Since the launch of Cityzens in 2014, the team behind the scheme have given fans the chance to follow in the footsteps of their heroes and play at the Etihad Stadium at the end of every season.
This year, Cityzens linked up with Etihad Airways to make it a truly global experience.
The competition to take part broke all records previously set for a Cityzens experience, attracting more than 30,000 entries from more than 70 countries. All of whom were hoping to be one of the 30 lucky City fans who were in for a week of surprises!
For our fans from further afield, their journey started a little earlier with flights to Manchester courtesy of Etihad Airways where they were picked up by one of the Club’s team coaches before taking part in tour of the Etihad Stadium.
The following day all of our guests were invited to Etihad Airways’ platinum box to watcYaya Toure’s final home game for the Club against Brighton.
Our 30 Cityzens, 15 from the UK and 15 from the rest of the world, were then grouped into two teams and as a further surprise for them, they discovered they would be lining up alongside City legends Paul Dickov, Michael Brown, Kevin Horlock, Jim and Jeff Whitley.
Inside the home team dressing room they saw their names displayed on the back of their shirts hung up around the state-of-the-art facilities.
As the players were about to head to the pitch our final surprise of the day appeared, as first team stars and newly crowned Premier League winners Fabian Delph, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Brahim Diaz stopped by to deliver motivational team talks.
As in the game played back in 2016, Team Dickov and Team Brown went head-to-head and the match didn’t disappoint with 15 goals being shared out!
Team Brown eventually emerged victorious, winning 10-5 to secure the Cityzens Play on the Pitch trophy for another year before all the players then enjoyed a post-match meal in The Tunnel Club.
