Welcome to the May edition of the official digital City Magazine!
With the domestic campaign ending later this month, another season has whizzed by, but thankfully, we have the FA Cup final to look forward to and next month, the FIFA Club World Cup begins.
We try and angle our cover star and main interview to a player who is in the spotlight at the time and this month, we couldn’t think of anyone better than Nico O’Reilly.
What an impact our young , versatile Academy graduate has had in the past few months and he speaks of his lifelong love of the Blues and hopes for the future.
It also means we’ve had back-to-back Nicos on our covers!
We have our usual eclectic mix in this issue, with interviews with players from all our various teams.
Kerstin Casparij and Mary Fowler feature in ‘Adopted Mancunians’, with Laura Blindkilde Brown spotlighted in ‘From Worcester to Manchester’.
Three former favourites also get an airing with Cole Palmer the subject of our ‘From the Archives’ feature, Fernandinho focused in ‘So Solid Blue’ and Kiki Musampa interviewed in ‘Catching Up’.
We also have Gary Owen in our ‘Vintage Q&A’ and our Random Match Generator lands on perhaps the most meaningless Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – given the 9-0 City lead - against Burton Albion.
Thorsten Spike Brits and Dante Headley are both interviewed for our EDS and Academy focuses respectively and as always, we have Marc Riley and Kevin Cummins’ columns as well as Andy Morrison’s final chance to overtake the City Vloggers in ‘This Month’.
Enjoy the latest edition!
City Magazine catches up with our rapidly rising Academy graduate Nico O’Reilly…
It’s often said that football fans love nothing more than a young player who has come through the ranks to make a name in the first team.
There’s something extra special about a kid who supports the club they end up playing for, but at City we are incredibly lucky to now have three senior stars who all very much qualify for the ‘boyhood Blue made good’ tag, with Nico O’Reilly following in the footsteps of Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.
O’Reilly, it’s fair to say, has had a spectacular impact in the second half of the season.
The 20-year-old, like Oscar Bobb, shone in pre-season and was promoted to the senior squad by Pep Guardiola, and now both are important members of City’s first team squad.
So much so, O’Reilly was nominated for the Etihad Player of the Month in March, and already it feels like he is one of the first names on Pep Guardiola’s team sheet, so impressive has he been in the past few months.
The season could have been something of an anti-climax for the born and bred Mancunian given the way it began.
Named in the starting XI for the FA Community Shield clash with Manchester United, a derby game at Wembley in front of almost 80,000 fans is hard to follow, but he gave a solid 63 minutes before being replaced by Matheus Nunes as City went on to win the trophy on penalty kicks.
“I was a bit nervous at the start but to make my debut against United at Wembley was pretty incredible - and even better to win!” smiled O’Reilly. “I've a few family members who are Reds so it was a good opportunity to wind them up afterwards! It was a great day and something I’ll never forget.”
His meteoric rise shouldn’t really be a surprise, and for those who have watched his progress in recent years with the Under-18s and the EDS.
He made national headlines with his scorpion kick winner for City Under-18s against Middlesbrough in April 2023 and followed that up with a 40-yard chipped goal against Manchester United a week later.
He smiles at the mention of the goals – especially the acrobatic effort against Boro.
“Ha, yeah - that was just an in the moment thing and I didn't really realise what I'd done at the time,” he said.
“I just ran to the corner flag and the lads surrounded me because it was the last kick of the game, and I was just buzzing after that.”
Manchester City DNA runs deep in the O’Reilly family.
His parents are ardent Blues, as are his cousins and other family members so there was only ever going to be one club for him – not that there wasn’t plenty of interest in the-then eight-year old youngster.
But when you’ve run around the schoolyard pretending to be Sergio and Yaya, there was only one colour O’Reilly wanted to play in… sky blue.
“How did it feel when I was scouted? Incredible. I was playing for a couple of junior sides and then attended a few academies, but when City came in, they were the only team I wanted to play for,” he beamed.
