After writing an article in response to City’s ‘worry’ about us singing the racist Adebayor song, I got an e-mail from a fella called Jack who is behind the City blog, The Lonesome Death of Roy Carroll. If my track record for receiving e-mails from City fans was anything to go by, I was fully expecting a hate-filled rant, calling me a Munich bastard and ending with the hope I died in a plane crashed. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
See, Jack is a decent sort. Not that he has softened feelings towards United or United fans, but is one of many blues who isn’t too keen on mocking dead or singing racist songs. Honestly, they do exist, although sadly, rarely on derby day.
He is the son of a Salford blue, who are an even rarer type of City fan, and lives in London. He gets up to Wastelands for a few games a season but his majority of live football experiences are watching City away down south.
I asked him a few questions ahead of derby day to get an insight in to our rivals’ heads.
Scott the Red: Which buy have you been most impressed with so far?
Jack Pitt-Brooke: Gareth Barry. He has a huge weight to carry. We have effectively been playing 4-2-4 with Barry and Ireland in central midfield, and while Ireland has been quiet so far Barry has been immense. His control, his tackling, his passing is all immaculate. We look so much more secure with him there. Having grown up with men like Jamie Pollock and Ousmane Dabo in holding midfield, it’s a huge step up.
STR: City recently forced out club captain Richard Dunne, who was just one season short of his testimonial with the club, after serving years as a loyal servant to City. How do you feel about him not even being given the opportunity to fight for his place, now that the team are experiencing positive changes on the pitch, and sold with the excuse of ‘balancing the books’?
J P-B: I think it leaves a very nasty taste. I have no problem with Mark Hughes’ decision to use the money to buy in new, better centre halves. City and Richard Dunne have been moving in opposite directions for the last year. My problem is with the way it has been handled. If what Dunne has said about Garry Cook is true, then it suggests a lack of respect for a real club icon. Many City fans feel very uneasy about this.
STR: Carlos Tevez traded his red jersey for a blue one this summer but since signing can’t stop talking about Sir Alex Ferguson or his love for United fans, after previously claiming he wanted to stay at Old Trafford forever. What do you make of his transfer?
J P-B: We’ve been the fortunate beneficiaries of Tévez throwing his toys out of the pram. Lots of factors played in our favour: the wages we could offer, the sense of ‘the project’, his being settled in Cheshire. He did seem to have a good rapport with the United fans but I’m not sure that’s a reason not to sign him. And I’m not sure United fans still return the love to Carlos either.
STR: As Carlos Tevez was getting out of the car ahead of signing for City, fans in the background were chanting “Carlos Tevez is a blue, he hates Munichs.” This song has since been heard during every game City have played in. What do you think?
J P-B: I hate it. I hoped that Munich songs were being phased out after the memorial derby last year – and I think there has been a decrease in songs about the disaster itself – but the use of name ‘Munichs’ for United players and fans is as prevalent as it ever has been. It’s an embarrassment and a disgrace. I’m sorry to say that if games this season are anything to go by there will be a lot of it, which is obviously quite disgraceful. I quite like ‘Fergie, sign him up’ though.
STR: Can you remember a time when your fans have chanted for Frank Swift, other than the Munich memorial game?
J P-B: No. I find the Frank Swift stuff bemusing. There are some City fans who say that we shouldn’t sing about Munich because one of our own (Swift) died: the implication being that it is only the death of Swift which demands respect or remembrance, and that had he survived it would be ‘fair game.’ This is obviously an absurd and offensive position. I must say that hearing people disrespect Munich is by far the worst thing about being a City fan.
STR: Spurs started the ‘His dad washes elephants, his mum is a whore’ chant for Adebayor when he was an Arsenal player. City fans have now adapted this to ‘He’s hung like an elephant, his wife’s a bit sore.’ What do you make of these?
J P-B: I hate it too. I can’t make my mind up whether it’s worse than the Tévez song or not. It probably is. It’s certainly racist.
STR: Manchester is lodging a bid for the World Cup 2018, with our stadium recently hosting the Champions League final, and yours hosting the UEFA Cup final. What do you think of our chances?
J P-B: I certainly think both Manchester stadia deserve World Cup 2018 matches. Old Trafford might have a decent shot at a quater-final too, if not a semi.
STR: Which United player do you think will pose you the biggest threat on Sunday?
