Man City Square
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Manchester City fans put aside rivalry

By Jason Bardwell

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini look on before the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini look on before the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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He was Manager of our nearest rivals for almost three decades. Managing them to Premier League titles, domestic silverware and European success. During that same period, Manchester City were suffering relegation, a managerial merry-go-round, and takeover from an ex playing legend and an ex Thai Prime Minister.

Some of the words exchanged between the two sides during that time did nothing to build bridges. And why would you want to. Every hero has to have a villain to battle, and ours are the Red Devils! But that doesn’t mean Blues fans cannot be respectful when the occasion calls for a view of the bigger picture.

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In 2008 Manchester City fans beautifully observed the pre game silence to remember the Munich tragedy. On its 50th anniversary it was rumoured City fans could disrupt the moment. They didn’t, and it passed off without incident. City fans behaving impeccably, remembering one of our own who perished in that tragedy, Frank Swift.

So, when news broke earlier in the day, that Sir Alex Ferguson had suffered a brain haemorrhage there was no surprise with the out pouring of sympathy, The footballing world as a whole joined in, but the City fans, players and ex players were out in force to send prayers, sympathy and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

The 1894 Group summed up the general feeling with this tweet:

Meanwhile, current Captain, Vincent Kompany, took to his social media to say this:

Ex City and United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel asked his boss for one more win.

Finally, the club took to Twitter to express their message of support with the hashtag, football family. And that’s what it is, a family.

So we too are wishing Sir Alex Ferguson a speedy recovery after his surgery. As only natural, the family request privacy at this time, but it seems the surgery went well. Of course there will be a significant amount of recovery time in intensive care for the former reds boss and I think, like all football fans, we hope he can win this latest battle.