Blair Hobson

Why Blue?

The reason I support City? Same as others, dad supported United! Like many other stories, dad came from a large family, half of whom supported City, the others United; I felt that dad should have some competition in the family! I was born in Preston but North End really was a dead-end as far as I was concerned, both parents were from Manchester, so my roots were really there rather than Preston.

I used to go to watch regularly in the 70’s, mainly with a friend who supported Derby but who was at university in Manchester and had a season ticket to Maine Road. He had a seat just behind the dugout and usually managed to get me a seat alongside. We then used to go and watch Formula 1 Stock Cars at Belle Vue in the evening and round it off with 10-pin bowling, those were the days!

Anyone else out there do the same?! My best memory was a game I didn’t attend, when City beat United in the cup 4-0 in ’74(?) with a young Gary Owen (who I always felt was very underrated) and Peter Barnes. Dad had gone out and I couldn’t wait to tell him the result when he got back, the goals were even on the TV for him!

First printed in: MCIVTA Newsletter #801 on