Tony Edwards HMP

Why Blue?

I work at a large prison, about a mile from Elland Road football ground. Each day for the past two years or so I have proudly carried my Man City sports bag into work, cheerfully fending off the insults and jokes from the mainly Leeds United supporting gate staff. They have laughed at me – but I don’t mind – I carry my bag with pride, and surprisingly enough there are at least two other Blues in this establishment, and I recall there was even one other City fan who spent some time with us rather against his will. I never got to know what crime he had done, but he was probably innocent anyway!

Needless to say on Monday evening I got some stick from the Leeds fans on the way out.

“You’re with the big boys now – you’ll get pasted – you’ll be lucky to get nil”, and so on. I took it all in good humour. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today (Tuesday) was pay-back time, and in big style. I murdered the lot of them, so to speak. They had no answer, no sensible reply, other than vague threats of violence and no chance of scoring further points off me for a very long time to come. It was a wonderful, sublime experience to be savoured again and again in the re-telling and undoutedly to be re-experienced over the coming months; until that is we are relegated! I even stuck the words to Blue Moon on the notice board for all staff and visitors to see. I am surprised I survived the day without being smacked!

That is Why Blue. Brief periods of exultation amidst what seems like aeons of despair. I would not have it any other way.

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #639 on