Gavin Hodge

Why Blue?

Well, it’s all in the bag (almost).

Unfortunately I can`t claim to have been inspired by a certain City goal or a fantastic cup victory (I was 4 when we last won something).

I was born in Ashton-U-Lyne equidistant from City, the Rags and Oldham, so perm any one from three. My brother was lucky (?) to be in a class at school which was predominantly Blue hence I suppose it’s partly his fault.

My first memory of actually supporting City comes from my sixth birthday. I remember my dad coming back from town with this bag as a present. To my disgust it was a shiny plastic red thing with big white writing. With no disrespect to my dad, it looked tacky and cheap (Rags all over). My dad wasn`t really into football and thinking about it now, his mate was probably trying to turn me to the “Dark Side”. Fortunately, the “Force was Strong in this One” and I sent the bag and my Dad packing to get me a blue one. Hence I received my classy blue bag that while probably costing the same, just didn`t look as cheap and nasty as the red thing. I still remember the bag standing out like a beacon for good amongst a pile of red s***e on the yard and in the cloakroom.

I was the only Blue of any note all through my classes in school. I was constantly under pressure even though I wasn`t really with it until my dad took me (atoning for his earlier error in judgement) when I was 12. My first three games were Cardiff, Carlisle (both 2-1) Cambridge (5-0). As other lesser mortals fell by the wayside (in more ways than one) I remained Blue throughout.

I got my first season ticket for the princely sum of