To be fair, most Sunderland fans have a soft spot for City too, and see a lot of similarities between the two clubs pre Arab days. Local lads (and a few lasses) supporting their local team, or their dads team who had to move 250 to find work in the 70/80s
My first away game was at Maine Road in either 81 or 82, it ended 2-2, and I loved being in the Kippax, for the relegation game in the 90s that a lot have spoken about, 4 of us had tickets in the main stand, 3 of us were well oiled after drinking at some huge pub before the game, and no bother at all.