Interesting to read everyone's stories - a really great mix.
Mine probably begins when we moved to Cheadle Hulme in 1964 - we had been in Clydebank and then Alnwick before that. My Dad had no interest in football, so we caught it from the friends we made and from playing football in the street. They were mainly City fans, and the cub team played in sky blue. However, I initially started supporting Celtic - I guess because it was different, emphasised my Scottishness and they were European Champions (I can't remember that game but I do remember reading all about it from football annuals my Gran would keep for me). My first live game was at Clydebank - the big New Years day match v Dumbarton and at some point a cousin took me to Ibrox to try and convert me - it didn't work.
Despite Dad's lack of interest he decided to take me to Maine Road for my birthday treat in August 1970, we enjoyed it so much that he began taking my brothers and me to a number of home matches and soon had season tickets in the Platt Lane. I did carry on following Celtic for a while, but steadily City took priority and I now take more interest in Clydebank than Celtic.
I think, for Dad it was also a way of spending time with us and giving Mum some space. And so it became the thing we all did together and it is still the main time I meet up with my brothers. Now, our daughters are all 3rd generation City fans and whilst to outsiders that might look like glory-hunting, my daughter can point out that she was there as we dropped into the third division and knows the cost as well as the joy of following City. So glad, that Dad decided to take us to football - and decided it should be City rather than the other options around us. The minutes silence on Saturday was a time to quietly thank him once again - it's been fun.
