City Magazine: November edition out now! | OneFootball

Welcome to the November edition of the City Magazine!

Gianluigi Donnarumma is our cover star this month, with the Italian 'keeper revealing how his first few months as a City player have gone.

"It already feels like home" says the big man...

We also have Nico O'Reilly explaining why being a role model is so important for any Academy graduate.

Alex Greenwood lifts the lid on City's sparkling start to the new WSL season, while Khiara Keating reveals her unforgettable summer and progress under new boss Andrée Jeglertz.

But of course, there is so much more.

We at City Magazine HQ like to bring you an eclectic mix of features, so we don't think you'll be surprised when we say that Tom Cruise, Northside, Oasis, David Pizarro, and a forgettable UCL clash with Kyiv are also included.

Marc Riley's 'Get With the Programme 'and Kev Cummins' recollections of a memorable Bert Trautmann photoshoot are also in the pages that follow, while Andy Morrison takes on vlogger JSM44 in our monthly score predictions feature.

All the above, plus Jaden Heskey, Charlie Gray and Charlie Holt representing our focus on Academy talent and you've got another terrific edition.

Onwards and forwards, people!

City Magazine caught up with Gianluigi Donnarumma – and discover he took advice from a few former fan favourites ahead of his move to the Blues…

ew City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma cuts a commanding presence in goal.

Standing at 6’ 5”, his imposing height and broad shoulders make the net he is defending look decidedly small.

Along with the excellent James Trafford, Marcus Bettinelli and Stefan Ortega, the Italian has joined what has to be one of the best goalkeeping units in the world and has quickly settled into life with the Blues.

The Azzurri No.1 has brought a wealth of experience and nous with him to Manchester, and English football has always been on his wish-list as his career progressed.

The winner of the coveted Yashin Trophy at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, he was officially recognised as the best goalkeeper in world football for his exploits in 2024/25.

Indeed, on his way to Champions League glory with PSG, he helped eliminate City, Liverpool and Arsenal with a series of breath-taking saves, so his English education, one might say, began in earnest last season.

“I think the environment here is different,” Donnarumma began.

“Playing in England, the atmosphere, the noise and the passion from the fans is very unique to this country and because I will now always be playing English teams in the Premier League, I hope I can repeat those performances[from the Champions League] every week for City.

“I think the environment here is different”

“I played in those games against Arsenal, Liverpool and City and enjoyed them all - now I want to repay the faith the coach, owner and board has put in me. I'm sure we'll do great things together.”

Of course, ‘Gigio’ is not our first Italian connection – far from it, with Bernardo Corrado and Rolando Bianchi the initial pioneers, even if things didn’t pan out all that well for them with the Blues.

Two names that followed, however, completely bucked that trend  and helped turn Manchester City in the major force in world football we have become over the past 15 years or so.

Roberto Mancini was the manager who ended our 35-year wait for a major trophy by guiding City to FA Cup success in 2011, and a year later, he was at the helm again as the Blues ended a 44-year wait to become champions of England, by which time another Italian had become a fan idol – Mario Balotelli.

Both men, whose names are still chanted by City fans to this day, had nothing but good things to say about their time in the sky blue half of Manchester…

“I know Roberto Mancini very well and have a great relationship with him from our time together in the Italian national team,” said Gigio.

“I spoke to him before I came here, and he gave me a lot of advice and information about Manchester and the club, and he was very happy about my upcoming move.

“As an Italian, I am happy that it was Mancini who started City's winning streak for silverware with the FA Cup and then the Premier League and I want to carry on that success, and I am determined to help make more history here.”

And his friendship with the inimitable Super Mario?

“As an Italian, I am happy that it was Mancini who started City's winning streak for silverware with the FA Cup and then the Premier League and I want to carry on that success”

“I know Mario from the national team, and he advised me to join City as well, saying it was an incredible club,” he said.

“In fact, all the players I spoke to who have played for City that I spoke with advised me to come here because they all had positive experiences playing here.

“Their thoughts and words made it even easier for me to choose Manchester City and I'm really happy for my family as well and I hope I can stay here for many years and, as I say, make more history for this club.”

It’s hard to believe Donnarumma is still only 26 years-old.

“I know Mario from the national team, and he advised me to join City as well, saying it was an incredible club”

He burst onto the scene as a teenager and has made more than 400 appearances so far, after lengthy spells with AC Milan and then PSG, along with 78 caps for Italy.

He acknowledges the part his former clubs have played in his success, saying: “For sure they [AC Milan and PSG] helped me in my growth a lot. I won a lot in my career so I will always be thankful to them for everything they gave me.

“But now I am fully focused on my new challenge here now to make history here and become a symbol for this city and for the club

“I came here with all my family and from my first day at the club, I could sense it was like a real family. Everyone was smiling and I'm just happy and proud  to be here.

“I'm sure my family will be very happy here and I'm already enjoying this new adventure.”

“You can't tell what a club’s values are until you really see it with your own eyes and now I have and everything - the facilities, my team-mates and the staff are fantastic.”

Any down to earth Mancunian, no matter how proud they are of their city, will admit that living in fashion capitals such as Milan and Paris is a tough act to follow.

But Gigio is not thinking that way and is excited to absorb Manchester life.

Asked how much he was looking forward to discovering more about the city, he replied: “A lot - I can't wait to get around and try out new places and discover new things. Each city gives you new experiences and I can't wait to see everything and experience them with my family.

“I'm sure they will be happy here and I'm already enjoying this new adventure.

“I’m here to win, make history, but most of all to make the fans proud and win a lot of trophies together as it’s an historic club that deserves to be as high as possible.”

Interview: David Clayton

Can Mozzer get the better of City YouTuber JSM44?

Here’s November’s predictions as the battle of the our former captain and the vloggers continues…

CITY v BOURNEMOUTH

Premier LeagueSunday 02 November, 16:30 kick-offEtihad Stadium

Mozzer verdict: There’s not many who would have predicted Bournemouth would be in second spot with a quarter of the Premier League season gone. Sustaining that sort of form will be difficult and you’d expect them to fall away at some stage, but right now they are flying – though I think City away is a big ask - even for this talented opposition.

Mozzer prediction: City 3-1 Bournemouth

Vlogger verdict: Very tough game, Bournemouth have been unreal this season and deservedly sit in second place, but if we win, we go above them. I have no doubt we will bounce back after the loss against Villa, but Doku has to start, he’ll be so important in this game.

Vlogger prediction: City 3-1 Bournemouth

CITY v DORTMUND

Champions LeagueWednesday 05 November, 20:00 kick-offEtihad Stadium

Mozzer verdict: With seven points on the board already, it feels like we learned our lesson from last season. Dortmund are a decent side, but not the Champions League force they once were – we still need to be somewhere near our best, but I don’t see any slip-ups here.

Mozzer prediction: City 3-1 BVB

Vlogger verdict: Last time, we played against Dortmund, Haaland scored an outrageous goal, and I can see him going one better by scoring a hat-trick against his old team. Serhou Guirassy is the danger man for BVB, and our defence need to keep him under control.

Vlogger prediction: City 3-2 BVB

CITY v LIVERPOOL

Premier LeagueSunday 09 November, 16:30 kick-offEtihad Stadium

Mozzer verdict: Liverpool are going through a tough spell at the time of writing and having a season a bit like ours last year. But they have so much quality, it’s hard to see that not gelling at some stage and if they are starting to fire again by the time we play them, this will be as tough a fixture as it always seems to be. With that in mind, I’m going to say the points will be shared on this occasion.

Mozzer prediction: City 2-2 Liverpool

Vlogger verdict: It’s the perfect time to play Liverpool in my opinion - I just wish it was at Anfield, so we could finally win there! But our record at the Etihad against Liverpool is really good, and I really think we can really go at them. If Haaland runs at their defence, they won’t be able to stop him, I can see the big man, bagging another hat-trick!

Vlogger prediction: City 4-1 Liverpool

NEWCASTLE v CITY

Champions LeagueSaturday 22 November, 17:30 kick-offSt James' Park

Mozzer verdict: Another tricky game and for me, another draw. Eddie Howe’s side look solid and dangerous, and they are a force to be reckoned with at St James’ Park. We are more than capable of going there and winning, but to my mind, this has a draw written all over it.

Mozzer prediction: Newcastle 1-1 City

Vlogger verdict: Really tough game after the international break, Newcastle away is always tough, and the atmosphere is always fantastic. Every team is a little slow after the internationals, and I think this will be a draw.

Vlogger prediction: Newcastle 1-1 City

CITY v BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Champions LeagueTuesday 25 November, 20:00 kick-offEtihad Stadium

Mozzer verdict: Leverkusen have dipped since the departure of Xabi Alonso, but they are still having a decent Bundesliga season.  I don’t see them causing us too many problems on this occasion and we should edge closer to sealing a top eight spot with a good win here.

Mozzer prediction: City 4-1 Leverkusen

Vlogger verdict: Leverkusen haven’t been the same team since Xabi Alonso left, but we need to watch out for Grimaldo free kicks- that said, this game should be no problem for City.

