Newsletter #624

In line with the strenuous assertions of the club, Daniel Amokachi arrived in Manchester over the weekend. It appears that Royle’s main worry is regarding the Nigerian’s fitness, especially as he has had a serious injury and hasn’t played for his club (Besitkas) for over a year now (see opinion). City have also been linked with a few more signings, predominantly strikers, including the impressive Czech, Koller (unlikely, but yes please!).

This issue has news on the International Supporters’ Club; info on the Drogheda game; hooligan ratings (!); predictions; informed opinion on Amokachi; and a neat non-Manc Why Blue!

This one goes out to 3,321.

NEWS SUMMARY

Amokachi Finally Arrives

Daniel Amokachi has finally flown into England to train with Manchester City. And if he proves his fitness over the next month, the player will become Joe Royle’s second summer signing. City insisted all along that the Nigerian forward would arrive at Maine Road despite claims that he’d agreed to join Greek club Ionikos. The ex-Everton man has been plagued by injuries in the last 18 months, but is hoping to prove to the Blues that he deserves the chance of a return to the English game. “I need to see that he has made a full recovery before deciding whether to offer him something permanent,” said the City manager. “The one thing I know already is that he is desperately keen to have another crack at the Premiership with Manchester City next season.”

Amo – City Would Be A Dream Move

Daniel Amokachi regards the English Premiership as the leading domestic competition in world football. But the Nigerian claims he would have been desperate to clinch a move to Manchester City even if the Blues had been competing in Division One next term. According to Amokachi, Joe Royle made contact with him during last season – and the 27-year-old says that if he hadn’t been injured at the time, he’d have been more than happy to join City’s promotion campaign. Now, the ex-Everton player is determined to convince his former Goodison Park manager to give him a chance at Maine Road. “City are still one of the biggest clubs in English football,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “I know that I could do a good job for Joe Royle in the Premiership. And I’m determined to use my stay in Manchester to earn that chance.”

Bid for Czech Set to Fail

Monday’s Sun and Mirror newspapers both claimed City are bidding £4.5 million for 6’7″ Cezch international striker Jan Koller. However, it appears that the deal will come to nothing because the offer is not enough to tempt the player’s club Anderlecht. The Belgians are reportedly keen to cash in on their major asset and were said, after failing to attract a bid at the original £7 million asking price, to be willing to lower their valuation. But Joe Royle has now indicated that the Brussels outfit still want more than the Blues are prepared to pay. Koller has notched 13 goals in 17 games for his country, and has been linked this summer with Olympique Marseille, Sporting Lisbon and Lazio. Earlier reports had stated that Royle had already been in contact with the player’s agent and had claimed the Blues were favourites to land the 27-year-old.

Two More Strikers Linked

Weekend newspapers have linked City with two strikers. And one of the men in question is a new name in the summer speculation game. Saturday’s Mirror and Express claimed that the Sheffield United striker Marcus Bent is a £3 million target for the Blues. The 22-year-old arrived at Bramall Lane part way through last season for £300,000 from Port Vale and bagged 15 league goals in 32 games to shoot his new club away from the bottom of the Division One table. Blades’ fans would be sorry to see the player leave, but with the club in a difficult financial position, manager Neil Warnock has hinted that Bent could be sold if the right offer comes along. Meanwhile, another source has repeated the old link with Newcastle’s Paul Robinson. The Sunday People says that City and Charlton could contest the battle for the £1 million-rated ex-Darlington player, who wants a move after the Geordies’ summer acquisition of Carl Cort.

City to Miss Out on Valgaeren?

Press sources continue to link City with a move for Joos Valgaeren. But it appears that the Blues may miss out on the defender. The Belgian international is avaliable at £4 million from Dutch club Roda and is said to be keen on a move to the Premiership. Sunderland are reported to have withdrawn from the race for the 24-year-old’s signature – but the bad news for City is that Leeds are showing an interest after failing to persuade West Ham to sell Rio Ferdinand. Celtic could also return to the chase for the player’s signature after being strongly linked earlier in the summer. New manager Martin O’Neill has been unimpressed with his squad’s defensive qualities in pre-season games and could switch his sights back to Valgaeren after failing to land Bjorn Otto Bragstad, who has agreed to join Derby.

