Of course what stands out by it's absence is my love of Manchester United, if you didn't already know, I couldn't tell you when I became a fan of United I just know it was influenced by my cousins who supported them but there was no memorable moment of inspiration. I did not see my first match at Old Trafford until January 1st 2011 but my first live game came in 1996.
Sometime early in the 1996/97 season I rocked up, an excitable 8 or 9 year old, with my dad at Gigg Lane, home of Bury F.C. Again I can't recall who the first match I saw was against, I have no memory of the scoreline either I just know that even that small ground looked huge to me and walking from the underbelly of the stadium into the stands the 'noise' that hit me was wonderful- I was in love with live football.Later on that same season I again attended a Bury match, this time though there was a new twist, Bury were on the verge of securing the Second Division (League One) title. Going into the final day of the season the 'Shakers' were level on points with local rivals Stockport, both on 81 points, Bury would have to equal or better Stockport's result. I took my place in the Main Stand and watched as Bury beat Millwall 2-0, meanwhile Stockport drew 0-0 with 3rd place Luton (you'll notice how times have changed). Bury were champions and I watched as they received the title and celebrated promotion to Division One (The Championship).
Fast forward just short of exactly 16 years later and I found myself at Gigg Lane, I've been quite a few times in between, with Bury languishing bottom of League One; already relegated and in deep financial trouble. It saddens me to see the team who I hold so close to my heart in such struggles, especially when Bury are not a team with a large enough fan base to easily turn it around.
Last week, before relegation was confirmed, it was announced by the board that the club needed £1 million by the end of the month. My first reaction was of shock but I then became utterly confused, why did it take the board till termination as a club was one month away before they did anything? This question remains unanswered after the team manager, Kevin Blackwell, was forced to fend for himself in a press conference last week.
Against Scunthorpe the fans, like the players, did not seem to care with the two gents behind me declaring "Who gives a fuck as long as Oldham lose" and, after one had urged his team to at least try his mate answered "why would they try now, they've not all season". 0-1 down at half time the players, inspired by whatever Blackwell said at half time, decided to show they cared in the 2nd half as they turned the result around for a 2-1 victory. The player's celebrated near the fans, the fans cheered and resentment at their own side turned to mockery of Scunthorpe's boss, big time Charlie, Brian Laws.For now Bury will play out their last two games of the season and hopefully the players can show some fight that will give the fans hope for the future. The painful truth though is that no matter what the players do now there may still be no future for Bury F.C, Gigg Lane and all the fans.
I don't hark back to the good old days, I just pray that my memories of them, and my Bury scarf from back then, aren't the only part of Bury F.C that remains.
Father Than They've Gone Before
Like a lot of people my passion for sport is inherited from my dad. I can still remember being sat on the couch with him to watch England vs South Africa in the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup.
My dad though, believe it or not, is actually a Manchester City fan. When my older brother was born Sidler senior enrolled him as a 'Junior Blue' and of course my brother thanked him for that by having no interest in football. I take it this is what prevented me from also being enrolled, typically it meant I had no connection with City and thus became a red- sorry pa!
Just like me though 'Dad' first fell in love with football away from Maine Road. My dad's first match was at Ninian Park, the previous home of Cardiff City- they wore blue then (see football really does change). Once again fast forwarding and Cardiff find themselves promoted to the Premier League.
Though I don't share my dad's support of City I've always followed the fortunes of Cardiff with a hope they'd one day make it to the top. There are of course many issues after Cardiff sold their soul to get there but right now that doesn't really matter.
Well done Cardiff, it's well deserved. And don't worry I've already asked- if it's City vs City on the last day of the season with one going for the title and the other looking for the title he'll be supporting Manchester... I won't!
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