Why I love Manchester City

[OB1]

My best friend once said to me many years ago: "you're not a football fan, you're a Manchester City fan". The love affair with City started with a love of football and I actually had to choose a team for myself: my father was not a supporter of any team - perhaps a good job as he was born in Salford - and I could have been red or blue but, thankfully, I chose City. Despite the fact my /dad was not much of a football fan, he would take me to games, mostly Derbies to begin with, and then in 1972, he bought two season tickets when they put seating into the North stand for my birthday. So, since 1972, I have never been without a City season ticket / card. A few years later we added one for Our Kid and we have sat together ever since (my father sadly passed in 1979). Because I have lived in the Thames Valley, going to games has meant I see my brother and mother regularly.

There are of course loads of things that I love about City, including the connection to home, and have made City part of my blood. Those of us that have been around for awhile know what a journey we have been on and I truly believe that this is a special club (but I would say that). At the bottom of it all, I think people are fundamentally tribal and this is my tribe; the only thing that comes before it is my family.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

I remember once violently ripping up my Shoot League Ladder halfway through the season after a particularly poor run of form, then moping for weeks because I couldn't get a replacement.

If you can take someone back after that, it MUST be love!

 

[GaudinoMotors]

The smell of cigar and cigarette smoke wafting in in the Main Stand.
The sound of Helen's Bell.
The advertising boards on the Kippax roof.
The fair minded appreciation of other teams.
The self deprecating gallows humour.
The cups for cock-ups.
The integrity of the fans.
The refusal to fade away.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Some of the comments here are really good even said in jest.

I always though fuck it, I'm doing what I want with football and never following the crowd.

Nothing can ever give as much pleasure and pain sometimes at the same time!!!!!

I could never imagine ever falling out of love with us. I've friends who used to come to games who 'supported' other clubs by never going who now don't come to City but they have remained blue.

 

[Thanks joe]

Born blue... Simples...!!!!

 

[shakermaker85]

My Dad is a passsionate blue. But I've never lived in Manchester. I'm from the north midlands in a town without a league club so growing up in the early 90's most of my mates at school were a mixed bag but 90% united or Liverpool. Even as a 7 year old something about those clubs went over my head. I've never wanted to follow the crowd, quite like having my own identity and I also remember feeling pretty sorry for my dad too.

I wrote a letter to city saying I was a new supporter and if i could have an autograph from the players. They sent me a programme, Signed team sheet, scarf, pin badge, an application for the junior blues and a (obviosuly mass produced) letter from Franny Lee and Brian Horton saying the squad are so pleased to have my support. It didn't matter how bad we were. The club wanted me. I know everybody says this about their club but City gets in your veins. Even at the lowest ebb.

It took a couple of years for my dad to save the money for my first match at Maine road. When you've felt like an outsider and finally arrive with your own. It's an amazing feeling. I still get that feeling at every home match now at 29.

 

[tommybooth]

Just because it was my local team.

 

[tommybooth]

I remember once violently ripping up my Shoot League Ladder halfway through the season after a particularly poor run of form, then moping for weeks because I couldn't get a replacement.

If you can take someone back after that, it MUST be love!

Takes me back. Forgot all about them.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

I remember once violently ripping up my Shoot League Ladder halfway through the season after a particularly poor run of form, then moping for weeks because I couldn't get a replacement.

If you can take someone back after that, it MUST be love!

Takes me back. Forgot all about them.

Did I say 'particularly poor run of form'? I meant 'annual... '!

 

[lazza]

I just feel like they suit me, do you know what I mean? I've never done anything the easy way, always been awkward, always supported the underdog, always been mates with the outsider like the kid no-one else liked or understood at school, always been stubborn and always tried to be different.

Well, that and my entire family were blues, so I was indoctrinated from an early age!