Fish, Coleman Still in Frame?

City have been linked with Mark Fish and Chris Coleman throughout the close season. And the rumours are persisting, even though Joe Royle earlier played down interest in Fish and hasn’t commented on Coleman. Bolton have once again been linked with City midfielder Jamie Pollock, sparking a renewal of the speculation that the ex-Trotters player could head back to the Reebok in part-exchange for Fish. Meanwhile, Coleman is said to have asked for a move from Craven Cottage after the Londoners refused to increase his salary in the light of reported interest from City, Everton, Sunderland and Blackburn. Finally, Coventry defender Gary Breen has also been mentioned in connection with the Blues but Ipswich are favourites to land the Irish international for £2 million.

Wrexham in for Allsopp Loan

Wrexham are hoping to take Danny Allsopp on a three-month loan. And the Welsh club hope eventually to clinch a permanent deal for the Australian. Allsopp scored four goals in only three games on loan at the Racecourse last season before his stint was cut short by a knee injury. And boss Brian Flynn is keen to take the player to Wrexham again as a replacement for top scorer Karl Connolly, who has joined QPR on a Bosman free transfer.

Royle Urges Fans to Think Positive

Joe Royle claims that Manchester City are not merely looking to survive in the Premiership next season. And the Blues’ boss has asked for calm among fans alarmed by the lack of pre-season signings. Royle believes that City can emulate Sunderland by adapting comfortably to life in the top flight – and says that the players believe the same. “I sense the usual City-itis creeping in a little with the fans thinking, ‘Oh God, we’ve signed no-one and we’re going to get battered this season,'” he told the Sunday People. “However, I can tell those who are unsure of how we’ll fare that there is not a negative thought in the squad and we’re all up for this – whatever anyone else may think.”

Goater Looking to Prove Critics Wrong Again

Many critics are voicing doubts over Shaun Goater’s ability to succeed in the Premiership. But Joe Royle is backing his top scorer to prove the doubters wrong. Royle expects the Bermudian to have the last laugh – just as he did after concerns over his abilities were aired in each of the last two seasons. “Shaun’s response will be the same as it was last season and the season before that,” the City manager told the official City website at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/. “He will continue doing what he is best at – which is scoring goals.”

Brazil Sacked by Sky

Manchester City fans developed a healthy dislike of Alan Brazil owing to the perceived anti-City bias in the former Ipswich striker’s Nationwide League commentaries for BSkyB. So although promotion to the Premiership meant that Brazil wouldn’t in any case have been commentating on the Blues next term, there’s unlikely to be much sympathy from Maine Road for the Scot after his sacking by the satellite broadcaster. Brazil, who also presents the breakfast show for national radio station Talk Sport, reportedly angered Sky bosses by claiming he should replace former Aston Villa and Everton star Andy Gray as expert summariser for Premiership games.

THE MANCHESTER CITY FC INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTERS’ CLUB

As you are all aware, over the last year the ISC team have been working to put together a good quality package for the ISC. We have been working in conjunction with MCFC to try and bring you all something tangible so that you can keep in touch with MCFC and have access to match tickets.

I’m pleased to say that after a year we are nearly at the stage of launching the ISC. A lot of hard work has been put in by the likes of Bob Young and Peter Brophy and the rest of the team in agreeing with MCFC what we can offer through the ISC. We have still to finalise the exact package but it is expected to include:

• MCFC/ISC Yearbook
• City/ISC folder
• City Card International
• Key Ring
• Quarterly 16 page newsletter (prepared by City Mag)
• E-mail newsletter
• £1 per member to go to the Youth set up
• and access to match tickets.

At what cost I hear you cry, a rough guide is £17 for UK, £20 for EU and £25 for the rest of the world. There will be Internet sites set up to deal with on-line applications and queries for tickets.

I hope this appeals to you all. From our initial survey a year ago the package resembles what the survey as a whole were looking for.

ISC Committee:

Committee Spokesman and MCFC Liaison Officer – Andy Holgate
General co-ordinator – Bob Young
Legal/Communications Officer – Peter Brophy
Technical Officer – David Scally
OSC/CSA Liaison Officer – Chris Woolley
Media Liaison Officer – Debra Brown
Membership Officer – Kelvin Stevens

Committee members agreed to remain in above rôles for two years from instigation of ISC project in summer 1999.

