Sarah Longshaw

Why Blue?

Growing up in Kent in the seventies, with a dad who was (and still is) more into cricket than football, my interest started with Kevin Keegan (and Liverpool – I’m afraid I chose the player, then supported the team). My interest remained somewhat sporadic, supporting England, watching televised cup finals and the like, until 1993 when I met my husband (a Blue of some 10 years or so) and was introduced to Maine Road (and Manchester City)… there was no going back. My first match was versus Everton, I don’t remember the score, though I remember Carl Griffiths’ goal (in front of the Platt Lane stand). We attended fairly regularly throughout that season, entertained by the likes of Paul Walsh, Georgi Kinkladze, Uwe Rösler, Steve Lomas, Niall Quinn etcetera.

However, the following year we moved to the footballing wasteland that is the South West. Adam (my eldest son) was born in 1996 on the day that United won the FA cup, after City had been relegated to the First Division – Junior Blue membership was inevitable, along with the choice of a City fan as godfather. Small children and long distances meant that our match attendance was somewhat limited (though we did try to visit grandparents when City were playing at home!). Joshua (our younger son) attended his first match at 18 months!

Last May we moved back northwards, to South Yorkshire, a mere hour or so from Maine Road – then KK took over at the helm for City – we were back at home matches as often as we could get (and I even went to my first away game against Bradford)… my dreams had come true – and how! What a season – what a delight to have been there – if only all those Reds I had taught in the South West could have seen me after the Barnsley match. What more is there to say – except Thanks! (and Kevin, please, please don’t sell Carlo!).

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #804 on