Manchester United

[catcherintherye]

Great point about coming from a football family and being influenced that way.
I could have easily become a United fan as my dad was a United fan and he took me to Old Trafford a couple of times. However, my older brother who was obviously a big influence on me took me to my first City game when I was 9 years old. It was a night game and all of the kids were put at the back of the Kippax stand to watch. I still remember it to this day. The flood lights, the bright green pitch the crowd the smells and the atmosphere. That was it I was a blue! I think you are bang on with the Fifa game for the kids. That's how they are influenced these days. I remember as a kid hardly knowing about any foreign teams. We got our knowledge from magazines like Shoot & Goal and if you were posh (which we were not!) it was John Buchanan's Football Monthly. Nowadays the kids know all of the big overseas teams and their players. It really is a different world.

My dad had a record of every match programme as he's a nerd, and also some football annual book (Rothmans or whatever). So I'd devour those. My uncle used to send a match programme for each game too, so when we couldn't go you'd read that.

Went to a Catholic school and had an Italian lad and Juventus fan the year above who'd constantly go on about Del Piero being the best player in the world. That was the debate really, Del Piero V Romario v Ronado. You'd never seen any of them, you had no access to stats or whatever, they were just abstract and exotic names. I kind of miss that. I remember that Zammarano fella scored a goal to knock United out of the CL and having an argument that he wasn't better in the air than Duncan Ferguson, funny times!

I miss it though, in a lot of ways the mystique of football has gone a bit. The summer Walter Smith came in, and brought in a load of these foreign lads you'd never heard of was really exciting too. Some of it is probably that you were watching football through a kids eyes though, so everything is more exciting.

How did your brother end up City? I don't know if your dad is still alive, but how do you find having them as a rival if you're dad supports them? Were the extended family mixed?

I ask, as I gave it some thought a while back. If my dad, or siblings supported Liverpool, begrudgingly they'd sort of be my 2nd team, as I'd want them to be happy. However none were. Both my mum and Dad were Everton fans, as were all their siblings. One uncle married a red and to be fair we were quite close and do see her like an auntie, but up to that point it was only Everton. I can't get my head round what having a mixed family is like.

As for the kids today, in a way it's easy to slate them. And when you see the gobby you know whats giving it large over the internet when they've never been to a single match it's frustrating. But the broader point, is I sort of feel sorry for them. As a result of the game becoming so expensive, a lot of these would just be kids who's parents can't afford to take them to the match anymore. They're still football mad, but the only way they can afford to show it is by playing as their team on Fifa with their mates. Rather than getting to see KDB, James, Fernandes, Salah etc they have to play with them on Fifa Ultimate Team. I find that sad really.

I remember saying to my partner a couple of years back, I was lucky I had a mum/dad who took me to football. To my dad it was never this big thing, it was just expected, but looking back very few of the other dads did it. My dad had always convinced me I was more special than them as we went to the match, and while I can accept it for him, I was just lucky. If I had been born into a different family, I'd be like all the other kids in my area accessing the match from computer games and the like.

 

[PaulPowersTash]

My dad had a record of every match programme as he's a nerd, and also some football annual book (Rothmans or whatever). So I'd devour those. My uncle used to send a match programme for each game too, so when we couldn't go you'd read that.

Went to a Catholic school and had an Italian lad and Juventus fan the year above who'd constantly go on about Del Piero being the best player in the world. That was the debate really, Del Piero V Romario v Ronado. You'd never seen any of them, you had no access to stats or whatever, they were just abstract and exotic names. I kind of miss that. I remember that Zammarano fella scored a goal to knock United out of the CL and having an argument that he wasn't better in the air than Duncan Ferguson, funny times!

I miss it though, in a lot of ways the mystique of football has gone a bit. The summer Walter Smith came in, and brought in a load of these foreign lads you'd never heard of was really exciting too. Some of it is probably that you were watching football through a kids eyes though, so everything is more exciting.

How did your brother end up City? I don't know if your dad is still alive, but how do you find having them as a rival if you're dad supports them? Were the extended family mixed?

I ask, as I gave it some thought a while back. If my dad, or siblings supported Liverpool, begrudgingly they'd sort of be my 2nd team, as I'd want them to be happy. However none were. Both my mum and Dad were Everton fans, as were all their siblings. One uncle married a red and to be fair we were quite close and do see her like an auntie, but up to that point it was only Everton. I can't get my head round what having a mixed family is like.

As for the kids today, in a way it's easy to slate them. And when you see the gobby you know whats giving it large over the internet when they've never been to a single match it's frustrating. But the broader point, is I sort of feel sorry for them. As a result of the game becoming so expensive, a lot of these would just be kids who's parents can't afford to take them to the match anymore. They're still football mad, but the only way they can afford to show it is by playing as their team on Fifa with their mates. Rather than getting to see KDB, James, Fernandes, Salah etc they have to play with them on Fifa Ultimate Team. I find that sad really.

