almost no singing in the rest of the stadium. Also, on many occasions, the Kippax had so much room, that you could move from one spot to another.
As it is now the games against the “bigger” teams came with a more intense atmosphere and obviously bigger crowds. I’m not saying things are fine now but to imagine that things were always so much better in the past just isn’t true.
To sum it up I’ve seen some incredible atmosphere’s and some shite ones on the Kippax and it mainly depended on who we were playing and what was at stake.

 

[eyalluvitt]

If they are only seeing 30 minutes of the match they should be able to buy cut price tickets.

If we could sell 30 minute tickets we would pack the place out,

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I can't remember how old I was, perhaps 14, I was stood on the Kippax as the teams kicked off for the second half. I couldn't work out what was going on as the stand was nearly empty, hardly anyone had come back.
It turned out that the Grand National was also on and everyone has stayed by the bars to listen to radios they'd brought with them. Once the main race was over they all returned.
Ok this was a one off but it, to me, highlights how people are looking through rose tinted specs.
According to a lot of people on here the Kippax was always rammed 10 minutes before kick off, they sang throughout the match and didn't leave until the lights were turned out.
Bollocks. The Kippax had people arriving late and leaving early it was just not as noticeable. It was also often quiet during a game as no football club had fans that sang for 90 minutes.
Seats make it look far worse but trust me, fans have always gone to the bar/bogs whilst the match is on.

I have no idea why people get a bee in their bonnet about this. The time people arrive and leave has no bearing on match day atmosphere.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Got to agree with this. I was on the Kippax from mid 70’s until it was demolished. City fans always loved a beer and often arrived late and departed early. “Missing the traffic “ was a big thing. Also the atmosphere was, as now, very mixed. Sometimes amazing but often poor. I remember the singing section at the top/middle of the Kippax but other than that there could be almost no singing in the rest of the stadium. Also, on many occasions, the Kippax had so much room, that you could move from one spot to another.
As it is now the games against the “bigger” teams came with a more intense atmosphere and obviously bigger crowds. I’m not saying things are fine now but to imagine that things were always so much better in the past just isn’t true.
To sum it up I’ve seen some incredible atmosphere’s and some shite ones on the Kippax and it mainly depended on who we were playing and what was at stake.

Like you say, it’s generally the big games, in which we do well, where the atmosphere is best and there’s been far, far more of them in the 22 years at the Etihad than in the 22 years that preceded them at Maine Road.

In those 22 years at Maine Road there were two FA Cup Quarter Finals (1981 and 1988) one League Cup semi final (1981) three Derby wins (1981, 1989 and 2002) about four end of season promotion ‘deciders’ (1985, 1989, 1999 and 2000) assuming the Bournemouth, Wigan and Birmingham games count as such (and one of those ended in disappointment).

No European games at Maine Road in that period.

During that period we beat Liverpool and Arsenal three times each at Maine Road.

Overall that’s easily less than a game a season.

Of course there were other games where for various reasons the atmosphere was great: Villa in 1986, Palace in 1987, Leeds in 1992 (twice), Villa in 1995, Norwich in 2002 and our last game at Maine Road immediately spring to mind - but big games where we won, which made for an incredible atmosphere, given the timescale involved, were not actually that frequent.

Compare that to the big games we’ve won at the Etihad, where the atmosphere has couldn’t be anything less than incredible, then it’s simply no contest. If I was going to guess, it’s at least three a season in average. Even before the takeover we had as many Derby wins in five years at COMS as we did in the previous 22 at Maine Road. Since we’ve moved to our current home we’ve beaten United 11 times there!

People, understandably, sometimes look at the past through very rose tinted spectacles, because it represents their youth and a time when they had less troubles and responsibility, but the reality is that there have been far more amazing atmospheres at our current home than our previous one, as much as Maine Road was the main reason I fell in love with City (alongside Dennis Tueart!).

 

[There is a Light]

Like you say, it’s generally the big games, in which we do well, where the atmosphere is best and there’s been far, far more of them in the 22 years at the Etihad than in the 22 years that preceded them at Maine Road.

In those 22 years at Maine Road there were two FA Cup Quarter Finals (1981 and 1988) one League Cup semi final (1981) three Derby wins (1981, 1989 and 2002) about four end of season promotion ‘deciders’ (1985, 1989, 1999 and 2000) assuming the Bournemouth, Wigan and Birmingham games count as such.

No European games at Maine Road in that period.

During that period we beat Liverpool and Arsenal three times each at Maine Road.

