Happy New Year!
Welcome to our first City Magazine of 2024!
Who knows what thrills and spills await us in the coming five or six months?
We’ll be going full tilt for the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup from now until 1 June and with this group of players and our most successful manager of all-time, everything is possible.
And what a year 2023 was, capped off with a superb FIFA Club World Cup triumph last month to confirm us as the best club side on the planet (something City fans already knew, of course!).
For this issue, we have Bernardo as our cover star and the Portuguese is promising that if City should fall behind in the title race, the players will do all in their power to shift up to ‘hunting down’ mode.
We also have Alanna Kennedy and Julie Blakstad in focus from our Manchester City Women’s team – and what a 2024 there is in store for Gareth Taylor’s side.
And as Kevin De Bruyne begins his journey towards match fitness, we look at our legendary midfielder’s potential impact for the second half of the campaign, what we’ve been missing - and we look at his seemingly telepathic understanding with Erling Haaland.
Elsewhere, Aleksandar Kolarov is the focus of our So Solid Blue feature, while CITC Partnership Manager Mike Geary answers our Technical Area Q&A.
We also have City fan and tennis star Liam Broady selecting his all-time favourites as Best XI makes a welcome return.
All the above, plus Andy Morrison’s score predictions, Kev Cummins’ superb retrospective A to Z, Marc Riley’s Mixed Grill and our usual Under-18s, EDS and Fantasy Premier League focus – not to mention a fantastic FIFA Club World Cup gallery to kick us off.
Plenty to go at!
Bernardo Silva is more determined than ever to ensure City create a new history this season…
When his stadium announcer shouts his name on matchdays, it is the chant ‘Bernardo!’ that echoes around the Etihad for several seconds.
The Portuguese playmaker has been one of the most popular City players of modern times, with supporters adoring his unique mixture or tireless industry and technical brilliance.
With well over 300 appearances for the Blues under his belt and 15 major trophies won during that time, it’s no wonder the fans love him as much as they do.
But don’t be fooled by his playful, relaxed smile and gentle nature – on the pitch, he is a fearless competitor with a steely determination to win - and keep winning.
That’s why some of the Blues’ Premier League results towards the end of 2023 didn’t sit well with him – and why he believes he and his team-mates have plenty more in their gas tank this season.
“Yes, we're not going to deny that we’re a bit frustrated with what's been happening, the way that it's been happening, but there is nothing we can do about it now,” reflected Bernardo regarding City's run of one win in six Premier League games between mid-November and mid-December.
“Now is the time to focus, to forget about it, it’s the past. What we can do is prepare well for the next games.
“Talking about the moment, I wouldn't say that it’s a bad moment. It's a moment where in some games we felt very frustrated because we conceded last minute goals that cost us important points.
“But the way the team has been playing, in my opinion, it keeps being very, very good.
"If we look at the chances we create, the chances that we allow our opponents to create and the times that they shoot on our goal and that we shoot on their goal, the game is still there, the way we play is still the same.
“Then of course we have to be more efficient, defend better, score more goals, be better in both boxes. But apart from the Villa game, where they were much better than us, I don't think we were worse than any of the teams that we played against (and didn't win).
“And I think we deserved to win all of those games, in my opinion. But yeah, we definitely need to be more focused on little details, and make it count when it matters, to get the points, because it’s not enough, what we’ve been doing.
“We know that no one has ever won four (Premier League titles) in a row, and we are fighting for the fourth, knowing that the teams we are playing against this season have improved a lot from last season.”
Ironically, City’s winter blip before Christmas means there will be work to do once again in eating away at the advantage the top three side have established going into 2024.
It’s a situation Bernardo and his team-mates were hoping to avoid – and even had discussions on the possibility of it happening again back in the summer after our historic Treble triumph.
“We had a conversation at the beginning of the season because we wanted to try and start the season well - last season we put ourselves in a difficult situation where we were seven or eight points behind Arsenal and it's not a nice feeling, because you have to go after them,” he said.
“We needed to start the season well, put ourselves in a good position to win the league and not go after Arsenal, Liverpool, or Tottenham. We're trying to work on that and win as many games as possible.
“But we'll see what happens, in May when it comes. Let's see where we are then. I'm not going to say that we're going to do it. What I can say is that over the last years, apart from my third season here where Liverpool won the league - unfortunately - we won five titles out of six.
"So we cannot say that this team is not capable of going on a good run. Until now we weren't able to do it. I'm not going to say that we will, but for sure we can and we're going to work on that."
Like any team, avoiding injuries to key players is helpful in any bid to win silverware.
Kevin De Bruyne missed the first half of the campaign, and, in early December, Erling Haaland was also sidelined with a foot problem for several games. Given the productive relationship the pair had last season, that has been a huge blow this term – though going into the New Year, hopefully, both will be available again sooner rather than later.
Our Portugues star says the beauty of this City squad is there are always great players waiting to come in when others can’t play – though any team on the planet would miss the likes of Haaland and De Bruyne when they are missing.
“Erling is a very important player for us, of course, we’re not going to deny that,” he said.
“Erling, or Kevin, or whoever is missing. But the biggest strength of this of this team, of Manchester City since I arrived six and a half years ago, is that no matter who was not playing, we still managed to be the same team.
"We still managed to win games and still managed to fight for all the titles. And yeah, we're going to keep doing that.
“If Erling is not present, we're not going to say that he's not important, and that we're not going to miss him, because of course we're going to miss him. But we have Julian Alvarez to play striker, and he is a top, top striker. So we're not going to say that that the team will look bad.
“So our job is to find solutions and to do our best with the players that we have in the moment. But of course we miss some of our, all of our injured players.”
One thing Bernardo does love is a raucous Etihad Stadium. The atmosphere for some of the home games last season – particularly the Premier League clash with Arsenal and the Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid – were electric.
Though he believes the atmosphere when City play on home soil is always good, the louder and more colourful it is, the better he says the players play.
“It's always better to play at home with your fans,” he said. “We have that feeling at home at the Etihad and we felt it last season in the Premier League and the Champions League.
“The energy that the crowd creates at the Etihad is unbelievable and we are going to try and create that special atmosphere to push us again.”
Feature by David Clayton
More thoughts and scorelines from our former skipper Andy Morrison…
FA Cup 3rd round
Sunday 7 January, 14:00
City v Huddersfield Town
Mozzer’s verdict: Obviously Huddersfield Town is the team I joined City from, initially on loan and then on a permanent basis. I’m expecting Pep to put a strong XI out, with some of our talented youngsters sprinkled in and with my old club struggling in the Championship at present, I can only see a handsome home win.