Vlogger prediction: City 5-1 Leverkusen

CITY v LEEDS

Premier LeagueSaturday 29 November, 15:00 kick-offEtihad Stadium

Mozzer verdict: Leeds have done well so far and picked up more points than I imagined they would. They are beating teams around them and always have a chance at Elland Road, but away to teams like City is a big step up, and though I think they’ll score a couple of goals against us, I expect at least four in their net, too.

Mozzer prediction: City 4-2 Leeds

Vlogger verdict: Which Leeds United will show up? The Leeds United that attack, or Leeds United that park the bus. I have no idea, so I’ll go for a narrow win.

Vlogger prediction: City 2-1 Leeds

Last month: Mozzer is back! Trailing by four points last month, he's pulled level now after predicting the scores against Everton and Swansea correctly. Overall, he bagged eight points with two other results correct, while guest vlogger Typical City got no scores correct but four results right. Game on!

Scoreboard: Mozzer 14-14 Vloggers

Nico O’Reilly is our latest Academy success story – and he intends helping others achieve the same boyhood dream he had of playing for City’s first team...

t’s fair to say Nico O’Reilly has been one of the Academy’s shining lights in recent times.

The 20-year-old has become a regular name on Pep Guardiola’s team-sheet, and his influence seems to grow game-by-game.

The boyhood City fan also penned a new long-term deal recently, as well as earning a call up to Thomas Tuchel’s senior England squad for the games against Wales and Latvia.

But he especially wants to be an inspiration to emerging Academy players and players in younger age groups – just as those who went before him were when he was working his way through various age levels.

So, how does it feel when others looking to follow in his footsteps cite him as a role model of what can be achieved?

“It does mean a lot – obviously I know how hard it is to come through and play in the best team in the world,” said O’Reilly.

“It is very tough [to make it to the first team], but there is a way and there is a path if you’re prepared to work hard, show what you can do and have confidence, you can do it.

“I hope all the Academy lads do look up to people like me, Rico, Oscar and Phil and try and do the same thing.”

And seeing Messrs Lewis, Bobb and Foden were, in turn, inspirations to O’Reilly whose talent with the Under-18s and EDS shone like a beacon over the past couple of seasons.

Asked if they’d helped him achieve his goal of first team football, he said: “Definitely – when I was training with them, they helped me a lot.

“I would say the attributes you need to progress at City are working hard every day, being very good technically and also driven and professional.”

“I want to be able to do these things as well for anyone who is coming through and following a similar journey to the one I’ve been on.

“I would say the attributes you need to progress at City are working hard every day, being very good technically and also driven and professional.”

And whereas it might be easy to leave the U18s and EDS behind, that’s the last thing O’Reilly intends doing.

He was close and connected to many of  Ben Wilkinson’s EDS  - and  remains so – even travelling as a fan to a recent EFL clash with Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy so see his friends and former team-mates.

“It was good,” he says of that evening in Greater Manchester.

“My best mate plays for the U21s, and he always comes to watch me all the time and supports me, and I want to do the same back whenever I can.

“It was great to be among the City fans and talking to them, and I’m really close to a lot of the lads – and Ben [Wilkinson] – so it was good.”

When he penned his new deal in September, O’Reilly admitted that it was a boyhood dream come true.

The shy, unassuming 20-year-old committed to City until 2030, and on signing he said: “This is a day I will never forget. I have been at City since the age of eight, and to have made it into the first team and have played matches is a dream come true. To be rewarded with a new contract really is special.

“This is just the beginning for me. I have come so far, but I want to keep pushing now, improving every day, and become the best player I can be. Here at City, with Pep as manager, I know I can do that. This is the best place for a footballer to be.

“I want to thank everyone who works in the Academy, all my teammates, Pep, the coaching staff and the City fans because without all those people supporting me along the way, none of this would have been possible for me.”

Interview: David Clayton/Neil Leigh

What a difference two months can make.

ity came off the pitch at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the Barclays Women’s Super League season reflecting on a frustrating 2-1 defeat to reigning champions Chelsea.

The Blues had battled, and a late Niamh Charles own goal had given us hope of taking something back up to Manchester, but we ultimately came up short.

It was a disappointing start, but our performance had suggested that, after a period of acclimatisation, our new system under Andrée Jeglertz would bear fruit.

Seven matches, six wins and one penalty shootout victory later, City went into the October international break brimming with confidence, one point off top spot and with the best attacking record in the top flight.

City have always been famed for our free-flowing attacking football but, in recent years, perhaps lacked that ‘nasty streak’ required to truly grind out results when things went against us.

That certainly hasn’t been the case for Alex Greenwood and her team-mates so far this season, though.

Of our 17 WSL goals this season, an incredible 35% have come in the final ten minutes, and we’ve picked up a league high six points from losing positions at time of writing.

“It becomes a part of your culture I suppose,” captain Greenwood begins.

“It’s definitely a feeling that’s true, it’s so easy to say it when you’re walking away from a game and you’re on the winning end of it, but it’s genuinely a feeling we have and something we’ve spoken about quite a lot as a team.

“Even when Liverpool or Arsenal scored or whatever, it wasn’t a case of panic. We believe in ourselves, and we’ll get goals.

“It’s a cultural and mindset difference we’ve inherited in this team in the last three months or so, and it’s through sheer hard work from the staff and the players, to be honest.”

Perhaps the most significant of those six victories so far came at the Joie Stadium in early October, when City edged past Arsenal 3-2.

The Blues led three times in a topsy-turvy encounter packed with drama which, by all accounts, will go down as another classic in the collection of memorable clashes between us and Arsenal.

It looked like former City winger Chloe Kelly had earned the Gunners a share of the spoils when she found the top corner in the 83rd minute, but it was Jeglertz’s side who would in fact have the last laugh as Iman Beney opened her account for the Club with a dramatic late winner.

Having twice seen our lead snatched away from us against the European champions, City had to show character to go again and pick up the three points, but it was just rewards for a gutsy display.

It was a special way for Greenwood to mark her 150th appearance for the Club.

“I’d probably highlight the Arsenal game because of the nature of it,” she continues when asked which games have stood out so far this season.

“Our fans were brilliant and the whole day itself was one that stands out immediately. I loved that game, it had a bit of everything didn’t it? A bit of drama, a lot of goals and three points which is the most important thing.

“I also loved the Tottenham game away, I thought we played really well.

“There are still loads of things we can be better at, same as the Liverpool clash.

“We make it exciting to say the least, but there are still areas we can manage and control better, but the win’s the most important thing.”

One of the most significant tweaks that Jeglertz has implemented in the early stages of the season has been to our defensive shape, with City switching between a back three and four in or out of possession.

It’s placed fresh demands on Greenwood and her team-mates in a system which has produced direct, dynamic football so far.

The England defender is relishing that challenge though, believing it’s adding new qualities and considerations to her already impressive repertoire.

“It’s got its differences, but I’ve enjoyed it,” she smiles when asked about playing in Jeglertz’s system.

“At this stage of my career, it’s about small things you want to learn and improve and I’m still hungry to be a better player, because I don’t think you can ever be complete.

“Andrée’s definitely challenged me in different ways, and I love it.

“It makes me think differently, and my position on the pitch and what’s expected of me. I’ve really enjoyed doing it.

“I guess it’ll bring out more challenges but it’s really positive.”

Another adaptation for Greenwood has come in her defensive partners.

Our captain had predominantly played alongside either Spain international Laia Aleixandri or Australian centre-half Alanna Kennedy over the previous three seasons, but both left the Club in 2024/25.

It seems that Jade Rose, a 22-year-old Canadian defender who joined City this summer, has taken up the mantle.

Based off her first few months at the Club, Greenwood believes the Club have unearthed a real gem.

“The first thing I’d say about Jade is, remember her name, because she’s going to be special for sure.

“She’s super talented and someone who comes in and looks like she’s spent her whole life in Manchester the way she goes about her business.

“She’s super professional but also a great girl off the pitch as well, she’s fun.

“I get on really well with her, she’s always hungry to learn and her communication skills for such a young player is so impressive.

“Like I said, I think she’s going to be so talented for the future and is already so talented now.

“She has so many years ahead of her to become a world class defender. I’ve really enjoyed playing with her, we’re different in ways but probably complement each other really well.”

Interview: George Kelsey

CITY v UNITED AT THE ETIHAD

Make sure you get your tickets to watch the first WSL Manchester derby of 2025/26 on Saturday 15 November at the Etihad Stadium.

Kick-off is set for 13:30 (UK) and tickets are available from just £15 for adults as two cross-city rivals do battle for local bragging rights during the men’s international break.A family package is also available when you buy two adult and one under-16 ticket, which allows you to bring an additional under-16 for just £1.Hospitality tickets, meanwhile, are available from just £35, including sports bar offers and a Tunnel Club Premiere which allows you to see the players up close.

There’s also an option to enjoy a Bottomless Brunch offer in the Mancunian, making the most of derby day!

