It is the bond that binds us and despite being unable to watch our teams in action and share that passion with our fellow fans, a sense of togetherness has prevailed during a challenging time.
A love for the Club has kept supporters connected and, in some cases, forged new friendships, even though many people are required to spend more time indoors due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Despite this, Manchester City’s Official Supporters Club has welcomed four new branches into its family since the beginning of March.
Groups in Hawaii and Wuhan, as well as the Canberra Cityzens and the Oregon-based Astoria City Blues have all become official branches in the last month, meaning we now have 23,000+ members in more than 290 branches worldwide.
Already, they are having a positive impact amongst City supporters within their respective communities.
“The Wuhan branch has united people in Hubei who love Manchester City”, said founder Zou Chenjun.
“We have encouraged each other to overcome difficulties together throughout this tough time.
“We hope an authorised branch can organise all the fans in Wuhan on matchdays and bring more to play football and cheer for City.”
Eight thousand miles away in the heart of Pacific Ocean, it was a Droylsden native who helped found our Hawaii branch.
Chairman Paul is a lifelong fan who has been Stateside for 40-years, proposing to his wife Cyndi on 13 May 2012, when Sergio Aguero’s last gasp heroics sealed our first league championship for 44-years.
The COVID-19 outbreak forced the couple to cancel their plans to attend the Norwich City game in May but intend to be at the Etihad Stadium next season.
Time difference means City fixtures usually get underway in Hawaii’s early hours, but with Paul and Cyndi having recruited nine other passionate fans, the group take it in turns to host games at their homes instead of gathering at their favourite local bar.
That sense of community is replicated in north west Oregon, where the Astoria City Blues has been set up after Mancunians Kate and Simon Levene began inviting friends to watch matches with them.
It soon became something of an event, with the group gaining Official Supporters Club status in time for last month’s Manchester derby, our final game before professional football in England was suspended.
However, that has not prevented this tight-knit group from continuing to get their City fix together.
“During the shelter-in-place time, we’re arranging regular watch alongs of classic matches in an attempt to bring some normality to our days,” explained Simon.
“Despite the lockdown, Astoria City Blues has already grown, proving you can’t keep a good team down!”
To find out where your nearest Official Supporters Club branch is, or, to find out how you can set one up, please visit: supportersclubs.mancity.com.
And, don’t forget to share any photos of your branch/members during this time using #mancityosc on social media.