Mozzer prediction: City 5-1 Huddersfield Town
Premier League
Saturday 13 January, 17:30
Newcastle v City
Mozzer’s verdict: St James’ Park is always a tough place to go at the best of times and now they are out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup, they will focus on the FA Cup and finishing in the top four again. I don’t know whether we’ll have Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne back for this, but I still think we’ll just edge it.
Mozzer prediction: Newcastle 1-2 City
Premier League
Wednesday 31 January, 19:30
City v Burnley
Mozzer’s verdict: We always seem to score for fun against Burnley and I don’t see any different this time. Obviously, all City fans want Vincent Kompany to do well and will hope he keeps them up this season, but we have our own agenda to turn to and at the Etihad, I expect the goals to flow again.
Mozzer prediction: City 4-0 Burnley
How did Mozzer get on last month?
Not so good! Andy got three results out of eight right but no correct scores - but it was a bit of a weird month!
So Solid Blue sees us pay homage to players who flew under the radar of the football world outside of loyal City fans. The sixth edition remembers Aleksandar Kolarov’s City career...
With the festive period just gone, there’s always one City player that immediately comes to mind at that time of year. For many fans, watching Aleksandar Kolarov ‘sing’ Jingle Bells is as much a festive tradition as unwrapping socks, eating over-boiled sprouts and falling asleep to The Great Escape.
The Serbian’s deadpan delivery for the video made more than a decade ago, remains as funny as the first viewing and embellishes his status as a cult hero; a serious and talented player on the pitch with a flair for the spectacular and a hilarious dry humour away from it.
During seven years at the Etihad Stadium, Kolarov had a reputation as a no-nonsense defender with a sledgehammer left foot, whether it was firing in low crosses for Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko to gobble up or smashing in long-distance strikes.
With 247 appearances and 21 goals, the defender was at the forefront of bringing an end to our wait for silverware and transitioning to serial trophy-winners.
Arriving from Lazio as a 24-year-old, Kolarov was one of the most sought-after full-backs in Europe when he was signed by Roberto Mancini in the summer of 2010.
Growing up close to Belgrade, football had been an escape from a war that ravaged the former Yugoslavia with bombs falling close to his home.
After training with Red Star’s Academy, he signed his first professional contract with Cukaricki Stankom in the Serb championship before moving to OFK Belgrade and then onto Lazio.
He moved to City following the World Cup in South Africa along with David Silva, Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli to join a squad that would end our 35-year wait for a trophy.
Kolarov made his debut in a difficult 0-0 Premier League draw at Tottenham and had to wait until the following January for his first goal. That came in typically spectacular fashion with a thunderous 20-yard strike to score the final goal of a 4-2 FA Cup third round replay victory away to Leicester.
Its importance would only become clear later in the season when we marched all the way to Wembley, beating Manchester United in an unforgettable semi-final before triumphing over Stoke in the final.
By then, Kolarov had been joined by Dzeko in the January transfer window, helping him to settle in Manchester as they became very close friends. The Bosnian also scored an important late equaliser to avoid an embarrassing exit at League One Notts County and the pair would become inseparable away from the pitch.
Upon his retirement from football last year, Dzeko wrote a heartfelt tribute: “You are more than a teammate, more than a friend, and the fact we won’t meet on the pitch again doesn’t change anything because we’ll tell our children about the memories we made whenever we see each other, which will be often. Rest up, brother, and enjoy!”
The pair would build a brilliant cache of memory in Manchester, starting the following season. After qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in its current format, Kolarov scored our first-ever goal in the competition, a thumping 20-yard free-kick in a 1-1 draw with Napoli.
While we exited at the group stage, greater days were to come, culminating in our 2012 title triumph. Our challenge was losing momentum in the New Year and a fightback at home to Sunderland would rescue a crucial point with Kolarov smashing in an 86th minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw.
He would go on to win another title in 2014 as well as two League Cups and a Community Shield during his time at the Etihad.
The arrival of Pep Guardiola brought a new dimension to his game as he occasionally switched to a left-handed centre-back role and was a key lieutenant in implementing the Catalan’s new possession-based masterplan and starred in a stunning win at Old Trafford where he also lost his tooth.
Kolarov returned to Rome in 2017 but looked back proudly on his achievements at City.
“In every part of the Club we have improved not 100 per cent but 200 per cent,” he reflected on his departure. “Now we are a far better Club than what we were when I came. I am proud that I was part of making City the Club that it is.
“For me it was a great pleasure to play for this shirt.”
At Roma he was reunited with Dzeko and the pair celebrated when Guardiola’s side won the Premier League in 2018. The Club remains in his heart and he described his time in Manchester as “one of the most beautiful periods” of his life.
Kolarov’s impact on City is for life, not just for Christmas.
Words: Jonathan Smith
ACity in the Community, Manchester City’s club charity, has seen exponential growth since it was founded in 1986.
And out of its 37-year history, Mike Geary, CITC’s CEO, has worked for the charity for 16 years through various roles before taking the helm in April 2021.
From volunteer to full-time coach to business management, there isn’t a part of CITC Mike hasn’t had a role within. He sat down with City Magazine to detail his 16 years to date with CITC and what makes the charity so special to him and those it impacts.
CITY MAG: Mike, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us. You’ve been a prominent figure for CITC for almost half of its life, but always in different roles. Could you describe your journey to CEO?
MIKE GEARY: I started as a volunteer coach in 2007. I did that for about six months - my first session was actually the same night Gavin Makel started and he’s since gone on to become the Director of Services and Operations for City’s Entertainment District! I then did some part-time work in schools, working on Kicks, an outreach programme, as well as working with disabled children and did that for about a year before taking nine months off to go travelling.
I came back to CITC after keeping in touch with the organisation and was able to get a full-time community coaching role. I was also working for an external junior academy at the time and Trevor Todd asked me if I wanted to help coach in City’s Academy. I did eight years as a full-time community coach as well as a part-time Junior Academy coach.
Over the years we began to go through restructures and I ended up managing our education programmes before making the change to Business Development Manager. As CITC continued to grow, I specialised in partnerships and fundraising for around six years before stepping into the role of CEO.
CITY MAG: Was there a moment early on in your CITC career that made you realise it was the perfect place for you to work?
