One-hundred-and-forty members attended an open training session Lambeau Field ahead of our friendly against Bayern Munich, with branches from across the US represented, including: Milwaukee Cityzens, Chicago, Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, Denver, Knoxville, Ottawa, Washington and Blue Moon Dallas.
A select group of members were then invited to meet Guardiola and his players in the golden circle at the home of the Green Bay Packers, were they had the chance to get autographs and photographs with the Premier League champions.
“The high point for us was chatting with Pep and the players and getting a few photos after the open training session with the trophy,” said Minneapolis Chair, Chris Pavlich.
“Seeing the Champions at Lambeau Field felt like a scene from a movie — they were very kind to us and generous with their time.”
Official Supporters Clubs had a jam-packed itinerary whilst City were in Green Bay.
Following the open training session, members gathered at the Badger State Brewing bar for an event organised by Chicago branch Chair, Victoria Gregory.
An opportunity for the global Official Supporters Club family to connect in person, the Club brought along the Premier League trophy to ensure everyone could capture a memorable selfie.
It was a similar story on the day of our 1-0 victory over Bayern, when the trophy was again present as 1,300 City fans descended on Tundra Trio for a pre-match fan event, where Joleon Lescott and Pablo Zabaleta were in attendance for a Q&A, with prizes to be won as part of exclusive giveaways.
Before kick-off, 1,500 supporters visited the matchday fanzone and, once inside the stadium, the Chicago branch ensured Lambeau Field was decorated with the blue of the Official Supporters Club branch flags.
“It was an incredible experience getting to welcome City fans from all over the world to our home state for the match in Green Bay,” said Kyle Charters, the Chair of the Milwaukee branch.
“We met OSC members stretching from Toronto to Seattle and down to Tampa Bay.
“The experience really highlighted the benefits of being an OSC member: early access to supporters section tickets, the ability to enter a raffle to attend the closed practice, knowledge of where the Premier League trophy would be and when, and staying informed about where and when all OSC members would be gathering to socialise.
“The community we were able to be a part of and the connections we were able to make will carry forward in our future as a club and as individual members, as we’ll know who to reach out to when we’re travelling and want to watch a City match with fellow supporters in other cities.”
Victoria Gregory, the Chair of the Chicago branch, added: “Pre-season tours on these shores mean so much to me.
“Witnessing the growth of City’s support from the US first-hand has been truly wonderful - and I only wish I could tell my Grandad about it!”
To find out more about Manchester City’s Official Supporters Clubs, or your local supporters club, visit supportersclubs.mancity.com
