I first met Pete in the eighties when i lived in Kent and we used to do the group travel from London with the supporters club. He said he'd never had any bother anywhere, even Millwall and he dressed like that back then. For night games he often stays in a B+B in Blackpool as its cheaper than Manchester. How's that for dedication?
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Pete The Badge Q&A
- Thread starter City_Shirts
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I first met Pete in the eighties when i lived in Kent and we used to do the group travel from London with the supporters club. He said he'd never had any bother anywhere, even Millwall and he dressed like that back then. For night games he often stays in a B+B in Blackpool as its cheaper than Manchester. How's that for dedication?
Great city character. Have city ever done a CityTV episode on him ? Think it would be great
I have just nominated him on the Cityzens asking for ‘fan of the month’ and a story.
bobbymimms
Well-Known Member
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- 28 Feb 2012
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- mcfc ok
ian cheeseman had a little chat with him . But his language was a bit aloof
jimharri
Moderator
Who, Pete or Cheesy?ian cheeseman had a little chat with him . But his language was a bit aloof
bobbymimms
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2012
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- Team supported
- mcfc ok
pete
City_Shirts
Well-Known Member
MCMWS page caught up with City fan legend Pete Berry this afternoon or as a lot fans will know him as Pete the Badge, City Man and City Pete.
1. MCMWS: Afternoon Pete, How you keeping during this difficult period for us all ?
PB: I’m OK thanks and just recently gotten over a cold, I’m missing the football as I’m sure everybody is, I think they will have to eventually null and void the season at some stage, I certainly don’t agree with playing matches behind closed doors as football is for the fans and is nothing without its supporters.
2. MCMWS: Tell us a little bit about when you discovered your love for City ?
PB: I was about 9 or 10 when I went to my first City match in 1955 at Wembley for the FA Cup Final between City and Newcastle but it wasn’t until the following season when I went to the 56 Final that I really started to support City, which was of course the Trautmann final when Bert broke his neck.
3. MCMWS: Was you living in the London area at the time of the finals or did you travel for these games ?
PB: No I was living in East London at the time although I’m originally from the Blackpool area, Bridlington, we moved when I very young but I’ve since lived all over the UK but settled in Leighton Buzzard for a while now which as you know is just outside of Milton Keynes where I will most likely see out my days as I’m 76 now, I still enjoying it as much as ever so will continue to do so as long as my legs will allow me.
4. MCMWS: Earliest childhood football memory ?
PB: Apart from the Wembley finals with City it would be sneaking in under the turnstiles at West Ham as I loved watching their team of mid 1960’s as they played such good football which of course I see on regular weekend with City now.
5. MCMWS: Do you have an idea of how many City games you have attended ?
PB: No idea as will be in its 1000’s for sure and I’ve also no idea what I must have spent.
6. MCMWS: Which City fixture springs to mind or jump’s out as a memory when you look back ?
PB: We were playing Wolves in the League Cup, I think it was a night game and were losing 3-1 but hit back, Franny Lee scored the winner with a penalty to win 4-3 and Maine Road erupted with the noise.
7. MCMWS: As fan who’s been watching City for almost 65 years do you have season that you always remember or standout games ?
PB: My first visit to Maine Road was around 1956 or 57 and we lost to Aston Villa. I’ve been attending regularly since the 63-64 season. I remember us beating Burnley at home 7-0 around 1968, we had a goal disallowed and Franny Lee, who was a great player missed a penalty. I travelled from Accrington on the coach that had quite a few unhappy Burnley fans on it also, I used to travel from Accrington for a few years. There are so many games and special moments.
8. MCMWS: Do you have a match day routine you like to use ?
PB: Well I used to travel on the football specials until they decided that they should arrive an hour before the kick off which is no good for me, I like to get to the ground very early even on a home fixture so I can get something to eat and visit the souvenir shop where most fellow fans will say hello to me.
9. MCMWS: We’ve known each other since the late 80’s, still see each other on a match day and occasionally travel together to games when you are often approached by fellow Blues wanting to chat or ask for a picture which you always oblige to, Is there times when you have ever received any trouble from fellow fans ?