MG: In the very early days I delivered a programme called City Sixes which was focused around getting young people off the streets on a Friday night. It evolved into what is now the Premier Kicks programme, adopted by the Premier League, which is based around providing activities, football and other sports for young people during peak times of anti-social behaviour. I used to deliver it in Hattersley on a Friday night, and we’d get 70 to 80 teenagers coming on a Friday night just to play football. The more I did it, the more I got to know these young people and understand the challenges they had in their lives.
I saw for myself what growing up that area of Manchester is like, the benefits of what free football could do and how it changed some of their outlooks. Those who were engaging in the wrong sorts of activities started to turn the corner and have positive aspirations. They’d start to think ‘well actually maybe I could be a football coach or I could work in the community’.
That was a real eye-opener for me. I’d always been a football coach on the development side of young players, but that programme really showed me the social benefit that the sport can also have. When you combine the power of football plus the brand of a Premier League club like City, you’ve got a really powerful combination that can reach young people who maybe don’t engage in other services such as school. So that felt like a sort of pivotal moment where made me realise the potential that we could have as a charity on young people all over Manchester.
CITY MAG: And fortunately, the support that CITC has had from the Club’s fans, from the Club itself and others, the growth of the charity has been exponential since you joined in 2007 and has allowed so many kids, families and fans to be supported by CITC in various ways?
MG: Yes, and I guess it’s grown at a rate in which we didn’t quite anticipate, which is a good thing! When I joined CITC, I think there was around 15 of us working full-time and now we’ve got more than 100 staff in the charity. The growth has been natural and coincided with the growth of people being impacted by the fantastic work done by CITC. The programmes have always been delivered to a really high standard and some of their growth has been because of word of mouth. Our degree programme also keeps growing year on year – we’re getting more students apply and we’re retaining more students as well. That level of growth is great and, as long as there continues to be a need in the community for the programmes that we deliver, then we will continue to expand and try to service the needs of our community.
To mirror that, the number of people wanting to support and work for CITC has correlated to the growth of the charity. It’s an incredibly humbling experience at times and we’re all very proud to work for CITC. Everyone in my team works incredibly hard and puts a lot of time and effort into making sure that these programmes continue to be delivered and have the most impact possible. When you meet the young people who benefit from the programmes, it makes every second of it worthwhile.
CITY MAG: This season fans will have seen the City in the Community logo on our UEFA Champions League kits, that must have been a pretty exciting moment to see that for the first time?
MG: Yeah it was. It’s something we’d done infrequently over the last few years and then last season we were on the shirts for the FA Cup final and the Champions League final. The Club then said we should do it for all our European games, which we were obviously delighted about it because it has had a really positive impact on the awareness of City in the Community.
Those matches are seen globally by millions of people and we’ve seen lots of comments on social media of people saying ‘have you seen the Club have done this?’ and it’s been great because it shows how much the Club supports CITC.
CITY MAG: Finally, it’s been a historic year for City with the Treble, we are curious to know if there are any standout moments for you and your team from the past 12 months that have really highlighted the importance and success of CITC?
MG: Having the charity logo on the back of the shirts at the Champions League final was a big moment for us, given it was such a historical moment for the Club. It put a huge spotlight on us and the work we do, it helped raise money for CITC. I guess the success on the pitch has increased our success off the pitch!
We’ve been able to auction shirts from the FA Cup final and Champions League final, we also sold tickets for the screening at Freight Island - those specific moments raised around £250,000 which is now funding the fantastic work we are doing so far this season.
We’re in the process of identifying new sites around Manchester to regenerate, refurbish or even build new facilities so young people have got safe spaces to go and play football. All of that wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing football being played on the pitch being matched by all the hard work of our staff off the pitch and that’s what makes City in the Community so great.
And there is lots more to look forward to in 2024!
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football. For more information about City in the Community, or to show your support by taking part in the charity’s new monthly Prize Draw, visit www.mancity.com/citc, or follow @citcmancity on social media.
Interview: Holly Percival
Blues’ skipper and midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne is finally nearing full fitness – CITY MAGAZINE looks ahead to what may be in store for the rest of the season – and looks back at what we have been missing…
One of the greatest footballers Manchester City have ever had – and we’ve had a few over the years – the loss of Kevin De Bruyne for the first half of the 2023/24 season has rarely been mentioned in the wider media.
De Bruyne is an assist machine, capable of playing passes few in world football would even attempt and blessed with a vision and intelligence that elevates him even higher, his absence has been keenly felt by City supporters and, more than anything, his team-mates, even if the first-half of the current campaign has still been of a high standard.
True football fans who love watching great players perform on the world’s biggest stages, would have been devastated for KDB when his Champions League final was ended on 36 minutes against Inter, with his problematic hamstring issue resurfacing again.
It was all the more galling for the Belgian playmaker given his 2021 Champions League final was also ended early by the challenge of Antonio Rudiger – a red card offence in most people’s eyes – that resulted in our No.17 sustaining a broken nose and fractured eye socket with just an hour on the clock.
This season, with 23 minutes of our opening Premier League game against Burnley played, he walked off the pitch at Turf Moor crestfallen with his hamstring issue reaching a point where the only answer was surgery.
Since then, City fans have been patiently waiting for his return, with Pep Guardiola understandably keen to not rush him back too quickly because you’d surely struggle to put a price on a fully-fit Kevin De Bruyne.
And as he has sat quietly in the stands watching his team-mates, the unquenchable desire he has had since he was a kid to win and be the best he can be, hasn’t dimmed in the slightest – perhaps, if anything, becoming even keener than before - as he explains in his own words...
"I want to be the best, It just doesn’t stop. I want to be in the best team, I want to be the best player in the world. I still have motivation every day," said De Bruyne.
“Even being out for four months, I have tried to find ways to change myself as a player so I can still do what I did before. I am certain I will be fine once I am back on the pitch.”
Those are words every Blue wants to hear because no City fan needs reminding of his brilliance and the impact his capable of for the team.
And as he got up to warm up along the touchline against Sheffield United, the Etihad rose as one with an appreciative roar to welcome his return - just in case anyone needed reminding of his standing at the Club.
He registered 22 assists in the Premier League and Champions League alone last term on our way to a historic Treble and yet, once again – and as with prolific team-mate Erling Haaland this year – the Ballon d’Or somehow slipped away from his grasp.
And it is an almost telepathic relationship with Haaland that City have perhaps missed the most.
De Bruyne just seems to instinctively know where Haaland is – or will be – when the pair play together, and it is testament to the Norwegian’s ability that he has scored 19 goals this season without the Belgian’s 360-degree vision.