J P-B: No points for orginality but Wayne Rooney is the player I’m most worried about. He bears a heavy weight on his shoulders this season. I’m also hoping that Rio Ferdinand doesn’t recover from his injury in time – United look a much better team with him alongside Vidic.
STR: Which City played should we be most concerned about?
J P-B: For the first time in my lifetime I think we might really compete in midfield. Gareth Barry and Stephen Ireland are a good combination and we might play Nigel de Jong as well, who is a very tough player. Given that all of United’s midfielders barring Darren Fletcher look out of sorts (has Carrick recovered from getting schooled by Xavi yet?) we might just have a chance.
STR: What are your predictions for the final score?
J P-B: I’m confidently going for 1-1. Even if we concede early I’d back us not to fold. And Carlos will be up for it.
STR: Lots of blues are getting giddy about your prospects, with one even getting a tattoo hailing City as 2011 Champions League winners! Where do you see City finishing this season?
J P-B: On current form I think Spurs are just going to beat us into fifth, leaving us in a satisfactory sixth place, which should just be enough for Sparky to keep his job providing we don’t completely mess up the domestic cups.
STR: And finally, having not won anything since 1976 and watching United claim trophy after trophy, I imagine City fans are really craving some silverware. However, how do you think it will feel if City win something this year in comparison to how it would have felt 5 years ago?
J P-B: Of course, it would have been great to build a team slowly and take them to success. But the dominance of the ‘big four’ is such that it is impossible to break in. Look at Everton – a fantastic manager in Moyes, and real stability – and all they have achieved is one fourth place finish and one FA Cup final defeat. The sad fact is that the only way a mid-table club can win things now is through a major cash injection. I wish there was another way but there simply is not.
STR: Middlesbrough, Leicester, Portsmouth, Blackburn and Spurs have all won silverware in the past ten years, either through the FA Cup or the League Cup, and Spurs are the only ones who have done it on the back of big spending. But certainly, to break in to the top four it is going to take a considerable amount of dosh. Anyway, thanks for answering so honestly!
Man Utd News 24/7
Fair do. I think the lad answered the questions well and showed there are good sorts even in the enemy camps. And I actually think citeh will do better then spuds. But they will lose on Sunday. 3 – 0. Rooney with 2, Anderson with 1.
…”I think Spurs are just going to beat us into fifth, leaving us in a satisfactory sixth place…”
I think you may find that VILLA will be your main rivals.
if only City had more of such kind of fans. feel pity for City
that answer to the munich chant and about swiftys name been sang could not of been answered better
alot of respect for that man after that and his words are a lesson for anyone who sings those songs
damn, i had no clue ppl like this even existed, and he said sixth,
i take my hat off to u jack
brilliant interview scott
Fair play to the lad.
Alot of respect for you jack. Just wish could run into more fans of the other half like you. Other than my dad in law, not met many others who share sensible opinions
haha, an honest shitty fan- how many do u get that?
looks like a really sensible fan.good to read that.
Old Trafford will have the Semi’s for sure.
4-1 United. Wazza with 2. Fletch early goal. NEMANJA whooaaoo.
Awesome interview of Brucie: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/sunderland/6204860/Steve-Bruce-warns-Sunderland-stars-of-culture-shock-at-Burnley.html
Reminded me so much of Fergie! If he continues in this fashion, it could very well be Brucie at the helm after Fergie retires.
yep, fair play n honestly… i didnt think u/they were out there.
the score however, 3-1 UNITED, no midgetknickers goal.
RED ARMY RED ARMY!!!!
God doesnt make any more citeh fans like him…He was the last one and scott got hold of him..
Not all the opponent is bad. I met across some Liverpool fans and City fans and they are more rational and understanding.
4-0 to man utd… rooney 1, valencia 1, owen 2
This guy seems a bit too friendly to me! Can’t imagine a United fan speaking so nicely about City..
@kel.. To be honest I would say there are more rational and sensible fans than irrational ones. When I speak face to face to Liverpool fans I can always have a decent conversation. It’s only the minority who come on boards and forums that are really annoying…
tony starks
right mate.what nice is there to speak about shiity?
aig – errm… well they are from Manchester, that’s a nice thing!
Fair play to Jack, good interview
i am honstly surprised he asnswered such a variety of hate filled questions… the author of this blog really is a bitter peice of work. The majority of the questions are just targeted at having a dig or putting city fans down. The author is a seriously sad individual.
