Fans would buy season tickets prior to the start of the campaign, and a corresponding ticket number would be announced before the match that would allow access into the ground .
Of course, these were only valid for home games, but the commitment to watch all the games meant a more economical way of attending matches, as season tickets would carry a discount compared to paying on the day.
In some of our more troubled times, a fan would make a point of tearing up their season ticket book in disgust - sometimes even in front of the manager or the chairman - though this would usually be towards the end of a season when most of the vouchers had been used up!
A season ticket meant priority for any away games or cup tickets that might be sold in advance and it also allowed free entry for reserve team matches.
READ: From the archives:The Wizard who came to tea
These season tickets are special because they were for the final season at Hyde Road in 1922/23, prior to the Blues moving to Maine Road.
They have been kindly loaned to the Club by life-long City fan, Michael Bairstow. -originally from Manchester - who emigrated to Australia in 1998 and had the two season ticket on display for many years until loaning them back to the Club in 2008.
Michael’s father-in-law had been given the tickets in 1989 by a Mr R Godwin as a parting gift following the closure of York Motors in Chorlton that Mr Goodwin used to own and where Michael’s father-in-law used to work.
Now 96 years-old, they are in remarkably good condition and the inside image (above) and has the details of the owner and the signature of the manager!
Imagine Pep having to sign 40,000 season tickets in the summer months!
The 52/6 price equates to around £345 in today’s money, so not bad value for 21 games, averaging out at about £22 per match by our calculations.
Do you have any rare City treasures you’d like to share with the Club - we’d like to hear from anyone who has any items of special or personal interest....
