Maine Road or Etihad

[Kippax BB Lower]

Maine Road,

My spiritual home

 

[GBrannan]

There was something special about when you approached Main Road and suddenly it was there looming over the houses, always raised the expectations and excitement level

This for me is the difference between the two. Putting aside the walk was in Moss Side for a minute, I loved how the stadium peaked at you between the houses and how all the surrounding streets seemed crammed full of people, with the smell of chips in the air.

The Etihad is a far better stadium for sure and once the whole campus site has been done I’m sure it will have a different appeal. I do also hope they redevelop the final stand to have a bit of character to it and then subsequently re-do the roof and externals to elevate it further.

 

[Platt Lane 59]

The Ethiad is an impressive stadium (though haven't been to new Spurs ground), but the area surrounding it is like a vacuum.
Maine Road supported the local economy every fortnight, with the many pubs, chippies and curry houses in Rusholme, getting a huge boost.
Although it is often said that City have invested heavily in the Eastlands community, I feel the Ethiad and the Academy complex have been "dropped in".
Maine Road, probably due to the nearby housing and street layout, just felt a huge part of Moss Side.
I preferred Maine Road, especially the night games...

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

Maine Road 100%

 

[bugsyblue]

Maine Rd. I loved the grittiness and working class feel of the place. From pre-game pints in Moss Side to the kids asking for a pound to look after your car. There was a real vibe about that place that was certainly intoxicating to a young lad like myself.

The Etihad appropriately marks our change in fortunes. I go now for the football aesthetics. Not the crowd or the vibe.

Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change our trajectory and growth for the world but Maine Rd has a special place in my heart.

 

[dronefromsector7G]

The song says it all: We are City from Maine Road

 

[BrianW]

Loved Maine Road. It was just magic, and although it was a shit hole, it was our shit hole.

Etihad is a superb stadium, but it will never feel like home. The total lack of infrastructure around it does not help. We need little pubs, little chippies, alleys with dogshit. But no one builds like that any more - at best you will get soulless concrete and glass structures aimed at people with more brass than sense. (What they are already doing to Ancoats, in fact.)

 

[Wallaceinthecheapseats.]

Maine road all day long ,days of my youth spent there.The ethihad just a bit too sanitised for me and it's too easy for away fans .Not many took liberties at Maine road.Different times I suppose.

 

[asahartford1]

The most important thing for me is watching the game with a great view, so it's the Etihad.
We used to drink and eat in Town anyway

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I grew up opposite Maine Road, so it's also a big part of my childhood that I truly miss.

What I would say when comparing the two.

Maine Road was a total match-day experience as the majority converged on it and had their own personal rituals and hangouts.

The Etihad, however, while the scene of some incredible history, offers zero match-day experience, but the club contrives to create one with a total emphasis on monetizing each supporter who attends.

This ensures thousands stay away until they actually 'have to' make their way towards the stadium.

The Etihad is only a magnet for the actual football, which makes Maine Road a superior all-round experience for me.

It was the beating heart of a community that was happy to have City there to represent it.

The immediate surrounding area of the Etihad couldn't give a shit.