Click here for more information

We continue our look at goals scored in each and every minute by City over the years, from our quickest to the last-gasp winners or equalisers. We are now up to minute 11…

May 14, 1981

A goal that has largely been forgotten over the years, mainly thanks to the goal that was scored by Tottenham's Ricky Villa later in the same game. Nobody, however, could away the fact that City’s teenage midfielder volleyed home one of the best goals ever seen at Wembley.

City had gone behind to an early Steve Archibald goal when the ball is cleared only as far to Tommy Hutchison on the edge of the Spurs box - Hutch cushions a header perfectly into Mackenzie’s path and the teenage midfielder strikes a perfect right-foot volley from just outside the box into the top left corner of the net. Mackenzie's sumptuous strike deserved a better fate than being consigned to the ‘losers’ goals archive.

September 23, 1989

City, just promoted and back amongst the nation’s elite, began the 111th Manchester derby (fittingly in this case) having won only one match of the new campaign.  But it would soon into a day of joy for the City fans who hadn't tasted derby victory for 13 long years.

After the game was delayed for crowd trouble in the North Stand it was the Blues who came out more focused and on 11 minutes, went ahead. Andy Hinchcliffe sprays a fine cross-field pass to David White who controls and sends in a low angled cross into the box - it is misjudged by Manchester United's Gary Pallister who had gone towards the near post too soon leaving David Oldfield free to thump the ball past Jim Leighton and send Maine Road wild.

October 16, 2004

Given the recent history between City and Chelsea, this game was expected to be nothing more than a formality. Not only had Chelsea finished runners-up the season before as City had been battling to avoid relegation,  but the London club had beaten the Blues in nine of the two sides’ previous 10 meetings. However, City were in no mood to roll over against the unbeaten Premier League leaders.

Paul Bosvelt pounces on a loose ball after William Gallas slips in possession and the Dutch midfielder launches a long ball to Nicola Anelka who manages to steal in front of last defender Paulo Ferreira, who clumsily brings the City striker down in the area The referee awards a spot-kick and Anelka confidently strokes in the penalty as Chelsea concede their first league goal away from home that season and only their second of the campaign. It also gives City a 1-0 win and ends Chelsea's unbeaten start.

December 4, 2013

A lovely move starts with Edin Dzeko playing a clever ball inside the full-back for Pablo Zabaleta to run on to.

The City defender then spots Sergio Aguero in the box and plays a low cross in at pace and Aguero fires home from close range for a goal made in Argentina - and to give the Blues a 1-0 lead away to West Bromwich Albion.

February 28, 1976

Peter Barnes puts City ahead in the League Cup final against Newcastle United with just 11 minutes on the clock.

Asa Hartford floats a ball towards skipper Mike Doyle on the left of the Magpies box and he rises to nod into the six-yard box, causing a scramble that sees the ball fall to 19 year-old left winger Barnes who prods home from a few yards out before running to the City fans banked behind the goal.

Football is for everyone. And someone who works day in, day out to help make sure that is a possibility is City’s Parent Liaison and Inclusive Recruitment Manager Sevvy Aslam.  

ince joining the Club, Sevvy has supported thousands of young people from communities who are underrepresented or have fewer opportunities to enjoy football or fall in love with the game for the first time. He has been providing them with access to the beautiful game at the City Football Academy.

Sevvy kindly sat down with City Magazine to talk about his role in City’s Academy.

CITY MAG: Sevvy, thank you for your time. How did you get into your line of work, and what does your role here at City entail? 

SEVVY: Thanks for having me! I guess really I feel like I should start out by saying I’ve always had a huge love for the game but never anticipated working in football to be honest, so it’s funny how the world works. But now working at City, driving in every day, I always feel that wow factor, I absolutely love it.

In terms of how I came to be at City, I was previously an Academy Manager at a different club; I was the first South Asian in that role in the England, which was a proud moment for me. Not long after I left that role after over a decade, my current job at City was advertised. I felt I had first-hand experience of playing football in an era where there weren’t many South Asian or Black players, so helping continue to change that narrative is something I am passionate about. And then getting to return to grassroots level football and describe the pathway to elite football to aspiring talent, the dos and don’ts and supporting ethnic minority background players in their journey sounded like the perfect role.

I’d describe an average week for me to include the planning of tournaments, which games I’ll visit to observe talent and liaising with clubs around the Greater Manchester area. I’m really passionate about creating as many partnerships with as many communities and grassroots clubs as possible that are within an hour’s travelling distance of City. Then my evenings are more centred around watching the lower age groups in the Boys’ Academy train, with a particular interest in South Asian young players I’ve helped bring to the Club. Part of the liaison aspect of my job is to be a support system for not just the player but the parents, the family by bringing my own cultural perspective as well as my professional experience to support the Club on our inclusion journey. And I’m able to do this through the fantastic support and intertwining relationship with all the areas within the Academy, from the equality, diversity and inclusion team to the coaches to the education department; everyone is great to work with. Together we’re working hard to provide a welcoming experience including through provisions such as a dedicated Muslim and Christian Chaplaincy services, halal food and club support through Ramadan. And then to complete the week, Sunday is for watching games!

CITY MAG: You’ve been in your role for around two years. What you’re working towards, seeing South Asian representation in the highest leagues of elite football, doesn’t change overnight. But does it feel like things are moving in the right direction?

SEVVY: That’s a great question. When I was asked this at my previous job around a decade ago, it was difficult for me to put my finger on why there wasn’t a clear pathway for ethnic minority communities such as South Asian players. And I think it was because there were a lot of cliches. For example, when my relatives moved to England a long time ago, they looked to maintain as much of their routine as possible, and, like a lot of other South Asian families, that meant not having money saved for football boots or paying subs to join a local team. But now, the mindset around that is different, and I feel part of that is because of the work we do here at City. We’ve shown that football is for everyone, our gates are open to all, and if football is your dream, then we will try our best to help make sure the pathway is there. We’ve hosted events during South Asian Heritage Month and seen thousands of young boys and girls and families come to the CFA to experience football for the first time or continue their development whilst also feeling connected to Manchester City. And that felt like a real full-circle moment for me. There is 100% a different narrative around football and South Asian inclusion now. And I’m extremely confident we will see a South Asian player in the Premier League in the not-too-distant future.

CITY MAG: That’s amazing! Through those programmes you’ve helped create, how many players/families have attended those?

SEVVY: We’ve seen thousands of players come to the City Football Academy over the past three years to showcase their talent and experience the incredible facilities, coaching, and focus on inclusion that City has to offer. That’s through almost 50 ‘fun days’ that we’ve ran, nine festivals, trial days, religious day events and more. And we have a growing number of South Asian players in various levels of the Boys Academy age groups.

And it’s not just the things that happen here on our soil. We’ve found lots of exciting talent through running and attending mosque tournaments in areas around Manchester. A lot of those children had never experienced football, but those meetings allow us to see untapped talent and then look to bring them into our Academy.

We’ve not just nurtured players, though; we’ve also provided learning opportunities for parents and coaches and other volunteers helping to run grassroots clubs come and learn new things to then take back to their communities.

CITY MAG: Those numbers are fantastic. Are you working on any other projects that you’d be happy to share?

SEVVY: Yes, so we are continuing to expand the areas in which we cover in our scouting and support. Initially, when I joined our strategy was to deal with everything on our doorstep, then we branched out to Greater Manchester. And then, staying in line with our view to stay around the hour-mark for travel to the CFA, we’ve had success up in Yorkshire and then we’ve come across and also seeing a positive response in Bolton. Now we are making strides towards the Lancashire area, Blackburn and Preston, our new target area for finding areas with talent and looking to bring them to City and facilitating minority players on their football journey.

Our Girls Academy have recently joined the Football Association’s Community of Practice programme to support our outreach amongst South Asian girls to help develop talent for now and the future, and that is spearheaded by Hannah Dingley, who is doing amazing work in that space.

CITY MAG: Finally, do you have a favourite moment from your time at the Club so far?

SEVVY: There is so many to choose from. Seeing a player sign for the Academy at Under-9s because of their standard, not the colour of their skin or ethnicity, is a huge step in the right direction for what we are trying to achieve. And we’ve seen that success with the rich cultural diversity of players being represented throughout the Academy.

I helped bring Farid Alfa-Ruprecht to the Club and it was great to see him thrive here before getting his move to Bayer Leverkusen. Also, Joel Ndala, who is currently on loan at Hull. Both are fantastic role models and I’m proud to say those are some of my standout moments so far.

Interview: Holly Percival

This season we’re working round the calendar to bring you a project I’ve taken on a specific month of the year...This session with City legend Bert Trautmann was taken in November 2002.

was lucky enough to see Bert Trautmann play for City. I used to get to Maine Road before the turnstiles opened for business and rush into the scoreboard end as soon as they were unlocked. I’d stand directly behind the goal to watch Bert, or Harry Dowd and whoever played for the opposition. I wanted to play in goal for my school and learn from the masters of the trade.

We used to live in Bowdon, then Timperley, and finally my parents bought a shop in Salford. I had no idea where Salford was, but I soon learned it was full of United fans.

