From the Kippax to the corporate boxes, watching from every stand of Manchester City’s old ground left one fan with lifelong memories.
The first – and only – occasion that I ever watched a game from a corporate box was above the Umbro Stand at Manchester City’s Maine Road in late 1995, allowing my integrity to be swayed by an invitation to a buffet with stadium parking access.
Almost inevitably, the afternoon in business class was as unsavoury as I had anticipated. Here were men who clearly knew very little about football holding court with great authority on the ills of the modern game; while seeing free booze as a challenge rather than an invitation. It also seemed that a great percentage of those watching from up top wouldn’t normally be seen dead in a football ground but simply took an opportunity for some drink-fuelled business schmoozing, along with a condescending view of regular fans which made it seem like an exercise in poverty tourism.
The match itself was a shocker. Niall Quinn’s very late winner against an uncompromising Wimbledon viewed only by a vastly reduced number of the 23,000 crowd (the lowest of the season) who were there at kick-off. Normally it would have been the least memorable of games, just another round of drudgery on the way to an inevitable relegation under Alan Ball, but my experience in the corporate sector made me reflect on it for some time afterwards.
Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