It’s been a productive understanding that is for the benefit of the team, but when jokingly asked by a journalist at a pre-Champions League final press conference if it was ‘love at first sight’ when he first met Haaland, De Bruyne laughed: "No, I am happy with my wife!"
Expanding on the question of why they work so well together, he continued: "It’s something I can’t really explain.
"Sometimes you have a feeling with a player, and you understand what he wants, and he understands what I want or what I can do. It just clicked really well, and he started scoring at an incredible rate. That settled him really easy. He has been really important for us in many different ways."
In response, Haaland added: “I know that when Kevin has the ball, I have to be on the opposite side in the right place and at the right time for him to play the ball into my course with a sharp cross.
"You can train to anticipate what your teammates will do, and to know what to do when they have the ball in a certain spot of the pitch. It also comes a bit down to myself. I’m training it, but it is also an instinct that I’m born with."
With 146 assists for City in the 358 appearances Kevin had made up to January 1, 2024 – not to mention the 96 goals he’s scored - our four-time Etihad Player of the Season is irreplaceable.
Something his manager echoes regularly.
“Kevin is so important,” said Pep Guardiola.
“But unfortunately, he’s had a tough injury for three or four months. Don’t put pressure on him, the doctors say the next step and when he’s back we’ll have open arms for him.
"We don't put pressure (on him). No pressure: recover, it's not necessary to do the bad decisions to come back early. Step by step."
It will take time for him to find his rhythm again after what was a major operation, so there might be several cameo appearances from the bench as he eases himself back into City life.
He needs match fitness, minutes under his belt and lots of training sessions, but the fact that he is finally back on the grass with his team-mates is fantastic news and, hopefully, the best start to the New Year City fans could have wished for…
Jack Wint has to be one of the bravest players on the pitch on a matchday...
As a goalkeeper, Jack Wint tasks himself with throwing his body around the goal mouth for 90 minutes while facing testing shots from the opposition.
The 2023/24 campaign is Wint’s first with City’s Under-18s and he has been enjoying the increase in intensity that has correlated with the step up to Premier League Under-18 football.
“It’s a lot different to the Under-16s because I’m not basically full-time in my training,” began Wint.
“I’ve finished school so I’m in at the City Football Academy almost every single day and the games are a lot more intense, too.
“I know that the intensity will continue to increase as you progress to the Elite Development Squad and then hopefully one day the first team.
“But right now I’m just enjoying every moment being in the Under-18s because playing football is what I want to do and now I get to class it as my job.
"I’ve always wanted football to be my job, playing it has always been my dream so to get my scholarship offer late in 2023 was a big moment for me also growing up as a City fan."
Like many players representing City at Under-18 level, Wint has been part of the City Academy from a very young age, committing his weekends to City from the age of nine.
But just before joining City’s Academy, Wint also used to play for his school team, Edgerton, and featured at the opposite end of the pitch – scoring goals, not saving them!
“I started as an outfielder, I played as a striker, and then around seven or eight I changed to goalkeeper. Don’t ask me why!" Wint exclaimed.
“I just got asked one day to go in net because we didn’t have a keeper and I just enjoyed throwing myself around, I thought it was quite fun.
“Since then I got told to train as a keeper in the Academy and I was quite good.
"I think being a striker when I was younger has helped me because I’ve always loved to play with my feet. And luckily as the modern game has developed more and more keepers are using their feet, becoming more involved in the build-up, becoming a back five almost with their goalkeeper."
A key goalkeeper figure who paved the way for keepers being utilised more with their passing was City No.1 Ederson.
The Brazilian is renowned for his daring footwork as well as his pinpoint short and long distanced passing which has initiated countless City attacks.
And Wint often got to see Ederson’s jaw dropping attributes up close.
“I used to ballboy a lot and I used to watch Ederson all the time because I was positioned behind the goal so I got a really good view of what he was doing,” said the 17-year-old.
“I’ve obviously tried to implement as much of his game as I could into mine, but I also want to make sure I’m my own keeper.
“He’s a phenomenal keeper and I want to be doing what he’s doing – playing at the highest level – and he’s got great attributes.
“I wish I could kick it as far as him! I’ve always looked up to him and he’s been a great role model for me.”
Interview: Holly Percival
Elite Development Squad defender Tom Galvez would be the first to admit he’s in no way the finished article – but with two full caps with Finland to his name already, it’s fair to say the 18-year-old has already made a sparkling start to his fledgling career...
Having joined City from Watford in 2021, since then Galvez has gone from strength to strength in his time in Manchester marking himself out as fine technician with great vision and energy to boot.
His debut season in Manchester saw Tomas help our Under-18s to regional and national Under-18 Premier League title successes whilst he also figured four times for Brian Barry-Murphy’s PL2 title winning squad.
It was a similar story of success last term.
All told, Galvez, made 36 appearances for both our Under-18s and EDS sides as the City youngsters made it a hat-trick of Premier League titles at both Under-21 and Under-18 levels.
The advent of 2023 also saw Galvez make his full international debut.
Though born in England, Galvez is of Spanish descent through his father and Finnish descent through his mother. Having opted to represent Finland, he represented them at various youth levels and was then selected to start for Finland in a friendly international loss against Sweden.
That was then followed by a first competitive start for his country in November of 2023 when Tom helped Finland beat San Marino 2-1 away in a EURO 2024 qualifier.
It’s a staggering achievement and Tom admits those two international caps set the seal on what has been a memorable two and half years since he made the move to City.
“I think I was at Watford when I made my debut for Finland at youth level,” Tom recalled. “I started at Under 13 or 14 level and I just went through the youth ranks and I've loved every minute of it.
“All the people are really friendly, welcoming and not many people can say they've played for Finland for the first team of 18.
“I’m qualified for Finland through my Mum, Spain through my Dad and obviously I was born here in England but I think opting for Finland was the right choice for me.
“I think they showed me the most interest and I think it's the best country for me right now. It's the best pathway for me and I think I made the right decision.
“When I got that first e-mail that I had got called up it took me a minute to realise that it was first team, but yeah, it was amazing.
“My mum and my family are really proud of me. I'm proud of myself as well.
“I sort of got told by the manager that I'd probably get some minutes in the Sweden friendly. I didn't think I'd start, but then when I saw my name on the screen to start, I was I was really proud.
“Obviously, I was very nervous, but I think with the people there that really, like helped me sort of adapt.
“I've got lots of friends there, one being, Glenn Kamara from Leeds.