We will be in contact with Steve Sayer and Chris Bird at MCFC regularly to make sure that we can offer the best package to suit you the members.

If you have any queries or would like to know more, contact me on isc@mancity.net

AMOKACHI ARTICLE

Well, it looks like Daniel Amokachi may be joining Manchester City – assuming he can prove his fitness. With this in mind, I decided to do an Internet search on Mr Amokachi and I found a very interesting interview that was published in ‘African Soccer Magazine‘ back in November 1998. In the interview, Amokachi talks candidly about his motivation for playing:

“What people must realise is that we’re in this game for the dough. I’m making seven digits in Turkey, and that’s net. I didn’t come to Turkey to pick up peanuts – I was making good money in England – but I’m making even better money here. I have had a lot of offers from clubs in Europe. They are now just waiting to see me play a few games. If they are satisfied, they’ll start the bidding. I will know when the time is right and be ready to make the right sacrifices. I would like a new challenge, to play for a club where we can hope to win the European Champions’ league. I’d like to go back to the continent and feel the rhythms one more time and I would relish the chance to play in the German Bundesliga.”

So, it looks like Daniel is interested in the large fee he will get from his Bosman move. He’s obviously dropped his hopes of winning a European Cup, unless he’s got his City and United mixed-up. If you want to read the article it can be found at:

http://www.sportscheduler.co.sz/AfSocMag/afsocmag_nov_amokachi_interview.htm

WICKLOW WELCOME

I would like on behalf of the County Wicklow Branch to welcome all Man city fans travelling to Ireland, and hope you have an enjoyable stay here. Our branch will be going to the game vs. Drogheda and we will have about 70 people making the short trip. I look forward to having a few beers before and after the game. I would also like to invite any Blues staying in Dublin to take a short train ride out to Bray and have a pint or six in Katie Gallagher’s bar, its just around the corner from the station.

ESSEX & SUFFOLK CSA

The next meeting of the Essex & Suffolk Branch of the Centenary Supporters’ Association will take place on Friday 28th July (day before pre-season friendly with Gillingham) from 19:30 onward. The venue for this meeting will be Seabright’s Barn, Galleywood, Essex and we are hopeful of getting someone from the football club to attend and receive a player of the year award for Shaun Goater and to present our first ever Essex & Suffolk CSA Clubman of the year award (the guest though has not yet been confirmed by the club).

Apart from the presentations, we will be enrolling new members and processing membership renewals on the night. We will also be accepting entrants for the “Predictions Competition” that you are all probably fed up hearing about. If anybody else wants information on the “Predictions Competition” please contact be at paulg@mancity.net

Further information on the branch is available from Ian Whittaker (Chairman) 01245 465075, Wayne Prior (Treasurer), 01245 357521, Ken Sinclair (Public Relations) 01268 293561 or Paul Gallagher (Secretary) 01708 787227 or by e-mail at paulg@mancity.net

Best wishes to all for the coming season.

ACRONYM ALPHABET ATTACK

Won’t be long before the new season is upon us, and thoughts turn once again to… acronyms! No it’s alright, don’t panic, I’m not going to go back on my promise to desist from torturing everyone this season. But somebody else out there might want to take up the baton, so in case anyone is thinking out doing it, I thought I’d just offer:

‘The Rough Guide To Man City Acronyms’

Keen observers last season will have noted that the same words and phrases often cropped up, and this was no accident, because they turned out to be the obvious ones to apply to certain letters of the alphabet. Also this effect was magnified because of the similarity of names of some clubs (e.g. Ipswich / Norwich, Blackburn Rovers / Tranmere Rovers). So with the Premier League in mind, here is a nice little crib sheet for budding acronym creators everywhere:

A is for Arsenal, attack, Alfie, Amokachi?
B is for Bishop, ball, Ball, byeline, bounce
C is for Cooke, Coventry, cross, corner, City!
D is for Derby, delivery, Danny, Dickov
E is for Equalise, Everton, Edghill
F is for Franny, fired, football
G is for Goater, great, goal, Granville, Gerard
H is for Haaland, Horlock, header
I is for Inge, incisive, Ipswich
J is for Joe, Jobson
K is for Kevin, 'keeper, Kennedy, Kinky
L is for Liverpool, Lee, Leicester
M is for Morrison, Middlesbrough
N is for Nicky, Newcastle
O is for Offside, onside
P is for Prior, penalty
Q is for quickly, quite
R is for Royle, Rösler
S is for Shot, Score, Summerbee
T is for Tiatto, Taylor, throw-in
U is for Rags, Upton Park
V is for Vital, virtual
W is for Weaver, Weikens, Whitley
X is for Xavier (when we play Everton!)
Y is for Yesterday
Z is for Zidane (I can hope can't I?)

Of course the above is only a guide, and you can’t use it to make random acronyms, otherwise “Chelsea” would become ‘Cooke Haaland Equalise Liverpool Shot Edghill Amokachi’, which is not exactly the world’s best acronym ever, although on 2nd thoughts it does have a certain something if you repeat it to yourself a few times. Obviously a more “normal” acronym for ‘Chelsea’ would be something like:

C ooke
H eading
E equaliser?
L ike
S eeing
E dghill
A ttack!

Go on go for it, it’s only 38 matches!

GOAL OF THE SEASON

My favourite goal has to be Robert Taylor’s against Birmingham. Not because it put us in pole position for automatic promotion or because it was a spectacular goal. But because it was the first time I had watched a match (albeit on Sky) with my estranged Blue daughter Lyndsay. Unbelievably she’s 16 in August and we’d never watched a match together (I won’t go into the reasons). We were also together for the Blackburn game. I told her she had a lot to live up to as the lucky omen. After ribbing her when we went behind, we hugged as City went up. I’ll make sure she sees every game I do next season. We’ve won every game together.

LOWRY PAINTING

Having read Cathal’s article on the L.S Lowry picture and subsequently visiting the site to view the painting. I have the following comment to make. The site has the dilemma over what the central character’s rôle is.

I would offer the fact that as he is holding up what looks to be a book, and is wearing an apparent policeman’s helmet, he is none other than a referee, probably Paul Durkin. The guy nearest to him is very small, probably Denis Wise (usually getting booked!).

Behind Mr. Durkin is Charlie Chaplin (you have to see the painting for this to make sense). That makes three, and if Mr. Lowry was, as is suggested, a football fan… he has scored a hat-trick… of comedians.

FRANNIE LEE INTERVIEW

Here is a link to an interview on Sky with Frannie Lee:

“When I saw our £3m+ striker play…!”

http://www.sky.com/sports/thelastword/story9.htm

TRANSPORT FROM DUBLIN TO DROGHEDA UNITED vs. MAN CITY – 24th JULY 2000

We are organising a bus to depart The Plough, Marlborough Street (Dublin City Centre) and meeting point for Dublin-based Blues’ fans at 2pm on the afternoon of the match, which will transfer fans to Drogheda and depart Drogheda after the match at 10pm to return to Dublin in plenty of time for more pints.

This service will operate if names, numbers and contact phone numbers / e-mails are provided of those wishing to avail themselves of the service.

Remember there are no public transport coaches or trains out of Drogheda after the match – book to-day do not delay!

E-mail us at the address below.

Obliged if you could let all your travelling City fans know.

TICKET PRICES!

I was a little concerned about Peter Llewellyn’s piece about season ticket prices. I am a season ticket holder, and a yuppie, in what I understood was the most expensive seating area. To hear that I am paying the same price as Peter, and therefore sitting next to a poor person, disturbs me greatly. I do hope that Bernstein, my hero, has sifted season ticket holders and I will find myself next to a person of my own class rather than someone who obviously belongs on the other side of the ground.

P.A.-LED CELEBRATIONS

Mr. Marcus recalls watching an Italian game where the crowd was being led by someone with a microphone; well it is common in Italy to find it. Venezia, Napoli, Reggina, and even many of the big clubs have the supporters signing along with someone leading them. The thing is that the person behind the mic is a supporter who sings what he wants, when he wants. I’ve heard some raunchy songs during games, and many offensive songs too. The club has no say what the fans sing and by listening to what they say shows it.

