Newsletter #932

The contents of Maine Road were finally auctioned off over the weekend, with fans taking advantage and securing items ranging from seats to turnstiles.

Opinion tonight on kit, ground and new beginnings together with the usual requests.

Finally there will be a memorial service in Manchester Cathedral on 16th For Marc-Vivien Foe.

OPINION: NEW KIT

Just been onto the official website and seen the new home and away kits. I don’t about you guys but I’m quite impressed. It’s been a hell of a long time since we’ve come out with a decent shirt and I for one am glad to get back to the old sky blue colour. The home kit looks very stylish and modern and for once we have decent socks (remember the embarrassing yellow ones… cringe!).

The away kit is very smart too and brings us back to the old days. By the way does anyone know when the away shirt will be available?

This is such an exciting time for us City supporters, we have a new stadium, more high profile players than ever before and a manager we can be proud of.

My best wishes goes out to all you Blues wherever you are.

OPINION: NEW STADIUM

The new Stadium looks great via the Internet. However, when do we start to see “Manchester City” signage splashed around so it starts to feel like home?

OPINION: NEW ERA

Expect Manchester City to go from strength to strength, but don’t expect it to happen in a season. John Wardle has just told Kevin Keegan there’s not much left in the kitty for new players after City have just spent £20 million towards the move to the new stadium.

This does not mean that the squad could not be strengthened before the start of the new season, City supporters can rest assured that it will be done in a business like way, and to keep the club in good standing with finances.

City finished 9th in the Premier League last season; the aim is to do better this season, top six will be the real ambition of the club. With the new stadium, City supporters, and a manager like Kevin Keegan to guide and coach his players, it looks very possible.

OPINION: US NEWS

Just seen KK interviewed on Sky (via Fox Sports World) here in the States. The new kits look fantastic. I did notice that Robbie looked a bit pudgy as well… good to see I wasn’t going crazy thanks to the news report tonight in McV.

I also noticed that Fowler didn’t have a squad number on his shirt like Anelka and Tarnat. Is he switching I wonder? Will he be taking Goat’s No.10 if Shaun departs before the season?

Also, for those US-based Blues who want to avoid the 15 quid shipping fee from City, you can purchase the new shirts from http://www.soccerplus.net/ (based in Pasadena, CA). Not sure if they’re offering the long sleeve (the owner couldn’t remember if he’d ordered them in addition to the short sleeve), but we’ll find out in a couple of weeks. He can put names, numbers, and Prem badges on any shirt as well. I’ve ordered from him before. Top store.

P.S. New shirts on ebay from Thailand, Singapore, etc. are fake… good fakes, but fakes nonetheless.

Sorry if any of this is old news. I don’t get to the chat pages much anymore ever since I started working for a bank. The firewalls are unreal.

OPINION: BEST FANS VOTE

If you go to http://www.smileleague.co.uk you can vote for the fans with the best sense of humour, funniest and weirdest football chants amongst others. City are represented by ‘Invisible Man’ and ‘Feed the Goat’. Get voting!

OPINION: SINGING IN THE RAIN

Further to Howard Gruber’s contribution, I seem to remember when I was negotiating a change of season ticket, the nice young lady told me the rows didn’t start with ‘A’, but ‘D’ or thereabouts, so maybe I can’t be smug in Row X. Can anyone confirm or refute this? Mind you, with a bit of horizontal Mancunian rain, no-one’s safe.

OPINION: THE BANNER RETURNS

I’m pleased to let you know that the Reddish Blues Centenary branch banner that went missing after the Southampton game has been safely returned.

A mystery caller dropped it off at The Ash Hotel.

Many thanks to all at MCIVTA for helping us with our appeal for its return.

REQUEST: BARCA TICKETS ON OPEN

When are the tickets for the Barça game going on sale? Are they available to us unfortunate ones that were unable to get hold of a season ticket?

REQUEST: LOAN OF SEASON CARDS

The critical question for me is, “how relaxed are MCFC going to be about people ‘borrowing’ cards” – I can’t go to every City game nor can my mates, so surprise, surprise, I can sometimes take my son to see City using my mate’s spare card etc., and of course I’m not the only one doing this.

So what happens when the steward sees my son at the turnstile with the lights flashing to show he’s swiped in an adult card? For some people it would be more than their job’s worth to let him in, if you know what I mean.

Thanks and regards.

REQUEST: ESSEX & SUFFOLK BLUES

The first meeting of the season of the Essex & Suffolk Branch of the Centenary Supporters’ Association will take place on Friday the 18th July at The Seabright’s Barn, Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex, kicking off at 8:30pm. All are welcome to join, renew membership and enter the predictions competition.

More information on the branch and its activities can be gotten from me at the address below.

REQUEST: MARC VIVIEN FOE MEMORIAL APPEAL

As a result of calls on various websites, emails and talking to MCFC and other authorities involved, together with the amazing response from fans worldwide (as diverse as China, Japan, Australasia, USA, throughout Europe) and from rival clubs, it was decided to launch an appeal fund which would help to fulfil Fo