Keith Sharp

Why Blue?

Even though I was born, and spent the first 6 months of my life in Shropshire due to my parents’ jobs, I grew up in Altrincham as my father was originally from Sale and his job bought him back to the area. I was a confused youth and for some reason supported Wolves. But in the late seventies my father came home with a brown package that changed my life. It was a year’s subscription to the Junior Blues. I still to this day don’t know why he bought it me, as he has always supported the other side. Inside was a silver and blue City scarf. Junior Blues one side and Man City the other, a small certificate and my first edition of the Junior Blues magazine (which I still have in pristine condition).

That Christmas I eagerly opened my stocking to find a white and blue City hat. I couldn’t understand how Santa knew I was a City fan. I later found out my Gran had knitted it.

Twenty years on and now living in Cyprus with a Greek Cypriot wife. I have found my mission in life. Every time I get asked where I am from, and I answer Manchester. The immediate reply is Manchester U—-d. . In which I reply… No, City!

The mission is to educate all the Cypriots. I have bought my wife a City top and donned my car with MCFC stickers. And myself plus another City fan who lives out here and I met by accident whilst watching the Wembley play-off final in the ‘ACI-Sixties Bar’ in Kato Paphos, are trying to sort out a Paphos Supporters’ Club. I haven’t seen him since but sure I’ll bump into him again when the next match is shown on Sky. So if there are any City fans in the Paphos area let me know. Thank God Sky are showing some of the matches!

Why Blue?

My first visit to Maine Road was at the age of 4 when my dad hijacked me to see City play Sheffield Wednesday in 1956 on the pretext of babysitting, I grew up worshipping Bert Trautmann and I even earned the nickname Bert while playing goal for Bury Derby School. Unfortunately, I emigrated to Canada just as City was hitting their stride in the late sixties but have cheered for them faithfully through good… and usually bad. I was thrilled to see them beat Gillingham and get back to the First Division and hope that better times are ahead for the Sky Blues. One of my most vivid memories of watching City was when my dad took me to see them play Tottenham in 1962. Spurs were going for the double and expected to beat City easily. Early in the game my dad sent me to get him a cup of tea and and a pie. Whilst I was in line I heard all these cheers and thought Trautmann must be having a good game keeping City close. Imagine my surprise to get back to my seat and find City winning 3-0! They eventually won the game 6-2, an example of when they were rubbish they could still pull off a surprise. I’d love this memo to get posted in your section and I’d love to here from other City fans in Canada.

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #519 on