Great read. It’s nice to see City have supporters who aren’t complete twats. He seems like a genuinely nice guy. Nice one Scott.
@BlueAnt
“hate filled questions” – what are you on about? They were straight up questions answered honestly and sensibly. Get a grip.
at long last there is a reasonable city fan big up jack…and scott what is that blogg all about?? some sort of hate to roy carrol??….certainly no cos jack is the author..resonable bluenose..STILL HATE THY ANYWAY!!!!!
the questions are mostly full of cheap digs and questions just so he can show links back to his ego filled blog.. the author obviously has huge chips on his shoulders reguarding Tevez, as maybe he was forced to remove the posters of his bedroom wall. Of course you won’t see this as you just follow your messiah around like a lost puppy. the voice of Man Utd fans and his sheep Baabaa
@blueant
what should have been the questions then?
your club has achieved nothing that can be asked about nor boasted about.the obvious talking points are adebawhore and the argie cunt and that is what scott has asked although he ahs also touched other topics.
It would be nice if some of our own fans showed his level of humility. Lets not get too carried away with scorelines just yet, I’m expecting a Utd win but it’s not going to be an easy game.
Regarding the Munich chants, I feel strongly that we should stop our “without killing anyone”, I realize it’s a contentious issue with Scott but I think it’s ridiculous to argue the merits of one song based on a tragedy and condemn another. You can argue that it’s not about the dead but I personally feel it’s inappropriate.
Nice little interview all the same, I enjoy the constructive banter between fans, it’s better than the usual bile on other sites/blogs.
great article scott
@blueant
Calm yourself down “mate”. We all have opinions, which will of course result bias in questions. The questions are loaded and the answers are loaded. The point was that the questions and answers were fairly put.
This is simply two sensible football fans having a conversation and a bit of friendly banter (both ways). How would you have answered the questions? Actually don’t. I can imagine the myopic bile you would come out with.
If any of us have a chip on our shoulder it’s you and your lot. In fact it might be a whole potato field worth of chips that have been building up since 1976!
Jog on you clown!
bitter blue
as per plans Old Trafford will increase its seating capacity near to 95000 and if it’s done well before 2018 then i don’t see why the WC(if hosting) final not to be at OT.
Old Trafford > Wembley
@BlueAnt
I thought the interview was perfect for the demographic it was aimed at – United supporters. If you expect a Man United fan like STR to ask silly questions like ‘when do you think you will win the premier league’ you are as delusional as Carlos Tevez.
It’s only natural for you to see the questions as a thinly veiled dig at Manchester City, as your club is simply a small one, and has the associated inferiority complex.
Jog on.
I’m looking forward to the first Derby in ages that the City fans actually think they can win. Will make it so much sweeter when they don’t.
How long has it been since you won anything?
Would that have been suitable.
off topic…question for everyone…
we all know wayne can bassically play everywhere but how does every1 think he’d do center mid? his got energy, can tackle good, creative..
i would acutally like to see this one day
foster
oshea rio vidic evra
valenica rooney flecther nani
owen berbatov
i know it will probally never happen but i’d like acutally like to see that line up
@Jack : its highly unlikely to ever see Wayne in CM in a 4-4-2. it can be possible in a 4-5-1 with Berba leading the line and Wazza playing as CAM.
it going to be a close one this derby…manchester united will win 1-0…
either rooney berba or owen going to score…if owen score the winner didnt he gain lot of point in climbing ladder from villain to hero in manchester united??
I have not had time to read the posts yet but I am getting fucking sick of Hughes the cunt. Who does he think he is? Reckons we look below par without Ronnie and Judas as “we have not replaced them”. Fuck off Mark, to think I used to love you at United. Now I cannot stand the arrogant bastard.
Jason Cundy on Talkshite reckons “pockets of United fans MAY boo him”. No Jason you rentboy I reckon the whole ground will boo him!!
Above post should say King Eric!
It has not come up.
I have not had time to read the posts yet but who the fuck does Hughes think he is? Reckons we are below par this season “as we have not replaced Ronnie and Judas”. To think I used to love Sparky in a United shirt now I detest the arrogant jumped up little cunt.
Jason Cundy on Talkshite reckons “small pockets of United fans MAY boo Tevez”. No you rentboy I reckon the whole ground will.
Off topic – The FSW reckons Villa or Citeh can oust United from the top!
