Justin Hooker

Why Blue?

Until the age of 13, my family lived near Altrincham, just inside Manchester. My dad wasn’t really that much of a football fan, and when he was, he supported United. However, my grandfather was a huge City fan and had a season ticket at Maine Road for years. Hence, when he asked me and my brother if we wanted to go, we both jumped at the chance. From then on, my birthday present every year from my grandpa was a season ticket.

Well, ever since then I have followed City. However, since moving down south, due to my dad’s job change, it has been very hard to be an active supporter as my own sporting development took off. Firstly with school and club rugby, playing for Buckinghamshire at all levels to U19, and then at rowing, where I have represented Great Britian as a junior and senior international, becoming world champion in lightweight coxless fours. It was great to go for training outings on the regatta courses, wearing my City shirt in places such as Tokyo, Boston, Paris, Ghent, Duisburg, and at various other international regattas.

However, whilst I was at Nottingham Trent University, I did manage to see City against Forest, and as I used to live near the Aviary, I often saw City fans going in there for a pre-match drink. However, I was so heavily involved in rowing, and still am, it was hard to watch City other than on telly.

It is soon to become harder for me to follow City, as on the 4th July I am emigrating to Australia. I am just hoping I can get on the ‘net out there in my new job, so I can still get the info. on City from MCVITA. I also hope City can get themselves a decent manager before I go! It’s almost got to a point where I’d be happy with almost anyone, just to put me out of this torment of waiting.

Here’s hoping for a better season next season, and to England winning the Rugby World Cup!

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #98 on