Glyn Albuquerque

Why Blue?

Well my days of following the Blues go back to 1972 when I was living in Nairobi, Kenya – I was a young lad then and Kenya being a Commonwealth country – well we used to receive Match of the Day (more like match of “whichever tape we were sent”) – which did not necessarily relate to the latest match played. Our neighbourhood had a small local park, where we played football amongst many other games. Our oldest and most skilled player, an Arab boy from Oman – who was pretty damn good – used to follow Man. City – around the time when Leeds were at their best and Francis Lee still a player.

Naturally – as I and many others looked up to him – I started following City – even if I didn’t have a clue about the club (many might still suggest not much has changed !) or its players – my best friend followed Leeds (and knew something about them).

With time my fascination and knowledge grew, and once I emigrated to England in 1974, I was able to follow them with a bit more passion – unfortunately as I am a very keen sportsman myself and play Hockey on a Saturday during the season, I have only been able to see them live on a few occasions – all at Crystal Palace – our local club – which has neve been a happy hunting ground for the Blues. Since meeting Steve Wallwork who works in my buildingb and is a season ticket holder, I have tried to glean as much info on the Blues as possible.

Over the years and especially recently, I have had to endure non-stop taunting about the inconsistent and at times quite depressing state of affairs at our beloved club – and I have often been asked why I carry on following these “losers” – I cannot explain this loyalty – I guess it’s once a Blue – forever a Blue, this doesn’t help with most of my close friends and work colleagues supporting the “Red (scum) Devils”!

There are about 4 people in our building of approx. 1,000 people who are Man. City supporters, and we make it known whom we follow (crazy I know!) – so when we have our rare wins – we make sure we crow about it – and comments like “this is the start of our un-beaten run” begin to emanate – shame these unbeaten runs come by every 2 weeks. Usually about this time some people will question – City?! What division are they in? Oh! Nationwide League! – Does anyone follow that league? I only stick with the Premiership! – a two fingered response is usually enough to shut him up.

Well there is a brief report on how I became a Blue.

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #366 on