“He comes from a similar background to me. He was brought up in Arsenal so he helped me a lot
"Playing in that San Marino win was great. We won 2-1, but to be honest we deserved to score a lot more goals. But yeah, it was a great feeling making my competitive debut.
“I mean, there was obviously there were lots of Finnish fans travelling to watch the game. In the friendly in in January there wasn't that many fans. It was just a friendly in Portugal. It was sort of an empty stadium.
“This one (the San Marino game) was like proper fans. The Finnish fans were singing. The whole game was really good and I got an assist, but I also could have scored as I had a one-on-one with the keeper but I missed it.
“In terms of the language, I can speak a bit but I am far from fluent.
“But in Finland, literally everyone's fluent in the team. So, I mean, they can speak English to me. They have the team talks in Finnish. But then if there's any important information obviously, that's how they communicate.
“It's very hard language to learn. I've learned a little bit as a child growing up when I've been to previous camps.
“But in the team talks when they speak very quickly and there’s the terminology like tactical stuff, it can be hard to understand.
“Making my international debut be so young just sort of makes me want to want to do it more.
“I'm just trying to kick on as much as I can and hopefully try to knock on the first team door sooner or later.”
On the domestic front meanwhile after what was a tough first half of the Premier League 2 campaign, Galvez is adamant a refreshed and rejuvenated City can kick on, with a strong run in the UEFA Youth League also a big target looking forwards.
“In the league for the Under 21s, I just want to help the team get into the top 16 in Premier League 2 and get into the knockout stage of the competition,” Tom added.
“Obviously we're near at the bottom right now. We need to get into the top 16 and so hopefully we can do that.
“We’ve had a number of injuries and important players missing like Nico (O’Reilly), Isaiah Dada-Mascoll, Will Dickson and Tai (Sodje).
“But I think once they're back and once we've got everyone together, we are going to be more than hungry to get to the top 16 places.
“And I don’t think many sides will want to play us when it comes to that because when we're switched on, we're going to do whatever we can to win that game.
“And then in the UEFA Youth League, the target is just to get as far as we can in that and to just keep going.
“So, it's brilliant and exciting looking forward.”
Interview: Neil Leigh
Having previously used ‘James Blond’ for a David James cover, we tried to think what we could do with new signing James Milner for our December 2011 cover.
The surname Milner lends itself to absolutely nothing, so it was thinking cap time again for how we could integrate ‘James’.
Though perhaps familiar to those of a more mature standing, ‘Home James’ was an old saying that would be occasionally used for somebody being given a lift, with the instruction for the ‘chauffer’ James to drive them home.
Legend has it that Queen Victoria’s footman, James Darling, would often hear Her Majesty demand, ‘Home James, and don’t spare the horses!’
It worked well for us because James Milner had just arrived, and City was now home – no rocket science involved!
Our interview gave up the line that Milner wanted to help create history with City – and he did – as we ended our 44-year wait to win the top flight title just five months later.
Our simple, black background cover along with James’ black t-shirt - all organised, photographed and lit by Sharon Latham, gave us a classy, minimalistic cover which remains a personal favourite.
DC
Manchester City are in the thick of the rapidly developing Barclays Women’s Super League title race...
In a league where the smallest margins can make the biggest difference across a 22-game season, Gareth Taylor’s side took advantage of Manchester United and Arsenal’s defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham respectively to end 2023 just three points off the summit.
There’s plenty to look forward to in 2024 but, across the festive period, City’s squad can rest and recuperate courtesy of the annual winter break.
For Julie Blakstad, that means spending time with family back in Norway, immersing herself in the outstanding natural landscapes that Scandinavia has to offer.
The City winger possesses a particular interest in the environment, exemplified by her academic studies which she continued to pursue alongside her playing career. That passion exudes from her as she discusses the influence of nature in her early life.
“I think it had a big impact,” she begins.
“My family used to take me out a lot, especially on the weekends we went for trips out in nature. I just really enjoyed it in every weather. Even if it was snowing or raining or sunny, I just had a really nice time.
“If it was going into a little tent or doing something nice, I think that’s been an important part of me growing up and how I’d want to carry on with my children as well.
“It also had an impact on how I feel about making sure that we actually keep the environment clean and don’t pollute too much and try to – especially in the western world where we have a lot of cars – reduce the emissions. I think that’s important.”
But there is a significant difference between words and action. That’s why, in 2022, she became a member of the ‘We Play Green’ team – a global non-profit foundation which uses the power of football to speed up the green shift.
Initially founded in 2015 by Blakstad’s fellow Norway international Morten Thorsby, our number 41 hopes to inspire others to become more environmentally conscious.
She continues: “I’m not really big on social media, so for me it’s more important to be seen as part of a big group rather than one voice that speaks out loudest.
“I think most people have the opinion that their small contribution doesn’t affect society, but if everything thinks like that it wouldn’t change anything.
“So, instead of not doing anything, it’s better to be part of it (a group) and help with the abilities and interests you have.
“Appreciating the nature that we have and seeing how me make an impact, how we change the world and how we behave anyway [is so important].
“We use energy and fossil fuels – I’m kind of studying the same thing – so I think that being involved in it in different ways [both through We Play Green and study] is interesting to have different perspectives.
“What I’m studying is how we can generate energy and at the same time getting the other perspective of how the environment is affected when you do that.
“So, I think it’s just a way of learning and at the same time using your voice and being part of something that can actually have an impact and change the world.”
As Blakstad alludes to, she has juggled the demands of challenging for top honours at City with a different form of tough assignment.
The Norwegian’s academic studies have seen her take on a Masters degree in Industrial Economy and Technology Management with a particular focus on, you guessed it, energy and the environment.
While football is a major part of the Norwegian’s life, she’s keen to look at the bigger picture, and understand more around the impact she can have to make the world a better place in the future.
A key example of this came in December 2022 when, just 24 hours after helping City earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in front of more than 44,000 fans at the Etihad Stadium, she was taking an exam as part of her studies!
And that desire to learn more and make a meaningful change is obvious when Blakstad goes into greater detail about her degree.
She explains: “I like to develop and learn new things. There are lots of things that interest me.
“I’m not quite sure what I’d want to do for a living after football, but I think evolving my abilities in different areas is a nice thing to do.
“I would like to learn about how energy is used and how we can reduce emissions like carbon capture, and now I have a module on thermodynamics.
“I think it’s interesting to see how we can improve and use things like waste heat to warm up a house or when we burn waste how to use that heat and energy more efficiently today.
“I think in the future, energy will be a huge thing to talk about. You see now with the big meetings they have about phasing out fossil fuels, it’s interesting to be a part of that and learn about that.”