“It's just a haze joining the City Academy because I was only aged eight, but it was a dream come true. I've supported City all my life and I’ve got a load of favourite games given our success over the past 15 years, but beating United 6-1 at Old Trafford has to be my favourite along with Sergio's winner against QPR back in 2012. I was only seven at the time and watched it at my cousin's house, but I can remember it as if it were yesterday – as most City fans can!
“As far as heroes growing up, I'd say my first City idols were Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne - players of that stature who I loved to watch and, in Kevin's case, have been lucky enough to get to play alongside.
“As for close friends, obviously I've come through the various age levels with Rico Lewis who I'm close to and several other lads as well, some of whom have moved on or are out on loan, but I still keep in regular contact with.
“I do look back at old photos of me and Rico occasionally and he is actually taller than me in some pics - I started to shoot up in height around 13 or 14, I'd say.”
So, after his stellar start to the season, what were his expectations?
He admits he was champing at the bit after playing against the Reds at Wembley, but that he had to be patient to wait for his chance to impress the manager again.
“Obviously pre-season went well and that's why I got to stay with the first team but up until Christmas, I didn't really get the first team action I had hoped in order to get more experience, but it was always going to be difficult with a squad like ours,” he reflected.
“But the FA Cup offered the opportunity to play and it's a competition that's been really good for me because I then got Premier League chances on the back of that and I've had quite a few games now which has been fantastic, and I've been very happy to be part of it all.”
O’Reilly is right to highlight the FA Cup run he’s been on.
It began with his first senior goal in the 8-0 victory over Salford City and continued in the 2-1 win away to Leyton Orient.
Then, in a surprisingly tricky fifth round encounter with Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle, O’Reilly proved a match winner with an equaliser in first half added time and a late second as the Blues edged home 3-1.
He didn’t start in the quarter-final away to Bournemouth, but he came on at the break to star in a 2-1 win at the Vitality, assisting goals for Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush as City came from behind to claim a semi-final spot with Nottingham Forest.
How do you follow that?
How about being named in the starting XI ever since, scoring a first Premier League goal with a smart volley against Crystal Palace and then popping up in the six-yard box with a poacher’s goal six minutes from time away to Everton?
Nico O’Reilly, in a short period of time, has scored headers, volleys, opportunist finishes and assisted goals for his team-mates – and almost all as an emergency left-back, a position he has never really played at before.
He has pace, physicality, aerial prowess and can make and score almost any sort of goal, and that now applies to the first team, not just a spectacular back catalogue for the Under-18s and EDS.
In short, it feels like Manchester City have a very special young footballer on our hands. One who is diligent, respectful and, as we’ve seen from his reluctance to put himself forward in front of our fans after some match-winning displays, incredibly humble.
“It’s amazing - I’m taking every step as it comes and I’m very happy to be here in this team with players I’ve looked up to all my life. Every day I take as it comes. I’m buzzing to be here and to be with these players. I knuckle down in training and try to help the team as much as I can.
“It's been incredible. It just feels amazing to be part of this squad.”
Sentiments echoed by his fellow City fans...
Words: David Clayton/Jonathan Smith
We're into the business end of the season and the City Vloggers have led pretty much the whole way. Can our former skipper overtake them in the final straight? It's too close to call!
CITY v WOLVES
Friday 02 May • 20:00 kick-off
Etihad Stadium
Mozzer verdict: Because of what is at stake here, I can only go for a City win. Wolves have been one of the Premier League’s form teams of late and all credit to them because they looked like being sucked into the relegation dogfight for much of the season. They will come to the Etihad high in confidence, but we need the points more, and that’s what I’m basing my scoreline on.
Mozzer prediction: City 3-1 Wolves
Vlogger verdict: Wolves have been very good under their new manager Vitor Pereira. I expect them to play well, but City’s Champions League push will mean the blues get this one done.