I remember saying to my partner a couple of years back, I was lucky I had a mum/dad who took me to football. To my dad it was never this big thing, it was just expected, but looking back very few of the other dads did it. My dad had always convinced me I was more special than them as we went to the match, and while I can accept it for him, I was just lucky. If I had been born into a different family, I'd be like all the other kids in my area accessing the match from computer games and the like.

Some great points there!
My dad is now gone - god bless him. He was a United fan due to the Munich air crash. He also claimed he played against Duncan Edwards when he played for the school team. We were always sceptical about that one, but he was adamant that he did. The reason my brother supported City is that we were a family from east Manchester which always was and still is a big City stronghold. I was born less than 5 minutes away from where the Etihad is. The Etihad is on top of an old coal mine where my granddad worked. Most of the kids at school supported City which my brother did and all of his mates did. There were obviously a few United fans but they were in minority and in the late 60's and early 70's City were the far superior team and won trophies on a regular basis and we would beat United in the derbies way more often than not - so City was the dominant team at that time.

I think what you say about football being expensive nowadays is spot on. I see dad's at the game with 2 & 3 kids and I really do wonder how they afford it? Live football is seriously expensive now so as you say the only way they have access to it is on the computer or TV. When I was a kid live football on the TV really was a rarity. Which is why the FA Cup used to be such a big deal. I think we just have to accept the world has changed massively. Going to the match on a Saturday used to be the be all and end all - you lived for it. Not now and probably never again. It was a big part of the community then as were the pubs. Neither are now unfortunately.

 

[catcherintherye]

Some great points there!
My dad is now gone - god bless him. He was a United fan due to the Munich air crash. He also claimed he played against Duncan Edwards when he played for the school team. We were always sceptical about that one, but he was adamant that he did. The reason my brother supported City is that we were a family from east Manchester which always was and still is a big City stronghold. I was born less than 5 minutes away from where the Etihad is. The Etihad is on top of an old coal mine where my granddad worked. Most of the kids at school supported City which my brother did and all of his mates did. There were obviously a few United fans but they were in minority and in the late 60's and early 70's City were the far superior team and won trophies on a regular basis and we would beat United in the derbies way more often than not - so City was the dominant team at that time.

I think what you say about football being expensive nowadays is spot on. I see dad's at the game with 2 & 3 kids and I really do wonder how they afford it? Live football is seriously expensive now so as you say the only way they have access to it is on the computer or TV. When I was a kid live football on the TV really was a rarity. Which is why the FA Cup used to be such a big deal. I think we just have to accept the world has changed massively. Going to the match on a Saturday used to be the be all and end all - you lived for it. Not now and probably never again. It was a big part of the community then as were the pubs. Neither are now unfortunately.

Interesting that mate. Why is East Manchester more a city stronghold? Wasn't Maine Road in South Manchester?

How did you find it with your dad being a United fan? How did he find it having city fans as kids?

Football has never been more popuar, but very few kids in grounds. I remember my old man always used to say it cost as much as the cinema. You look at the cinema now, and its like a tenner for an adult and 7-8 quid for kids. You still notice it in the pocket mind, but it's doable. The costs involved now are just too high, and the result is a generation of kids who don't go and watch football. It's a shame more parents don't take them to watch their local team either.

 

[PaulPowersTash]

Interesting that mate. Why is East Manchester more a city stronghold? Wasn't Maine Road in South Manchester?

How did you find it with your dad being a United fan? How did he find it having city fans as kids?

Football has never been more popuar, but very few kids in grounds. I remember my old man always used to say it cost as much as the cinema. You look at the cinema now, and its like a tenner for an adult and 7-8 quid for kids. You still notice it in the pocket mind, but it's doable. The costs involved now are just too high, and the result is a generation of kids who don't go and watch football. It's a shame more parents don't take them to watch their local team either.

City was originally St Marks Church team. St Marks church was in a place called Gorton which is basically the centre of east Manchester. So the roots of the club are firmly there. Before Maine Road, City had a stadium called Hyde Road which was also in Gorton so pretty much the local club of the area. They only moved to Maine Road in the early 1920's. It was never a problem with dad being a United fan - except on derby days of course! The biggest problem was in 1974 when United got relegated on the last day of the season when Dennis Law who was then playing for City scored a back heel goal at Old Trafford and has folklore has it, relegated United (it actually didn't but it's now almost gospel that it did). Somehow the old fella had managed to get 2 tickets in the Stretford end and he gave them to me and my brother so we were actually there on that day right at the very front when the United fans invaded the pitch in an effort to get the game abandoned when the goal was scored. It was a bit tense in the house that weekend! You are right about the cost. Relatively speaking it is way, way more expensive. Also in them days you could just turn up at the game, pay on the turnstiles, go in and stand where you wanted. Nowadays you have to have a ticket, pay in advance have an allocated seat etc so it's also a lot more hassle than it used to be. I have also noticed that the kids who do go don't really pay that much attention to the game either. They spend most of the match on their phones. City have a 'Family Stand' and they put some Xboxes and gaming machines on the concourse for them to play on before the match started. The kids were leaving their seats during the game to play on the machines! Very different times now. But I feel football has become a homogenised, sterile product made for TV audiences. The only one good thing to come out of this pandemic is that the clubs and players just might appreciate the match going fans a bit more than they have done in recent years. I won't hold my breath though.

