Gates were bad because we weren’t doing well. Some of our fans consider the sanitised, segregated matches with massive police presences nowadays intimidating and threatening FFS.
My time was before then, being an oldie . Early 1970s, single and enough money and freedom to go home and away without any problem. 1970/1971 still my favourite City supporting season. We used to run our own bus, very few away fans for a lot of away games that season,despite it being the most successful season for decades, often just our bus and the official supporters coach there! and stay until midnight everywhere we went. Though in some odd way I used to get more elated or downcast by City’s performances and results as we declined and slipped down the leagues in the late 1970s and in the 1980s. Now I am less concerned as I don’t feel the same connection. Maybe that would change with a new regime. On the other hand, it might not...
There wouldn’t have been people sat down posting on message boards even if it had been possible in those days. Too busy getting behind the team whilst standing.
The absolute truth. Can’t be much of a game if so lacking in interest that people are sat posting. Or much atmosphere.
I think you miss my point, Castro. It was really just that things have changed and you can either move with them or bow out. Go all misty eyed about 'The good old days' if that's your thing, but it's gone now and it isn't coming back. It is what it is. I'm not too sure about your seemingly fond memories of those dark days of violence at football games. I was with my Dad at that game at the KC when Huddersfield fans attacked families jumped on cars, threw stones at us. All I could do was watch out for my Dad and look for where the City fans where. There weren't any colours and there were no Police. Dad was incapable of defending himself. I was just wondering how you'd cope in such a situation. Would it give you a buzz, would you have beaten up all those lads out for a fight? You're just a couple years younger than my Dad was at the time. He was really scared, his breathing quickened and he looked like he might pass out. I faced off three of the ****ers and luckily for us, they backed down. You want an atmosphere though don't you.
The Huddersfield game wasn’t back then though, it was in the modern all seater era. How would I cope in such a situation now? The answer is I don’t know. Though not so long ago a group of my age were in a pub in Southampton when some of their lot said they had better leave. One in his 60s asked why. Because you might end up in bother. With that the fans police liaison officer spouted up, you are all right lads, I am here. Who needs your help asked this lad? He asked a younger fan for his flag and hung it up from the bar and asked who was going to move it. No one moved, the Southampton lot drank up and left. As did the crestfallen liaison officer, disappointed he was of no use. The Huddersfield thing could have been avoided as the police let it happen, hoping to snare some City lads they couldn’t get after the Middlesbrough set to a few seasons previously. Which is why over 20 City fans ended up doing time but the police only managed to take 1 Huddersfield fan to court despite them having rounded them up and them not having been to the game as they were on banning orders. A stitch up. The only City fan who didn’t get jailed was because a regular poster on here interceded in his behalf and gave him a testimonial, and he wasn’t a young kid, he was a family man protecting his 12 year old daughter who they tried to set up by editing the tape and not showing the whole incident.
Of the past era's the Bob Brocklebank, Cliff Britton & Brian Horton times were special for me, the former was when I started going to watch City, Cliff Britton's time was magical and I started taking my son in the Brian Horton days. Today myself, my son and his son are still all City fans.
That was the first match I saw after going to reserves before. I was 11. I went with my dad against Everton but matches after that I went alone even if my dad went to the odd match.
Times have changed. Now I post in between working. I don't go out much. When I was in my teens I would just act crazy all the time - get home at 5 am and get to work for 8.45 am. We didnt have mobile phones or internet. Now many youngsters in their teens and 20s can't get off their phones.