The summer transfer window is always an exciting time in the football calendar, with the Barclays Women’s Super League’s opening at the end of June.

But securing key players to long-term contracts can be some of the most important business that a Club does, and Lauren Hemp extending her City deal to 2027 in late April certainly fits into this category.

Unsurprisingly, given her stature and achievements in the game so far, the winger had attracted plenty of interest from top European sides. Thankfully, her future is in blue.

With Steph Houghton, Demi Stokes, Esme Morgan and Ellie Roebuck all leaving the Club this summer, Hemp is now our current longest serving player despite still being just 23.

Indeed, it’s quite remarkable that the England international, already with 160 senior appearances under her belt for City, was still eligible for the WSL’s Young Player of the Year award in 2023/24.

Her 66 goals for Gareth Taylor’s side is also bettered only by Georgia Stanway and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and, with an MBE to boot, Hemp already boasts a career that would be the envy of many top level players.

But for anyone who’s had the pleasure of speaking to the England international in an interview setting or otherwise, it quickly becomes evident that Hemp puts a lot of her success down to the people around her.

City’s strength in 2023/24 lay in the collective, and the winger is keen to emphasise the incredible squad that Taylor has at his disposal moving forward.

Furthermore, seeing other key players commit their future to the Club in the months preceding Hemp’s extension was also an important factor in her agreeing to a new deal.

She said: “We’ve got some incredible players. We signed Jill [Roord] last season and she’s been massive for us. Unfortunately, she did her ACL but I know she’ll be massive for us for years to come

“Yui [Hasegawa]’s re-signed as well, we have a great core of players who are staying on for the next few years. It’s exciting and great to be a part of that.

“We’ve done so well this season and I think what’s changed from a few years ago is that we bounce back after every game if we lose it.

“That just shows the passion everyone has for Manchester City. We recruit people who are passionate about the Club, that’s the most important thing.”

Hemp is just one of several players and members of City’s coaching staff to refer to that unique mentality.

There was evidence of it throughout the season, one such occasion being a match where Hemp took centre stage in spectacular fashion.

In February 2024, it looked like City were heading for a frustrating goalless draw with Leicester, despite dominating large parts of the contest.

For all of our quality in possession, we simply couldn’t find a way to break down the visitors’ stubborn rearguard, until the England international stepped up with a moment of brilliance.

Her acrobatic scorpion kick from a Bunny Shaw cross with eight minutes to play was the spark we needed to go on and grab an important win at the Joie Stadium.

Taylor, rightly, described it as a world class goal, but the bottom line was that, in an uncharacteristically off-colour performance, City had found a way to win.

It’s a quality that Hemp believes sets this squad apart, and one that will serve us well in the future.

“The mentality among the squad, we have a lot of experienced players who know what it takes to win, but also a group of youthful players who come in and are really exciting,” she added.

“It’s great to have that difference of players and people who you can lean on.

“We know when we have a setback, we work hard in training and know we’ll bounce back at the weekend. That’s massive for us.”

But while there’s plenty of grit in this City side, that doesn’t take anything away from some of the sumptuous football that was produced across 2023/24.

Hemp was at the centre of that, with only Shaw able to better her tally of 12 goals, while her nine assists was level at the top of the charts with Mary Fowler in all competitions, and the most in the WSL on the whole.

City dominate possession, but with a purpose. Taylor has his side well-drilled, with the team pressing from the front to put our opponents under pressure in uncomfortable areas of the pitch.

Every City player also has the confidence and the quality to spark an attack, whether it be Hemp at the sharp end, or Keating between the sticks.

It’s a style that runs through the entire Club, but one that Hemp gives the manager huge credit for applying so effectively to his exciting young squad.

She said: “We’ve definitely got a style of play which is what’s so special about City.

“No matter who comes in or the manager who’s here, we have a way of playing and want to use that to try and win.

“[But] Gaz [Taylor] is a great manager and has got a lot out of us over the last few years.

“It’s nice to know what he’s doing as well and what you’re going to get, and being at City for the next few years, it’s good to have that.

“It also gives me the licence to go on and be myself and play how I want to play, which gets the best out of me.”