I was the only City fan in my junior school, and I needed to integrate quickly. I told the games teacher I’d been goalkeeper at my previous school (I hadn’t but I suspected he wouldn’t check) – so they tried me out in nets. I made a couple of decent saves and consequently I was picked for the first team (Under 9s) the following Saturday morning.

I wasn’t prepared for the muddy pitches and the soaking wet leather ball which weighed more than me.

I feel I was a pioneer of the style of ‘keeper who mainly used his feet mainly because I was terrified of being knocked over by a hard shot from the opposition. I once stuck a toe cap out to stop the ball and completely missed it, but my six-yard box was so muddy that the ball just stuck in the mud a few inches behind me. I picked it up nonchalantly and threw it out to my fullback, but I wasn’t sure I was going to get away with it all for much longer, so I decided to hang my boots up and concentrate on watching the professional game.

Bert was a great keeper who didn’t seemed bothered by the weight of the ball – unlike me. He could catch it in one hand – in the days when goalies didn’t wear gloves - and he was always involved in the game in an era where defenders were more liberal in their understanding of their role in the side.

It was an absolute joy to photograph him for my book of the final season at Maine Road. I was able to indulge myself with bringing back some of my favourite players to include them in the book, and Bert was the first name on my list.

We took the photos at my favoured Scoreboard End of the ground – well, it was the North Stand then. He told me he used to be able to put his hand on top of the bar, but he struggled to reach the underside for the photo. However, he was extremely good natured about it all.

If you don’t know much about Bert and his amazing story, I urge you to watch The Keeper, a Trautmann biopic from 2018. It’s a lovely movie with some great recreated match action.

Sadly, Bert died just ten years after this photo session but it’s one that I hold dear to my heart. I feel privileged to have spent a small amount of time with my one my early idols and it was great that he was such a lovely guy, too.

Kevin Cummins

Cliff Ogier(Northside)

Manchester band Northside are Mancunians born and bred. They had a string of hits in the early 1990s such as ‘Shall We Take a Trip’ and ‘Take 5’ and were prominent during the ‘Madchester’ years. Bassist Cliff Ogier was one of the band’s founding members and though they split in 1992, they returned  in 2007 for a year, then reformed again in 2013. Now, they are back with a reissue of their only album to date. Ogier is a lifelong City fan and here, he shares his all-time XI with CITY MAGAZINE...

Manager: Pep GuardiolaFormation: 4-4-2

Starting XI:

Joe Hart - Wore his heart on his gloves, some of the best saves I've ever seen from goalkeepers all over the world and a true gentleman.

Pablo Zabaleta - The man was a gladiator I love his no-nonsense football, which often ended with covered in blood!

Vincent Kompany - Very clever and consistent.

Danny Tiatto - Little hardcase, always sent off for steaming in!

Aleks Kolarov - Loved his speed and his free kicks.

Craig Bellamy - Hard player and speed, loved a row with the opposition and the ref!

David Silva - Ultimate football brain. Skilful, majestic, he could do it all.

Yaya Touré - Giant of a man who scored when he wanted to and ran through other team's players like they were not there.

Shaun Wright-Philips - I met Shaun. He seemed a bit shy, but he wasn't on the wing. I loved his oversized shirt it buried him proper Manc-style! He floated on air and took venomous shots on goal.

Carlos Tevez  - Our Argentinian Blues are coming after you!

Sergio Aguero – Along with Tevez, this is a serious force to be reckoned for any defender.

Subs:Nigel de Jong  - Machine like, hates if opponent has the ball, he will hurt you and get the ball back, not fouling just pure strength.

Kevin De Bruyne - King Kev, I don't think I need comment on him – but I will - he is God.

Kyle Walker - Again, the speed and strength.

Bernardo Silva - Relentless. Used to call him the fruit fly with my mates you can't catch him, the ball magnetically stuck to his boot as he dances through four players, running a marathon every game.

Gareth Barry - He was mint.

Ederson - He's like the last defender who's allowed to pick the ball up. Also gets assists, any other teams must have been jealous of this rare talent.

Northside’s debut and only album ‘Chicken Rhythms’ is to be reissued on November 14.

Northside Instagram

MANCHESTER CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED

LEAGUE CUP 4TH ROUND 12TH NOV  1975

This month’s MCFC related publication relates to a Manchester derby which took place on a cold winter’s night in the November of 1975...

ne of the ‘cover stars’ of this edition is United’s then manager Tommy Docherty. I had the pleasure of producing two series of a programme called Jim and the Doc for BBC Radio 5 Live. The Jim in question being James H Reeve. A rabid City supporter. In all honesty it was an opportunistic project gifted to me when Piccadilly Radio dropped this winning partnership from their airwaves…which I duly picked up and ran with.

When I say ‘ran’ - it did only ‘run’ for two series. Both hugely enjoyable. In this time, I got to know Tommy pretty well. He was a good-natured and funny man, although my least fond memory of my time spent in his company was when we all went for an ‘end of series’ meal at an Italian restaurant on Manchester’s Oxford Road. It was a sunny day in May and being at the mercy of the local pollen count I’d popped an antihistamine tablet before we went out. I didn’t realize that said pills didn’t exactly see eye to eye with alcohol. One pint of lager and a flaming Sambuca later and I was literally paralyzed from the neck up. I suddenly realized that although my mind was capable of joining in the conversation around the table - my mouth had decided to go on strike. All I could do was sit and listen. After a good 15 minutes of being non-verbal Tommy turned to me and said five words which still make me laugh to this day.

“Are you alright big fella?”

At this point all I could do was faintly move my head back and forth signalling a ‘No’ gesture and wait for the effect of the cocktail to wear off. It did eventually but not before I became the focus of everyone around the table, and indeed the restaurant!

Never again.

And let’s get this straight. Compared to Tommy Docherty I was in no ways a ‘big fella’.

Right… lets dive in…

Before we go any further - I have an admission to make. In the last ‘Get with The Programme’ I presented an advert for Zubes throat lozenges and expressed a little confusion as to why the ad included a cartoon of a horse looking decidedly under the weather. Well, it is in this particular programme that all became clear… and boy do I feel foolish.

A LITTLE HOARSE?  GO SUCK A ZUBE indeed. I’m not normally so slow on the uptake. Honest I’m not.

The next object up for scrutiny is the column header for City mad journalist Peter Gardner. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all for a partisan football team allegiance! I’ll never forget City’s diminutive midfielder Willo Flood being interviewed on TV following a derby clash and bluntly coming out with “I hate Man United. I always have…”

How we laughed and cheered. I’m sure Peter Gardner did the same thing. These days journalists tend to err on the more reasoned and reasonable side but just take a look at Peter’s opening gambit in this column entitled MY DERBY DREAM…

GOOD MAN PETER! DON’T HOLD BACK!!

Just to really drill home his contempt for our rivals ‘over the road’ Peter included in his column one of the funniest and least diplomatic photographs I’ve ever seen in a Man City programme.

This is it.

Now I know some would tell you that Franny had a reputation for diving, and this is conclusive proof. But hold your flipping horses. For the caption underneath the photo tells us this…

“The date ; November 6th 1971. Francis Lee demonstrates to Willie Morgan and David Sadler how George Best fell when he tackled him. Lee was booked and afterwards stated that George’s ‘performance’ was on a par with the great Hollywood actor Clark Gable”.

So - not only did Peter take great delight in rubbing up our  opposition on the night of this League Cup  clash… but he went back  four years to do so! HEROIC!

Next up is a slightly controversial interview with the aforementioned Mr Docherty. In it he praises our Manager Tony Book for his no-nonsense handling of the City forward Rodney Marsh. Was Tony right to put Oh Rodney Rodney on the transfer list for less than generous opinions on his rivals? I think I know where Peter Gardner would have stood on this one.

It just so happens that this publication didn't see fit to include a Caption Competition…so as was the case last time out - we’ve made one of our own. This time it’s Christmas Time at home with the Legend that is Peter Barnes and family.

So exactly what hilarity can you come up with to compliment this cosy family photo containing not one but TWO City Legends. The other one of course being Peter’s dad, Ken!

It seems the Editor of this issue couldn’t get enough of lampooning Manchester United. Not something we do these days of course. In this interview with Jimmy Nicholl, he tells of the nightmare of having scored an own goal in his first ever derby game. A moment he thought was “best forgotten”. Well Jimmy - there’s little chance of that when we’re all reminded in an ensuing derby day programme!!

Certainly, to be filed in the ‘Best Forgotten’ category is a photo to be found on page 15. It’s a shot taken from the 1970 match in which Glyn Pardoe is one the deck cradling what turned out to be a broken leg after a tackle by George Best. Glyn sadly never fully returned to his previous dizzy heights. Which does beg the question - why chose to print this photo of a painful memory in a programme some 5 years later?

Needless to say - we won’t be making the same mistake again here.

OK. We’re all done here for this episode of GET WITH THE PROGRAMME.

I hope you enjoyed it… and I’ll leave you now with the back page… and some good news. The final score. We won 4-0. Scorers being Denis Tueart (x 2), Asa Hartford and Joe Royle, though this was also the game that Martin Buchan's tackle scythed down Colin Bell that was effectively the beginning of the end for 'The King'...

