Hayley is part of the LGBTQ+ community and she sits alongside her friend David.
They have spent almost a decade in the same seats in the South Stand at the Etihad and during those nine years their friendship has blossomed into something special.
“So I’ve been going to City since I was a kid, with my Dad,” began Hayley.
“Then when my parents moved abroad and I had to make the decision as to whether I kept going to the games on my own or not. But we’d had season tickets at the Etihad since day one and I knew a few of the people around me so I decided to keep going on my own.
“And a few seasons ago David came along and joined our core group of people who have been in that areas for 10 years or so.
“We’re both season ticket members, we stand right next to each other at the game so we’re in contact there and we obviously talk about the football but we will both normally arrive a little earlier and we’ll have a chat about personal lives as well.”
“Yeah this will be my ninth season in the same seat,” David added. “I was a few rows further forward so I was aware of the little group behind me before I moved next to Hayley.
“I like to consider myself as like her big brother and to the group around us. Hayley can hold her own but I’m always trying to look out for her.
“We have our own little family there and it’s lovely. We support each other through everything really.
“A good experience is better when it’s a shared experience and when you can support people, like Hayley and I do for each other, it’s such a good support system to have. And I think we’re both just very grateful for each other and the ground around us on a matchday.”
“Our catch-up before the game is my favourite part,” Hayley interjected. “The first day of the season is like when you were looking forward to seeing your friends on the first day of school, although that was many years ago!
“I get that same feeling now when I get to catch-up with David and I’m looking forward to another season of joking around with him and supporting City.”
Whilst both were excitedly talking through what it means to be sat side by side on a matchday, Hayley admitted that their first catch-up of the new season will have to wait as she will be attending Manchester Pride whilst David will be at the Ipswich game.
Hayley has attended Manchester Pride for as long as she can remember and is looking forward to another fun weekend with her sister that will be full of food, drinks and dancing.
She explained how she’s been comfortable in her sexuality for a long time which has allowed her to partake in LGBTQ+ events and feel welcomed at City games.
And having allies, such as David, has helped her.
“I’m really grateful that I have a group that support me at the football and a group that supports me outside of football too,” said Hayley.
“Those allies have been critical, my sister has come to Manchester Pride with me every year and she’s heterosexual. It’s just great to have the community and allies work in tandem to continuously raise awareness.
“It means I can enjoy the games too without any anxiety or worry about whether you should come out to people.
“It means I can have a normal conversation with people around me without having to keep anything about myself back, for example I don’t have to hide that my partner is female.
“Having that support group, like David, has allowed me to have open conversations and be comfortable in myself.”
“But I don’t think there is anything that I do that is special,” David admitted. “Hayley is my friend, that’s it.
“In today’s society it just takes one voice to call people out if they are negative compared to a few years ago where maybe no voice or multiple voices were needed to call out people not being welcoming. I’m just another fan like everyone else who tried to support and protect everyone.
“I can sum up my friendship with Hayley in one word: limbs!
“When City are under pressure and we need to score and when we do, it’s just limbs everywhere. Arms and legs all over the show!
“But that’s just the way we all celebrate together. It’s just one big connection. The elation we all share together, no matter what background or sexuality, we all share the love together.”