20LEgend – “If any of us have a chip on our shoulder it’s you and your lot. In fact it might be a whole potato field worth of chips that have been building up since 1976″!
absolute quality mate.
Sorry for the multiple posts.
@King Eric : FSW is more worried about the dippers and he is trying to divert the pressure, lol
some FACTS by Harry Redknapp :
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5567612,00.html
King Eric-Another quadruple post!
How do you listen to Talksport?It seems full of ABUs.I’m surprised you don’t smash the radio to bits or just chuck it out the window.
The FSW is a fucking muppet.I love him!
Villa???? they are some force to be worried about,
Nigel reo-roaster has been sent home and will not play tomorrow,
they must have some earth shattering depth to the squad that the FSW thinks we should be worried about, did he mention if he was worried?? about villa and citeh that is and not the amount of tourists orderring egg and chips from him
Good article, I always find it interesting how the opposition feel ahead of an important fixture.
Hope we smash Citeh and put them back in their box
Paul – “tourists ordering egg and chips from the FSW!” Ha Ha nice one.
theboogeyman – Just listen to it on way home mate. It DOES indeed make my blood boil especially Collybore the bird beating cunt. I actually get some sort of sick buzz out of it getting wound up. Called them many a time to rage but never get put through. Best line tonight mate was Darren Gough saying everyone has a “second team” and his is the Scousers!!
Wazza – Harry said Chelsea aint in Uniteds league!
@King Eric : ya true facts by Harry. btw, Darren Gough is from Yorkshire right ? which team does Darren support ?
Wazza – Barnsley AND Spurs!!
@King Eric : so he supports the scousers too as the third team ? lol
Good bloke, good interview. There are loads of decent City fans. One lives next door to me and he used to go to Maine Rd one week, Old Trafford the next. Only problem with him is he objects to having to see the statue of King Eric in my bathroom window which he can’t avoid seeing from his bathroom every time he goes for a piss.Another City fan is in the team I play for (or do when fit) and he’s a great lad, went to school with one of Harry Gregg’s daughters. Then there’s one of my oldest friends, made a lovely speech at my 60th birthday, lifelong City. All of these guys hate all the Munich shit, and I couldn’t ask for better friends. Mind you, they’ll not speak to me for a while if United win on Sunday, and I’ll not be seeking out their company if City win.
you see how you meesiah is so scared to back himself ? can you see how all he does is publish more bitter hatred?http://therepublikofmancunia.com/video-the-difference-between-united-and-city-fans/
he’s a coward incites hatred, wake up you stupid sheep!!!
All blues are pricks, especially this one!
Cool name for the blog. Lonesome death of Roy Carroll. It’s a changed title of a Bob Dylan song. The concluding line is “bury your face deep in the rag, now is the time for your tears”.
Weep buckets, City!
I don’t normally trespass onto other club’s fan sites (better things to do) but Jack’s site directed me over here.
Personally, as a long-standing Blue (1954) and a fiercely proud Manc I’d like us to get back to a 50s position when we could go to Maine Rd one week and OT the next and support whichever Manchester team was playing Cockneys, Scousers, Brummies or Geordies (different story on Derby day, mind!) but I’m realistic to know it will never happen. Given the prices clubs charge we couldn’t afford it anyway.
I hate the Munich song, the submarine song, the dreadful (Arsenal v Spurs) ‘Auswich’ song and all the other fascist, jingoist and racist songs and spend a lot of time arguing that people shouldn’t sing them.
At the same time I know that (let’s say) 5% of any football crowd and probably 10% of the fanbase is composed of complete headcases so our chances are virtually nil. The best thing the rest of us can do is drown them out.
I do think the amount of space fan sites like R of M and the equally hysterical Blue Moon forums devote to winding up fans and dissing the other team is counter productive – it would be better used for taking all this evil hatred and mass stupidity out of the game.
If anyone on this forum questions my right to contribute on this topic I lost a relative, 3 personal friends and 3 family friends at Munich. I was at OT at the first match after the tragedy and still cherish the programme, the one with the blank team sheet. I’ve clung on to it despite several tempting offers from United fans.
I flew into Munich on business this year on the anniversary of the crash and took time out at the airport to pay my respects.
All that said, I’m still, when push comes to shove and I’m asked to declare my allegiance a (non-bitter) Blue. I hope we stuff you tomorrow!