David Seaman was a larger than life character – he was determined to enjoy every moment of his time with City, even though he knew it would be his last season as a professional. We first spoke at a photo-shoot at City’s new stadium in the summer of 2003 in – get this - warm Manchester sunshine… and later again in the season..
If laughter really is the best form of medicine, then it is little wonder that David Seaman is contemplating extending his top-flight career to a 20th season.
Genial, humorous, not to mention one of the best keepers in English football, a smile and a chuckle is never far from the lips of the City’s number one - even at the most testing of times.
There have been certain members of the media who have seemingly had a vendetta against Seaman ever since an outrageous Ronaldinho free-kick during England’s 2002 World Cup quarter-final with Brazil sailed over his head and England sailed out.
Since leaving Arsenal to replace Peter Schmeichel for City, his every move has been scrutinised. The vultures have been ready to pick on his slightest mistake. For some people, that attention could prove too much. Not Seaman.
Having experienced every spectrum of the footballing world during a career that has taken him from Leeds to Eastlands via spells at Peterborough, Birmingham, QPR and Arsenal, the 40 year-old takes the brickbats and bouquets in equal measure.
Happily adjusted to life with the Blues following a glorious 13 years at Highbury, Seaman admits that things have gone like clockwork from the time he took up Kevin Keegan’s offer in June.
“It’s been great,” who serenaded City-supporting ex-colleague Lee Dixon with a unique version of Blue Moon when he found out he would be signing for the Club.
“There has been a bit of stick flying around, as usual, but other than that everything has been fine. Obviously it was difficult to leave Arsenal but I have come to an absolutely quality place.
“The training centre is superb. Arsenal’s was excellent and I wondered what this place was going to be like. But to be fair it was just as good. This is where we come every day to do all our work and it is great that everything is catered for.
“The icing on the cake is that we get to play in a stadium as good as the one we do every other week. So from that point of view, it has been fantastic. I’ve found somewhere to live and my family is up here regularly, too, now.
“It’s a new challenge and you’ve got to win over a new set of fans. Some people had a go at me after the Lokeren game, but they are entitled to their opinion. If they feel that I have made a mistake, so be it.”
For a man who has won three league championships, as well as a glut of other trophies, David confesses that the thing that has taken him the longest to get used to is City’s age-old idiosyncratic tendencies.
Brilliant some games, baffling in others, the Rotherham-born stopper has been perplexed at how certain occasions - and in the space of 90 minutes - City have looked both like Champions League contenders and then cannon fodder.
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The challenge now, as Seaman points out, is to find the consistency to make City into a genuine top four side. Though it won’t happen overnight, he reckons the nucleus is there for a bright future.
“The strange thing has been for me is that things have been so unpredictable and it hasn’t just been for one game to the next,” he opined.
“We can play really well for some periods during the games but in other parts drop off. Charlton away on the first day of the season is probably the most consistent that we have played.
“We have been scrapping through here and there, getting points and wins. I just feel that there is so much more to come. It is heartening because we have got so much quality here. It’s just a case of getting it all together.
“If we have a game on the training pitch, I want to win no matter what. If you get the competitive edge up in training, it serves you well in the big games. If I can spread some of the winning mentality we had at Arsenal, I will have achieved something.
“The good thing is that everyone mixes together. Yes, there are little groups but it’s not as if you can’t go and sit with those people. There are no cliques or animosity. All the lads enjoy taking the Mick out of each other. It’s good banter.
“I haven’t started looking back on things just yet - that’s for when I retire. But it is nice to have the feelings of going up to pick up trophies like I have done. It’s one hell of a feeling, I can tell you.”
Away from football, David’s ideal form of relaxation is to spend as much time as he possibly can camped out on the riverbank, angling, just like team-mates Paul Bosvelt and Nick Weaver, once Britain’s Best Young Angler winner.
“I haven’t found anywhere to fish around here yet where you can catch the really big carp. When I go fishing, I do it properly. I’ll take a tent and go overnight. I’d go all week, given half the chance!
“The really good anglers go all day and all night. Places like France, Bulgaria and Romania are the best. Again, though, that’s all for when I retire. Summer holidays are just for the family!
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“Bosvelt is more into his fly fishing, but I have done that, as well. And yes, Nick has told me all about the prize. He’s even shown me a picture of the fish! I suppose he thinks he’ll be able to show me a trick or two when he gets the chance!”
What happened next? David’s time with City didn’t go to plan. Plagued by a troublesome shoulder injury, he was forced to announce his retirement in January 2004, halfway through his one-year deal. He managed 26 games for City and helped Kevin Keegan select the man to replace him in goal – David James – but didn’t play football professionally again.