Overall that’s easily less than a game a season.

Of course there were other games where for various reasons the atmosphere was great: Villa in 1986, Palace in 1987, Leeds in 1992 (twice), Villa in 1996, Norwich in 2002 and our last game at Maine Road immediately spring to mind - but big games where we won, which made for an incredible atmosphere, given the timescale involved, were not actually that frequent.

Compare that to the big games we’ve won at the Etihad, where the atmosphere has couldn’t be anything less than incredible, then it’s simply no contest. If I was going to guess, it’s at least three a season in average. Even before the takeover we had as many Derby wins in five years at COMS as we did in the previous 22 at Maine Road. Since we’ve moved to our current home we’ve beaten United 11 times there!

People, understandably, sometimes look at the past through very rose tinted spectacles, because it represent their youth and a time when they had less troubles and responsibility, but the reality is that there have been far more amazing atmospheres at our current home than our previous one, as much as Maine Road was the main reason I fell in love with City (alongside Dennis Tueart!).

Makes absolutely no difference to your overall point, but we had the QF in 93 as well.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Makes absolutely no difference to your overall point, but we had the QF in 93 as well.

That’s completely correct, and it was mayhem when Sheron scored tbf. I think I have partially erased that game from my memory!

I expect there will be one or two others I’ve missed as well.

 

[johnnytapia]

It's on It's arse mate, it's everywhere in the prem shit sanitised atmospheres. I will attend the odd champs league game still but that's it. I wonder how many still enjoy the matchday experience nowadays, must be the minority

I absolutely fucking love going to the match and everything before (boozing with mates) and after (boozing with mates). It’s the best thing bar none.

 

[1964]

Like you say, it’s generally the big games, in which we do well, where the atmosphere is best and there’s been far, far more of them in the 22 years at the Etihad than in the 22 years that preceded them at Maine Road.

In those 22 years at Maine Road there were two FA Cup Quarter Finals (1981 and 1988) one League Cup semi final (1981) three Derby wins (1981, 1989 and 2002) about four end of season promotion ‘deciders’ (1985, 1989, 1999 and 2000) assuming the Bournemouth, Wigan and Birmingham games count as such (and one of those ended in disappointment).

No European games at Maine Road in that period.

During that period we beat Liverpool and Arsenal three times each at Maine Road.

Overall that’s easily less than a game a season.

Of course there were other games where for various reasons the atmosphere was great: Villa in 1986, Palace in 1987, Leeds in 1992 (twice), Villa in 1995, Norwich in 2002 and our last game at Maine Road immediately spring to mind - but big games where we won, which made for an incredible atmosphere, given the timescale involved, were not actually that frequent.

Compare that to the big games we’ve won at the Etihad, where the atmosphere has couldn’t be anything less than incredible, then it’s simply no contest. If I was going to guess, it’s at least three a season in average. Even before the takeover we had as many Derby wins in five years at COMS as we did in the previous 22 at Maine Road. Since we’ve moved to our current home we’ve beaten United 11 times there!

People, understandably, sometimes look at the past through very rose tinted spectacles, because it represents their youth and a time when they had less troubles and responsibility, but the reality is that there have been far more amazing atmospheres at our current home than our previous one, as much as Maine Road was the main reason I fell in love with City (alongside Dennis Tueart!).

 

[Gray]

Atmosphere is what it is, never going to be brilliant unless we play one of the hated half dozen.

 

[GOULDYBOBS]

It would help if you didn't have to wait half an hour for a pint because some pretentious wanker is ordering a skinny latte. Should have more beer only bars.

Personally I'm going to try and get down to the ground earlier in future and have a drink near the iron wall. I like the dj bit and like a boogy but it's not good for building atmosphere

 

[East Level 2]

No that was my point.

From 119 the first thing we heard was the "response" but nobody heard the accusation.

Not saying it didn't happen, but for the nest five minutes we heard all the usual chants and then a chant about Mags being murderers

Could hear it quite clearly in the north east corner.

 

[uwerosler28]

I absolutely fucking love going to the match and everything before (boozing with mates) and after (boozing with mates). It’s the best thing bar none.

Seems like you like getting pissed with mates , not going to a match.

 

[Brendan110_0]

I have no idea why people get a bee in their bonnet about this. The time people arrive and leave has no bearing on match day atmosphere.

It absolutely does.

