Confessions of a Glory Hunter.

I've followed city since before I can remember, my dad was a season ticket holder from way back in the 50's. My son is a fan and once told his mate, when aged 4 (before the money), I would disown him if he supported anyone else. I've watched them through thick and thin had the mickey taken out of me many many times and I often argued with myself going through thoughts like 'why are you doing this to yourself!?'. I particularly remember this when walking back from Maine road one very wet Wednesday night in November after a terrible game in the 3rd division.

If anyone tells you they were great days, punch their lights out, they were shite, BUT they did define who we are and make these days far more treasured than most other supporters can imagine. God forbid but if the bad old days ever return I'll still be here but the teeth will be gritted and the torture will be just as bad.


CTID
 
I'd watched on tele but my old fella took me to my first game in May 1981 against Ipswich. As we walked to the ground I was so excited. Nearing the ground all I could smell was burgers and onions. As we went through the turnstiles and then made our way into the Kippax the place was packed. I can honestly say that the first time I saw the pitch I don't think I have ever seen such a green piece of grass. A copper picked me up and put me on the small white wall at the front of the Kippax. I then saw the lads come out in the silkiest bluest shirts I had ever seen. The football might not have always been brilliant but being a blue is being part of a big family, we have good times, we have bad times but no matter what, we are family. City evoke many happy and sad memories but they are like a drug, once you're hooked, you're hooked. Glory hunter or not, welcome to the blue family.
 
I remember it a bit like you Ashton (My Mum's family is from Ashton by the way).

My Dad took me and my big bro, aged 7 and 8, to our first game against United at Maine Road in 67-68. What great teams! We lost 2-1 but won the title that may. My next game was the FA Cup final in '69. That's got to make me a glory hunter if ever there was one!

But the lasting memory for me on that 'first date' was how incredibly vivid the colours were. The pitch was so green! It was September if I remember correctly so there was still grass, even in the goalmouth. We still had a black and white TV at home, so I'd never seen a game in colour, as such. United's red is of course eye catching, but the sea of Sky Blue was just incredible ... glorious!

Maybe it's the link with nature, or the fact that we rarely saw that colour in the Manchester sky! Anyway, though it was probably already in my DNA, from that first game I was a glory hunting blue, still am and always will be.
 
I welcome all new fans, wherever they are from and for whatever reason they choose City. The more the merrier, I just hope for your sake you don't have to go through what the rest of us have!
After 48 years it's a bit strange looking back, definitely more downs than ups, but as many others have mentioned, the humour and resilience of City fans has always shone through.

There used to be a "funniest thing heard at the match" thread somewhere on here, the one which summed up the lean years for me was this: Literally about 10 seconds after kick off, a voice from the back of the stand yells out "come on City, this is fucking shit" So typical, had me in absolute stitches.

The only times that were really hard to deal with for me were the relegations, I mean the actual days that we were relegated, not so much the seasons out of the top flight (if that makes any sense?).
In a strange but different way it's just as hard now, there is so much pressure to win every match and so much disappointment when we lose, I had no idea it was so tough at the top. It can only be a good thing to see such fantastic players wearing our shirt though, welcome aboard all you so-called glory hunters, and come on you blues.
 
the talisman said:
I welcome all new fans, wherever they are from and for whatever reason they choose City. The more the merrier, I just hope for your sake you don't have to go through what the rest of us have!
After 48 years it's a bit strange looking back, definitely more downs than ups, but as many others have mentioned, the humour and resilience of City fans has always shone through.

There used to be a "funniest thing heard at the match" thread somewhere on here, the one which summed up the lean years for me was this: Literally about 10 seconds after kick off, a voice from the back of the stand yells out "come on City, this is fucking shit" So typical, had me in absolute stitches.

The only times that were really hard to deal with for me were the relegations, I mean the actual days that we were relegated, not so much the seasons out of the top flight (if that makes any sense?).
In a strange but different way it's just as hard now, there is so much pressure to win every match and so much disappointment when we lose, I had no idea it was so tough at the top. It can only be a good thing to see such fantastic players wearing our shirt though, welcome aboard all you so-called glory hunters, and come on you blues.
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I love this!

There have been some great posts on this thread.
 
CaliforniaBlue said:
Blue Mist said:
CaliforniaBlue said:
Slightly off topic, but can everyone get over this 'soccer' phobia. As has been mentioned on here by several posters, 'soccer' is an English term used to differentiate association football from rugby football. It's been around since the beginning and was used quite frequently and interchangeably with 'football' until fairly recently (possibly since the English started watching American football in the 1980s). My dad frequently called it soccer throughout my childhood in Ashton, where he was born and raised and from where he'd been going to City games since the 1950s, and from where his dad had been going since long before that (including the 84,000 game against Stoke, where there were probably tons of people calling it soccer). It may have more recently become associated with America, but (a) they didn't start it, and (b) so f**king what?
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Slightly on topic, Listen California, one thing that separates us from the rest of the (insert any swear word you like) is our humour.
We will take the piss out of anyone, we are self depreciating, we are (insert any swear word you like) I mentioned soccer to wind you southern red necks up as I will mention the fact that you joined the war(s) only when you knew we had won it. I welcome you on board this mad house as I welcome the OP but if you stay on board lean our humour. We have a go at our own never mind our enemies !
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To be honest, it wasn't your post in particular that bothered me, it just reminded me of all the other times I've heard the same comment. If it was always just a joke, and everyone knows the history of the word, then I guess I really don't get the humour of City fans. Were Biily and DD joking about not liking Mancini as well?
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I can't speak for them and only a brave man or someone with a suicide wish would ask them directly. As for our humour I think we make it up as we go along. Welcome on board the SS Fuckedup.

Just another note about us. There was a time, I think in the 80's where we hadn't won away for something like 18 months (historians over to you) Did that stop us going ? did it f*ck. It was a Saturday and the lads were playing. You knew we would lose but hey ho.
 
basokla said:
I know I'm new and that's what is whispered about the likes of me behind my back but I've just got to know...what was it like before 2009ish around here?

Because I've only been a follower for about 4 years now and what always drew me to this club was a sort of "acceptance" or perhaps "humility". And I'm not sure those are even the right words. And "typical City" - while charming in its own way seems to be a throw back to an era we can forget.

Anyway, the day of the FA Cup Final debacle last year I was never more proud to be a Blue. Gotta stick with your side even in defeat. Especially in defeat.

So, I'm rambling I know but I would just like a historical perspective on expectations and reaction from the past. Are we being too hard, about right or too easy on these guys?

And take it easy on my naïveté .
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I dont think we were as judgemental as we are now..
 
basokla said:
I know I'm new and that's what is whispered about the likes of me behind my back but I've just got to know...what was it like before 2009ish around here?

Because I've only been a follower for about 4 years now and what always drew me to this club was a sort of "acceptance" or perhaps "humility". And I'm not sure those are even the right words. And "typical City" - while charming in its own way seems to be a throw back to an era we can forget.

Anyway, the day of the FA Cup Final debacle last year I was never more proud to be a Blue. Gotta stick with your side even in defeat. Especially in defeat.

So, I'm rambling I know but I would just like a historical perspective on expectations and reaction from the past. Are we being too hard, about right or too easy on these guys?

And take it easy on my naïveté .
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CITYSTORIES

Here you go Blue, Click on the above link and enjoy.
 
One final thanks for all the responses. And the links.

And I'll leave this thread with a pic of my best friend Robin - she's a bit of a glory hunter too. ;)

Robin_zpse1ac185e.jpg
 
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