I had planned my trip to Shanghai for some time. At 76, and living on my own in Spain, I think a few of my friends wondered if I was quite right when I told them I was heading to China!
Before I travelled, Kevin Parker put me in touch with Vicky Jin from the Shanghai Official Supporters Club. I was fortunate to meet her during my visit, and she made me feel welcome from the moment we met. She showed me around parts of the city and took me to Shanghai Zoo to see the pandas, an experience I’ll remember for a long time.
The highlight came on matchday, when I joined Vicky and the Shanghai OSC to watch City play Sunderland at The Cages. The match kicked off at 9pm local time, and around 60 to 70 supporters gathered to watch together. The venue’s huge screens made it feel more like a cinema than a sports bar, but the noise and excitement came entirely from the fans. There were chants, cheers and plenty of enthusiasm throughout.
It was wonderful to see so many members come together for the match. As someone originally from Manchester, although now living in Spain, I was surprised to discover that I was the first person from Manchester that some of the supporters had met. People came over to chat, and I was struck by how warm and welcoming everyone was.
It brought home to me how far the Manchester City family reaches. Many of the supporters I met may never get the chance to watch City in person unless the Club visits China, yet their passion for the team was every bit as strong as you’d find at the Etihad.
Vicky is hoping to travel to Manchester in November, taking time off work to catch City’s matches against Napoli and Fulham. After the welcome she gave me in Shanghai, I’m already looking forward to seeing her again, and I’ll definitely be going!
I came home with a camera roll full of photographs and video clips, and I’m putting together some social media content to share the experience with Vicky and the Shanghai supporters. It was a fantastic few days, and a brilliant reminder that wherever you are in the world, City brings people together.
If you’d like to find your local Official Supporters Club, you can find out more by clicking here.