Vlogger prediction: City 3-1 Wolves
SOUTHAMPTON v CITY
Saturday 10 May • 15:00 kick-off
St Mary’s Stadium
Mozzer verdict: I don’t think this will be the easy three points many pundits might predict. Southampton were as good as down months ago, but now it’s official and they have changed managers, they will look to give their fans something as they build towards next season. There will also be a lot of negativity around St Mary’s, but they don’t want to go down with an equal worst ever points tally! That said, we have too much quality and too much to lose by not winning – and I don’t expect anything other than three points for us.
Mozzer prediction: Saints 1-4 City
Vlogger verdict: This game really shouldn’t be a problem given Saints are down and they have struggled for much of the season, but the pressure is off them now and that might make this a bit trickier than before. Of course if City fail to win, our Champions League hopes for next season would be in peril!
Vlogger prediction: Saints 0-3 City
CRYSTAL PALACE v CITY
Saturday 17 May • TBC kick-off
Wembley Stadium
Mozzer verdict: By the time Nottingham Forest settled into the game and understood the occasion, we were 2-0 up but they still looked very dangerous. The same thing might happen here. Palace were hugely impressive beating Aston Villa 3-0 and they play with a lot of freedom, but we are a team who understand the moment and that experience counts for a lot. That's why I'm going for a 2-0 win for City - our defence has looked solid and settled of late and I think this will be a wonderful day out for our fans and another trophy for the cabinet.
Mozzer prediction: Palace 0-2 City
Vlogger verdict: I think Crystal Palace will be incredibly up for what is one of the biggest games in the history of their club. Their fans looked great at their semi-final, so I expect the same again. Their performance on the pitch to beat Villa 3-0 was incredible, too. This will be a very tough game, but I see us just about getting the job done, winning Kevin De Bruyne one last trophy in the process.
Vlogger prediction: Palace 0-1 City
CITY v BOURNEMOUTH
Tuesday 20 May, 20:00 kick-off
Etihad Stadium
Mozzer verdict: Bournemouth have impressed everyone this season but had a bit of a dip in February and March. We know how dangerous they can be and only if they have a chance of European football will they be a threat here – and at the time of writing, they are definitely in the hunt for a Europa League place and that would be massive for them. But they are likely to be up against a City team still needing points for a to five finish, and so I don’t see them coming to our stadium and overpowering us.
Mozzer prediction: City 3-1 Bournemouth
Vlogger verdict: Even a few weeks ago, Bournemouth had hopes of Europe and even Champions League football for next season. A poor run of form has led them astray. City also got the better of the Cherries in the FA Cup quarter-final, so I think we’ll be okay here.
Vlogger prediction: City 2-0 Bournemouth
FULHAM v CITY
Sunday 25 May • 16:00 kick-off
Craven Cottage
Mozzer verdict: This is all about where both teams are going into the final game. Like Bournemouth, the threat increases if Fulham can still qualify for Europe – don’t underestimate what a carrot that is for clubs who rarely compete on that stage and if they have a chance, they will go for it. I’d like to think we will have a top five spot wrapped up by this stage, as it could be a tricky game to go into if both teams need a win to secure a place in Europe. Fulham have turned in some impressive performances this season. Whatever the situation, I believe our need will be greater if it comes down to the wire and that will be the difference on the day.
Mozzer prediction: Fulham 0-2 City
Vlogger verdict: Fulham have had a great season, and they may even have a chance of getting into Europe by the final day. Hopefully City have things wrapped up in terms of a Top 5 finish by this point, but I’m not sure! We might need to win this one, but I’ll predict a draw, hoping we have things sorted by this game.
Vlogger prediction: Fulham 1-1 City
April results
(3 points for a correct score, 1 for a correct result)
Mozzer 6-8 Vlogger
Finally, after six months, we had a correct score as Prime Mutton called our 2-1 win at Bournemouth. It was a much better month for results with Andy getting five from six right, but Prime also got five to extend the Vloggers' slender lead. Mozzer needs at least two correct scores to overtake his opponents - can he sneak home at the death?
Overall scoreboard after 55 games:
Mozzer 28-34 Vloggers
For the final So Solid Blue of the 2024/25 season, we look back on the nine-year City career of a man who set the standards and expectation that this time of year means silverware at the Etihad.
