Up the Blues Alan

Why Blue?

Why, because I was taken to Maine Road by my father and grandfather, the Blues were in our blood I guess. I came from a family of bookmakers in the Ancoats area. I do know that my grandfather played for England boys and I think there were spells with both United and City but it all seems to be encased in family folklore and I can’t ascertain it for fact. It doesn’t really matter, the memories of City in the 1950’s are of getting from Moston to Maine Road on the bus and getting soaked by the rain. I can’t remember the sun shining – perhaps I have selective memory.

So I have watched them for a long, long time, not on the terraces – at 16-years-old I joined the Marines and since then I have travelled the world. Some of the places I have looked for results have been 13,000 miles apart. I soldiered from the Arctic to the Equator and from Canada to Borneo. I even listened to the 1970 World Cup on a military radio deep in the Malayan jungle, and City have always been the same – a real up and down rollercoaster. Take any top team and City can go out and slaughter them on their home ground then back to Maine Road to play the bottom team from all the divisions and they lose.

But I know why, they don’t need a super manager to change it because it’s been happening all these years. It’s the air in the stadium at Maine Road. It needs pumping out. It contains 30% Pathos Gas and 70% Black Comedy Gas and until they get rid of it it will always be the same.

One last thing, I actually went on a tour last year after supporting them for 50 years. I got to go past the door ‘keeper sat in reception and do the grand tour of the pitch – my impressions: well the guide had City logos all over him, chewed gum and told us all about the current news, was negative about the Club and not really interested. When I turned around in reception and looked at the trophy cases (this was last November) they were covered in dust, thick dust. Maybe it’s not the air! “People” in City can’t even keep the display cases clean!

So what do I do now? Well I produce commemorative golf putters so if you want one from City’s foundation date or when they won the Cup, give us a call and we will make you one.

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #380 on