I have my brother to thank. He's a year older than me. My dad wasn't really into football, and my mum wasn't too fussed either, although her family were blues. When we grew up in the sixties, we loved playing football in the garden and on good days in Wythenshawe Park, near where we lived. Anyway, my brother chose United, so that automatically meant I had to choose City to be contrary to him. My younger brother, sister and my mum all followed me and chose City, and my older brother and his family remain the only United fans in the family.
I never regretted the choice. In the late sixties, early seventies, we would go to Wythenshawe Park during the school holidays to play footy and also to watch City train. Joe Corrigan was always last in the long runs, not far behind Franny Lee. Colin Bell was always near the front. Malcolm Allison used to give the orders, and we would get the autographs of all our favourite players.
I got a paper round with the Moorcroft Shops newsagent when I was old enough, and that helped me buy my first few season tickets. The best memory I have of around that time was Colin Bell's comeback. Newcastle didn't stand a chance that day. In fact no team would have spoiled that particular party. Happy days!!
