Did anyone on here attend the ECWC Final in 69?

[raininspain]

I was there too (showing my age, but who cares!).

My dad worked for British Rail but he wouldn't get me a free ticket, as I was supposed to be studying for my A-levels. So, I had to hitch-hike from Oostende to Vienna.

I set off on the Saturday and was in Nuremberg on Sunday evening, after a lift with some crazy German in a BMW who must have been doing 200 kms an hour down the autobahn. After nearly getting picked up by some gay barman in Nuremberg Station cafeteria, I managed to get in with some City fans in a clapped-out van and they took me all the way to Vienna.

Two days kipping on the same stone bench at the Westbahnhof. My back is still sore!

I bought a cheap ticket for the end behind the goals, but they let me through to where the rest of the blues were, down the side. I did, however, get hold of a few programmes!

It was pouring down and everyone got drenched. As far as the game is concerned, we were pretty much in control until they got one back and we had a few scary minutes.

It was getting too easy to win things then (League, FA Cup, League Cup and now this), so we never really had much doubt about it.

On the way back, I hitch-hiked out of Vienna in the snow, got a lift to Salzburg and then decided to jump the train back to Belgium. I locked myself in the bog for the best part of the night, but was back home on Friday evening.

Happy (Wet) Days!

 

[borassic]

Lads in the picture from left to right:
1. Graham MERCER (Great surname)
2. Glyn Johnson (Hitch-Hiked)
3. John Bowles (Hitch-Hiked)
4. Ian Kendrick (Now works in one of the hospitality suites)
5. Peter Shakeshaft (Once said follow me I know the way to Villa Park and took us to Birmingham's ground instead)
6. Alan Caddick

All great lads and we went to loads of away matches along with others who just couldn't afford the trip to Vienna.

Do they still get to the games mate? What do they think of City today?

 

[pauldominic]

Thanks, that 1st pic is just awesome! I would love to have had that "City Experience" and seeing them lift a trophy!

PMSL.

There are some of us you know.

-- Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:43 pm --

Do they still get to the games mate? What do they think of City today?

Isn't that a slightly silly question ;)?

I'll always remember. There was one day when I simply had to choose a team to support.

Its a matter of the heart. I looked up on a warm sunny day and saw beautiful white cumulo nimbus with perfect sky blue.

Can anyone imagine a beautiful sunny day with red and white sky?

A recipe for mass suicide I'd say.

If any have passed on, they'll be watching in heaven with God.

 

[Vienna70]

Went with my mum (I was 10 years old)

My elder brother was upset because we could only afford for 2 to go, and as he had been to the round against Lierse with my dad, my dad said it was only fair that I went - Ha Ha, tough luck our kid!

On the journey to the ground, I couldn't get over the number of police on the route, a lot of them toting sub-machine guns - very exciting to a young lad.

When we got to the stadium, some fella tried to charge us ten Schillings to guide us to our seat - (like it was going to make a difference where we sat with only 8000 there) - but my mum told him where to go in no uncertain terms

As loads of people mentioned, it absolutely pissed down all through the match.

To me, there wasn't a great sense of drama, as we were unbeatable then (or so it seemed to a ten year old, who had seen them win the league and two cups!)

 

[Chillidog77]

Lads in the picture from left to right:
1. Graham MERCER (Great surname)
2. Glyn Johnson (Hitch-Hiked)
3. John Bowles (Hitch-Hiked)
4. Ian Kendrick (Now works in one of the hospitality suites)
5. Peter Shakeshaft (Once said follow me I know the way to Villa Park and took us to Birmingham's ground instead)
6. Alan Caddick

All great lads and we went to loads of away matches along with others who just couldn't afford the trip to Vienna.

Do they still get to the games mate? What do they think of City today?

John Bowles is the steward in our working mens club in Altrincham (Glyn Johnson is also a member there). Both, as you would expect, still love the blues with a passion. John has some utterly, utterly brilliant stories of travelling (pretty much everywhere) with City.

 

[blue 68]

Brilliant thread, special thanks to you Gray for posting those photos.

My first game, Colin Bell's testimonial, can't believe a combined Man City/Man Ure team played a mixed Liverpool / Everton team.
Can't see that sort of thing happening again anytime soon.

 

[another generation]

As regards celebratory conceptions, what was the exact date of the final?

29th April 1970

Ta muchly. That rules me out as a ECWC baby. Unless, that is, that Dad was on the piss for so long after the match that a 'special celebration' was delayed by something verging on light years.

 

[pauldominic]

Brilliant thread, special thanks to you Gray for posting those photos.

My first game, Colin Bell's testimonial, can't believe a combined Man City/Man Ure team played a mixed Liverpool / Everton team.
Can't see that sort of thing happening again anytime soon.

Yeah I cried and cried at that game.

I have to say times were different ...