The annual ‘Community Matchday’ brought together players, fans, staff and partners in support of City in the Community. Activities aim to increase awareness of the charity’s work, create once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for participants and support fundraising.
Prior to the day, CITC Premier League Primary Stars participants from Webster Primary were tasked with drawing Manchester City players for the matchday graphics, which were then turned into unique graphics used both on social media and within the stadium.
The STORY BEHIND THE DRAWINGSThe once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for CITC participants included mascot spaces, taking part in a team photo on the pitch before kick-off, welcoming players off the bus on the blue carpet and shadowing Manchester City content teams.
Following the game, one lucky BTEC participant was even able to interview player of the match, Jeremey Doku.
Check out the interview with Joshua HERE.
Elsewhere, the ‘City in the Community Etihad Stadium’ came alive with charity branding ahead of kick-off, including a centre circle display, bespoke LEDs and participant drawn graphics to help raise awareness of CITC’s identity and purpose.
The City squad also showed their support by wearing City in the Community branded walkout jackets ahead of the fixture.
To help further raise awareness of the day, City manager, Pep Guardiola, sported a CITC badge during his pre-match press conference.
Those who travelled to the stadium via matchday bus routes might also have noticed a familiar voice, as Ruben Dias takes over the announcement system to help profile City in the Community.
Partners also teamed up to support the Club’s charity, with PUMA donating thousands of items of kit to participants across Greater Manchester.
Commenting on the day, Head of Communications and Engagement, Rachel Clarkson, said: “We are very proud of our community matchdays, which have become a real marker in the seasonal calendar.
“What started as a charity celebration has evolved into one of the most collaborative and exciting annual projects across all areas of the football club.
“I would like to thank all fans who showed their support on the day and hope that our participants also went away with memories to last a lifetime.”
Brendan, a CITC Esports Student who shadowed Manchester City’s City Studios team on the day said:
“I feel so excited to be filming here today and I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve got to do.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this before; it’s been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Throughout the day the attention of fans was drawn to City in the Community’s Matchday Lottery.
The new matchday lottery provides fans around the world with the chance to win incredible prizes every time the team plays at home in the Premier League.
Whether you’re inside the stadium or cheering on from home, you won’t have to wait long to find out if you’ve bagged an unmissable prize.
The winner is selected at random at full-time and contacted immediately.
You can further support CITC, by entering this month’s Prize Draw competition, for the chance to win a Full Squad Signed Shirt, a Haaland Club World Cup Signed Shirt and more.
The City in the Community Prize Draw is powered by Raise Your Game and your support will go towards sustaining the charity’s programmes, which empower healthier lives through football.
Entries start at £5 per ticket; fans can enter on a one-off basis, or they can sign up to a direct debit, meaning they enter the draw monthly automatically.
* City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity on social media.
*Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea are the only excluded countries from the prize draw.
