As a City fan the games that stand out will be the same as many others on here, so to be different my memory I want to share is of one of my favourite players.
I first started attending games in 1976 together with my Dad, Brother and Cousin. We would sit on the purple bench seats of the Platt Lane Stand just behind the goal. I didn't have a season ticket, so for the 4 of us to be together we would have to squeeze up tight so as we only filled 3 of the neatly painted lines that defined your space, it was a good job I was only small at the time.
Big Joe Corrigan fast became my favourite player. He was a true gent and a devoted blue, often giving up his Sunday mornings to attend Junior Blues meetings. Many old enough will remember his many rituals. In the first half we would normally defend the North Stand end and just before the game started Joe would go behind his goal to collect a lucky heather off Helen, a larger than life lady who would sit behind the goal ringing a large bell. In the week she sold flowers outside the local hospital. If we lost the toss and the opposition chose to change ends, this would seriously affect Joe's routine. He would set up his goal at the Platt Lane end and then send a bemused looking ball boy the full length of the pitch to collect the Heather.
Another ritual he had was a refusal to watch penalties, the ones awarded to us obviously. As the ball was placed on the spot he would walk out to the 6 yard line, turn around and then squat down facing the fans. It became a game of ours to try and make him think the penalty had been taken by holding our heads in our hands and booing to see if we could get him to turn round and look early. I think it worked just the once.
I met up with Joe again recently and he is still a massive blue and top guy.
Mark Barber
Mark Barber is secretary of the Manchester City Disabled Supporters Association www.mcdsa.co.uk If you know of any city fans who are disabled including those affected by dementia, please encourage them to attend our meetings as meeting with ex players and taking about games from years gone by helps bring a smile to an often difficult life
Follow Mark on Twitter @sweenyuk
Memory added on April 6, 2013
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