Does the Etihad Stadium feel like "home" now?

[tasker]

I think most older fans will always see Maine rd as home. I'm not saying they're stuck in their ways or don't like change, but the sights and smells and memories from childhood are always the most vivid.

agree

 

[johnmc]

I stood on the kippax as well as sat in it and the North Stand and Maine Road

Some people might disagree but the best atmosphere I have experienced at a home game was against Hamburg. Ive also never seen the level of drama we had last year at Maine Road.

After several years of feeling new and the fans being almost segregated its certainly home now

 

[CC1]

I think most older fans will always see Maine rd as home. I'm not saying they're stuck in their ways or don't like change, but the sights and smells and memories from childhood are always the most vivid.

I felt like that until this season. The atmosphere after we beat the scum 1-0 (Vinnie our hero) and then the game against QPR, for me makes the Etihad well and truly feel like home. It kind of overtakes Maine Road because of the events over the last few years. I know this may sound like blasphemy but I have been a season ticket holder for 40 year so I am qualified to make such a comment. The club, the team and everything associated with City has moved on and I love our stadium. Maine Road was great but like all old grounds, it has had its day. I also remember many matches there with small crowds and no atmosphere - so I think sometimes we have 'selective memories' of the old lady.

 

[bert's broken neck]

I think most older fans will always see Maine rd as home. I'm not saying they're stuck in their ways or don't like change, but the sights and smells and memories from childhood are always the most vivid.

Have to agree ......

I was born in the 1950's Bradford terraced streets and alleyways that once surrounded the land where the Etihad now stands , and i know the 'soul' that the place used to have .... the area is still looking to regain that sense of 'belonging' again , after so long , but the football ground and the redevelopments are helping.

But as a kid a trip to Maine Road was magical to me , and it's gonna be long time before that feeling leaves me ......

if ever.

Just like me matey - brought up in Blackrock Street, 5 minutes walk from the Etihad today but sadly no longer standing!

Can well remember getting the 53 bus to Gt Western Street for Maine Road games and then, if I was lucky, getting back in time to watch Belle Vue Aces at the old Hyde Road Stadium (another ride on the 53!) on a Saturday night and into the Fairground for a good night out thererafter!

Happy days - but we never won f**k all (until Uncle Joe and Big Mal came along!)

Been quite a few times to the Etihad (wish I was still living in Blackrock St!) and I now see it as the new Mecca (for us diehard Blues of course!)

 

[trevorriley]

im 47, loved main road but as years went on it seemed to hold us back. the move has been part of our transformation, so when we moved i welcomed our new home.
Every year has got better and more of a home..
So yes it feels like home to me and im proud of the place, makes a cloudy rainy day bright !
Hand on heart beating the rags then the qpr game would not have been as good at main road, we showd the world what we are about and that is massive club that means business...

 

[GSW Blue]

When we moved from Maine Road my new seat at COMS was virtually in the same position and for that first season if I half closed my eyes it was like being back at MR. it's gone now though, so I suppose the Etihad is home.

 

[Skashion]

Happy days - but we never won f**k all (until Uncle Joe and Big Mal came along!)

Ironic statement considering your username.

 

[Gingers Dad]

My first maine road game was in 1960 aged 4 and i was hooked straight away despite being from salford and most of the brats supported the d ark side. As i got older i was a kippax regular one of the naughty ones i will admit and i loved it but once that old stand went to me the soul went out of the ground and in a way was glad when we moved to coms as someone sprayed on the back of the kippax FREE AT LAST. Coms has taken some getting used to but the last day has sealed it for me we wouldnt have done that if we had stayed at maine rd. Iv just moved to Cyprus so it will be 3 games a season for me now but i will look forward to every one

I first went to Maine Road in the early 70's and that version of the ground is the one I loved. The old Platt Lane before it was for away fans only and obviously the REAL Kippax.

Was glad when we left because it was a shit little stadium that I associated with losers. Etihad has been home for me since 2003. Just miss the pubs from around Maine Road. That thread about how they were all closing was very depressing even though I probably would never have gone to them again.

 

[Abbeygoo]

I also think, as time has gone on, the stadium has felt more like home as the banners have appeared, the outside of the stadium has more colour and the area is being developed.

The atmosphere has improved over the seasons and I agree with an earlier post that stated the Derby and the QPR game have now cemented our new home, at last, forever.

 

[shawgorbie]

Yes it feels like home now.Main Road died for me when they knocked the old kippax down.

+1