Like Hemp, Taylor signed a three-year extension in the new year. He’s now preparing to embark on his fifth full season at the helm.

The former City forward reached 100 wins in charge towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign, having also won successive Manager of the Month awards in February and March, for the second year in a row.

For Hemp, Taylor’s management approach has brought the best out of her, whether it’s by pointing out where she can improve or by heaping praise on her young shoulders, as he did after that stunning Leicester strike.

Based off the England international’s assessment of the boss, their relationship is built on two key facets: trust and confidence.

“I think it’s important to have a manager who’s honest with you and who you can look to,” she adds.

“We’ve had a lot of honest conversations over the last few years, and I think that’s so important to have in a manager, someone you can go to.

“As I’ve said with my confidence, he’s always there to make me feel better in myself and the first person to tell me if I’ve done anything wrong.

“It’s great to have that balance and good to have a manager who truly believes in you.”

Interview: George Kelsey

THIS MONTH: PRE-SEASON SPECIAL

Our former skipper and current national team boss of Sri Lanka, Andy Morrison, brings us a pre-season prediction special…

City v Celtic
Friendly. Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Wednesday 24 July,  kick-off: 00:30 (UK time)  

Mozzer’s verdict: Given the Euros, Copa America, and Olympic Games, it’s likely we’ll have a young squad going out on tour to the US. That makes my predictions a little harder this month, but what it does do is give a chance for the next Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb, or Rico Lewis to emerge. In fact, Oscar and Rico will be two of our more senior players on this trip, I’m guessing – along with a certain Erling Haaland. Celtic’s first team squad will largely be available and so I think it will be a close game – but one that we’ll edge.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 2-1 Celtic

City v AC Milan
Friendly, Yankee Stadium, New York City
Saturday 27 July, kick-off: 23:00 (UK time)

Mozzer’s verdict: Again, tough to call. Did Milan have as many players out around the globe this summer? Unlikely – in fact, I think I’m right in saying Milan had no players in Italy’s Euro 2024 squad at all, so they’ll be fresh and raring to go. That makes this a tough test for our youngsters and one that we’ll have to stand up to in what is likely to be a hot and balmy Yankees Stadium.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 1-1 AC Milan

City v Barcelona
Friendly, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Wednesday 31 July, kick-off: Midnight (UK time)

Mozzer’s verdict: There’s rarely a meeting between City and Barcelona that isn’t entertaining and has plenty of goals and I see that trend continuing here. Will our old skipper Ilkay Gundogan feature? That will depend largely on Germany’s Euro 2024 performance and when they play their last game. It will be a game between two sides hell-bent on scoring goals and keeping the ball and I think Hansi Flick will enjoy pitting his wits against Pep Guardiola. Should be an easy watch.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 2-2 Barcelona

City v Chelsea
Friendly, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Saturday 3 August, kick-off: 22:30 (UK time)

Mozzer’s verdict: All our games against Chelsea last season were close – two draws and a win and we could have lost at least two of those on another day. I see this being the hardest of our pre-season matches because they will have several new players, a new manager and they finished the campaign strongly. We’ll also play them again a fortnight after this in the Premier league curtain raiser, so if we were going to lose either of those games, I’d rather it was this one.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 1-2 Chelsea

City v Manchester United
Community Shield, Wembley Stadium
Saturday 10 August, kick-off 15:00 (UK time)

Mozzer’s verdict: Nobody saw that FA Cup final result coming, least of all me! I think it’s fair to say we saved our worst performance of the 2023/24 season for the final against United, and they probably saved their best performance of the season for that game – and in my mind, that’s the only way we could lose that game. That will have stung our players, and I we should have a full squad to choose from for this game and we’ll want to get some silverware in the cabinet early in the season. I’m fairly certain we will.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 3-1 Manchester United

Last month Swedish band The Hives spoke of their connection with Manchester City and while they did, they also submitted their collective favourite City XI - and here's what they had to say...

"We are gonna go with the full current team and organization as that seemed to work very well.

