The ‘Love This City’ visits were the latest opportunity for the Club to thank fans for their support and to show its year-round commitment to supporting people across the city and beyond.
The encounters saw first team players surprise lifelong City fans that have followed the Club through their own unique and often difficult personal circumstances.
Now, as we prepare to go for world’s best in a month-long festival of football, we’ll take the support of fans with us while playing so far from home.
Watch the video at the top of the page…
You can find out more about each visit below:
Rodri and Ederson surprise Official Supporters Club
With over 400 branches worldwide, Manchester City’s Official Supporters Clubs offer fans the opportunity to come together and share unforgettable City moments.
Rodri and Ederson surprised supporters club member, Imran, at the Blue Crescent Supporters Club branch, following Imran’s own unforgettable moment having travelled to Istanbul to see the Club lift the Champions League Trophy two weeks after the birth of his daughter. That trip meant Imran made it to every single final City played that season.
Foden, O’Reilly, Savinho and Reis play darts with young fan
After a difficult time at school, the Club surprised City fan and darts enthusiast Alex at a nearby darts club in Manchester.
Having left school due to bullying last year, the Club organised a darts game for Alex, fellow Stockport local Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly, Savinho and Vitor Reis.
Speaking after the visit, Alex said “Everyone was really nice about it. After all that’s happened with me, I think it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I just want to thank everyone at the Club for making this all happen.”
Nunes, Nico and Echeverri visit Ravensbury Community School
Ahead of headteacher and City fan Maureen Hughes upcoming retirement from Ravensbury Community School, the Club wanted to thank her for all of her hard work across Greater Manchester.
As well as joining pupils in class, the players were also able to see the football pitch at Ravensbury Community School which was upgraded in the 2023/24 season thanks to fundraising from the Club’s Official Charity, City in the Community (CITC), as part of its Healthy Goals Initiative.
Stones and Lewis visit local community hero, Allan Grafton MBE
John Stones and Rico Lewis visited the home of Allan Grafton MBE, who has been recognised for his tireless services in Gorton.
To mark this and in honour of his legacy, last year the FA introduced the ‘Allan Grafton Community Award’. This award recognises individuals who go above and beyond to make a meaningful impact in the grassroots football community.
Gundogan and Ortega Moreno surprise the Almond Family
Ilkay Gundogan and Stefan Ortega Moreno met the family of Maisie Almond, a 14-year-old City fan who sadly passed away last year. Together they spoke about Maisie’s love for City and the support from the fans through difficult times.
Speaking about the visits, Manchester City midfielder, İlkay Gündoğan, commented: “It’s great to visit our fans in the local community before we compete in the Club World Cup later this month.
“We’re looking forward to seeing our incredible fans in Manchester when we arrive back, to share more memories and moments together.”