Listen to enough pundits, you’ll hear plenty of them tell you how scoring goals is the hardest part of football.

t’s hard to disagree – so much of the game boils down to composure and skill at the very top end of the pitch.

How many times have you seen a side dominate general play only to end on the wrong side of a result?

That’s why goalscorers are so important to managers.

But not every player can be a headline grabber like Erling Haaland or Sergio Aguero.

Many more put in the harder work further back to provide them a platform.

But when their moment in front of goal comes, it’s important they take it.

The latest subject of our feature that focuses on players who only scored once for City is David Pizarro, a brief but bright flame for Roberto Mancini’s side.

With the Blues well in the mix for our first ever Premier League title at the midway point of the campaign, Mancini went to Italy for a midfield reinforcement.

Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure and Nigel de Jong were all more than capable, but with Europa League commitments too, we’d have to avoid fatigue.

Pizarro was a tiny 32-year-old with a delightful passing range and first touch. What he lacked in pure physicality, he more than made up for with his quick thinking on the pitch.

He played just seven times in his half a season at the Etihad, but no one could belittle his impact on the squad in those tense few months or begrudge his medal when we did eventually get over the line.

As a deep lying creative talent, Pizarro was never prolific. He netted just 52 times in 642 games across his professional career, with only one coming in sky blue.

That came in a crushing 4-0 Europa League victory over defending champions Porto.

The Portuguese giants were stacked with star names in that game, including future City men Fernando and Nicolas Otamendi as well as James Rodriguez and Hulk in attacking areas.

Sergio Aguero got us off to a rapid start, netting in the first minute, before Edin Dzeko and David Silva appeared to make the tie safe.

Pizarro was added to the fold in the 80th minute, largely tasked with keeping the ball away from the opposition.

He went and did much more than that by setting up the third before adding the finishing touch to the scoreline himself.

First up, his pressing earned us the ball high up the pitch and a neat one-two with Edin Dzeko gave him the space to roll the ball across the six-yard box and into the path of David Silva.

His goal came thanks to a similar level of enthusiasm and energy, winning the ball deep into Porto’s territory.

A fortuitous bounce fell the way of the Chilean who had continued his run into the box.

He took one touch to steady himself and rolled it underneath Helton in the Porto goal before wheeling away to celebrate proudly with the City fans.

"There are games when everything goes well and this was one of those games. It went well for me and also for the team,” he said after the game.

"The team have been excellent, they have made me very welcome and Manchester has also been fantastic, so everything is going well. The fans have made me feel very welcome, I had that feeling straight away when I started.

"I know that I can also contribute to them so both parties are very happy."

Mancini backed up that sentiment, stating: "I am happy for him, for Pizarro. I think he is a high-quality player and he could be a good option for us in the next two months."

Two starts and three more substitute appearances came between then and the end of the season, including in the 3-3 Premier League draw with Sunderland and 1-0 defeat at Arsenal – both of which had a major role in making that season as dramatic as it was.

He didn’t feature in the final weeks of the campaign but was part of the celebrations on the final day.

In a City shirt and tracksuit bottoms, Pizarro took in the whole occasion and rightly so.

He’ll forever be one of the squad that brought the English top-flight title back to east Manchester for the first time in 44 years.

Feature: Jack Mumford

Competition:

Win Oasis - (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

We all love a good Oasis competition, don’t we? Our last one received a record amount of entries, so it’s only fair to give those who didn’t win another opportunity – and this time it’s a 30th anniversary edition of (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?

This album stands out as one of the all-time era-defining great rock albums. Oasis’ second album released in 1995 on Creation Records followed just 14 months after their classic debut Definitely Maybe and includes universally loved anthems ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, ‘Champagne Supernova’ plus fan favourites ‘She’s Electric’ and ‘Roll With It’. The album propelled the band to worldwide success and has now sold more than 22 million copies globally, including 6 million in the US, and is the UK’s 3rd biggest selling studio album of all time. The album was also announced by National Album Day as the Official Most Streamed Album of the ‘90s, with Definitely Maybe as the second.

The deluxe album is described by MOJO as “Indestructible”, with Record Collector adding “This was the moment Oasis truly became the band of the people", and Uncut concurring that this is “Britpop’s landmark”. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) is out now.

We have three deluxe vinyl versions to be won. To enter, answer the following question and send your answers to: [email protected]

Which Oasis album was recently announced as the Official Most Streamed Album of the ‘90s?

1.     Definitely Maybe2.     (What’s The Story) Morning Glory3.     Be Here Now

T&C’s

* Competition open to UK addresses only* One entry per person permitted* Winners to be drawn at random on Tuesday 30th November 2025* Prizes will be delivered by Friday 19th December 2025

nicolas Anelka

Premier League, Saturday 23 December 2006City 0-2 Bolton

"It's a pity Nicolas has not played for another 17 Premiership clubs if that's what he does against his former teams."

hat’s what Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said after his striker Nicolas Anelka came back to the Etihad Stadium and showed his deadly finishing in a 2-0 victory in December 2008.

"Anelka has shown City what they're missing,” Big Sam added. “Give him the chances and there's nobody better at taking them."

In truth, everyone inside the stadium knew how good the Frenchman was and it was painful to watch him to do it in a colour other than sky blue.

“Le Sulk” as he was wrongly dubbed, was beaming after a delightful double sunk Stuart Pearce’s side.

It was his first return since leaving the Etihad for Turkish side Fenerbahce after he had impressed with 45 goals in just two-and-a-half season at City.

Anelka had arrived in the summer of 2002 as possibly our biggest signing in an age. A 23-year-old striker that had moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Arsenal to Real Madrid back to Paris Saint-Germain and, via a mixed spell at Liverpool, still arrived as an exciting young superstar.

The quality was clear with four goals in his first six matches under Kevin Keegan as he became the spearhead of his entertaining side.

The opening goal in our final Manchester derby at Maine Road in a 3-1 went some way to securing his legacy as did winning and scoring a penalty in Jose Mourinho’s first ever defeat in England and hitting both goals in an extremely rare 2-1 win at Anfield.

Finishing the season as our top scorer, there was some asking why was he at mid-table City entering the prime of his career?

It was certainly a legitimate question a few years later to ask: “How on earth did he end up at Bolton?”

But it was that strange period when unlikely superstar footballers would turn up in the foothills of the West Pennine Moors; players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo, Fernando Hierro and Anelka.

Wanderers made the short journey down the East Lancs Road two days before Christmas and it took just seven minutes for Anelka to make his mark, rounding off a sweeping finish with a trademark low finish.

And he claimed his second in the 25th minute as City were caught out on the counter-attack and he again finished in clinical style.

A third successive defeat and sixth game without a win, City fans were set to go into Christmas on the back of a miserable run of form.

And Joey Barton ensured there would be no late comeback with a straight red card after a ridiculous two-footed challenge.

But it was Anelka that had done the real damage.

Feature: Jonathan Smith

City 0-0 Dinamo KyivChampions LeagueRound of 16 second leg15 March 2016

City: Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi (Demichelis 24), Kompany (Mangala 7), Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Y Toure, Navas, D Silva (Sterling 79), Aguero. Subs not used: Caballero, Kolarov, Bony, M Garcia.

Dynamo: Shovkovskiy, Vida, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Antunes, Veloso, Yarmolenko, Garmash (Sydorchuk 64), Buialskiyi, Gusev (Yakovenko 62), Teordorczyk (Gonzalez 46). Subs not used: Rudko, Danilo, Korzun, Makarenko.

When City reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time, it certainly wasn’t one of the great European nights that we’ve become accustomed to...

Back in 2016, Manuel Pellegrini’s side were in the box seat to reach the last-eight ahead of a second leg clash with Dinamo Kyiv.

Three weeks earlier, City had triumphed in Ukraine with first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and David Silva before Yaya Toure’s late strike wrapped up a 3-1 win.

Our fifth successive season in Europe’s premier competition after knockout defeats to Barcelona on the previous two occasions looked like being our best.

But City were having a mixed season domestically. Pellegrini’s side won the League Cup immediately after the first leg, but had fielded a raw, rookie-filled team in an FA Cup defeat at Chelsea because of the hectic schedule.

A Premier League title challenge, meanwhile, was faltering with the Blues in fourth – 12 points behind leaders Leciester and going into the game on the back of a 0-0 defeat with Norwich.

So the Champions League should probably have offered a welcome distraction and a last  opportunity of chasing silverware in Pellegrini’s final months at the helm.

But at the Etihad, we suffered an early setback when six minutes in, captain Vincent Kompany chased a long ball and pulled up with a calf strain – the injury that had blighted his campaign.

His centre-back partner Nicolas Otamendi was then replaced 17 minutes later after being hurt in a strong challenge from Vitaliy Buyalskiy – not before being booked for re-entering the field without the referee's permission.

With Manchester United on the horizon in our next fixture, it soon became a sombre mood after losing our first-choice central defensive pairing and ultimately a matter of survival.