"It might be a bit different in terms of a Dream XI, but obviously our ties with the Club only go back so far, and for a team that's won the Treble and four successive Premier League titles, it can't get much better than this, surely?"

 

If you were to ask City supporters to choose a player in the current squad who is approaching ‘cult hero’ status, then Kerstin Casparij would probably be right up there...

She’s only been at the Club for two full seasons and, given she’d spent her entire career in her native Netherlands before joining in 2022, that fact may come as a slight surprise to those who haven’t watched Gareth Taylor’s side regularly.

But Casparij has more than endeared herself to the City faithful thanks to the incredible passion she shows every time she steps across the white line.

She celebrated our second goal against Manchester United in January’s Continental Cup victory, for example, as if she’d grown up in Ardwick, rather than Alphen aan den Rijn, pumping the air with a remarkable enthusiasm.

She might’ve slightly overstepped the mark once or twice, but that’s only natural given the desire she shows to drag her team over the line.

In short, the energy and effort Casparij brings has made her a bit of a cult hero among the City faithful, as exemplified by their chant for the Dutch international to Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’ (which, for obvious reasons to those who know, won’t be repeated here!).

It’s a description that she holds with immense pride, and one she feels is a product of her off-pitch demeanour as much as what she produces on it.

“I think a lot of it has to do with how I profile myself, especially in the interaction I have with the fans,” she smiles.

“I always try to sign stuff, have a picture with people and interact if I can.

“That’s obviously appreciated, and we obviously appreciate all the fans coming to watch us and travel, so I always try to take a moment to have a chat.”

“I just love being here if I’m being honest.

“Moving abroad for me, one of things I wanted to look at was where I would feel at home and I think I feel really at home here in Manchester, with the Club, the girls and the fans we have.

“If you love being somewhere, you put your best foot forward and I think that’s what makes it so good.”

Casparij has certainly done that, particularly last season where she cemented herself as a regular in the second half of the campaign.

The Dutch international, in many ways, is a bit of a throwback to the buccaneering full-backs from a decade or so ago.

While she has all of the technical qualities and composure needed to excel at City, the defender also makes penetrating runs down the flank to offer an outlet out wide.

And, in a similar vein to her men’s counterpart Kyle Walker, she’s got the searing pace to snuff out any danger at the other end, never shirking her defensive duties.

Having already made over 50 appearances for City in her two seasons so far, the 23-year-old will continue going from strength to strength in 2024/25 as we prepare for our return to UEFA Champions League football.

But Casparij isn’t getting ahead of herself and insists there’s no secret to her standout campaign beyond hard work on the training pitch.

She added: “I think since joining it took a while to get into the team, I started the first half of the first season then I was a bit in and out.

“I just tried to work hard and did all the things that are expected of me. I think throughout the season it's been going really well.

“I think Gareth’s been happy with how I’ve been playing, and so have I.

“I’ve just kept my head down and worked hard and eventually you’ll get there.”

City ultimately came up short at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, missing out in the cruellest of circumstances on goal difference to Chelsea in the battle for the Barclays Women’s Super League title.

However, it was a season where Casparij and co. showed that we have what it takes to go the distance, taking four points off the champions and matching the league’s longest ever winning run.

We also equalled our highest-ever points tally, with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw winning the Golden Boot and Khiara Keating the Golden Glove.

It’s a solid foundation from which to build in 2024/25, and Casparij believes the continuity in the squad played an important role in that success.

“It was important for us that we kept the majority of the group together,” she explained.

“Not a lot of players went out and only Jill [Roord] came in, so we’ve basically worked with the same team for two years in a row.

“You could just see coming into this season that we had a certain connection that we’ve been building our game-plan for, for such a long time with the same players.

“Sometimes it’s also down to luck in the sense of if you play well, keep pushing and believing, the coin will fall on the right side because you’ve manifested what you’ve been training for all week.

“I think just staying together and believing in what we do has been really important for us.”

George Kelsey

We track back to the summer of 2009 and an interview with Manchester band Doves – a band we at City Magazine are very proud to call fellow Blues…

“All we need to do now is write a soundtrack for a David Lynch movie. He’s not a City fan is he by any chance?”

