For those Blues that are no longer here

[Greggo]

I will be shedding a tear or two if we win it up in 328 for my dad who use to take me everywhere to watch city. He started up the Stretford branch of the junior blues some thirty years ago and made most of the kids my age blues not reds in their own back yard. CTID

 

[mancityvstoke]

Remembering: Andy Rowbotham from Offerton....died far too young and blue to the core. RIP

Mikey Williams.....RIP

Loz Woolley RIP

 

[Chuck Norris]

Ray Royle

I will be shedding a tear or two if we do it Dad!! Was blue through and through!!

Died June 2005 his last game was the Boro game (James upfront and Fowler missing the penalty to get into Europe!!) just cant imagine how excited you would have been for Sunday, will be calling to the memorial garden before the game.

 

[Alex the Blue]

I'll be thinking of my mate Patsy Smith who sadly passed away in the mid 70s. i went to Newcastle with him and many other grounds.

I'll be wearing my black & red scarf for Nelly and remembering his goal at Wembley and the 2 at St. Jame's Park.

 

[ciderjohn1]

steve langley 1960 - 2005 rip mate

 

[stuart8404]

to terry gaskill who in 1975 took me to my first city game at the age of 11 even though my dad was a red called matt busby and yes i am not taking the piss he is sir matts 2nd cousin, sadly terry died i think in the 80s at the age of 39 if it had not have been for terry i could have been a red and missing out on this sunday cheers mate hope some of your family are there at the game and i know you will be looking down with that bloody big daft grin of yours . r.i.p. mate

 

[siathers]

Sunday will be all about my Dad. He was a season ticket holder when we last won it, which was also the season I was born so I have been waiting literally my whole life (OK minus 6 months) for this. He passed away last year, thankfully after the FA Cup but I just know we wil bring the whole thing full circle as I stand at the Etihad with my 3 season-card holding kids on Sunday.

 

[carlos]

My darling Mum, Mavis, who died 2 years ago. A blue from birth and friend of Frank Swift and his family. I missed the last game at Maine Road as I was serving in Afghanistan. My Mum sent me this by email (it's my most treasured possession):

We set off early as we wanted to call at sainsburys to get some sandwiches. Whilst there I bought a half bottle of champagne ans two champagne flutes {plastic}. We already had the thermos flasks as usual so we had everything we needed for a long emotional day. We arrived at the ground a 12 noon. Gates didn't open until 1pm. We got a good parking place just opposite the Parkside. The pub was crowded outside, Chips and Gravy was doing a roaring trade and everyone, just everyone was either dressed in blue, carrying a blue flag or had a City scarf round their necks. We sat in the car watching everthing. Dad went for a couple of cans of lager and we drank them whilst watching the flags, balloons and painted faces pass by. Right then, lets go.We walked up Lloyd St to the road we always turn down. Maine Road ahead. I burst into tears. That was a good start. I asked Dad if he would get a photo of the ground from that corner, then another of the Main Entrance. Whilst I was waiting for him to come back people near me started clapping and it was Goater making his way from the Car Park to the entrance. Next thing everyone was singing "feed the Goat". and cheering him. The ground was empty when we got in as the turnstiles hadn't opened, but we had gone through disabled. It soon filled up though. Dad was busy taking photographs. I wanted one of the goalmouth in front of me from the position I had when I went with my Dad as that was where Frank Swift used to wave to me from. Another of the Gene Kelly Stand where I used to wave to you and Phlilip. Suddenly applause started from the Gene Kelly stand and George Kinkladse was making his way round to the players tunnel. What an ovation.. Then the parade of legends started The fifties first. Roy Little was the oldest ex player there Joe Fagin, Smith , Hart. Then the sixties. seventies and so on. So many players. Mike Doyle, Francis Lee Mike Summerbee . Geo Kinky said he always had a special affection for Maine Road, and we cheered him again. In fact we cheered anything and everything. Tony Book was there and his hair is as white as Dads. I didn't recognise him. Denis Law looks younger than ever. Then it was time for the teams to come out. "Maine Road will you welcome your Mamchester City team out for the last time ever here at Maine Road" !!! the place erupted Blue Moon I saw you standing alone etc. Crikey Moses Carl, there wasn"t a dry eye to be seen. The cheering went on and on and so did Blue Moon, City till I die, and all the others. Schmeicel {?} went to every player and shook their hands. The players all lined up outside the players tunnnel and Mike Summerbee escorted Mrs Mercer out to meet both teams. What a reception she got. Mike Summerbee is going to present her with Joe Mercers shirts and caps from the Trophy Room. Then out came Colin Bell. "Theres only one Colin Bell" to meet the teams. Finally out came Malcolm Alison. The place went mad. Apparently he is in an old folks home in Sale, and he suffers from depression. Lets hope the occasion lifted him a little. The teams were announced and when it came to the Captain all you could hear was FEED THE GOAT. It seemed to go on for ever. The match was nothing to write home about. When the players came back after half time, they hung back and let Goater come out on his own. Very very emotional. c/f
The second half wasnt much better than the 1st, but thats City for you. Roller Coaster. Perhaps thats why we love them. Match over. We waited for a while then the lads came out to walk a lap of honour. They were clapping us, we were clapping them. They slowly made their way round and then one more wave and they went in forever. Time the champagne came out. It did taste good. We kept the bottle out of sight in case we got told off and we had prawn sandwiches{ just to let the Reds know they aren't the only ones to eat them ! The presentation started Smeichel was first and Goater came on to the stage. Apparently he was a bit weepie. We wouldn't let him go for a long while. It was sad to see him walk slowly off the pitch for the last time. There were three bands playing the sort of music you and Philip like, you know boom boom boom. In between times Ricky Hatton came on . His match at Maine Road is off because he had to have plastic surgery on his eye. Very disappointed he said he was, but there it is. Then Paul Dickov came on and said how much he loved this place, but now that Leicester were in the Premiership he was looking forward to playing at the new stadium. Kicking a few was how he put it. Them came the fireworks, and what a great display it was. Two machines then blew out blue and white tickertape all over the ground. Everyone was still singing blue moon right to the end. Not one person went on the pitch, nothing was ruined. Everone behaved and a wonderful, nostalgic, emotional time was had by all. We left the ground very subdued. Not just us, - everyone. You could feel the sadness and see lots of tears. I crossed Maine Road, stopped on the corner. I turned to look at the stadium one last time. Goodbye Old Lady , thanks for so many happy, and sad times. Your'e looking tired now, it"s time for a well earned rest. God bless.

 

[Eggsy]

For a small moment on Sunday let us all remember those Blues we've all lost along the way. I shall pay a visit to the rememberance garden before the game and say hello to my best mates dad Tommy Smith who's ashes are scattered there. I still miss him 8 years now and tell him the ball must have bobbled whenever a Rag player was about to shoot and he'll know exactly what I mean.

For Malcolm Allison, Neil Young, Ken Barnes, Ken Branaghan (50's City player and my wifes uncle) Mike Doyle and all those others that we knew and loved Sunday is for you as much as us.

Brilliant Post, we probably all have someone in mind who would of loved to of been part of this.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

My mate from primary school, Ray Chadfield. In the early 1960's, prior to Mercer & Allison, you really were in the minority supporting City, who were attracting crowds of less than 10,000. Ray was a diehard, going to Maine Road for both first team and reserve games and was the one who virtually brainwashed me into becoming a Blue.

Alongside my Dad, I'll be thinking of Ray come 5pm on Sunday.