Would I like to see that during a Premiership game, yes and no. While the English game has a spectacular atmosphere (something I wish would develop here in the US, rather than the South American drums and horns that are constantly blaring), I feel that a supporter leading the singing like they do in Italy wouldn’t fly. The Italian game has an atmposphere all its own. Personally I love them both.

HEL’S BELL

Are Helen Turner and her bell still regulars at Maine Road?

She must be knocking on a bit now.

If you are out there Helen, why not send in a “Why Blue”. Maybe a “Why Bell” as well!

FOOTIE HOOLIGAN RATINGS!

The league of hooligans was published this week with numbers of so called fans under restrictions: it reads

         Leeds United  ---    59
         Chelsea       ---    22
         Sunderland    ---    13
         Spurs         ---     8
         Leicester     ---     7

Leeds United score was high because of their game with Galatasary (Turkey).

It will be great if we can go through the new season with a zero. and be bottom of such a league. In general our supporters can hold their heads up high for being the very best, through thick and thin.

PREDICTIONS

Before the start of last season I predicted that we would take all six points from Nottm Forest; ok I know that was an easy call so I will be a little more adventurous this time and go for the whole season so here goes.

Arsenal 0,
Aston villa 4 draw away,
Bradford 6,
Chelsea 1 draw at home,
Charlton 4 draw away,
Coventry 2,
Derby 4 draw  away,
Everton 3 home win,
Ipswich 4 home win,
Leicester 2,
Leeds 3 home win,
Liverpool 1 home draw,
Man U 3 home win,
Middlesbrough 3 home win,
Newcastle 3 home win,
Sunderland 3 home win,
Spurs 3 away win,
Southampton 4  home win,
West Ham 2.

That’s a total of 55 points, which means we stay in the Prem. Shaun Goater to score 24 goals and Paul Dickov if he gets his chance to do well for us, so we just start praying now.

OPINION – AMOKACHI DEAL

Resident in Turkey and a Besiktas fan, I am at a loss to understand the logic behind the Amokachi deal. Amokachi used to be a cracking player and a delight to watch but has not played in a competitive game for more than a year and a half. He was not involved at Besiktas while the club chased Galatasaray all the way to the end of last season to finish second in the league here. And when he did play here I remember him hustling and bustling with style and flair but rarely really turning any matches.

New Besiktas coach Nevio Scala obviously wants nothing to do with him, despite the fact that he needs a squad that can handle the increasingly competitive Turkish domestic league and have a decent crack at the Champions’ League this year. Part of the reason for that may be the fact that Besiktas did so well in the year Amokachi was out of the picture. The club now has a young Turk called Ayhan Akman who has pretty much nailed down the Amokachi slot, which used to be attacking midfielder/striker running into the left of the box. Make of that what you will.

Amokachi suffered a major knee injury while playing for Nigeria, if I remember correctly. He was never going to play again, if you believe the Turkish press. That same press reported that after expensive and unsuccessful treatments in German clinics, the real breakthrough in Amokachi’s condition came at the hands of a witch doctor at home. That’s probably nonsense: Amokachi fed the domestic hacks because he knows what turns them on. But whatever the treatment was, clearly some progress has been made or Joe would not be interested at all. Joe knows much more about the man and his health than I do. But just how reliable is he going to be?

Furthermore, Amokachi used to have a nasty habit of unilaterally extending his breaks at home and not returning to Istanbul for training in time. Of course, that may have been a problem between him and Besiktas since Turkish clubs are notoriously bad at paying their players on time. Additionally, how are City going to get a work permit for someone who is so far out of the picture in his own national side?

My impression of Amokachi was always of a likeable and enthusiastic player who was popular with teammates and fans. He speaks pretty decent English and likes to have a run at defenders. But for all those characteristics I don’t recall him setting England alight last time he was there. After years in Turkey and a major injury, what is he likely to do this time round?

Anyway, the deal has now been reported by the Turkish sports press, which to my mind makes it much less likely to happen. If you believed them, Zola would be playing for Fenerbahce, Ronaldo would have been at Galatasaray since 1998 and Galatasaray would have won the UEFA Cup. Well, against the odds, that last story turned out to be true, but it still takes some believing…

AND THE WINNER IS…

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the search for the goal of the season competition so far. I have had quite a few mails at home and some response through McVittee. So far Wheelie’s is the most unorthodox, but I agree with him that the pure brilliance Goater showed with that goal was a good indication of why the club has stuck with him and why we are all growing to love him more with each passing game… “Please feed the Goat!” (nice one Cathal! I owe you a pint!).