Where would Manchester City-supporting band Doves play in a football team? On the wings, of course…

It’s not only Oasis who fly the City flag. One of Manchester’s finest bands, the Mercury Music Prize-nominated trio Doves have been season-ticket holders for years. The Blues even walk down the tunnel the thump of their seminal classic ‘Pounding’ and they were recently commissioned by the club to re-work a version of the supporters’ anthem ‘Blue Moon’.

City Magazine caught up with lead singer Jimi Goodwin and drummer Andy Williams to discuss their sky blue loyalties….

 

Jimi – we hear you had to escape from the ‘Dark Side’ as a kid?

Jimi Goodwin: “I’m actually something of a late developer because I kind of fell out of love with football for a while. I used to go and watch Arsenal occasionally as a kid because we had relatives who lived near Wembley and my uncle would take me to Highbury whenever I visited. My hero was Liam Brady back then, but all that changed after my first City match in October 1995. We were away to Man United and they beat us 1-0 at Old Trafford and my family - all ridiculous Reds - weren’t thrilled at all, but I was hooked. Even now they can’t accept I’m a City fan. My partner’s kids have been sullied by their dad being a Red – it’s too late for them now. I’ve tried, though, but they are both girls aged eight and 12 and I’m fighting a losing battle.”

 

Your first memory, Andy?

Andy Williams: “My first game was in the mid-eighties – West Ham United, I think. When I was a kid I never really got to go to matches for one reason or another. I was a loyal fan and had the kit and everything and even once attended Mike Summerbee’s Soccer School.”

Jimi: “Buzzer was a mate of my dad’s and he used to come around to our house quite a lot. He’s a good bloke. He used to supply bespoke shirts to Sylvester Stallone, among others.”

Your happiest memories?

JG: “The 1999 play-off final against Gillingham. That was an amazing day – and a rotten one up until Paul Dickov’s equaliser. It was painful going 2-0 down with minutes left but we all stayed to the end and didn’t miss a thing. Andy Morrison was a giant for us and just what we needed at the time.”

AW: “The 3-1 win over United in November 2003 for me. We were in Switzerland at the time but still celebrated for about two days - we were gutted that we weren’t there, but my mate taped it and when I got to see it, the best bit was when they showed the goals and played one of our songs, ‘Words’, to accompany the action. It was like ‘They’re playing our music for a win over United’. It was a dream come true, man.”

 

What’s it like on matchdays as a fan? You can almost guarantee three Doves records in the pre-match entertainment…

AW: “It’s flattering to think the Club and fans have chosen ‘Pounding’ to help psyche the crowd up before games. I’ve been at the ground a few times when it’s being played, but I stop short of tapping my foot to it – it’s not the done thing!”

 

And what of the latest addition – your own take on Blue Moon?

JG: “It’s sort of Public Image Limited-influenced…”

AW: “At first we thought it was way too psychedelic…it was a tricky one. We were happy to do it and all we need to do now is write a soundtrack for a David Lynch movie. He’s not a City fan is he by any chance?”

 

Are you mobbed when you go down at half-time for a pie and a pint?

JG: “No, not really. I’ll occasionally here, ‘Alright Jimi!’ But it’s not like Liam or Noel Gallagher going to a game and getting mithered to death – we haven’t got that kind of profile, really.”

AW: “We used to sit next to Damon Gough (Badly Drawn Boy) at home matches and he probably gets more recognition than we do. It must be the hat…”

 

Sven or Sparky?

JG: “I was a fan of Sven and was sorry to see him go. I know Hughesy has had a difficult first season, but I hope the club stick with him. I think he’ll get it right if they give him time.”

AW: “I’d definitely stick with Hughes. We need stability and I think the tide is slowly turning…”

If only we’d known that three weeks after the July 2000 City Magazine had come out, our new signing would have something else to celebrate...

Hard to believe that when this fairly casual cover shot was taken of Alfie Inge Haaland, he was on call at any moment to return to Leeds to be with his heavily pregnant wife.

In fact, on 21 July 2000, a certain Erling Braut Haaland was born, and his dad had just become a Manchester City player.

