“This was from a fun afternoon spent at Manchester City’s old ground, Maine Road, with my pal & City legend Paul Lake.
Ian and I were playing a lot of Sunday League type footy so it was a treat to get put through our paces on the sacred turf!!!
Ex City captain and manager Tony "skip" Book also came out and gave me Paul “Rocky” Rocastle’s match worn red & black striped away shirt to compliment the long sleeved sky blue home one that I trained in.
This old polaroid taken on the day is interesting as you can see the construction taking place on the new Kippax Stand which replaced the old terrace that I’d stood on in my youth.
Maine road was indeed a huge pitch supposedly the largest in the league then, and I can attest to that… you could see the curve of the earth when on it!!!
I also got to actually play a game on it with a few local celebs (including Marc & Lard) before Lakey's testimonial match in 1997.”
Billy – January 2026