Fortunately, Kyiv offered little threat as the game staggered toward its goalless conclusion.

Jesus Navas went close in the second half, striking the post, but veteran goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskyi didn’t make his first save until the 73rd minute.

It would be our only shot on target of the game although, on the flipside, we kept our first clean sheet in Europe in more than two years.

Dynamo Kyiv were vanquished and we marched onto the last eight. An historic night for the Blues - but one you were lucky to have missed if you weren't there!

Feature: Jonathan Smith

Next to take a seat in the 5-a-side hot seat is Elite Development Squad midfielder Jaden Heskey.

Like those before him, he was given the following rules for building his team: he can only select one goalkeeper, one defender, two midfielders and one attacker from those he has played with during his time in City’s Academy.

And it’s fair to say Jaden found it difficult!

GOALKEEPER: That’s a tough choice to make! I’ll go with True Grant, he’s good with his feet, has great reactions and just an all-round top keeper.

DEFENDER: Thinking about last season the two that immediately come to mind is Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Max Alleyne, and it’s so hard to pick between the two of them.

Every time we had both of them at the back we were confident we would win any game. Please can we bend the rules a little and I say a blend of both because they work so well together?!

City Mag – for one time only, the magazine is going to allow Jaden to create a hybrid defender, Jahmax!

MIDFIELDER: I’ve played with Oscar Bobb a few times throughout the PDP. I think it was Under-17s when I played with him the first time and I’ve just never seen anyone move like he does and his close control is insane. So for those reasons I pick him.

MIDFIELDER: And then my other midfielder I’ll go with Nico O’Reilly. I’ve known him such a long time and going on Academy tours and just growing up together from Under-9s, he’s a top guy with lots of talent.

And when I was in my first year at Under-18s he scored such important goals which would definitely come in handy at 5-a-side.

FORWARD: Again, thinking recently to last season, I’m going to say Divin Mubama. He hasn’t been at City very long but he is just an incredible striker and he got me a few assists too which was nice!

In the PL2 play-offs he just scored constantly, we could rely on him, you would give him a chance and he’d finish. Again, exactly what you want in your team.

Interview: Holly Percival

Stuart Pearce

Rewind to May 2003 and as Stuart Pearce completed his first year on City’s coaching staff. City Magazine caught up with the former England hero to find out how things are going…

Stuart, you’ve kept a fairly low profile this season – is that intentional or just because of the nature of your new role?“I’ve not been one that’s been to fussed about the limelight, to be honest. I don’t see things that way. I’ve finished playing football and now I’m a coach. I’ve not had eight months of sitting back and thinking ‘Jesus Christ, I’ve really missed it’ because I’m doing another job now and I want to become as good as I possibly can. What’s gone before, fine, I gave it my best shot and that side is finished now. I’m quite happy being a coach and sat in the stand watching matches rather than playing in them. I think you tell people that sometimes and they think you’re lying but that is honestly the case. There have been the odd occasions, like the games against United, when I’ve thought that I’d love to have a bash but in the main I’m very happy doing what I’m doing. I get annoyed when we don’t win and I get annoyed when we concede goals just as much as I did when I played. Being in the limelight is the least of my considerations.”

How has the coaching role gone so far?“It’s been good. It’s been a good learning curve, there’s no doubt about that. Some of the situations that you take for granted as a player take on a different angle when you come over to this side of the job. It certainly opens your eyes to things you weren’t aware of such as decisions on players and why they are made. The manager and the coaches have been first class to me and it’s been fantastic. I’ve learned about the Academy and seen how that’s run. I’ve been abroad on the odd occasion to look at a couple of players and I’ve continued my coaching course with the FA so all in all it’s been a good year for me.”

You are having a management and coaching education few retiring players will ever get…“Yeah, if you stop playing and become a manager straight away then I would suggest that’s hard work because I’ve seen at first hand decisions the manager has had to make and I’ve thought to myself that I’m glad it wasn’t me in certain situations. Things aren’t all black and white and when your privy to things that go on behind the scenes and the pressure that Kevin (Keegan) and Arthur (Cox) are under running the football club make you thankful somebody else is in charge and it isn’t you making the decisions because, in my case, I need to gather a lot more experience.”

Who do you feel you’ve learned the most from“Everyone gives you something different. Derek Fazackerley is a good coach and we’re working together on our FA coaching course so I probably work with him more than anyone else. Then there’s information I pick up from Arthur and Kevin that is second to none and I’ve learned a lot from our conditioning coach Juan Osorio - who is one of the best around in my opinion. I’ve also spent time with the physio’s and whereas when I played it was just about getting myself fit and out on the park, now you’re worried about everybody. I’ve learned a lot from everyone at the club.”

What are your abiding memories from your final game as a player last season?“For me, knowing it was going to be my last game was a big thing, aside from the club picking up the Division One championship trophy that day. Preparing for the game was special because I knew it wasn’t going to happen anymore and it was nice to have my wife and daughter with me and a few family and friends in the stand. Missing a penalty was nice as well! That just about summed me up! When I sit back and think about it it’s no wonder I’ve got a sense of humour. It all couldn’t go swimmingly well and I had never missed the target from a penalty kick in my life – I’ve missed penalties – but at least they were on target and I thought later, what a time to completely miss the goal for the first time. It made me giggle in all honesty and it helps keep my feet on the ground. My main concern for that game was exactly the same as it was for my first ever game – I wanted to win the football match.”

What did your daughter make of the walk around the pitch at the end?“She’s probably a little bit too young to quite understand what was going on but now when she sees mascots on the television she thinks she can do it all the time. It was nice as a family man to have my wife and child there to enjoy it with me because I live so far away from our home there a lot of sacrifices that I’ve had to make so the day and the celebrations afterwards were as much a thank you to them as much as anything.”

Even though you’d only been at City for one season, were you pleased by the reception you got from the City fans“They’ve been different class, to be fair. I’ve said before that after the first game of last season against Watford I could see why Manchester City fans are a little bit special. I found that out on the first day I played for the club – you don’t find things like that out when you come and sign a bit of paper or when you’re training or whatever. It’s only when you are off and running that you find out what it’s all about.”

What did you do with the shirt you wore for the final game?“I think it went in the crowd or I gave it someone who’d asked me for it. I’ve not got it, I know that much. I always tried to give away as many as possible because I remember seeing the QPR players throwing their shirts into the crowd after the final game of the season and I thought, Christ, I’d love it if I got Dave Webb’s shirt so it’s something I’ve always tried to do because as a kid, it’s what I wanted.”

There must have been interest in your services from other clubs this season…“Before last summer there was and before Christmas I went for an interview and didn’t get the job so that’s where I am at the moment. I work for Manchester City and I’m more than pleased to be here, make no mistake about that, and if Kevin says to me in the summer that I’ve had a good year with the club but there’s no position for me I’d shake his hand because I’ve as much respect for him as possible and I’d say ‘thank you very much’. I’ve come in to supplement what they’ve already got rather than filling a vacant post. There are a lot of good coaches and managers out of work and I’m lucky enough to be in a job but I’d be the first to say that my aspirations are that I need to get a manager’s job somewhere sooner or later. Whether I’ll be any good at it, I don’t know, but I’ll give it my best shot and hopefully it will be enough to get me by in the game. I’m enjoying what I’m doing at the moment and I’ll have a chat with Kevin in the summer and if anything comes along he and Arthur will be the first to know. If I’m approached I call them as soon as I put the phone down, purely out of respect and for advice, too. Contract wise my current deal is up in the summer – I don’t even know if I signed one for this year – but I’d be more than happy to stay. It is not my second option to remain here - far from it - but sometimes I’ll come away thinking that I may not have picked a particular side and it would be nice for it to be my decision. Some days it’s comforting that it’s not my job, others it is frustrating.”

What’s a typical match day for you?“Match days for me don’t mean a great deal of involvement for me because Kevin does the team talk, Juan will concentrate of the fitness side on the pitch beforehand and Faz will handle the technical and tactical side of things regarding set plays, so I’ll be in the stand with Arthur watching the game. I come down into the dressing room at half and full time but there are enough voices in there without another one but if I’ve seen something I think I can help with I will have a quiet word with the individual. Logistically, I don’t do too much on match days. I have to be at the matches to see what’s going on to know what to put in training for the next week and how you can help each individual.”

Are there times -for instance the defeat at Chelsea - when you would have liked to have torn a piece off the team or a player this season but have had to bite your tongue,?“Yes. It would have irritated the fans travelling back from Chelsea and it certainly irritated me. Let’s leave it at that shall we?”

After working with the Academy, can you see any stars of the future coming through over the next few seasons“There are a few coming through and you only have to look at how the Under 17s and Under 19s have done this season to see the quality at the club. There are a couple of lads who I think should definitely push on but you’ve got to remember that some are very strong and built like men and ask yourself if they stand out because of that as well as the more frail players who have the technique but get out-muscled, so you have to give them all time. I didn’t get a look-in until I was 21 so you need time to mature as a player and as a person. Fingers crossed we will get a couple through. The Academy should be very proud of their achievements this season. I’ve spent a lot of time with them and know all the lads well and have passed on reports to Kevin because he hasn’t the kind of time I have so he’s aware of who is progressing and so on.”

