I'm 16, and I've been a blue from birth. Had a season ticket since I was 4, and at that age all I did was colour in on a colouring book. But as I got older, before the game started I used to go to where to tunnel was at Maine Road and ask for autographs, I always remember when Anelka threw his bobby hat out into a few of us that were there, but this girl (must have been a lezzer, proper butch etc) pushed me as I was about to catch it.
Then the day I will never forget, when it was the last day at Maine Road, there was a competition in the MEN, where 20 kids would be the mascot with each player, other than the captains of each team. You had to get to the ground early and they would pick 20 random kids. At that time, me and my cousin went with my grandad, mum, sister and aunty. So on that morning my mum made a banner that said '3 generations here today' she made us stand on the dining room chairs and practise holding up this big cardboard sign up. We got to the ground before the turnstiles even opened! So we were the first ones in, we stood on our seats and held this banner up, the time past and there was no sign of being picked; until, up pops this lad (20ish) in a full city tracksuit. He took us into this room and gave us a Main Road t shirt, City shorts and Socks. We then went into the players lounged and lined up in order, in 2 lines, me and my cousin were towards the back, in different lines. Then we made our way down the tunnel, where the players walked down and stood next to you, at first, Foe (RIP) stood next to me, I said to him: "You are in my fantasy football team" He replied with a massive smile on his face "Thats Great!" Even now I can hear him say it. Anyway some more players walked down and I was paired with Anelka, who at the time was in my books, second to the Goat and my cousin was paired with Beatie. We walked on to the pitch and I waved towards the North stand where the rest of my family were sat, we lined up, shook the likes of Mrs Mercer and Co's hand- I had no clue who they we're at the time and walked off high 5'ing keegan on the way back into the tunnel. You can see me on the dvd waving to the north stand, a proper close up as well, they used to show it on the coms tour.
At the time, I didn't realise how lucky I was, but now, every time I think about the time in the tunnel when I spoke to Foe, how I took part in history, on the last day of Main Road.
Now I sit in the North Stand Level 2, with my Mum, Dad, Sister, Grandad and best mate. However, when there's a cup game, I relocate to the south stand. I also go to as many away games as I can financially afford. Also going to try and get to my first European game this season.
For me, I couldn't care less if City had the money, I'd still follow them. Once a Blue, Always a Blue!
