A week later, the 23/24 season concluded with a parade through the streets of Manchester, watched by thousands of fans across the city.
Meanwhile, as the season drew to its conclusion for the Club, another season was just beginning.
On Monday 13 May and Monday 20 May, the first Andy’s Man Club sessions took place in the East Stand of the Etihad Stadium.
Over 40 men have come through the doors thus far, with close to half of those attending an Andy’s Man Club for the first time in their lives.
To see what the sessions all about, three Manchester City legends met with Dan Rowe, Regional Area Lead from Andy’s Man Club.
Each from a different playing era, Manchester City legends Nedum Onuoha, Paul Lake, and Alex Williams MBE gathered to discuss mental health.
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The legends experienced an Andy’s Man Club session, following on from current Manchester City player John Stones. In turn, each of the legends answered five questions experienced at over 190 Andy’s Man Club groups across the country.
When asked the opening question, “What’s a positive reason for being here?” Onuoha commented: “The reason I’m here is because I’m looking forward to getting a chance to talk.
“A lot of men in society, they are sort of anxious about talking, but when you can find the right environment, you can open up.”
“I think being here today is a huge positive and if it can inspire other people to do the same, I think that can make a big difference.”
After the legends had gathered, the Club spoke to Omar, lead voluntary facilitator at the Etihad Stadium Andy’s Man Club:
“As a lifelong City fan, its fantastic to see three legends of our Club experience this group that can make such a difference.”
“Men feel at home inside a football club and for many City fans, this is their second home.”
Omar is one of several Manchester City fans to have benefitted from attending Andy’s Man Club – as he shared recently alongside his fellow fans – and wanted to give back by volunteering to help facilitate the new group at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking about the men who have attended thus far, Omar highlighted several key elements: “The guys who came along were a mix – some business owners, some who worked for corporations, a few unemployed, some tradesmen. They ranged from their 20s to their 70s and it was racially mixed too.”
Importantly, while many Manchester City fans attended – Andy’s Man Club is for all men over the age of 18, whether they support City, another Club, or don’t even enjoy football as Omar also noted: “Most were City fans but there were a few United and Liverpool fans too. They joked about being on enemy territory and the banter started flying, which relaxed everyone.”
Andy’s Man Club at the Etihad Stadium has joined over 190 groups nationwide that now support more than 4500 men every week.
For fans uncertain what the men’s peer support groups look like, the Club and charity have created a “Need to Know” as part of their ongoing collaboration.
For more information about Andy’s Man Club, please visit here.
