I was about 5 when my dad first took me and my satchel full of chicken paste sandwiches to Maine Road to watch Manchester City play against a European team (no idea who or why the game was being played). Apart from a brief dalliance with Man U's youth team when I was 14 (forgive me Blues, my friend took me!) I've been hooked ever since.
I was lucky enough to watch them in their prime - Bell, Lee and Summerbee, the imperious Mike Doyle (the master of the sliding tackle), and the gone, but never forgotten, Neil Young, scorer of 'that goal' in the 1969 Cup Final.
My dad and I went to Wembley 4 times: 2 League Cup wins & a loss, and the 1981 FA Cup Final drawn game. We were North Stand season ticket holders, never missed home games & it became a tie that bound me to returning regularly to Manchester after I'd moved to Leeds.
As he got older, my dad lost interest in live games but I managed to get him to one final game with my own daughter. Three generations together watching our beloved Blues beat Nottingham Forest, a memory I shall cherish forever. He never went to watch City again.
Now Erin shares my passion with me. She was a mascot in the final game at Maine Road. We're season ticket holders at the Etihad and travel to as many away games as we can. The last few years have been a roller coaster ride, culminating of course with the FA Cup win in 2011 and that 'Aguerooooo' moment the following season. There's no space here for the most recent memories apart from to say they've been shared not just with Erin, but with new friends. Even greater ties now bind me to the club I've supported so long. Thanks dad, for taking me to watch Manchester City all those years ago!
Pat Rose
Memory added on July 17, 2013
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