Manchester City and the History Lesson

When young people talk about music they always talk about how the latest music is the best thing. It’s always about cutting edge and cool. Finger on the pulse. Happening.

Yet when the same people talk about football it’s like they have had a lobotomy. What’s happening now in football is kind of irrelevant to them. It’s the past which is celebrated. What a great team we were 39 years ago. We used to be great and win things.

It’s kind of the opposite view people tend to have about music, where the past is, well – in the past. Sure there’s an appetite for nostalgia but the big industry is geared about what’s top of the charts right now.

Some large bands make a living out of touring past hits like U2 or Brotherhood of Man in stadiums or at Butlins.

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People don’t tend to wander around supporting the Rolling Stones citing the fact that they were really good in the 1960s and 1970s. When people say yeah they ‘ve been crap since and all their new songs are crap but they still love them, those people tend to get sniggered at for being out of touch or for living in the past.

People go and see the Rolling Stones because they like them a bit, it’s a bit of an ‘experience’ and they worry they may miss out before the band are all dead.

Yet people say without irony that Liverpool or United are the best football team because of their “istree”. So is Anfield or Old Trafford just a monument to the past? Is it just a museum in which to celebrate former glory?

So is supporting a Club and going on about their history about a bit of nostalgia, like a comfy blanket or Apple crumble? Is it an event experience like visiting the Moulin Rouge or Las Vegas?

Now maybe it’s just me that’s different. I can appreciate the Rolling Stones for that fantastic run of songs between 1964 and 1969. I can like the Beatles for the White Album. I can like Paul Weller for what he did in the Jam, but it doesn’t mean I have to like the Style Council or pretend to like Paul McCartneys output since 1970.

Part of being a fan is you can say that bit was good, but you can also say it’s been crap since. The argument which fans use about football just doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t really matter how good someone was 40 years ago. I mean you might still like it now but no one cares.

What is important is to see and celebrate brilliance around you. Whether it’s Kendrick Lamar or Sleaford Mods. What’s happening now is crucial and relevant and in football terms it’s quite simple. Manchester City are the best team in Europe and there is nothing you can do about it. So dry your tears and stop going on about history. The future is here, and it’s blue.

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By the way if you really want to know about istree…..

Manchester City won a trophy 4 years before Newton Heath (now called Manchester United).

Manchester City won a trophy 20 years before Arsenal and 51 years before Chelsea.

Manchester City won the FA Cup 61 years before Liverpool.

Manchester City were the 1st English club to win a domestic and European trophy double.

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