Born in southern Brazil, Fernandinho couldn’t have been much further from Manchester as a child.
That he left City in 2022 claiming he was ‘half Mancunian’ is testament to just how much he took our club, city and way of life to heart.
He played a whopping 383 games between 2013 and 2022 as the model of consistency and tireless energy at the heart of midfield.
During that time, he won an astonishing 13 major honours as we progressed from one-time Premier League winners to the league’s dominant side over the last decade.
Having won all that, it’s mystifying that the brilliant Brazilian was named in only one PFA Team of the Year during his nine-year stay.
Well, City fans certainly never took him for granted. Barely a game passed without his name ringing out around the Etihad after a magnificent slide tackle or lung-busting run.
Capable of running all day and covering for the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne ahead of him, there’s no doubt that Pep Guardiola relied on him during those early successes of his spectacular reign.
Having spent eight years in Ukraine before joining City, there was little doubt when he arrived as a 28-year-old that he would be able to adapt to the rigours of life in England.
And early on in his first season, any reservations about his ability to match the speed of the Premier League were gone.
He provided the defensive axis in a midfield partnership with Yaya Toure that allowed the Ivorian to roam forward to devastating effect.
Toure scored a whopping 21 Premier League goals that season as Manuel Pellegrini’s side won the title.
He remained crucial to Pellegrini in the two years that followed but it was the arrival of Pep Guardiola that truly brought his love of the game back.
In 2017/18, ‘Ferna’ sat at the base of the midfield with Silva and De Bruyne either side of him as the best ever Premier League side claimed 100 points.
That’s where he remained for the following year, as City won all four major domestic honours.
In 2019/20, the arrival of a young Spaniard with plenty of promise known as Rodri meant more flexibility amongst the squad.
So when an injury crisis hit the backline, the Brazilian moved into central defence and again demonstrated his incredible resilience and selflessness.
When David Silva left in 2020, Fernandinho was made captain – a vote held by the squad that Guardiola was more than happy to support.
That season ended in another title and Fernandinho was front and centre as he lifted the famous trophy aloft.
Less than a week later, he was a second-half substitute in the Club’s first ever Champions League final.
While it ended in a heart-breaking loss to Chelsea, our place there was the encapsulation of our incredible journey since the Brazilian had arrived.
Midway through his ninth season and reduced to a squad player role due to the imperious form of Rodri at the base of midfield, Fernandinho announced before the end of the campaign that it would be his last at City.
Still captain, he ended on the best note possible by playing central defence as we produced another comeback for the ages to beat Aston Villa at the death on the final day and seal yet another title.
Footage soon emerged of his emotional final chat with Pep, with the pair embracing tightly – clearly grateful for what the other has contributed to their life and career and given to Manchester City.
This month Fernandinho turns 40 but his youthful passion for City burns just as bright as ever.
Only last month he revealed his pride after seeing Savinho, Vitor Reis and women’s forward Kerolin Nicoli all follow in his footsteps to move to Manchester and continue our beautiful love affair with Brazilian stars.
There’s little doubt that we’ve not yet seen the last of Fernandinho at the Etihad.
Words: Jack Wilson-Mumford
Kerstin Casparij and Mary Fowler are fan favourites on the pitch and best mates off it.
Both joining City in the summer of 2022, the pair have been key figures in Blue since joining from FC Twente and Montpellier respectively.
Their close bond was clear to see when Casparij celebrated her goal against Everton in April by holding up a Fowler shirt in tribute to the Australian, who'd recently ruptured her Anterior Cruciate Ligament.
A few weeks before that, Club photographer Declan Lloyd had joined the pair in a number of central Manchester locations to capture some stunning shots of City's dynamic duo...
In the third of a new CITY MAG feature, we look at goals scored in each and every minute, from our quickest to the last-gasp winners or equalisers.
Next up, it’s minute three – still too early for some late arrivals in the stadium, but another great time to grab an early goal…
5 May 1956
Beaten at Wembley in the FA Cup final just 12 months earlier, City return determined to head back to Manchester with English football’s most coveted trophy. And what a start.
