Regards George Atkinson

Why Blue?

By George Atkinson (detained in Dubai since March 1st 1997)

Bob Young and I were big pals from the mid 60’s until the late 70’s when we went our different ways. I introduced Bob to golf, he introduced me to football. I took his advice to support City because he was an older and wiser person (by five days); I know he will like that. The first game I went to see was against Sheffield Wednesday at Maine Road when I was 12-years-old, the season we went down in 1963. Great atmosphere in those days and we won 3-2. I walked from Langley to see the match and used my dinner money for the admission. I remember standing over one of the tunnels with my rattle! The Kippax Street was packed with 30,000 fans in those days. It wasn’t safe but what a wonderful atmosphere.

I played football with Bob for the powerful Langley Rangers in the early 70’s (see picture above). Bob was a great fan of Alan Ball and wore white boots! I was a rugged right-back that wouldn’t let anybody pass me. I think every member of the Club supported Manchester City and our colours were the black and red stripes City wore in the Cup-Final. We had a couple of the Booth brothers in our team and Tommy would come down to Bowlee where we played to support us regularly. Another great day I remember was at Wembley in 1976, I’ll never forget how friendly the Newcastle fans were in defeat. We celebrated that win in great style back at North Manchester Golf Club with the professional Pete McGuinness giving us plenty of stick.

Sadly Pete passed away a few years ago. Pete was a Red but a great man with a wicked sense of humour. Anyway Bob left for Jersey in 1979 and I left for Dubai just when City were beginning to lose their way. We couldn’t take it anymore!

I understand Bob is a frequent visitor to Maine Road these days but unfortunately I can’t make it back as I have been detained in Dubai for the last 12 months without trial. I have no idea whether the case will be referred to court or dropped at Prosecution level. I am in the dark. Even my lawyer is helpless. Dubai do not have a case but given time they could manufacture one. I feel that I am like a hostage. Terrorists in the UK get a better treatment than I do. My detention is a blatant violation of human rights. See http://www.angelfire.com/ga/georgeinjail/index.html for more details.

There wouldn’t be anything I’d enjoy more than to see my lovely wife and two precious daughters who I have not seen for one long year. I really miss them. After a family reunion in Manchester with my mother, sister and brother-in-law, Jim Cassell, who is Manchester City’s Youth Development Officer, it would be great to see a match at Maine Road with my old pals. This situation is unbearable, I expect you would find it unbearable too.

During the 60’s and 70’s I enjoyed all the great moments: Promotion in 66, my favourite player was Colin Bell, like most City fans I suppose in those days. We went to Newcastle in ’68 to win the Championship. Cups in ’70. I hope I get to see the revival of Manchester City under Joe Royle. Very soon I hope.

I would be very happy to hear from any City fans; Bob Young will accept any emails at dylan@itl.net on my behalf and pass them on to my wife (heleneatkinson@compuserve.com) and sister. I would be very grateful for any help you can give me too. Maybe you have some ideas on how you can help a British Citizen stuck in the Middle East and whose own Government is very slow moving.

Hopefully among the City fans there maybe somebody that may know one or two influential contacts that would help me?

Thank you for reading this, it hasn’t been easy recalling these pleasant days from the past in these circumstances. I hope I can do another Why Blue on my return to England.

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #378 on