Joe Hart attends pitch named in his honour
Manchester City Football Club has dedicated a goalkeeper training pitch after Club legend Joe Hart.
The pitch, which is situated within the club’s 80-acre City Football Academy site, is in recognition of his highly successful 12-year association with the Club. Joe was joined by fellow former keeper Alex Williams and Club ambassador Mike Summerbee on Thursday to unveil a mosaic inspired by his iconic 2012 title-winning celebrations.
While that image will forever remain synonymous with the most dramatic Premier League finale in the competition’s history, Joe won a further league title, FA Cup and two League Cups during his time in Manchester.
His 348 appearances for City were central in establishing the Club as contenders at the highest level in both domestic and European football. Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak will join Joe and his family after City’s Premier League meeting with his new club Burnley tomorrow, when he will present him with his own replica mosaic and lifetime season card. Footage of Thursday’s dedication will be played in the stadium before kick-off to enable City fans also to express their gratitude.
Speaking of the dedication, Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said: “It is truly fitting to mark Joe Hart’s outstanding contribution to Manchester City in such a visible way. During his 12 years with the Club, Joe not only produced some incredible individual displays, but also celebrated great success as a member of the Club’s most decorated team in decades.
“His Manchester City legacy is assured and it is hoped that this tribute will serve to inspire future generations of goalkeepers who train at the City Football Academy dreaming of replicating his remarkable career.”
Joe Hart added: “Having the goalkeeping pitch at the City Football Academy dedicated to me is a huge honour. Manchester City has been a huge part of my life and my career, and I’m immensely proud of what I and my teammates achieved in that period.
“There have been some incredible goalkeeping legends throughout Manchester City’s history, and I feel privileged that the Club has chosen to recognise me amongst that number.”
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