While there are already two Official Supporters Club branches on the mainland of Greece, this is the first on the country’s biggest island.
The formation of the branch came about when two couples in the village of Tavronitis, 12 miles West of Chania, met up and discovered they were City fans.
Paul and Diane Roberts retired to Crete in 2020 and when a City shirt they ordered was delivered to neighbours John and Karen Angus, they found two more Blues on the island.
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John and Karen owned a house in Crete before moving permanently after retiring in 2019 had already set up a Facebook page but didn’t have the network of City fans.
The new branch meets up to watch games at the village’s coffee house called Cafe Antonis.
Paul said: “Me and Diane, born and bred Mancs, were season ticket holders back in the 1970s and when City moved to the Etihad, we renewed our memberships with our two sons. I still have my season card now. I was able to use my network of family and friends to get the 10 branch members we now have.
“Out of City’s nine League Cup Final appearances, I have been to seven - only missing out on the 1970 final when I was 10! and the Covid-affected 2021.
“I’m gutted they’ve been knocked out of this season’s competition because we’re back in the UK when the final is on.”
Sports journalist Mike Broadis, who was the son of former City player Ivor Broadis, who featured from 1951 to 1953, lived in Tavronitis and was a big fan before his sad death a few years ago.
Paul added: “Our plans for the branch are to convert some of the locals, who are mainly Olympiakos followers, to City’s cause - but also reach out across the whole of Crete to find existing Blues.”
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