In response to questions about how & why the branch was formed, I'll take you a step back in to history & let you delve in to the past with me.

During the "Swales out" era the Independent City Supporters Association was formed ,which I joined, as a protest to what was going on.

At the end of the 1994 season Franny Lee was in place & Brian Horton was the manager, the last game of that season was away at Sheffield Wednesday. A coach trip was planned and in the end 2 coaches were needed to accommodate everybody.

A few of us from that coach trip thought it was a good time & a good basis on which to form a branch. We booked a room at the Welcome Inn in Prestwich & gave leaflets to everybody on the bus. 82 people turned up for the first meeting & the branch was born.

It wasn't, & never has been plain sailing & on many occasions I've thought " What the f**k am I doing & "Is it worth all the hassle!!"

The first meeting was a good old piss up & people volunteered to be on the committee, secretary, treasurer etc…

The second meeting officials from the Independent Supporters Association turned up & we agreed to affiliate to them.

The third & last meeting at the Welcome Inn was attended by local blue Tommy Booth, as star guest, it turned out to be a cracker.   

As we were no longer welcome at the Welcome, we moved to the Prestwich British Legion. We were able to secure star names such as Alan Ball, Brian Horton, Franny Lee, Mike Summerbee, Paul Lake, Uwe Rosler & King of the Kippax founder Dave Wallace, to name just a few.

After a few years we had simply outgrown the place & moved to our present home, the Heaton Park Social Club. Since then the branch has gone from strength to strength and the guest list has got better & better, including Dennis Tueart, Nick Leeson, Kevin Keegan, Chris Greenacre, Shaun Wright Phillips, Gio Kinkladze, Ian Brightwell, Kit Symons, Paul Dickov, Ian Bishop, the list goes on & on.

Although at times it is very hard work & frustrating it is also very rewarding. We are particularly proud of the thousands of pounds we have raised for charities & good causes. We have organised coach trips all over the country & even to Amsterdam & Hamburg.

We have a very good relationship with MCFC, who have been wonderful with the guests they have arranged & the raffle prizes they have donated, although at times it can be stressful dealing with one or two people from the club.

The single reason for the success of our branch is the philosophy behind it. None of the committee are on an ego-trip & are prepared to work hard to ensure the branch remains a success. We respond to the wishes of the members & never take anything for granted. The committee structure is very informal & anybody can attend committee meetings & have their say. In June this year we had a members general meeting which about 60 members attended to debate various ideas for the branch.

Besides the monthly meetings we have a monthly newsletter, web site, away travel, "gentlemen's" mornings, family fun day, junior members Christmas party & a charity football team. There really is something for everybody. Even if you can't attend the meetings, it really is worth joining to be part of the success of the branch.

A special mention goes to all committee members, past & present, especially Aide & Keith because if they didn't do their jobs as brilliantly as they do my job would be a lot harder & the club wouldn't be anything like the success it is. 

Cheers,
See you at the next meeting

Don Price,Branch chairman