PB: No not really and I’m happy to pose for pictures, stop for a chat which will happily help pass the journey, more often than not everyone is friendly. I had trouble at Middlesbrough in 70’s when I was attack by a Boro Muppet with an axe but my army training kicked in, took it off him and duly turned it on him and I was arrested for it !! I enjoy meeting fans although my appearance is eccentric I’m really quite shy.
10. MCMWS: You’ve seen football change over the decades in particular stadiums, what are your thoughts on today’s grounds ?
PB: I really struggled when they first went to all seater stadiums as it just didn’t feel right sat down at a football match although these days I have to sit down as the legs are going a bit which is quite common for ex-paratroopers like myself. I refused to go to West Ham’s new stadium the first season they were there as I was just so disappointed they had to move, I have a lot of friends from the area from when I lived there and I know for a fact they didn’t want the move but as with everything else in modern day football it’s all about money.
11. MCMWS: What were your thoughts when we were taken over in 2008 ?
PB: I welcomed the new owners for sure and least we won’t be in another relegation battle for some time, football is all about money now and it upsets me with what’s happened at clubs like Bury and Bolton but it’s non-football people in charge of peoples football clubs, its wrong.
12. MCMWS: Have you heard from City during this period of isolation ?
PB: No I’ve not heard anything and waiting to hear an announcement regarding the season, I don’t have any modern day technology or even the internet at home so I’m relaying on the radio and our weekly chats for information.
FAVOURITES
All time player: Colin Bell, he could do everything, also liked Franny Lee and Mike Summerbee and would have loved them to earn the money the players do today.
Current player: Aguero for me now and also Kevin De Bruyne. Sane is another who I hope will stay.
Match: As mentioned before the Wolves in the League Cup 1971 season, we were 3-1 down but came back to win 4-3 scoring three times in six minutes, Maine Road’s atmosphere came alive, I will always remember that roar when the fourth goal went in, There will be so many others also but that sticks in my mind.
Away ground: Upton Park, I real football feel to it and good supporters like ours.
Pete, it’s been a pleasure talking to you as it always is………One final question which many fellow blues have asked me to ask you………I know the answer but what’s in the lunch box ?
PB: Hahaha people just assume it’s my lunch but I actually have a few old pictures to show and a book from my time in the paras.
Stay safe to all my fellow blues and hope to see you soon
Pete
1. MCMWS: Afternoon Pete, How you keeping during this difficult period for us all ?
PB: I’m OK thanks and just recently gotten over a cold, I’m missing the football as I’m sure everybody is, I think they will have to eventually null and void the season at some stage, I certainly don’t agree with playing matches behind closed doors as football is for the fans and is nothing without its supporters.
2. MCMWS: Tell us a little bit about when you discovered your love for City ?
PB: I was about 9 or 10 when I went to my first City match in 1955 at Wembley for the FA Cup Final between City and Newcastle but it wasn’t until the following season when I went to the 56 Final that I really started to support City, which was of course the Trautmann final when Bert broke his neck.
3. MCMWS: Was you living in the London area at the time of the finals or did you travel for these games ?
PB: No I was living in East London at the time although I’m originally from the Blackpool area, Bridlington, we moved when I very young but I’ve since lived all over the UK but settled in Leighton Buzzard for a while now which as you know is just outside of Milton Keynes where I will most likely see out my days as I’m 76 now, I still enjoying it as much as ever so will continue to do so as long as my legs will allow me.
4. MCMWS: Earliest childhood football memory ?
PB: Apart from the Wembley finals with City it would be sneaking in under the turnstiles at West Ham as I loved watching their team of mid 1960’s as they played such good football which of course I see on regular weekend with City now.
5. MCMWS: Do you have an idea of how many City games you have attended ?
PB: No idea as will be in its 1000’s for sure and I’ve also no idea what I must have spent.
6. MCMWS: Which City fixture springs to mind or jump’s out as a memory when you look back ?
PB: We were playing Wolves in the League Cup, I think it was a night game and were losing 3-1 but hit back, Franny Lee scored the winner with a penalty to win 4-3 and Maine Road erupted with the noise.
7. MCMWS: As fan who’s been watching City for almost 65 years do you have season that you always remember or standout games ?