Don Revie plays an integral role in what is the opening goal for Les McDowall’s team against Birmingham City. Revie's 40-yard pass finds Roy Clarke who returns the ball to Revie who then skilfully flicks it into the path of Joe Hayes who slots home the ball with only three minutes on the clock.
28 October 2009
In a trademark burst forward, Stephen Ireland puts the Blues on the way to a 5-1 victory over Scunthorpe United in the Carling Cup just three minutes into the match.
Picking up Shaun Wright-Phillips' pass, Ireland takes just two touches to tee up a curling shot from the edge of the area, leaving Scunthorpe 'keeper Joe Murphy scrambling on the floor as the ball flies past him into the back of the net.
26 December 2010
City take the lead with just 73 seconds on the clock at St James' Park in a 2010 Boxing Day clash.
An error from Tim Krul presents the ball to Carlos Tevez who plays a superbly weighted pass to Gareth Barry and the former Aston Villa man grabs a rare goal in blue to put City 1-0 up against Newcastle United.
12 December 2011
Many regarded the opening 20 minutes of the game at Stamford Bridge as the finest football the Blues had played during the 2011/12 season. A cool, calm and collected series of passes between Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and David Silva presents the ball to Sergio Aguero with his back to goal just past the half way line.
Kun twists away from his marker before playing a penetrating through ball which sends Mario Balotelli past a stranded Branislav Ivanovic. Although a tackle from the Serbian could easily have resulted in a penalty and a red card, Balotelli stays on his feet to slot past Petr Cech and put City one up in just 98 seconds.
5 November 2013
An historic strike by an historic striker. After David Silva is fouled in the box by a CSKA Moscow defender, the referee points to the spot.
Up steps Sergio Aguero to hammer home the resulting penalty to give City an early 1-0 lead while also becoming the Blues’ top scorer in European competition at the same time.
25 April 2015
A dreadful error by Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan gifts City the perfect start at the Etihad.
The Villa custodian receives a pass back and looks to knock it across the box to his full-back – but gets it horribly wrong and the advanced Sergio Aguero collects the loose ball and rolls it into the empty net for one of his easiest goals yet for City.
11 March 2017
David Silva grabs a crucial early goal as City look to book a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Playing relegation-threatened Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, Boro allow Pablo Zabaleta too much time and space to send a precision cross into the six-yard box where Silva prods home to make it 1-0.
We speak with a popular former loanee who enjoyed 18 months as a City player between January 2005 and June 2006…
Kiki Musampa only has good things to say about Manchester City.
The Dutch winger was signed by Kevin Keegan in January 2005, with the Blues agreeing a six-month loan deal with Atletico Madrid.
Musampa quickly became a crowd favourite after making his debut against Newcastle United in February 2005 and he gave Keegan a different option up front.
Then 27, he had previously lived in Zaire, France, Netherlands and Spain and life in Manchester could have been a challenge – however, it proved anything but for Kiki.
“It was a great time for me, from the moment I arrived the club welcomed me and I felt at home straight away,” said Musampa, now 47.
“Everything was organised and in my private life, they really did everything they could for things to work out the best for me and that was something I really appreciated and that as much as anything made me feel at home.
“It gave me a family feeling and from the word go, I was able to blend in and I was able to start playing straight away and delivering what was expected of me at the time.”
Of course, it was a different time back then and the Blues were a long way from the trophy-winning machine we’ve seen over the past 15 years.
Keegan would quit his post in March 2005 and Stuart Pearce would take over.
Perhaps Musampa’s finest moment came when City hosted Liverpool at the Etihad a month or so after Keegan’s exit when he met Lee Croft’s right wing cross on the volley to give the Blues a 1-0 win over Liverpool.
And he loved the City fans!
“They were always very respectful and appreciative and that's something I experienced throughout my time at City,” he said.
“I've played in other countries where that wasn't always the case, but City fans were always there whether we won or we lost and that never changed - and that was something pretty unique, I think.
