Rich Furniss

Why Blue?

By rights I should have been a United fan. Indeed, I admit that in recent years I have often wished that things had worked out differently… but then I come to my senses!

I grew up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, but neither of my parents are Mancunians. My dad moved to Manchester in 1956, followed both Manchester sides, but then understandably plumped for the glamour of United and the Busby Babes, then Charlton, Law & Best. As are result of this, both my younger brothers are Rags.

In 1970 I went to Chorlton Park Junior School. In what I now recognise to be a Red conspiracy (given that in those days, Chorlton – which is half way between the two stadiums – was “neutral territory”), we were allowed to wear green or red shirts for games periods. I asked my parents for a “Bobby Charlton shirt” – the classic red with white trim of the time. What I got was deep red shirt with deep red trim, and my Man U supporting days were numbered. First came my début at a big football game, courtesy of a City supporting neighbour (5-3 I think to West Ham – when Corrigan had his most embarrassing moment), but then came the man who changed everything.

Peter Barnes was a sensation. Not only was he the finest young talent in the English game but his sister Diane was in my class, his brother Mike was in our school team, and the family lived next door but two to one of my best mates. City it was.

City and I have been through much since then. The lowest of all lows was being told of the relegation in 1983 seconds after winning the county junior 1,500m title in a record time. But I am still a Blue, and proud of it. I was there at Stoke on Boxing Day when we took 12,000 – many in fancy dress – during the banana season. We lost 3-1, but outsang the home side from start to finish. Anyone who was there will look back with the fondest of memories. Remember ET at half time? How did that guy ever make it past the police surveillance?

Since then it has been hard work being a City supporter. Thank God I don’t live in Manchester any more. However, I could change my profession, my religion, even my sex more easily than I could change my footballing allegiance. So I will stay a Blue. City ’till I die!

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #472 on