As Blakstad previously emphasised, responsibility for the environment and the drive for sustainability is one that we all have a part to play in.
But what small changes can we each make to our daily lives? And what impact can those alterations have?
“One of the easiest things is recycling, taking the trams instead of driving, use a mug instead of plastic cups,” she concludes.
“Especially in football with the travelling - the teams and the people watching - we need to figure out ways that we can reduce that, especially when we go by aircraft.
“I know here it’s better because we go by bus or train. In Norway because it’s such a long country we’d have to go by plane or else it’s a 12-hour drive which makes it harder.
“I think having discussions like that and putting light on ‘how can we actually make a difference by making a small step?’ - even cutting out paper coffee cups and just using a mug instead will help improve a lot.”
Interview: George Kelsey
Wimbledon tennis star and Great Britain No.4 Liam Broady is a lifelong City fan. Along with his sister Naomi, the Stockport-born siblings have been flying the sky blue flag all their lives – and here, Liam selects his all-time City XI, plus subs and manager…
Keeper: Bert Trautmann
I’m a bit biased because I got some signed memorabilia from him!
Left-back: Gael Clichy
Fast and elegant full-back.
Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta
Tough, fully committed and made of granite. Zaba has to be in there.
Centre-back: Vincent Kompany
Vinnie will always be our leader and skipper – and he is in my team.
Center-back: John Stones
Classy on the ball and can bolster the midfield when needed.
Midfielder: Rodrigo
Irreplaceable midfield anchor.
Midfielder: Yaya Toure
The original midfield powerhouse who could do pretty much everything.
Midfielder: David Silva
What can you say about El Mago? Magical footballer.
Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne
How we’ve missed him. Magnificent player.
Striker: Sergio Aguero
A decade of fantastic service. What a legend
Striker: Erling Haaland
How could I not include our Norwegian goal machine?
Subs:
Colin Bell, Kyle Walker, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Gio Kinkladze, Edin Dzeko
Manager: Pep Guardiola (of course!)
Formation: 4-1-2-3
"These next couple of years will be my peak. I feel like I still have a lot more to give on a personal level and for the team, so I’m looking forward to continuing our success here.”
Alanna Kennedy made her intentions clear after signing a new contract with City in May 2023.
The Australian international had been limited to seven appearances for Gareth Taylor’s side across a season which had been frustrated by injuries, but her motivation to keep improving and help the team was stronger than ever.
And despite that adversity, the defender was selected to represent her nation at last summer’s World Cup, where she helped the Matildas reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
That fine form has continued into 2023/24 and, just as she’d predicted a few months before, Kennedy has taken her game to new heights at City.
Missing just three matches before January, the Australian’s assured presence at centre half has gone a long way towards us boasting the best defensive record in the Barclays Women’s Super League before the winter break.
City’s number 33 has often gone under the radar despite her remarkable consistency but is satisfied with her contribution so far in what has perhaps been her best year to date in sky blue.
Reflecting candidly on the challenges she faced in her first two seasons at the Joie Stadium, it’s clear to see that, rather than basking in her fine form, Kennedy’s motivation to keep improving is as fierce as ever.
“I think I've come off the back of a couple of frustrating seasons with injury and then even just settling in during my first season,” she reflects.
“It was a bit of a weird time as well with COVID and moving over to England, so for me it was probably some of the lower points of my career when I first moved over here.
“I think throughout my time being injured put a lot of things into perspective and my motivation to be back at my best was at an all-time high.
“Obviously with the World Cup as well, but also just knowing the potential that I have as a player, you always want to live up to that and feel like you're putting the best version of yourself onto the pitch.
“I've always known that I can contribute to any team that I play in and so to be able to have a little bit more consistency with that this season, I've been happy with that, and my aim is to continue that.”
Kennedy’s most regular centre-back partner has been England international Alex Greenwood, but City boast an embarrassment of riches when it comes to defensive reinforcements.
Indeed, Gareth Taylor has the unenviable task of selecting from a pool which also includes Club captain Steph Houghton, Spain international Laia Aleixandri and Lioness Esme Morgan, to name just a few.
There’s an intense competition for places, but Kennedy believes each player brings unique qualities to the team when they get the nod from the manager.
However, she believes her game is most similar to Greenwood’s with their close relationship both on and off the pitch bringing the best out of each other.
She continues: “I think a lot of the players bring different strengths.
“Obviously, Steph as a centre back is extremely experienced and her communication on the pitch is great. Then you've got someone like Laia who's a very tenacious, front foot kind of player.
“I obviously spend most of my time playing next to Alex and we have a strong connection on and off the field which I think helps with our communication and our understanding of each other.
“I love playing alongside her, I feel like we have a good understanding of one another and a good balance between the two of us.
“She's obviously a calming presence at the back as well and so I think it's nice to have someone who I guess plays very similarly to me.
“She's the left sided version and, it's obviously on my right foot but we both like to play out from the back.
“It's always nice, we always encourage each other with the small things that sometimes go unnoticed, so I just think that connection that we have has been instrumental to our success.”
That success means City are in the thick of the rapidly developing WSL title race, sitting just three points off current leaders, Chelsea (going into 2024).
After falling to successive defeats against Arsenal and Brighton, Kennedy and co. recovered to register a memorable 3-1 win at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby, before signing off for 2023 in the WSL with wins over her former team Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton.
In particular, the Villans had caused City problems in the past, so when Danielle Turner hooked home an early opener at the Joie Stadium in December, you’d have been forgiven for fearing the worst.
However, City dug deep and, thanks to a second half brace from Lauren Hemp, earned a valuable and deserved three points.
Kennedy believes that was a significant moment, and demonstrated that, while our free-flowing brand of football has won plenty of admirers, this team also know how to grind out a result when the occasion calls for it.
“I think Villa were a bit of a bogey team last season and despite their results this season they still have a lot of quality players across the pitch,” she explains.
“So, it was a game that we knew we had to be concentrating across the full 90 minutes to get the three points.
“The performance and the reaction after going down, and similarly in the United game as well, I think that just shows the character, growth and maturity of us as players and as a team.
“I think the continuity off the back of last season in terms of personnel and the playing style has been helpful to pick up where we left off last season.
“For us it's about the consistency across all of our performances. I think we're sort of kicking ourselves with the result against Brighton in particular.
“They're not even full 90-minute performances, it’s just moments within games, but apart from that we've got plenty of things to be proud of with the start of our season.”