“The Etihad was always full, the fans were great and loud and as I say, they supported you regardless and I never had any negative contact with them, or knew of a team-mate who had endured something like that, so it was always good and we had a feeling that we could beat anyone who came to our stadium no matter who we played - with that stadium, that atmosphere... anything felt possible.”
And the Netherlands forward admits playing under Pearce added a new dimension to his game, having been schooled by the Ajax Total Football theory from the age of 12.
“Stuart was a coach who was always hammering home how important mentality is - he was a fighter and that's something he really brought into my game because, coming from Ajax, we used to like playing from the back and everything was in a silky way, but Stuart wanted us to go out and work our butts off!
“He drummed into all of us those hard working ethics and it was great for players like me who had maybe come from a different sort of football background.
“Tactically, it was just the basics and do what we had to do, but the mentality side gave us the edge in certain games.”
Kiki agreed a season-long loan with the Blues after his first spell ended, but with the club struggling financially, the deal was never made permanent and instead, he left for Turkish side Trabzonspor having played 45 times, scored four goals and made four assists.
He eventually finished back in Holland with Willem II before retiring aged only 32.
Without doubt, he says, his time with the Blues was one of – if not the – standout period of his career.
“I loved my time as a Manchester City player and I still follow the club’s fortunes and I’m obviously delighted with the success of the past decade or so," he said.
“For me, those fans and the club deserve nothing less.”
Feature: David Clayton
Much-loved football commentator for Match of the Day and all of City’s live matches, lifelong Blue Alistair Mann shares his greatest ever Manchester City team…
Manager: Pep Guardiola - the best coach of all time. Not just his passion, meticulous attention to detail and his glittering list of silverware but the fact he’s revolutionised the sport. You only need to watch park football to see that his ideas and philosophy has prompted every player's attitude to play.
Formation: 4-4-2
SUBS: JOE HART, FERNANDINHO, DENNIS TUEART, BERNARDO SILVA, CARLOS TEVEZ, PAUL LAKE, ERLING HAALAND
Here’s Alistair’s explanation for the team he has selected:
This is a team based purely on players I have watched. Legendary Blues like Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, Bert Trautmann, etc aren't therefore in my team.
Joe Corrigan - the keeper in the first ever City team that I watched as a youngster. He was a great shot stopper, commanded his box, and had a genuine presence. Unlucky not to receive more England caps, as he was around at the same time as Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton.
Pablo Zabaleta - the kind of player you want to see in your team. Courageous, determined, with a never-say-die attitude. He won his battles against a winger at one end, and could deliver crosses himself at the other.
Vincent Kompany - if you were to construct a captain to lead your team it would be Vinny. He commanded respect and allied his leadership qualities with boundless talent. His goals against United in 2012 on the way to the first Premier League title and the one against Leicester in 2019 ensure his legendary status.
Ruben Dias - a modern day Vinny! He leads by example and clearly inspires with his speeches as the leader in the pre-match huddle. A ball winner, who enjoys the battle: his excellent distribution is often overlooked.
Josko Gvardiol - a very special defender with an eye for a goal at the other end. He has great pace too for a player of his physical stature. Though early in his career at City, he has the qualities to go down as one of the best the club have ever had.
Kevin De Bruyne - in an era of great midfielders his numbers eclipse them all! Passing range extraordinary, he sees things others don't and then has the ability to deliver. In the greatest era in the club's history, his contributions will never be forgotten.
Rodri - the first City player to win the Ballon d'Or tells you how special he is. In the system which City have played under Pep, he has been the pivotal figure within it. A metronome, who dictates the tempo of the game, his vision allied to his strength in the tackle prove he has it all. A scorer of vital goals at critical times including the equaliser against Aston Villa in May 2022 and of course in Istanbul!
Yaya Toure - simply unique. A ball winner and a colossus in holding midfield, yet a driving runner who was unstoppable in full flight. His pivotal goals in the FA Cup run of 2011 were poignant and his 20 plus goal haul in 2013/14 was exceptional. Team mates adored him, opponents feared him.
