Hi everyone, a long time reader of this forum here, but my first post.
My reason for joining at this time is to report on the sad news of my Dad’s passing a week ago. I have read a few tributes for long time City supporters on here over the years so I hope you find this one interesting, particularly the older supporters.
Dad died aged 91 and had supported City since the early 1950s. Growing up and living in Wiltshire, Dad was a talented sportsman and had the fortune to play cricket for Wiltshire U19. In doing so he met a certain John Atyeo who was in the same team and they became friends.
Once John started playing at City, my Dad became hooked as a fan and started regularly riding his motorbike down to the Gate at a great era in City’s fortunes.
In the early 60’s Dad followed a job opportunity and we lived in Luton for a few years. In 1966, he was able to buy a book of tickets for the World Cup finals including the final itself. Some of my most treasured possessions are the ticket stub, the commemorative program and the London Evening Standard from that 1966 Final.
We moved back to Wiltshire soon after and in the 70s Dad started taking me and sometimes my sister, to home games. I was still very young so whilst he stood in the Open End, I needed to spend the match sitting on the stanchion bars in front of him so I could see over shoulders, getting numb legs every time (hence the user name).
I can remember some big games in those days. I was on that terrace to see the FA Cup run games v both Leeds and Liverpool plus was directly behind the net for the winning goal in the promotion game to Div.1. After that final whistle was the only time I got onto the pitch! We loved the big games and the packed crowds.
As City progressed, life in the Open End for children was changing for the worse so Dad decided the best place for us was the Enclosure. I usually stood right at the front hanging onto the railings toward the East end, Dad was further back. I was happy with the new view as it got me closer to the magic that was Geoff Merrick’s left foot.
We had our other favourites of course – Trevor Tainton, Gary Collier, Gerry Gow, Clive Whitehead, Tom Ritchie, and Paul Cheesley. We knew the team sheet well. The additions of Joe Royle and Norman Hunter in later years brought some glamour, but the core of the team, the unsung heroes were his favourites I think. We went to most home games before and after the promotion season. We would drop off Mum at St Nicholas Market before the game to do some shopping and pick her up from outside Brentford Nylons on Fairfax St after the game. My regular treat before each match was half a shandy in the Try Again pub after parking on Leigh St. and a cheese roll whilst admiring Marina Dolman’s dark red Rolls Royce behind the main stand – I even recall Harry’s old private number plate too. I can almost smell the beer in the pub, the cigarette smoke on the terrace and the line of buses warming their engines on Ashton Road after the game.
I can remember the opening game in Division 1, a win away v Arsenal. In those days the ITV Sunday highlights always had a London club playing and everyone assumed (with London TV bias) it would be a walkover for Arsenal. It is those occasions (also beating Leeds and Liverpool away) you don’t forget.
There were other games that were memorable too, beating Man Utd 1-0 when they had dropped into Div.2. I think Emmanuel scored the goal, the away support was ugly - my sister and I counted 65 smashed windows when walking down Coronation Road afterwards. A cup game v Wrexham which finished 4-4, what a thriller that was.
Dad occasionally bumped into John Atyeo. When we were in Luton in the 60s, City played one night and John, now near the end of his career, spotted my Dad by the tunnel after the game and had a good chat. Dad last saw him a year or so before he died. He didn’t talk about it much but Dad was pleased to see the stand named after John, was very interested in the statue and recently, the blue plaque at the Atyeo family home.
Jumping forward many years, eventually we stopped going to games. As Dad’s health declined I needed to prompt him to watch the games on Sky, but if I gave him a call he would always watch the games and we would still compare notes on what happened. We booked a supporters VIP day for a home game a few years ago, meeting Paul Cheesely as one of the hosts - that was a big thrill to meet an old hero of ours.
For Christmas 2021, I bought Dad the John Atyeo biography. As he became more frail, I realised I needed to read the book to him. He was nearly blind and deaf towards the end, but when I started reading about Atyeo, his good ear would turn to me and he recalled many of the names from the 50s and 60s. Unfortunately I never got to finish the book with him. It remains with the bookmark at just over half way, but at least he got to recall the internationals and goals that were the highlight of the Atyeo career.
At some point I hope to make a return to Ashton Gate. I admire all of you who support in person, especially to away games and hope City can have a better season. Reading the OTIB forum has kept me, and therefore my Dad, in touch with events over the last few years.
For Dad, 1931-2022. Thank you for taking us to all those games and the lasting memories.