Firm favourite though appears to be my missus’, and many other’s, choice of Mark Kennedy’s superb individual effort in the 1-0 win over Bolton.

Anyway I thought I’d stick my tu’penn’orth into the debate on the identity of the new announcer and of music to run out to. Let’s start with the announcer. For me a simple choice that screams out to me every time I hear his voice. A man dripping in gold and so tanned that he could be the reincarnation of his own hero, Ozymandias, King of Kings, I refer to none other than B.B.C. and Radio 5 Live’s one and only Stuart Hall (with a build up like that he better had take the blo*dy job!). The well rounded vowels, the crisp delivery, not to mention the sheer eloquence of the man make him a natural to inject some passion into the announcements. Add to that the fact that Stuart is a died in the wool, cut his head off and it’s stamped all the way through his body, Blue. Oh but that Radio 5 would release him from his contract!

As for music… well here we could have a field day (if you’ll pardon the pun). In times not so long past Talking Heads’ ‘Road to Nowhere’ might have been appropriate or that haunting although ultimately tedious piece by Mansun, ‘Wide Open Spaces’ or even Tom Jones and Stereophonics with ‘Mama Told Me Not to Come’. However, that was then and this is now. We need a song that even the great heavenly host itself might sit up and take notice of, something that 35,000 people can sing or shout in unison and shake the rafters until the dust falls like rain. I ran through a few possibilities. Obviously the Blue theme was the first consideration. ‘I’m Blue’ I discarded immediately, far too lightweight even played at a million decibels. ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ by Gershwin, nice opening chord but no words and hardly the peoples’ choice. ‘Blue Monday’, music to slit your throat to! So forget blue. Next I thought of things with a message. ‘Marvellous’, by the Lightning Seeds was a great choice, as was ‘Life of Riley’ but then again although the sentiment is there the music lacks that certain ‘oomph’. ‘Lust for Life’ by Iggy Pop and I thought wer’e getting closer here. I very nearly plumped for a rap number by Collapsed Lung ‘Eat My Goal’ but thought that would be the perfect thing after the Goat bangs in his tenth of the season (actually not such a silly suggestion… take note management).

So after all that I finally came down to a good old favourite but one that still gets the old blood pumping. It’s been used and used all over the world but I still think for sheer power to move a big crowd Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ is in a class of its own. Everyone knows the words (well let’s face it you would have had to be living under a stone for the last thirty years not to), the bass line could be used to resuscitate the dead, and there is enough harmony in it that even the most tone deaf of supporters has a chance of hitting most of the right notes. So there you have it, ‘We Will Rock You’, I’m dusting off my copy of the album right now and I’m going to wake up the street. Come on you Blues!

REQUEST – TRAVEL FROM BRISTOL

As a City season ticket holder living in the footballing vacuum that is the south west of England, I was wondering if there were any other fellow Blues based in Bristol who regularly travel by car on match days to Maine Road, and in particular if they would be interested in sharing travel expenses, driving etc. Drop us a line at mark@bluearmy.f9.co.uk.

Incidentally, on the end of season video, does anybody know who that bloke in the blue jumper is that appears in the changing room after the game? He was on Sky’s coverage with his arm round Goater when he was interviewed. I have asked around and nobody knows who he is. Top marks if he was a fan and managed to wangle his way into the changing room!

REQUEST – STEVE MCKENZIE

I would be very grateful if anybody out there could help me find the current whereabouts of former City player Steve McKenzie. He was at City in the late seventies/early eighties and scored in the 1981 Cup Final replay before being sold to West Brom. I believe he was last heard of living in the Midlands and involved somehow in computers. I am not a stalker (and if I was I am sure I could find someone better to stalk) but I would like to find out whatever became of him. Any information would, as they say, be treated in confidence.

REQUEST – WEBSITE HELP FOR THE DUTCH BLUES

Could any fellow blues out there help us out as we are trying to set up a website for our official Man City International Supporters’ Club, Holland branch.

