Maine Road: "Absence"

[urmston]

I don't really miss Maine Road even though that's where I watched City for over 35 years.

Once the all seater rules came in it was never the same for me and if I have to sit down I'd rather do it in a nice new stadium.

 

[Oystercatcher28]

To my dismay, I spotted a gang on every corner. It did not feel safe.

The smell of local plants being smoked filled the air. Music blasted from numerous car radios with topics my Grandparents would dislike. Kids ran by smashing sticks against walls. The pavements looked littered and dirty. Wait a minute, an Arsenal shirt here, a Chelsea shirt there, even a house displaying a Spurs flag. Am I in London?

So it's just like it always was then ;)

The other teams shirts / flags etc isn't London - just living in a student area / or foreigners new to the area who supported said clubs before they moved.

When we left Maine Road, I was about 20, I'd barely lived outside of Manchester by then (I went Aberystwyth, reknowned for scouse fans) and rarely experienced many fans other than fellow Blues, County, Oldham, Bury or Rochdale in Levenshulme. I never really noticed many fans from outside Manc until then

 

[kippaxkid74]

I've a photo of me from 2004 in the middle of demolition sat where the centre spot used to be wearing my city shirt! The about to be knocked down platt lane stand is behind me.
The security guy there on a saturday just let me in for a wander round! Health and safety would not have been pleased ;)
I also had a run round on the pitch (on my own, with imaginary ball!) in June 2003 when Mike on the front desk let me in, there were no more of the fans charity matches left to play so they said i could go on, brilliant day, but sad too. The last day of June 2003 was the final day Maine Road was owned by city, i went then too(i sound little obsessed!). GUTTED the auction day was when i was on holiday, but I also used to go often during demolition, got a ton of the place in my shed thanks to the gateman for the demolition team (the looks i got carrying a round window from the main stand extention home on the bus ;)

 

[bluevengence]

I don't really miss Maine Road even though that's where I watched City for over 35 years.

Once the all seater rules came in it was never the same for me and if I have to sit down I'd rather do it in a nice new stadium.

For me it was`nt just about the stadium(even though i loved the old girl)
it was as much about the pubs and chippys around there at the time..the ones around the Ethiad just dont seem the same

 

[TGR]

I don't really miss Maine Road even though that's where I watched City for over 35 years.

Once the all seater rules came in it was never the same for me and if I have to sit down I'd rather do it in a nice new stadium.

For me it was`nt just about the stadium(even though i loved the old girl)
it was as much about the pubs and chippys around there at the time..the ones around the Ethiad just dont seem the same

The original 'City Chippy' was brilliant - proper fish & chips!
Even though 'meat & potato pie, chips in a tray with gravy' was always my pre match meal!

 

[bennyblue]

Many great and shite memories of the place but so have we all being blue, for me though beating the rags in the final derby at the old place after years of us taking plenty of hidings was the long lasting memory for me, i dont think i ever walked out the place as happy as i did that day or to be surrounded by as many happy faces either, been that way a few times since, still feel the goosebumps from memory, but yeah it is a right shithole round there now and etihad really does feel like home a stadium to feel proud about, long live the sheikh eh

 

[mancityvstoke]

yeah I really miss dogshit alley

 

[hateutd]

Still Manchester City F.C. but never again in Maine road.... :( Nothing is the same!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBNi2dxqKus[/youtube]

 

[Skashion]

I don't want to go back. Too painful. Not many grounds out there had more character.

 

[Skashion]

I've a photo of me from 2004 in the middle of demolition sat where the centre spot used to be wearing my city shirt! The about to be knocked down platt lane stand is behind me.
The security guy there on a saturday just let me in for a wander round! Health and safety would not have been pleased ;)
I also had a run round on the pitch (on my own, with imaginary ball!) in June 2003 when Mike on the front desk let me in, there were no more of the fans charity matches left to play so they said i could go on, brilliant day, but sad too. The last day of June 2003 was the final day Maine Road was owned by city, i went then too(i sound little obsessed!). GUTTED the auction day was when i was on holiday, but I also used to go often during demolition, got a ton of the place in my shed thanks to the gateman for the demolition team (the looks i got carrying a round window from the main stand extention home on the bus ;)

Fair play to you man.