As a Manchester City fan, I have found myself in recent weeks a little bewildered with prodigal sons returning and 9-figure transfer deals being suggested. Being in a state of conflict is not unusual for a Manchester City fan, and I know this because I subscribe to the wonderful “everything is written by readers” MCIVTA newsletter.
Oh, if you’re not a City/footie fan, I promise we’ll do something that has nothing to do with sport next week.
When my co-blogger Sarah suggested a site of the week feature she was probably not thinking in terms of e-mail newsletters. I would contest however that like blogs MCIVTA is user-generated content, and like the very best blogs the writing is focused and as good as anywhere. The only real difference is there is no fangled RSS feed: you need to subscribe to an e-mail list to get your fix straight to your door.
But if you’re a City fan it’s worth it. It really is.
With a history going back to the early days of commercial Internet access (the first site appeared in November 1994), it is a testament to the staying power of all involved that it has survived this long in a medium that is so transient. If like me you’ve been on the web for a long time, you might want the trip down memory lane that is MCIVTA’s History page.
By my reckoning, MCIVTA’s readers/writers have followed City through 9 managers, the move from Maine Road, a fall to 2nd division and the rise back up to Premiership, and are now witnessing what is likely to develop into the most extraordinary chapter in the club’s history.
To me MCIVTA sums up what is best about user content, this city, and a club I have grown to dearly love over the last decade. There is understanding, debate, woe, hope, aspiration, fear, and all of it given to us direct and raw given from people who care.
There is a memorable game from a few year’s ago in City’s history where at half-time we were 3-0 down and down to 10 men. We won 4-3. I remember that match as much for some of the MCIVTA match reports as I do for watching the game itself.
If the Internet is not a tool for you to find people who care about the things you do, as much as you do, and to collectively work through your issues (and trust me, as City fans, we’ve had many issues over the years), I don’t know what it is for.
Who knows what is going to happen to our club now it is being flooded with cash? Whatever the journey over the next few years is, I know I’m going to be sharing it with City fans all over the World thanks to MCIVTA. Here’s to them, us, and the not-too-distant 1,500th issue! CTID!
Dim Sum Digital 