Do you maintain a web site or do you know anyone that does and has time on their hands to help out? We need one setting up from scratch as our knowledge of html is limited. Please get in touch if you can help or know anyone that can.

WHY BLUE?

Being a non-Manc Blue, I feel I have to sometimes justify my reasonings for being a Blue and, what with the recent slamming of non-Manc Rags, places a guilt, bordering on embarassment, when people ask me “Why City?” these days.

Like most people in a town without a real football club, I started out following the local team. In this case Hull City, for whom I still have a soft spot. However, like most kids in this footballing isolation, we ‘adopt’ another team.

In 1970’s Hull, there were few choices. Leeds, being the most local team, had probably the largest following. The Rags had a huge share of the marketplace and together with Liverpool, made up the “Big Three” at Wheeler Junior High School.

I don’t know why, but it never even crossed my mind to start following any of the Big 3. It wasn’t until a day in 1976, when I watched a team in a fantastic sky blue strip playing in the League Cup final. When Dennis Tueart scored, it was love. I was ten years old and sat staring at the telly transfixed, like I would soon be staring at Miss Iceton’s cleavage. Miss Iceton being my form tutor and being true to her ‘form’, wore low-cut sweaters. Her leaning over the desk each morning perked up registration no end. I digress.

Mr Mallory was the “Sports Teacher” – fat, bald, perpetually sweaty and the dress-sense of John Thaw in “The Sweeney”. He slobbered all over Miss Iceton, whenever he got a chance, which was thankfully seldom. He always smugly called her “Pauline” in front of us all (I was disgusted, she was “Miss Iceton” for God’s sake). He was affiliated with none other than our Wembley friends Gillingham and, like most sports-cum-maths/chemistry/geography teachers, “Had A Trial For <insert-lowly-team-you-can-never-check-up-on-here>”. With hindsight, he had no idea about football whatsoever – we believed him though, a few people even professed to “support Gillingham”. Lemmings, I ask you.

Peer pressure was mounting, I was awash with people wanting me to support ‘their teams’ and I must admit I very nearly bought a season ticket to St James’ park when Miss Iceton announced she was a Newcastle fan. Ironically, that day in 1976 changed it all. This was my team. The more I found out about them, the more hooked I became. I even managed to “convert” my best mate Nick and we became lone Blues in a sea of red and white.

I bought the whole City strip… right down to the socks – and wore it all together (!) – this then progressed onto various questionable items of attire, including a memorable Sky Blue City “Leisure Suit” that I thought was tops. I looked like a white pimp with acne.

Devoid of fashion sense, I persevered and through Malcolm Allison, Tony Book, John Bond (not to mention a good supply of Clearasil cleansing lotion) I emerged from those early teens with my team and I standing proud (or was that something else?).

This was the team that I chose, above all others. I could have gone for anyone and chose City, or rather they chose me. There is something different about this club that has no equal anywhere else. Someone once coined it “The Church of the Latter Day Blues” and it is close to a religion.

Epilogue

In the past few years, no other teams’ fans can ever come anywhere near understanding what we’ve been through – we may not have won the Premier League or the European Cup, but the highs of the last two seasons almost make the lows worthwhile.

Over here in the Cayman Islands, McVittee and the other Internet publications/websites have kept us all informed and together. Now we can look forward to some good televised coverage too. Also, here are a fantastic set of Blues who outnumber the Rags by so much, it is quite the opposite of what I’ve always been used to.

I recently watched the City & Rags videos back-to back in a local pub, ending with their varying degrees of success. The difference I have to say, was a chasm. Not in footballing terms, but in the lack of passion at The Swamp when Keane & Co lifted the trophy. Compared with the scenes at the Birmingham game and at Ewood park, it was just a different league altogether.

For me, that will always be the difference.

WWW MANCHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS’ HOME PAGE:
http://www.uit.no/mancity/

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DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in MCIVTA are entirely those of the subscribersand there is no intention to represent these opinions as being thoseof Manchester City Football Club, nor of any of the companies anduniversities by whom the subscribers are employed. It is not inany way whatsoever connected to the club or any other relatedorganisation and is simply a group of supporters using this mediumas a means of disseminating news and exchanging opinions.

Ashley Birch, mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com

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