Ged Wilson

Why Blue?

In 1967 we moved from Whitehaven, then in Cumberland, to Manchester. As an impressionable ten year old I was taken along to Old Trafford, not the theatre of anything in those days, to see the “fabulous Busby Babes”. They lost 2-1 to Aston Villa and despite all you hear about how good it was in the old days, my memory of a miserable day in the Stretford End remains as vivid as ever; in short;

1. I couldn’t see and nobody gave a stuff about the fact a ten year old boy who was at his first ever game couldn’t see.
2. Someone behind me couldn’t be bothered to go to the toilet and p*ss*d all over me so I stank of urine.
3. I got crushed every time the Rags attacked.
4. I got spat on as they tried to spit on the Villa centre forward (I think it was Andy Lockhead).
5. I couldn’t help thinking that they were sore losers as Villa were miles the better team on the day.

In August of that year I went to see the “other” team play Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at Maine Road. City won 4-0.

We won the League, beating the other team 3-1 at their ground on the way.

We won the Cup, beating them 1-0 at their ground just before.

We won the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup beating them 4-0 at home, 2-1 and 2-1 and 3-0 in a testimonial, all at their ground.

Summerbee, Bell, Lee, Young, Coleman

Tueart, Bell, Royle, Hartford, Barnes

The ultimate CTID…..Mike Doyle

Despite what the statistics and history show, if you were there on April 27th 1974, we relegated them and for a time at least removed the tag of poor relations.

Tony Book’s fantastic team of the mid 70’s and the tragedy of Malcolm’s return.

Luton, 14th May 1983 the ultimate low (I was a relegation virgin at the time).

Teamwise, downhill from there on in really, I have two sons who come to the games with me now and my seven year old is hooked after the trip to Wembley taught him exactly what it means to be CTID, the three year old will have to wait a couple of years to understand what I have inflicted on him. No other team could take you so high or so low. I believe that we are the best supporters in the world, we stand undeterred in face scorn, ridicule and derision from people who do not have the strength of character to swim against the tide and who disappear after a couple of dodgy results.

City have been part of my life for thirty two years and I wouldn’t change places with any supporter of any other team in the world, without City my life would be as ordinary and emotionally dull as theirs. That’s why I’m Blue and not a sheep (despite having moved back to Cumbria).

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #514 on