Despite being reduced to nine players, Gareth Taylor’s side were minutes from a memorable victory over reigning champions Chelsea in our first match since the historic renaming of the Joie Stadium.
Guro Reiten’s 96th-minute strike ultimately meant we had to settle for a point, but City could take huge pride from our gutsy performance against the odds.
While the action on the pitch was a spectacle to behold, the same could be said of the atmosphere on the terraces, and the activities put on for supporters in celebration of the first WSL match at the Joie Stadium.
With this in mind, we spoke to two members of our Official Supporters’ Club who were there to reflect on their experiences from the day…
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Jess Cook and her 12-year-old niece, Grace, have been season ticket holders for four seasons, while her nine-year-old nephew, Toby, is enjoying his first campaign following City.
Her daughter, 14-month-old Poppy, has already become a good luck charm among supporters, with Gareth Taylor’s side remaining unbeaten on home soil whenever she’s been taken to the Joie Stadium.
“It got to the point last season where at the end of a game people sitting around us would be saying ‘she’s done it again!’,” she jokes.
“The atmosphere against Chelsea was amazing. There’s a massive sense of togetherness, and everyone around where we sit has had season tickets for quite a while.
“The team played so well – if Khiara Keating didn’t win player of the match it could’ve been Alanna Kennedy, or Laia Aleixandri.
“They were incredible – we sign ‘fight ‘til the end’ and they did that yesterday! I can’t wait to see where this team goes.”
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Stacey Ranson, another member of our OSC, had a similar opinion of both the atmosphere and the team’s performance on the day.
She has a season ticket with her husband and daughters, Maisie (eight) and Callie (two) and is currently enjoying her second season on the terraces following City on a regular basis.
It’s something she describes as the best thing she and her family ever did, with the Chelsea fixture a particular standout memory during that time so far.
Stacey explained: “We really enjoyed the game, we sit where Chloe Kelly celebrated the goal, which was amazing and the people who sit around us all renewed their season tickets too, so we know all of the families.
“We kept fighting no matter what. I have to admit when we went down to ten, I thought we might struggle and then when we went down to nine it made it even worse!
“But we kept fighting as a team, and you could see them all encouraging each other, they didn’t give up at all. Khiara Keating was superb, and her player of the match was well deserved.”
It’s safe to say that, while disappointed not to hold on for the win, Stacey and her family were satisfied with the team’s gutsy display at the Joie Stadium.
But with two young daughters, having activities available to them before the action gets under way is a major part of their overall matchday experience.
“It’s always a good environment and we always feel safe,” she said of following City at the Joie Stadium, and initiatives such as our fan zone.
“The girls love it, it’s a great experience and they’ll always get their face painted and have a dance with the mascots.
“It’s so important we want to get there early anyway but having those kinds of things available for children means they’ve got something to do. My eight-year-old is really into the football but of course my two-year-old needs distractions, so it’s a good way to get the kids involved as well as the adults.
“On top of that, Sunday was a particularly good atmosphere before the game, and everyone was getting involved.”
It was a memorable afternoon for all lucky enough to be there, and one that Jess is confident will continue to inspire her niece, nephew and daughter in the years to come.
The renaming of the Joie Stadium, and the significance of that deal, also play an important role in that conviction, as she explains.
“It’s fantastic in all honesty [the Joie Stadium deal] and everything that’s been introduced this season shows we’re progressing as a club and making sure the women’s team are getting what they deserve,” she added.
“The women are up there and the Club want to do things for the team and show their worth, especially because my niece loves football and can see that as well.
“Even last season with changing the colour of the shorts, it’s great and shows that we’re thinking of our players and making them feel comfortable.”
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“The fact we’ve got such a big company like Joie working with us is really good,” Stacey continues.
“It just shows and proves that we’re an elite club and have the ability to attract big companies.
“It also shows the direction of the club and hopefully how it’ll keep going that way on and off the pitch.”
If you’d like to join or find out more about your local Official Supporters Club, you can register your interest here.
City v Bristol City: App coverage
City’s next home fixture sees us welcome Bristol City to the Joie Stadium on Sunday 15 October. Kick-off is set for 13:00 (UK), with tickets still available to purchase by clicking here.
You can also follow comprehensive coverage on the official Man City app, with our Matchday Centre providing live text updates, stats and analysis across the day, beginning at 11:30.
Mike Minay will guide you through the action from the Joie Stadium commentary box from kick-off, while those with push notifications turned on will also be alerted to all the key moments as they unfold.
After the final whistle, keep across our channels for reaction from the manager and players alike, as well as a detailed match report.
Highlights and a CITY+ full-match replay can also be accessed from 12:00 on Monday 16 October.
