Would you ever consider marrying an Ipswich Town supporter? Possibly, I suppose. But luckily for us, Mrs P and I are both City through and through so that issue has never concerned us.
So spare a thought for Sean and Debbie Tilsley, who live a few doors away from us in the city.
Sean is a rabid Man United supporter while Debbie follows Man City to the nth degree – and then some.
‘Matchday is bloody dreadful – we temporarily hate each other”, said Debbie. “The Saturday night ritual of Match of the Day is awful; we squabble all night after watching it. You’d have to be here now to appreciate it’.
Debbie is a Norwich girl – but she loves sitting in with the Citizens at Carrow Road whenever she can acquire a ticket. She wouldn’t join in with our lot for free – and oh boy does this lady have some cred. When it comes to Man City, she’s electric.
‘Sitting in with the Man City fans was bloody brilliant. We were singing non-stop and I learned a couple of new songs. I felt I’d live forever – and I’ve been to Wembley a couple of times as well with my dad.
‘Sure I’m a Norwich girl but my grandfather’s brother Arthur Lees played for Man City and Stockport County. It’s my heritage.
‘I’ve not been to the Etihad, but I went to Maine Road against Norwich – we won of course’.
It was the day we lost 5-1 and Mario Balotelli famously scored with his shoulder to make us look completely daft.
Very shortly afterwards Debbie, a partner at John Lewis [who don’t sell cigarettes and alcohol] held a door open for the incoming John Ruddy, saying: “Mind you don’t miss it”.
So after I laughed gently at Debbie’s black humour, we thought about a few of the Man City players and this was her verdict:
Vincent Kompany: ‘So hard to replace. He won us the title when he scored against Leicester. Probably the first one on my wonderwall. He’s founded a charity for the homeless and done so much to support it. I really rate him in every way.’
Kevin de Bruyne: Debbie and I (and even Sean) agreed he is a superb footballer. End of, really.
David Silva: ‘Ah! He was absolutely exceptional last season. Supersonic’.
Sergio Aguero: ‘He’s no hogger, he’s very reliable. He is Man City for me’. At this point Sean says something obscene, but it was quite funny.
Who has Debbie admired over the years? Shaun Wright-Phillips, Niall Quinn and Bermuda’s very own Shaun Goater.
We both agreed that having a striker known as “the goat” was in common with both our clubs in the respect of Goater and Teemu Pukki, and of course Hucks and Dave Phillips both played for an City before they tipped up on our doorstep.
So what does Debbie think of Norwich City?
‘I admire you. You’ve not sold the young ones, but your defence will let you down time and again. You make silly, costly mistakes. Strengthen that department in January and you should stay up’.
And as for Saturday’s score Debbie said: ‘5-0 Man City. Deffo’.
I’d love to think she’s wrong but… you know what I mean.
It’s Sean’s turn to help us out with an MFW preview before we play Man Utd.
As long as they haven’t torn off each other’s heads of course.
In the spirit of Debbie, Sean’s and my own love of Oasis with their Man City connection, there are five references to the band in this article.
Can you spot them all?
Hi Martin
A good read as usual.
Family ties are strange in my younger days I dated a couple of Ispwich supporters when in the RAF, Married an Man U supporter, have 3 sons that are Spurs supporters and a sister who Brother in Law played for Ipswich by the name of Eddie Spearritt.
Not an Oasis fan but did like wonderwall.
Over the years there have always been players and managers that have been at both clubs ie Saunders, Bond, Bentley, Machin, As a Hartford, Mike Channon, Joe Royal, Martin O’ Neill, Kevin Reeves, Kevin Bond and many others.
Yes this will be a tough nut to get anything from as long as we are not embarrassed by the score line I can except a defeat knowing they are valued 32 x more than city.
Injuries are going to be our diwn fall in the short term but we need to start picking up the odd point or two.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Hi Alex.
Would Eddie Spearitt be the father or uncle of Hannah Spearitt of S Club 7 fame?
Just wondering – not my style of music.
Good spots with the players and managers in common. I’d completely forgotten Martin O’Neill was at Man City tbh.
This is the ultimate free hit for us – October will give us an idea of where we truly stand.
Perhaps DF’s dinner time presser will give us a long-awaited update on the state of play with Zimbo and Max.
This has to be the original “if in doubt leave ’em out” fixture.
As for the cricket, it might pain me to say it but the Aussies deserve it imo.
Cheers mate.
Hannah of S Club7 fame is Eddie Spearritt and my niece and their music was terrible and her acting isn’t any better in the few things she has done.
Yeah a big free hit but do hope not a thrashing.
I still believe the Aussie 3 should have got longer bans than 1 year, and without Smith would have been a different kettle of fish, but England haven’t preformed to many players off it, Stokes has been our best in the series but will Root stay as captain that will be the next question
Thanks for that.
Spearitt’s not really a common surname [mind you nor are Penney or Bain] so I guessed it had to be him.
We’ll give a good account of what’s currently of what’s available from ourselves I’m sure.
What I cannot take away from Steve Smith is his sheer ability. I’d put him up there with Tendulkar, Gavaskar and even a comparison to Viv Richards isn’t out of order in its way. A great batsman, he really is.
Thanks as always.
My name is sorry to say Scottish but we are not part of the Bain clan for some unknown reason we are part of the Mackey clan same as Dave Mackay of Spurs
Debbie has Norwich summed up very accurately. Nil to 5 is not by any means crazy. Gallows humour may be needed….
Hi Cobwatch
As City fans we all have to have a healthy quotient of black humour. I picked up the trait in my police days over 30 years ago and find it stands me in good stead to this day.
The only positive I can come up with just now is, oh well, you never know.
Although deep down I do.
However nonetheless I’m looking forward to the game, as I’m sure we all are.
Thank you.
“there are five references to the band in this article.
Can you spot them all?”
Not a prayer. I’m more familiar with Haydn Symphonies. Nos. 94 and 96 would be particularly welcome tomorrow….
Hi Keith
I’m a heavy metal freak with a soft spot for bands such as Oasis and the Manics, Faces, Bowie, Roxy, Clash etc.
But I do have a liking for the occasional bit of classical, as in what you’d probably term the “popular” stuff. I love Holst’s Planets Suite – all of it – and enjoy a fair old bit of JS Bach. And I’ve a liking of Ravel that goes beyond Bolero.
I have heard Haydn but can’t remember what or when. If #94 and #96 refer to “don’t let us be humiliated tomorrow” I’m very much with you!
Thank you.
One’s subtitled the Surprise, the other the Miracle…
Breaking News on Sky
PUKKI has won the August player of the month.
Who needs to pay super high fees for players
Terrific isn’t it.
Whatever happens to us this season that man has been a revelation.
Congrats Teemu.
Pukki beat 3 Man City players to Premier League player of the month. Hope it is a positive omen.
Now is the time for our first clean sheet. Krul then for September player of the month.
OTBC
Blimey mate I’ve just seen our injury roster.
It’s not good:-(