Forever Blue With Ian Cheeseman: Maine Road Memories

I was rummaging through a few old CDs the other day and came across two that I had the pleasure of recording myself. 

Don’t worry, I wasn’t singing, as much as I’d loved to have been a singer. They were audio documentaries. 

The first was the story of Manchester City’s promotion season under Kevin Keegan back in 2001/2002. I still regard that as one of the most enjoyable I’ve had as a Blue, even though the club has gone on to much bigger and better things since.

Those were more innocent days. City were clawing their way back into the big time and were everyone’s second favourite club. The fans went in hope rather than expectation and so the cavalier way Keegan’s City played was totally appropriate. 

The other CD I rediscovered was a celebration of the 80 years of football that had taken place at Maine Road. I recorded that documentary to mark the last season there and it included interviews with Colin Bell, Bert Trautmann, Joe Mercer, Malcolm Allison and many more. 

It was a project I gave many extra hours to, over and above my regular working hours.It was a labour of love and I wanted it to be something enjoyed and treasured by everyone who listened to it.

The greatest reward I got was when Janice Monk, the daughter of former City groundsman Stan Gibson, rang me as the show finished airing. 

She was very emotional and said she’d listened along with her husband Dave and they’d both been reduced to tears. Connecting with fans and those associated with the club like that, made all that effort worthwhile and is better than any award. 

I have so many memories of Maine Road, just like many people of my age. There were happy days and heartbreaking days. I became a season ticket holder with my Dad in “H” Centre back in the mid 1970s and I had the great pleasure, before that, of seeing the great Mercer team with Bell, Lee & Summerbee gracing the pitch, even though sometimes it looked more like a mud bath.

At my first game I saw Neil Young, Colin Bell and Francis Lee all score.

In 1976 Alan Oakes drove in against Middlesbrough in the League Cup semi-final and I thought the roof would come off. 

I was there when Colin Bell came on at halftime after his long injury layoff. I don’t think I’d ever heard a noise like it when Colin came down the tunnel. I was crying my eyes out. Little did I know back then that Colin and I would become close friends and I’d have the honour of writing his autobiography, Reluctant Hero. 

In 1983 I was there as Raddy Antic scored the later winner for Luton Town as City were relegated out of the top flight. It felt like the end of the world. 

I hadn’t ever imagined that City could be out of the top division. 

I’ve played on the hallowed turf, in a couple of charity games, I’ve abseiled off the Kippax Stand roof and during my years as host of the Junior Blues, the final couple of seasons were in the lounge on the top tier of the all seater Kippax Stand. 

For a few seasons I became the stadium announcer. I loved going into the family stand before kickoff and giving out prizes to excited youngsters. 

One of the best moments of my life was welcoming out the teams for a Manchester Derby. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I read out the City team and the crowd cheered. 

I had the honour of introducing the parade of legends before that last game at Maine Road. It will always be a place where I have special memories. I was very lucky to have those experiences but even being a fan as City lost 2-1 to Mansfield Town in the Auto Windscreens Shield in front of 3,006, plus me, was something I’ll never forget. Those days at Maine Road make today’s successes at the Etihad Stadium seem so much more special.