Alfie was the obvious choice for this issue, and with Andy Morrison sidelined with a long term knee issue, the Norwegian took the captain’s armband for what ultimately be a disappointing season for the Club following back-to-back promotions.

Calm, cool and with a mischievous sense of humour, Alfie was a good interviewee and he spoke of his hopes for the years ahead.

The title ‘Norwegian Good’ was OK, if a little predictable – but that was a former editor, not yours truly. Mine would have no doubt been much worse!

Funnily enough, I bumped into Alfie at the back of the press box at the Etihad during a half-time break a few years back.

“Hi Alfie,” I said, “good to see you. What are you up to?”

“I’m trying to find a club for my son,” he said.

I – and , it’s fair to say – much of the known world were yet to hear of a (probably) 17-year-old Erling Haaland at that stage and I just saw Alfie as a caring dad, doing what I or any other loving dad would do.

I just smiled and said, “Ah, OK – well, good luck!” and went on my way.

A few years later we all knew about Erling Haaland…

I wonder if Alfie still has a copy of this issue, which also featured an equally combative Danny Tiatto and the king of the Lycra cape himself, Rick Wakeman...?

DC 

CITC Healthy Goals: Sandra's Story

As part of City in the Community’s ‘Healthy Goals’ initiative, the Club’s charity followed a local youngster whose drawings inspired her school’s newly regenerated sports pitch.

Sandra, a Year Six pupil at St. Wilfrid’s Primary School, had her own centre circle design brought to life when City in the Community transformed their playground.

After being surprised by Manchester City’s Laura Coombs and Khiara Keating, who unveiled Sandra’s design to her, she was also joined by Demi Stokes and Poppy Pritchard who helped her to paint her design on the playground.

Following the final regeneration work, Scott Carson and Sergio Gomez officially opened the playground, alongside Sandra and all her friends.

You can watch the video of it all unfolding here.

Commenting at the official opening, Sandra said: “When I got to see our new pitch for the first time, I felt really excited that my design was included and that everyone will be able to be play on it and look at it. I’m just so happy to see my name on it as well, I wanted to burst!

“I would like to thank City in the Community for including my drawing and helping me to be more brave generally.”

Sandra takes part in City in the Community sessions whilst at school, as part of the Premier League Primary Stars (PLPS) programme.

Sitting under the charity’s ‘Healthy People’ pillar, CITC PLPS coaches work with pupils to help enhance their physical and social development through National Curriculum PE lessons.

Coaches also work closely with teachers within lessons to improve their confidence and competence when delivering PE.

The programme also delivers educational workshops on topics such as anti-bullying and anti-racism throughout the year, alongside tournaments and events.

Talking about the programme and the sessions, Sandra said: “My favourite thing about my CITC lessons is finding new sports that I like and doing fun things I’ve never done before. When CITC come it’s more fun and it’s nice to play and do some sports.”

City in the Community has regenerated multi-sports pitches at primary schools across Greater Manchester, thanks to support from fans.

The charity’s ‘Healthy Goals’ initiative, which raised £250,000 last season, aims to uplift the physical and mental health of young people by creating new community football spaces and youth-led projects in Manchester.

To find out more about the Healthy Goals campaign visit: www.mancity.com/healthygoals

Commenting on their newly regenerated pitch, Sarah Brereton, Head Teacher at St Wilfrid’s Primary School, said: “This pitch is special to us because of the reaction it has received. The children really have had the most amazing experience.

“In this area they don’t have an awful lot of anything, so to be able to take part in the design of this pitch and all the different sports they like, the children have just been enamoured with what’s been produced.”

The first regenerated pitches were opened in May at Ravensbury Community School and St Wilfrid’s Primary School – both locations where City in the Community delivers its programmes.

Thanks to the success of last year’s campaign, the charity will open three more regenerated pitches this month, located at Ashbury Meadow, Southern Cross and Holy Name.

As part of the celebrations, City in the Community has announced the launch of a second fundraising window for 2024, enabling the expansion of its existing strategy to empower healthier lives with city youth through football.

City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football with city youth.

To find out more information, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity on social media.