Bernadette Bell

Why Blue?

My husband gave his version of ‘Why Blue’ so here’s mine.

I started watching City in the 60’s. My friend Ann Jones was a big City supporter. We met at Central Grammar School for Girls and she converted me. I began knitting my scarf, blue/white and maroon; it was finished for my first away match at Cardiff – result a draw. My heroes were Johnny Crossan, Chris Jones, Dave Connor and Tony Coleman – whatever happened to them? I have had some news from the City Mag?

As a teenager I was a home and away supporter – went to Wembley twice – who can ever forget the tear from Dave Nish of Leicester when they lost?

As a girl supporter in the Kippax Street, we had to put up with abuse from male ‘supporters’ – how many girls remember having parts of their body felt when City scored and the crowd pushed forward? Despite that, l loved the atmosphere.

Ann and I went to Colin Bell’s restaurant in Whitefield one Christmas Eve – he was in partnership with Colin Waldron (Burnley). They were both there and that really made the evening for us all.

A nephew of mine – who ‘supports’ United, said he used to go and watch City for a laugh when ‘United’ were away – obviously not a true supporter – when City were away l tried to be there watching them or else l supported the reserves. I am one of the fortunate supporters who saw players like Colin Bell, Neil Young, Mike Summerbee, Tommy Booth, Tony Book, Glyn Pardoe, Alan Oakes, Francis Lee, Joe Corrigan, Harry Dowd and many more. I have wonderful memories of home and away matches.

Since living abroad and then moving to Gloucestershire – I have always followed City’s results and have even ventured on the Swindon supporters’ bus to watch City play from my home town of Tetbury – we lost, so they let my husband and l on the bus for the return journey. I have been to away matches at Oxford and Reading and this season, and am planing to go to see City play at Bristol with another nephew who is a true Blue.

Having sent this message it would be nice to hear from some other supporters from my era – Chris Lee, Carol Royle – or her brothers or Jennifer Jones.

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #475 on