Oh god I did not realize how long this post ended up being. I apologize.
Not from Manchester or the UK either. Born in St. Louis, MO. Lived in Jacksonville, FL a bit. Back in STL now. Still love Manchester City.
I can easily understand why some of the more long-term fans could get upset at a fan like me who wasn't there for the bad times. I support my fair share of shit teams and understand(Jacksonville Jaguars say hello). I also give absolutely zero fucks! Here is my story, for those who are interested...
I used to hate football/soccer. I thought it was for homosexuals. This is ironic because most of my best friends in middle/high school were soccer players. I would always send them to soccersucks.net. I now see the error in my ways (slightly related, this is why I laugh when I read the majority of you on here talk shit on American football. It's ok not to like it, but most of what is said is stupid, like soccersucks.net).
I chose Manchester City as my team before I even liked football for a very simple reason. Oasis. I love the Gallaghers and always heard them talk about City. I remember telling my soccer friends in class one day that I liked City now. This was around March/April 2010. I remember one of them telling me how they were getting ready to play a big game against Tottenham to get in the Champions League. I didn't even know what the fuck the Champions League was at the time.
I have since gone to Chicago to see Beady Eye June 2011, and Noel G's HFB's in April 2012. It is funny how much City gear you see at those shows. Plenty of other people that the Gallaghers have turned onto City. Now it is the success, top players, and beautiful football, but don't underestimate their influence. Of course, if they supported Bolton, would my mutual support be as enthusiastic? Of fucking course not! But you also have to understand that you almost have to support a top 6 team overseas if you want to be able to watch them. No one's going to adopt Wigan to get to watch them on television twice a year losing to United, aside from this years surprise.
Then the World Cup happened. During the summers I usually wake up around 2PM and watch ESPN. This is right when the World Cup games happened to be airing. At first this pissed me off. I like to joke that one of the worst memories of my life is my sister's ex-boyfriend's graduation party in 2006 when the whole time we watched the USA's group game vs Italy. I didn't understand football and hated it. He was captain of our high school soccer team (and also a rag fan). I'd always tell him soccer's gay. I think looking back this contributed to my hate for soccer. You can't like soccer when you have a rag banging your sister! (he's actually a cool guy though and we do talk football through Facebook now).
Anyways I started getting into the 2010 World Cup. It was interesting. I mainly liked the passion and vuvuzelas. I didn't understand why the USA kept getting goals disallowed though.
I then played my friend in FIFA 2010 at Best Buy while dicking around there. I didn't know what the fuck I was doing, but this guy is crap at sports video games and life in general. I beat the shit out of him and that got me liking soccer because it was fun and showed me how the sport worked (before I didn't really understand throw-ins or corners for example). I went out and bought Fifa 09 used on the cheap. Fifa 11 and 12 have since been some of my most played games (only 2 achievements to go in 12!)
I kept watching some of the tournament, and remember actually being excited for the final. And what a shit final it was! But I still kept enjoying football more and more. The first City game I actually watched was the home opener 3-0 vs. Liverpool. I remember my Liverpool friends telling me City were going to get raped. LOL.
And from there it has been a very fun ride. I don't wake up to watch all the early games live. The 6 AMers can piss off, but I'll watch most of the others, at least half#2. Always DVR 'em though. I really like the 2PM weekday kick-offs however because I'm home from school by then and gives me something to do. I'll watch every Champions League/MNF and any other weeknight game from any team generally. I missed one day because I went golfing and probably missed a few others but not many.
I know the old guard here have had tough times. Sorry if you don't like me but I'm a City fan now. I've learned the history. I watch the games. Have spent over $250 at the online City store. I won't switch teams if City start playing like Liverpool.
One day I will go to England and the Etihad Stadium, wearing my City gear, and you can listen to my basic, far from Manc, midwestern accent and see my white, probably similar to Manc, hairy ass in the bathroom taking a shit after the FT whistle!
God bless you all and come on City!
tl;dr: Used to hate soccer. Oasis got me into City. Am now a good fan. Respect the long term sufferers but could care less if they don't want me liking City.