Away from football, have you seen any punk bands lately?“The last band I saw was Stiff Little Fingers at The Lomax in Liverpool. I talked to the lead singer of The Stranglers - Paul Roberts - a couple of days ago and they are touring again from September so I’ll hopefully get to see them.”

How are your horses progressing?“We’ve done well with them this year. One of them, ‘Be My Destiny’ has run five times and won one and finished second twice plus finished fifth in a big race at Sandown. He’s done well and ‘The Man From Carlisle’ won a race the other day at Fontwell so the two we’ve had in training have both won this year which has been a result. They are like the young players at the club – you have to give them time and let them grow up and hopefully you’ll be rewarded at the end.”

Thanks, Stuart.“No problem.”

Interview: David Clayton

A fit and rejuvenated Charlie Gray says he is eager to make up for lost time and play his part in seeking to help City’s Elite Development Squad enjoy another season to savour.

he holding midfielder emerged as one of the key figures in helping City’s Under-21s go on to win both the Premier League 2 league phase and subsequent national title last term.

The 19-year-old was looking to kick on and maintain momentum at the start of this season only to be laid low by injury for more than two months.

Gray believes that injuries are part and parcel of footballing fate and is no stranger to being laid low for significant periods of time.

But having made a welcome return to action, Gray’s focus is now trained on seeking to help Ben Wilkinson’s talented young cohort go in to enjoy another season to savour.

“I got injured during preseason. I had a tear in my hamstring, so that set me back for about two and half months,” Charlie revealed.

“My first game back was the Southampton home match in October which was a good game to come back in.

“We came back from 3-1 down and could have gone on to get the win in the end but it ended 3-3 and it's good to be back now.

“I have had a lot of my injuries [so far in my career]. I had a big one when I was like 15. I suffered a back fracture which put me out probably for like a year and a half.

“And then I had a couple of small ones during a season with the Under 18s, but last year and whilst I was playing for the EDS, I had an injury-free season which was good.

“It’s good to get back and yeah, get some momentum going and have a good season. I mean when you're out and you come back, it's a great feeling, you know.

“I think it's a good thing that it happens, like people have got to realise injuries they're a big part of the game.

“The frustrating part of it was it [the injury] came after what was such a good season last year.

“It feels so good to have a season like we enjoyed last year and you always want to do it again.

“So, getting an injury early in the season was frustrating because you kind of lose that momentum and for me now the key is just to try to get back into the flow of things.

“I want to help us get back where we left it left off last season and help the team as much as I can to have a successful season like we had last year.”

Despite his relative tender years Gray is now one of the more experienced members of Wilkinson’s squad.

Looking to the rest of the season and beyond, Gray is confident that he is only going to continue to both develop and prosper as a player.

What’s more, he also believes that the experiences that have accompanied his memorable City journey to date have served to only help him become a more rounded and more mature person, too.

“[I think] there is definitely more to come in my career,” Gray added.

“I mean, I had half a season really last season where I could show what I can do.

“And hopefully with more games I can improve that bit more and just build from there.

“I'm only young and you want to do the best you can. There are things you aspire to be. And I'm just there to try and achieve it really.

“But I think it's important to take it step by step. For me, it’s about always looking at the next game and if that goes well then if you keep on looking at the next game and if you keep playing well [hopefully] good things will happen

“There are people you play alongside who have already played in league football and it's good to learn off them.

“You can see players from last season who have done that and now are out playing in in high leagues and doing really well for themselves.

“So yeah, it's good to see that and hopefully that can be me very soon.”

Interview: Neil Leigh

Another new face to Oliver Reiss’ Under-18s this season is midfielder Charlie Holt.

t’s not just his bright strawberry blonde hair that makes him stand out on the pitch, but also his commanding presence in the centre of City’s team.

The 16-year-old can be deployed anywhere in midfield, but his appearances so far have seen him operate as an eight.

At the time of writing, Holt has made four Under-18 Premier League North appearances.

In one of those, he featured as a second-half substitute to help City complete a 4-2 comeback triumph over title rivals Manchester United.

City Magazine spent some time with Charlie in October in his first interview with the Club. And the midfielder was a pleasure to get to know…

“I joined City at Under-9s so being here is all I’ve ever known. It’s been a lot of work to get to my first season with the Under-18s and I’m enjoying the challenge of it,” began Holt.

“This is my first season of competitive league football, it’s more physical and challenging, but it’s been great.

“I feel like I bring energy, pressing and intensity to the pitch. And I can do that anywhere in midfield that Olli wants me to play. That area is where I’ve grown up playing football, so it all feels natural to me.

“In terms of who I like to try and emulate, I like Frank Lampard. A goalscoring midfielder, which is what I like to try to do, too.

“For me, it’s about trying to find a way to impact the game. So, making runs in behind, helping win the ball back as quickly as possible. It’s my first season under Olli, so he’s just been asking me to keep the standards high and not get complacent.”

And when asked on how he’s finding the 2025/26 season, playing with new team-mates and ambitions for the season, Holt said: “The United game was definitely a highlight so far. I came on and we were 2-1 down and I was just buzzing to get on in a derby. And we ended up winning 4-2, which was good.

“I like playing with Harrison Miles because I know he can find me in the pocket [of spaces].

“I think we’re a good group that always pushes ourselves to do more, give more on the pitch. I’m really enjoying it because every game means something, fighting for three points.

“I’m just focused on working as hard as I can in training so I can be in the squad on a regular basis.

“And then also fighting to retain the title, it’s exciting. Especially because it’s my first season, you just want to win the league.

“And because previous years have won it, it makes us want to carry that on.”

Interview: Holly Percival

Moment in Time: Trevor Francis, September 1981

Continuing a new series, we find classic imagery of yesteryear with a brief note explaining the particular moment in time…

This is a picture City fans of a certain vintage never tire of – Trevor Francis’ debut away to Stoke City in 1981. Francis felt like the first world class player City had signed for many years, with the former Nottingham Forest and England forward’s reputation as a classy operator with electric pace at its very peak. Such was the excitement at his impending debut at the Victoria Ground, City asked the Potters for more tickets… then more tickets… then more tickets. An estimated 12,000 Blues were packed in the away end that warm, sunny day in Stoke and Francis didn’t disappoint, scoring twice in a 3-1 win. With Francis up front, everything felt possible and by Christmas, City topped the First Division table, all-conquering Liverpool and all.

It was a typically blustery Manchester afternoon in December 2012 ahead of the derby against United.

Cold and damp, fans shivered around the main entrance to see the players’ arrivals, but as a Mercedes people carrier pulled up, murmurings spread that Hollywood royalty was in town as Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall stepped out.

This writer had heard maybe an hour before that the actors were going to attend as a stop off on their promotional tour of the UK for the Jack Reacher movie.

It was a job I desperately wanted to do – and not because Top Gun and Mission Impossible superstar Cruise was coming to watch City – it was because Robert Duvall was going to be here.

Anyone who has watched the epic movies The Godfather parts 1 and 2 will know that Duvall played Corleone family consigliere Tom Hagan (alongside Marlon Brando and Al Pacino) and is also a quite magnificent actor who has appeared in many wonderful pictures including Falling Down, The Outfit and Apocalypse Now – to name but a few.

This would, in all probability, be the only chance to meet a genuine Hollywood legend and one of my favourite actors…

But the gig had already been assigned, and my lovely colleague Nicola McCarthy would be speaking to Tom and Robert in the private box they’d been allocated.

“You’re on the Matchday Centre,” my boss told me, which meant I wouldn’t be leaving the press box for the next six hours or so.

As for the game, City had fought back from 0-2 down to 2-2, but an added time winner from Robin van Persie gave United a 3-2 win and Messrs Cruise and Duvall were soon headed back to their private jet and that chance meeting was gone forever.

If only I’d got to my boss earlier, as Don Corleone might have said, I could have made him an offer he couldn’t refuse…

Words: David Clayton

KHIARA KEATING

Keating reflects on her journey from a City academy product to being named in the Lionesses squad the 2025 Euros and how she’s playing a role in shaping the next generation of City stars.

here’s no denying that Sarina Wiegman’s European Championship-winning side, which featured Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp alongside Khiara Keating, had the best yet slightly surreal summer as they retained the prestigious trophy in Switzerland.

The Lionesses got off to a shaky start as they finished second in Group D, but they soon proved doubters wrong and showed true resilience to reach the semi-finals with a penalties win over Sweden, before England made the final in dramatic circumstances with an extra time victory over Italy.

The European Champions then had to come from behind against Spain with Alessia Russo heading home after half-time to level before England held their nerve in the shootout and record history.

“I think it's indescribable,” Khiara said reflecting on how surreal it feels to have won the Euros with England.

“I don't think I can ever sit here and explain the feeling of like actually winning the Euros to anyone.

“It's just the generic words that you use when you win a major trophy. But yeah, I think the feeling is just indescribable what a super proud moment.