PB: My first visit to Maine Road was around 1956 or 57 and we lost to Aston Villa. I’ve been attending regularly since the 63-64 season. I remember us beating Burnley at home 7-0 around 1968, we had a goal disallowed and Franny Lee, who was a great player missed a penalty. I travelled from Accrington on the coach that had quite a few unhappy Burnley fans on it also, I used to travel from Accrington for a few years. There are so many games and special moments.
8. MCMWS: Do you have a match day routine you like to use ?
PB: Well I used to travel on the football specials until they decided that they should arrive an hour before the kick off which is no good for me, I like to get to the ground very early even on a home fixture so I can get something to eat and visit the souvenir shop where most fellow fans will say hello to me.
9. MCMWS: We’ve known each other since the late 80’s, still see each other on a match day and occasionally travel together to games when you are often approached by fellow Blues wanting to chat or ask for a picture which you always oblige to, Is there times when you have ever received any trouble from fellow fans ?
PB: No not really and I’m happy to pose for pictures, stop for a chat which will happily help pass the journey, more often than not everyone is friendly. I had trouble at Middlesbrough in 70’s when I was attack by a Boro Muppet with an axe but my army training kicked in, took it off him and duly turned it on him and I was arrested for it !! I enjoy meeting fans although my appearance is eccentric I’m really quite shy.
10. MCMWS: You’ve seen football change over the decades in particular stadiums, what are your thoughts on today’s grounds ?
PB: I really struggled when they first went to all seater stadiums as it just didn’t feel right sat down at a football match although these days I have to sit down as the legs are going a bit which is quite common for ex-paratroopers like myself. I refused to go to West Ham’s new stadium the first season they were there as I was just so disappointed they had to move, I have a lot of friends from the area from when I lived there and I know for a fact they didn’t want the move but as with everything else in modern day football it’s all about money.
11. MCMWS: What were your thoughts when we were taken over in 2008 ?
PB: I welcomed the new owners for sure and least we won’t be in another relegation battle for some time, football is all about money now and it upsets me with what’s happened at clubs like Bury and Bolton but it’s non-football people in charge of peoples football clubs, its wrong.
12. MCMWS: Have you heard from City during this period of isolation ?
PB: No I’ve not heard anything and waiting to hear an announcement regarding the season, I don’t have any modern day technology or even the internet at home so I’m relaying on the radio and our weekly chats for information.
FAVOURITES
All time player: Colin Bell, he could do everything, also liked Franny Lee and Mike Summerbee and would have loved them to earn the money the players do today.
Current player: Aguero for me now and also Kevin De Bruyne. Sane is another who I hope will stay.
Match: As mentioned before the Wolves in the League Cup 1971 season, we were 3-1 down but came back to win 4-3 scoring three times in six minutes, Maine Road’s atmosphere came alive, I will always remember that roar when the fourth goal went in, There will be so many others also but that sticks in my mind.
Away ground: Upton Park, I real football feel to it and good supporters like ours.
Pete, it’s been a pleasure talking to you as it always is………One final question which many fellow blues have asked me to ask you………I know the answer but what’s in the lunch box ?
PB: Hahaha people just assume it’s my lunch but I actually have a few old pictures to show and a book from my time in the paras.
Stay safe to all my fellow blues and hope to see you soon
Pete
bridgeblue
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 3 Jun 2009
- Messages
- 1,151
First season I became aware of Pete was around 1976, we seemed to see him almost every away game. I remember at Palace away, the police moved in to separate fans before the game, the police tried to move all the City fans into the same area high up behind the goal. Pete all in blue wasn't having it, after around 10 minutes they decided to leave him on his own with the Palace fans. Seen him again on the platform and asked him why he didn't move in with the rest of us, crap view up there,such a shock when I heard his scottish accent. Nice bloke and one of our most loyal supportersian cheeseman had a little chat with him . But his language was a bit aloof
I caught up with legendry City fan Pete Berry this afternoon for a Q&A on his City memories. Pete's been following City home and away for 65 years and despite his eccentric match day appearance is a shy unassuming fella who's really missing his City fix at the moment.
Q&A is now live on my City match worn shirts Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manchestercitymatchshirts/
Thanks for this. Pete is a notable presence in the world of MCFC but I never knew anything about him at all until reading this. Nice to get a bit of information about him and read some of his memories.