 

[Pezzer2]

Block 111 or 011 now has been the worst I’ve known it for atmosphere since moving there . All the singers we use to see are leaving season by season . Was singing the Niall Quinn Disco pants song and no one near me had a clue what it was .

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I absolutely fucking love going to the match and everything before (boozing with mates) and after (boozing with mates). It’s the best thing bar none.

Me too mate. Had a fucking brilliant time yesterday.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

It would help if you didn't have to wait half an hour for a pint because some pretentious wanker is ordering a skinny latte.

@Rammy Blue I think he’s talking about you!

 

[give it to gordon]

Atmosphere would be greatly improved if either a) City hadn't spent the last 10 years systematically pricing out normal people b) the club got to grips with the queues at half-time so people didn't feel the need to rush off at 40 min and beat everyone to the front c) City fans could go a couple of hours without getting on the beers.

It's getting pretty sad. It takes 5-10 mins for the ground to fill up after kick-off because they're all having a pint, half the ground goes to the concourse on 40 mins because they all want a pint, it takes until 50 mins for the ground to fill up again because they're all having a pint, then from 80 mins the singing bit starts to trickle away because they all want a pint at the Townley/Mary D's.

If you can't watch football without having 2-3 pints in the space of 90 mins just watch it at home or in the pub imo.

On your last paragraph, dont the club have lots of pints already pulled and waiting ?
I never use the bars at half time so dont know

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Got to agree with this. I was on the Kippax from mid 70’s until it was demolished. City fans always loved a beer and often arrived late and departed early. “Missing the traffic “ was a big thing. Also the atmosphere was, as now, very mixed. Sometimes amazing but often poor. I remember the singing section at the top/middle of the Kippax but other than that there could be almost no singing in the rest of the stadium. Also, on many occasions, the Kippax had so much room, that you could move from one spot to another.
As it is now the games against the “bigger” teams came with a more intense atmosphere and obviously bigger crowds. I’m not saying things are fine now but to imagine that things were always so much better in the past just isn’t true.
To sum it up I’ve seen some incredible atmosphere’s and some shite ones on the Kippax and it mainly depended on who we were playing and what was at stake.

Spot on. The Main Stand was always half empty by the end of the match. Everyone was in a rush to get to the pub. This has always been the culture of City fans as was arriving late. And nobody gave a shit about it.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Like you say, it’s generally the big games, in which we do well, where the atmosphere is best and there’s been far, far more of them in the 22 years at the Etihad than in the 22 years that preceded them at Maine Road.

In those 22 years at Maine Road there were two FA Cup Quarter Finals (1981 and 1988) one League Cup semi final (1981) three Derby wins (1981, 1989 and 2002) about four end of season promotion ‘deciders’ (1985, 1989, 1999 and 2000) assuming the Bournemouth, Wigan and Birmingham games count as such (and one of those ended in disappointment).

No European games at Maine Road in that period.

During that period we beat Liverpool and Arsenal three times each at Maine Road.

Overall that’s easily less than a game a season.

Of course there were other games where for various reasons the atmosphere was great: Villa in 1986, Palace in 1987, Leeds in 1992 (twice), Villa in 1995, Norwich in 2002 and our last game at Maine Road immediately spring to mind - but big games where we won, which made for an incredible atmosphere, given the timescale involved, were not actually that frequent.

Compare that to the big games we’ve won at the Etihad, where the atmosphere has couldn’t be anything less than incredible, then it’s simply no contest. If I was going to guess, it’s at least three a season in average. Even before the takeover we had as many Derby wins in five years at COMS as we did in the previous 22 at Maine Road. Since we’ve moved to our current home we’ve beaten United 11 times there!

People, understandably, sometimes look at the past through very rose tinted spectacles, because it represents their youth and a time when they had less troubles and responsibility, but the reality is that there have been far more amazing atmospheres at our current home than our previous one, as much as Maine Road was the main reason I fell in love with City (alongside Dennis Tueart!).

A lot of people cleared off at the end of that last match at Maine Road rather than hang around for Doves. It was a dire defeat to Southampton and a typical City moment. We were in the Osborne before the band came on. And it was packed.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Spot on. The Main Stand was always half empty by the end of the match. Everyone was in a rush to get to the pub. This has always been the culture of City fans as was arriving late. And nobody gave a shit about it.

I remember when I first went to Maine Road in the 1970s, in the days before pubs being (lawfully) open in the afternoon (1988) seeing loads of blokes drinking in the Main Stand bars while the game was going on because the pubs were shut! They actually went to the game so they could carry on drinking!

Another fucking world.