Martin Wakeling

Why Blue?

First of all many thanks for your efforts which I always appreciate – it’s an excellent forum but what else would you expect from the Blues? Anyway, there was an unintentional ‘Why Blue’ included in last night’s MEN so I’ve scanned the text in for you as I quite enjoyed reading it.

The MEN Metro (a free rag) has just dropped through the door suggesting that we should reinvite Judas Kendall to save us – failing that we might do worse with an approach to Dave Bassett. At least the new Kippax Stand is just high enough to view some of the play he’d introduce. I’m quite relieved that we didn’t get get George Graham – his first move would have been to sell Kinky (imagine the backhander that could have commanded) and then bring in Donkey Adams to bolster the defence and Ian ‘kiss my arse’ Wright to skip about up front.

It could only happen to City couldn’t it!

The fan who was born to bank on the Blues: Howard Davies

Manchester Evening News, 29th August 1996

In December 1949, a couple of months before I was born, my father wrote, with typical foresight, to his closest friend, asking if he would agree to act as godfather to the imminent Infant. By return, the friend replied that he would be delighted to serve, but on one condition: that the child, if a boy, was to be brought up as a Manchester City supporter.

This was an important proviso, since my parents’ was a “mixed” marriage in Mancunian terms: he Blue, she Red. My godfather, a West Brom fan from 40 years before Skinner and Baddiel made that unfashionable, had a decent man’s horror of Old Trafford. This documented exchange makes me one of the relatively few Manchester City supporters who can claim a record of allegiance longer than their lifespan. And for a brief shining moment in the late 1960’s, as Bell, Lee and Summerbee destroyed defences from Newcastle to Southampton, and George Heslop stood rocklike at the back, this was a proud boast.

Since 1976, when we last won a trophy (and even then only the League Cup) it has felt rather different – more like a virulent hereditary disease transmitted in the womb, condemning its victim to a life of suffering and remorse. So the events of the past week – two embarrassing defeats at the feet of Bolton and Stoke, and the loss of yet another failed manager – are just the latest twist of the knife.

Not a crisis, not a cathartic moment promising better times around the corner, rather another limp along the road to Accrington Stanley. For being a Manchester City supporter is not quite like other sporting affiliations. It is not an easy row to hoe. So why bother? Why not change horses? However tempting it might seem, I couldn’t do it. I think it’s because there is a perverse satisfaction to be had from Maine Road which keeps me, and others like me, loyal through thick and thin. My sons and I have convinced ourselves that there is something uniquely virtuous about supporting a club which offers so little return. Whoever pins up the teamsheet for our next titanic struggle will have my uncritical support. Because I know that my godfather, alive and wall In Sidmouth, is still watching me, and the condition of his service still stands.

Howard Davies is deputy governor of the Bank of England.

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #225 on