 

[KaiserEFC]

I have also noticed that the kids who do go don't really pay that much attention to the game either. They spend most of the match on their phones. City have a 'Family Stand' and they put some Xboxes and gaming machines on the concourse for them to play on before the match started. The kids were leaving their seats during the game to play on the machines!

Jesus Christ that’s pretty grim that. You must be looking at them with disdain how they just take the likes of KDB, Sterling, Laporte and co for granted after some of the dross players you’ll have put up with over the years. They don’t know how lucky they are.

That’s by mo means a dig at City by the way as I’m sure if other clubs did that the result would be the same. Different world now

 

[4737carlin]

City have a 'Family Stand' and they put some Xboxes and gaming machines on the concourse for them to play on before the match started. The kids were leaving their seats during the game to play on the machines! .

This is one reason I hope we dont have good WiFi at Bramley Moore, I noticed at City, everyone is on line, my.phone kept getting notifications until I turned it of

 

[PaulPowersTash]

This is one reason I hope we dont have good WiFi at Bramley Moore, I noticed at City, everyone is on line, my.phone kept getting notifications until I turned it of

Unfortunately, City have recruited a huge team of 20 something year olds with MBA's to their marketing department (and god only knows at what cost?) and they are completely obsessed with social media, 'on line platforms' on line questionnaires etc. As I said previously there is a massive disconnect between the club and it's core fan base. We are just a million miles apart and continue to go that way. That's why it will be interesting to see just how many of us knock it on the head when this pandemic is finally over. The habit & addiction of going to the match on match days is now well and truly broken.

 

[random]

Unfortunately, City have recruited a huge team of 20 something year olds with MBA's to their marketing department (and god only knows at what cost?) and they are completely obsessed with social media, 'on line platforms' on line questionnaires etc. As I said previously there is a massive disconnect between the club and it's core fan base. We are just a million miles apart and continue to go that way. That's why it will be interesting to see just how many of us knock it on the head when this pandemic is finally over. The habit & addiction of going to the match on match days is now well and truly broken.

its going to be the future mate, it'll be the online match experience.

Watch the game over the internet via the clubs own tv show, and when some striker scores you just know the screen will be overlaid with adverts offering a discount on his replica shirts.

After the game it'll be ex-players of the club giving their unbiased opinion on the game, obviously interrupted with more adverts for official goodies from the online club shop.

Crowd noise piped in just like now.

The teams with the largest worldwide fanbases will be hoovering the money up.

Man Utd TV are @ £8 per month or £30 per year now just to watch their in-house propaganda machine

 

[4737carlin]

EASY

 

[anxiouswarrior]

Hey i live 5 minutes from the Etihad and lived in East Manchester most of my life and i can assure you there are probably more United fans in Beswick , Anocoats , Miles Platting and surrounding areas , listening to the fairy tales on here from a city fan is laughable , more urban myths and nonsense

 

[anxiouswarrior]

East Manchester a city stronghold lol what total garbage that is, since hey moved to wastelands sure they have a few more fans around here but a stronghold , im afraid this a total fantasy

 

[anxiouswarrior]

East Manchester a city stronghold lol what total garbage that is, since hey moved to wastelands sure they have a few more fans around here but a stronghold , im afraid this a total fantasy

 

[anxiouswarrior]

Pressing on with my point regarding tonights game will OGS show some bottle and drop de gea from the team tonight , he has become a liabilty and its clear now the defence do not trsut him after countless howlers , pogba is injured yet again do not expect him for a month or so now , tonight will be a tough game West Ham have improved a lot and have a good team and will be very difficult i feel , surely Van de Beek will play although many United fans are starting to wonder did OGS actually buy this guy or was it one of the glazers cousins who took a shine to him , 40 million and he has hardly played , who knows whats going at Old Trafford corridors of power

 

[KaiserEFC]

East Manchester a city stronghold lol what total garbage that is, since hey moved to wastelands sure they have a few more fans around here but a stronghold , im afraid this a total fantasy

You sound triggered friend, are you going on about winning the “most fans in parts of Manchester no one has ever heard of” trophy because you’re jealous that they’re miles better than you?

 

[anxiouswarrior]

You sound triggered friend, are you going on about winning the “most fans in parts of Manchester no one has ever heard of” trophy because you’re jealous that they’re miles better than you?

No not at all just trying bring some reality and balance to the situation , actually before the oil barrels arrived this is what most city fans lived on that all their fans were born in the perimeters of Manchester , another urban myth i might add