There are still areas where Kennedy and her team-mates are hoping to improve, but the development of Gareth Taylor’s exciting young side is clear to see.
After a difficult start to the campaign, City dragged ourselves back into the WSL title race in 2022/23 until the final few weeks of the season but ultimately fell at the final hurdle.
But those experiences, and the way we’ve responded to them, mean the Australian international is confident we can take that final step.
In short, Kennedy believes the squad are currently in our best position since she joined the Club in 2021.
“I think in terms of that consistency and understanding of our game plan and continuity, I think the more you work on something, the better you get.
“We're seeing that in our performances.
“In some ways we are a young group, we've got some experienced heads around as well but for those players to be able to grow through the ups and downs that we've had over the last couple of years, I think we've come out the other side of it now and started to see more consistency with our results.”
Interview: George Kelsey
This season I’m taking you on an A-to-Z tour of Manchester and possibly taking a few liberties with the alphabet. Expect lots of musicians, an occasional session with a footballer and whatever else I can find in my archive...
This issue we’re already up to the letter E, so I thought I’d take you back to one of Manchester’s most mythologised venues: The Electric Circus.
The Circus was on Teignmouth Street, off Rochdale Road in Collyhurst, just 1.5 miles from where the City of Manchester Stadium would later be built - but they were worlds apart.
However, for a few months in 1976/77, it would become the most notorious Punk venue in Britain. In December 1976 the Sex Pistols played there twice on the Anarchy Tour, one of only six venues not to cancel, after their notorious appearance on the Bill Grundy show on 1 December that year.
Then in 1977 as more bands were forming and touring, we had a spell of great gigs from mid-April onwards until the notoriety of the venue was such, that the council did everything in their power to close it down. It eventually closed the first weekend of October with a two day’ Festival of Punk’ which was recorded for a double live album.
Admittedly, the place was a dump. It was probably a fire hazard, too. Whenever I looked in disused rooms (for locations for photos) they were full of old newspapers and all sorts of detritus as well as a large number of rats.
Everybody played there though. In May, we had, The Ramones, Talking Heads, The Jam, The Clash, The Slits, The Damned, Wayne County, The Vibrators, Buzzcocks, and another local band playing their first live gig, Warsaw (later Joy Division). It was dangerous, too.
Punks were routinely beaten up on the short walk back into Manchester city centre. Manchester legend Foo Foo Lamaar opened a basement club: The Ranch Bar, on Dale Street, which was the only safe haven for everyone who was into any form of alt-culture.
We’d all meet up there after gigs at The Circus to trade war stories and continue the punk vibe until 2pm or so. They were great times, but equally they were dangerous times. But we felt Manchester was the best city in the world for music, and looking at that list of names, nobody was about to contradict us.
Kevin Cummins
To usher in the New Year, let me welcome to the Mixed Grill Hall Of Fame Mark Murray. I could tell you all about this member of the Blue Army - but I guess it’s safe to say he knows more about Mark Murray than I do…so here is his version of himself. Take it away, Mark!
"Hello! My name is Mark Murray. I am a season-ticket holder at Manchester City in the South Stand level 3 and from an early age, I had no choice but to support City as I come from a North Manchester family of Blues, and it would have been frowned upon otherwise. I had an obvious love of football from an early age. I am a member of the Alkrington Supporters' Club.
"I have been a season-ticket holder for 15 years following my earlier life of being a professional footballer at Blackpool FC - but had to take medical retirement in my mid 20s. I have a son Callum aged nine who is also an avid City supporter. He has been very fortunate to watch our wins against Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool over the past couple of seasons and has never witnessed a City defeat in a match that he has attended for the first team. Not a bad record!”
Thanks Mark… now - let’s get to it.
YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF GOING TO A FOOTBALL MATCH?
Manchester City away at Oldham Athletic in the early 1980s. My Uncle who was a City fan took me to Boundary Park to watch the Blues and that is where it all began. I think that we won by the odd goal, there was a lot of crowd trouble that day, but that didn’t put me off, it was an enjoyable day because of the City win.
MOST PECULIAR OR MEMORABLE THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED AT A CITY GAME?
City v Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. I think it was the Stuart Pearce era, I was in the Colin Bell Stand level 2. After a toilet break, I was returning to my seat, I was just at the top step of the stand and as I looked up the match ball was about two yards from hitting me full in the face, so luckily I ended up catching the match ball which resulted in a huge cheer from fellow City fans.
GO BACK IN TIME... YOU CAN PREVENT ONE GAME FROM HAPPENING. WHAT MATCH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Although a while ago, it would be the 4-3 loss at Old Trafford in the Mark Hughes era. The manner of the game with City matching United goal for goal and to concede the last goal in the 97th minute was soul-destroying. To lose to our neighbours in this way was a hard one to take! So definitely let’s get this one gone!
MOST MEMORABLE CITY GOAL YOU HAVE WITNESSED?
The most memorable City goal that I have witnessed is the Ilkay Gundogan winner versus Aston Villa on the last day of the season in 2021/22. We were 0-2 down with a title on the line then to come back to win 3-2 for a title and the Etihad was bouncing, it does not get much better than that!
HAVE YOU EVER MET ONE OF YOUR MAN CITY HEROES? AND IF SO, HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE?
I spent two weeks at Lilleshall with Paul Lake who was also having rehab and Paul was absolutely brilliant in a City shirt, He is City through and through but also a charming, humble fella who was very helpful. Also, when in my early 20s I was booked in the same hotel in Majorca a former City favourite Ian Bishop. We spent a couple of days having a few drinks by the pool. Ian was very down to earth and a decent guy. I spoke to him about the 5-1 massacre at Maine Road against United. Also, in my Junior team Boundary Park Juniors and the Blackpool youth team I was a teammate of Trevor Sinclair who had a good career at City.
WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THE LAST MATCH AT MAINE ROAD?
To be honest with you I can’t really recollect much from that day. But my one outstanding memory of Maine Road was the 3-1 victory against Manchester United for the last derby there. I think it was written in the stars for the underdog at the time that Manchester City would beat Manchester United, especially from the legendary mistake that Gary Neville made that is still talked about to this day amongst City fans. Again, numerous good times along with the not so good times at Maine road. But that derby victory was special to me!
AS YOU LEFT THE GROUND, WHAT WERE YOUR EMOTIONS?
Beating Manchester United on any occasion is going to leave any City fan on a high, but the sentiment of the last ever derby victory game at Maine Road was emotional and gave City fans rare bragging rights (at the time) over our neighbours.
WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT MAINE ROAD?
From me, a standout memory was initially travelling into South Manchester on the match bus from Middleton and sitting on the white wall in the Kippax as a young kid not knowing if we would get a goal or a point from any home game, as that is how it was in my early years. Witnessing some games against lower league opposition and at times the football was pretty poor, but that is just how it was. But if I knew then what I know now I would take that any day of the week. So, for me Maine Road is an iconic venue that any City fan can relate to with good and bad memories for decades. When City were at Maine Road, a good majority of the time we were always going to be the underdog. So, any three points gained was a huge plus in our battle against relegations or mid-table mediocrity. I have had the pleasure to see some great players at Maine Road in a City shirt such as Ali Benarbia, Gio Kinkladze and Nicolas Anelka- just to name a few.
WORST AWAY GAME EXEPRIENCE?
I can’t recall anything disastrous but any defeat at Old Trafford is painful in my opinion for obvious reasons.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CITY PLAYER OF ALL-TIME?
Really tough one as we have been really fortunate to see some world class players wear a City shirt, but I am going to have to go with David Silva. A true magician who made the game at the highest level look so simple, creator of chances, dictator of tempo and a genuine world class player who brought nothing but quality moments.
IF YOU COULD PICK ONE CURRENT CITY PLAYER TO BE ON YOUR PUB QUIZ TEAM, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
John Stones looks like he could be good on a night out especially when he does his dances moves, but knowledge-wise for a pub quiz I would have to say I would love to have Manuel Akanji in the team as surely his general knowledge skills will win a pub quiz if they are anything like his mathematical knowledge!
Jack Grealish has enjoyed a fantastic run of matches in December which has translated to points in Fantasy Premier League.
The England international has scored three goals in his last four league outings which has helped him enjoy his strongest form so far in 2023/24.
As a result, he could become a fantastic differential when City return form the FIFA Club World Cup.
His first strike of three came in our eventful 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the start of December when the exciting winger swept home an Erling Haaland cut-back to temporarily restore our lead.
Thanks to his display against Ange Postecoglu’s side, he tallied five total points which was among the highest FPL scorers during the fixture.
Grealish then followed this up with an important, winning goal against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road where we came from a goal down to pick up three vital points.
Rob Edwards’ side broke the deadlock on the cusp of half-time, but Pep Guardiola’s men were level after the interval thanks to Bernardo Silva’s curling effort.
Moments later, the England star handed the visitors the advantage when he coolly slotted home at the far post – handing him an outstanding 10 points from the clash in Bedfordshire – his season high so far.
In the following matchday, he gained a further eight towards his total by scoring the opener in our 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Etihad.
Overall, Grealish has amassed 37 points in total in FPL so far and he is quietly creeping up the standings as the Blues move into 2024.
Words: Sam Cox
Try out City’s e-Premier League winning tactics!
In December, Man City Esports FC Pro duo Donovan ‘Tekkz’ Hunt and Matias Bonanno began their ePremier League 2023/24 campaigns in style.
Tekkz qualified for the ePremier League Finals Group Stages after 7-0 and 6-2 wins over IAmLegendzPro on Xbox while Mati qualified with a late winning goal which saw him progress with an aggregate score of 4-3 from his two PlayStation games against JFS-1894.
Hours of preparation went into Tekkz and Mati selecting their perfect squads, formations, instructions and key player.
And we challenge you to see if you can win just as many games as Tekkz and Mati with their squads above!
Following his debut in the ePremier League, Mati and Edu Castellano, Mati’s coach, explained the process for picking a squad for the competition.
“You could only pick players that currently play in the Premier League as well as hero items,” explained Edu. “And it was an unlimited budget.
“We picked a 4-2-3-1 formation, like Tekkz, as that’s the formation that gets your scoring lots of goals.”
Mati matched his instructions to capitalise on the best stats of each player, for example, playing Ivan Perisic high up on the right-back because he has good attacking stats.
Mati also wanted to make sure he had quick defenders and his favourite playing, Ramires, provides great defensive cover in midfield as well as speed.
Mati is excited to continue testing out his team ahead of the ePremier League Finals Group Stages at the end of January and is looking forward to seeing if he can add any new promo items to his team at the start of 2024.
“I think it is different to eLaLiga, ePremier League is two v two. I think Tekkz and I are the best team so I’m excited for the next stage,” said Mati.
Keep up to date with Man City Esports and all the upcoming matches in FC 24 and Fortnite on X: @ManCityEsports.
Manchester City’s charity, City in the Community (CITC), has recently announced Nissan as its Official Equality Diversity and Inclusion Partner...
To celebrate the launch of the new partnership, Jack Grealish, surprised an unsuspecting One City Disability participant.
Dropping in on Lucas at the Etihad Sensory Room, Jack took part in a friendly game of EA FC 24 with him, before handing over a signed frame featuring a picture from the 2023 Champions League final.
Lucas said: “I never thought I’d be able to play football or EA FC, so to play with a footballer is a dream come true.”
Lucas, who is a One City Disability Powerchair participant, has been attending CITC sessions for more than 10 years.
CITC Powerchair football sessions take place on Thursday nights, from 5pm to 7pm during term times at Newbridge Academy in Failsworth. Sessions are free to attend.
Speaking after the game, Grealish said: “It was a pleasure to play EA FC with Lucas, even if he did nearly beat me! It has been lovely to meet him. He is a true inspiration.
“It is great to hear that he has continued to come to City in the Community sessions for over 10 years and be provided with an environment where he can play football.”
Manchester City’s Official Automotive Partner, Nissan, the first global partner of City Football Group in 2014, will support all of City in the Community’s disability and LGBTQ+ projects for two years.
The announcement expands on Nissan’s current support of City in the Community that began in 2021.
Since then, Nissan has been integral to the growth of the City in the Community’s One City Disability programme, including the support of Powerchair Football sessions by purchasing eight new chairs for young people to enjoy.
City in the Community and Nissan have also collaborated on successful campaigns and events since 2021 – including the Nissan Possibilities Project, which helps to create more opportunities for people from underrepresented communities, and CITC’s Blue Run fundraiser.
CITC further celebrated its new partnership with Nissan at Manchester City’s Premier League home fixture against Spurs which was also the International Day of People with Disabilities.
You can watch the great video of Lucas and Jack here and you can also find out more about the new CITC partnership with Nissan here.
Keep your eyes peeled in January for more content coming out from CITC with Lucas involved!
CITC empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/CITC or follow the charity on social media @CITCmancity.
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