“One of my favourite memories was when we were all trying basketball trick shots in the garden or we did a teen movie night where we watched Happy Gilmore, which was really good.”

Khiara returned to Manchester with a Euros winner medal in hand, but her head soon had to turn back to Club focus as City faced WSL action. Starting at Stamford Bridge with a tough test against Chelsea which saw us lose 2-1.

But following on from that we’ve gone on to win every league game since – winning six in six under Jeglertz – and Keating mentioned how important this is.

“I think we’ve got a strong winning mentality right now and we’re on a roll so let’s just keep it up.”

Over the Summer we welcomed Andree Jeglertz as our new Head Coach ahead of the 2025/26 season and Khiara touched on how he has influenced and improved the squad so far.

“It’s been good working with Andree so far,” Keating added.

“I think he knows what he wants and he's very firm in it and it seems to be working.

“I wouldn't say it [my role] really changed. I think obviously I'm playing more, but I feel like off the pitch I’m still everyone’s little sister, the annoying one that everyone just gets mad at all the time, but I think on the pitch I’m obviously more mature, making better decisions better saves.”

Keating made the move to the Joie Stadium in 2015, and shortly after joining City she began training with the first team at 16 years old, so it’s fair to say she’s one of our own and has cemented herself as a figurehead for our current Academy products to look up to.

With the inclusion of young players in our matchday squads this season, such as Mayzee Davis, Khiara said she will always try to welcome them and help them settle into life with the first team.

“I think just make it as normal as possible, like making them comfortable,” she said.

“Obviously it's a big thing, so they might be a bit nervous, but just taking time to actually get to know them and make sure they're all right.”

In August we announced the launch of our Women’s Next Gen Under-21s side ahead of the 2025/26 campaign in a restructuring of our previous Academy side.

The Next Gen have been led by Izzy Christiansen, who’d previously worked as the assistant coach for our Under-16s side, as they’ve dominated the Women’s Professional Girls Academy (PGA) U21 League so far this season.

We began life in the PGA with a convincing 8-3 win over Manchester United, before we went on to claim three further successive wins against Newcastle, Birmingham and Leicester.

It not only marks the progression for young up and coming talents, but also helps the pathway towards professional football for our Academy players and Keating touched on the Next Gen’s impressive start.

“Yeah, I think it's good to obviously have them all in one team. They seem to be doing well in their league as well. I think it's good knowing that we're so close and that it's possible for them to come and get game time and be in and around us.”

There’s no denying that women’s football has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, which we’ve seen both with an increase of attendances at City and on the international stage, but also the creation of a new wave of footballing idols for the future generation of fans.

With England’s game against at the Etihad seeing our very own start in goal and debuting in her hometown in a landmark occasion which saw Keating became the first black goalkeeper to represent the Lionesses.

Khiara’s senior debut for City came against Leicester in the Continental Cup and her story is a real testament to the Academy at the club.

“Yeah, I think it's a proud moment. It shows that the Academy pathway does work and that we have got some amazing products from it.”

The rise in dedicated Under 21 teams and investment in youth development signals significant progress for the sport and the future for up and coming players couldn’t be more exciting.

“Yeah, I think it's [the women’s game] grown obviously loads since the first Euros and now we've done it back-to-back. I think more kids are trying to play and I think the next gen is just the perfect place to be at a young age when you’re aspiring to play first team football.”

And, of course, our young keeper's journey was elevated again with her England debut against Brazil at the Etihad last month.

Yet another milestone achieved for this excellent young shot-stopper...

Interview: Alice Wright

“I love that my voice is used for good”

Black History Month - a CITC story

To celebrate Black History Month, the Club’s charity sat down with its Outreach Manager as part of as part of ‘We Are City in the Community’ storytelling campaign.

In the interview, Kimoni discusses how her drive to service others has allowed her to fit naturally into the work City in the Community do, as well as what Black History Month means to her.

Tell us a little bit about your journey to today…

My journey with Outreach started in around 2016, when I became a mentor supporting participants from underrepresented backgrounds. The aim was to inspire and widen access to higher education.

Following this, I became a school’s graduate advisor, supporting 16 schools across Manchester by providing IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) to their students as part of the government-funded initiative Greater Manchester Higher.

At that point, I was also invited by my university to become a board member of their parent company, LTE Group. This is where my experience of combining strategy and outreach began.

After a few years of doing both successfully, I became the outreach project lead for Greater Manchester Higher, which works in partnership with all higher education institutions across Manchester.

Together, we aimed to widen participation in high schools through targeted outreach interventions designed to remove barriers for disadvantaged students.

How did you first become involved in CITC?

My journey started at City in the Community in September 2024. In the years before, I had overseen various programmes such as Football Champions and Sport Champions.

These were targeted support provisions for underrepresented groups who were unlikely to progress to higher education. Many faced barriers as simple as their postcode.

I created a programme that kept participants’ passion for sport at the forefront, while providing them with backup plans — helping them explore industries like journalism, finance, and media, and developing transferable skills such as teamwork, personal statement writing, and CV building.

Sport became the tool of engagement, while equipping participants with the experience and skills needed to progress beyond what was statistically expected of them.

Last year, I decided to take a leap of faith into the football industry to scale up the work I had been doing in education. I took on a temporary maternity cover role at CITC to manage the outreach programmes across Greater Manchester.

This allowed me to work with participants on a bigger scale, creating longer-term and more sustainable interventions.

Since this leap of faith, I have now been offered to remain in position, so I will continue to manage the outreach programmes going forward.

What does CITC mean to you?

What I love about City in the Community is its values; they align so closely with my own. To be caring, to be inclusive, to transform.

One of the biggest values embedded in me through my faith is to put others first. To me, that’s exactly what “youth-led” means: not prioritising yourself but serving others ahead of yourself.

So, for me, CITC represents a way of living that I was already committed to.

From your experience, what difference do relatable role models within CITC make to young black people in Manchester?

Representation is everything. It’s something I’ve championed throughout my career. Equality, diversity, and inclusion are rooted in representation, people feel safe when they see others like them in positions of influence and change.

Having positive and relatable role models on our Kicks programme makes our sessions powerful. It’s not just a box-ticking exercise, it’s psychological reinforcement and empowerment.

When young black people see black people leading sessions, championing them, and showing them alternative pathways, it creates safety and possibility. It shows them there’s a better way to live, that their ambitions are achievable, and that they too can lead.

That’s why I love programmes like PL Kicks, because they bring community members into paid roles.

Specifically, what difference does this make to young females?

Unfortunately, we currently don’t have any black female delivery staff, so there isn’t direct representation for that group.

However, I believe that having black male role models involved in young females’ lives still makes a positive impact.

It shows them how to be treated with respect, how to lead, and how to follow. It disrupts negative stereotypes they may have experienced.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The thing I enjoy most is having a voice. Growing up, I was always told I talked too much to the point where I was sent out of class for speaking, but now, I start most of my talks by telling children, I get paid to speak.

Whether it’s in a board meeting, a team environment, a motivational talk, a workshop, or mentoring, I love that my voice is used for good.

I enjoy championing prosocial behaviour and equality, diversity, and inclusion, and CITC gives me the freedom to do that.

The ability to speak openly and authentically is one of the things I value most.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is a time to tell our stories, to shine a light on the good we are doing, and to raise awareness of the challenges we’ve had to overcome.

It’s not about dwelling on limitations but about highlighting who you are and whose you are. It’s the one month we get to show the world that, irrespective of stereotypes, we are overcomers.

What impact do you feel you are having on others from a community perspective?

Again, referring to the question about what I love most about my job, the impact I am having is through my voice. I am using my voice for the community.

I’m speaking in rooms inside and outside of the workplace, championing the area I grew up in and championing the City of Manchester as a whole.

Sometimes you can question your impact, but I can say my impact has been recognised as I’ve been nominated for various awards, and most recently in 2024 I won the Community Award on The Black Footballers List.

Why do you think it’s important that CITC supports the community you grew up in?

It’s vital because you can’t truly support a community from the outside.

Any organisation working in this city should take a personal stake in its communities.

I’m grateful CITC has done so for years now. The power of an organisation like this is life-changing, particularly in areas with high deprivation.

The evidence is visible: where our sessions are delivered, who we support, and the issues we target.

CITC works with children at risk of antisocial behaviour, children at risk of abuse, and young people facing structural disadvantage.

I always say… if not us then, who?

If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what advice would you give them?

Don’t leave your faith behind, let it underpin every decision you make. I’d also tell myself to listen more and talk less (in class).

Words are powerful: they are either passwords for positivity, or they are roadblocks.

Finally, I’d remind myself that my race and gender are superpowers, irrespective of what society says. There is gold in both.

Keep an eye-out for more We Are CITC stories throughout the year.

If you would like to support CITC and its work, you can do so through the CITC Prize Draw which offers fans around the world* the opportunity to get their hands on signed player shirts, match tickets, cash prizes and much more each month for just £5 a ticket.

To enter the draw or find out more information, visit: www.mancity.com/citcprizedraw City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.

To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity.

*Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea are the only excluded countries from the prize draw.

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