David Silva - one of the most gifted footballers I've ever seen. The ability to hold the ball in tight places was extraordinary. The knack of being elusive in between opponents' lines was something you can't coach but was an inherent gift. Assists were his forte, for the ultimate team player.
Trevor Francis - as a kid he was my hero, so when he signed for City in 1981, it was a dream come true for me! He was only at Maine Road for one year, but he took City to the top of the table at Christmas before they sadly fell away. A gifted, dribbling, goal scorer and a scorer of special goals. He was an athlete, and his technical gifts would have made him a special player in any era. I was lucky enough to meet him many times in his TV commentary days and he was a lovely guy too. One of the greats.
Sergio Agüero - it’s hard to imagine that anyone would put together a City All Time XI and not put in Sergio. The greatest goalscorer in the club's history and one of the most gifted finishers of his generation. When he signed in 2011 it seemed like a game-changing moment as I knew we had signed a very special player. I'd seen him play at Atletico Madrid and he was already displaying his outrageous finishing there. The 93:20 goal aside, his contributions can never be underestimated as in so many games he found a goal when it was desperately needed. The ability to score from anywhere and that rare knack of scoring thunderbolts from outside the box and tap-ins from inside, in almost equal measure.
SUBS:
Joe Hart - he only pips Ederson for me, as he was the first goalkeeper of the golden City era. Four golden glove awards, more than 100 clean sheets and some incredible performances. Saving Lionel Messi's penalty, one of countless stand-out moments.
Fernandinho - the first player that truly made me realise how important a defensive protective player is to a side noted for its flamboyance. Those who grab the headlines, couldn't do it without those who break up the play and begin the moves which lead to the game settling moments and nobody did it better than Fernandinho......until Rodri, who he helped shape to be the player he has now become.
Dennis Tueart - in two spells at City he never gave less than 100 percent commitment in every display. Expressive and dynamic he was both a finisher and a creator. His iconic overhead kick to win the League Cup of 1976 earned the first trophy the club won since I began supporting them. Not a moment you ever forget.
Bernardo Silva - a player it's hard not to love! Committed, relentless, he runs miles every match and never rates less than 9/10. The versatility to play in a range of positions and all with distinction. An infectious smile and clearly the most popular player in the dressing room. Too many stand-out performances to single one out but I will never forget the two goals he scored against Real Madrid in 2023 in that amazing 4-0 semi-final.
Carlos Tevez - what a player! I think his ability is sometimes overlooked. He could unlock defences, score stunning goals and once on the ball, was also impossible to knock off. His influence on Sergio was clear and his transfer move across the City was another significant moment as the balance of power shifted.
Paul Lake - for a player whose career was cruelly ended prematurely, he had certainly made an impact. One of the most talented midfielders of his generation, he had the potential to become one of the all-time City greats. I always remember Alex Ferguson speaking incredibly highly of him — I always had the impression that Fergie would've tried to prise him away!
Erling Haaland - what can you say about Erling!?! Just the most extraordinary finisher we've ever seen. He's only not in my starting XI because I wanted to pick so many midfielders! He will surely end up breaking the goalscoring records that Sergio has set for him.... And that seemed impossible! Nothing is impossible for Erling!
Cole Fire
We go back to January 2023 – just a couple of years back – to our City Mag interview with Cole Palmer. At the time we put him as our cover star, it seemed a bit of a gamble as he’d only played a handful of games… but he sort of took off after that!
Chances are, 2023 is going to be a big year for Cole Palmer.
Going into the New Year, he’d already clocked up in excess of 25 first team appearances and, but for injury, that would have been many more.
Aged 20 and a regular for England Under-21s, Palmer has shown his ability as a playmaker numerous times when he has played in the senior side, scoring some spectacular goals along the way.
The Wythenshawe raised attacking midfielder is progressing at a rapid rate, and now clear of niggling injuries which curtailed his progress for the second half of last season and some of the early months of the current campaign, he has a big part to play as City battle for numerous trophies.
Like Phil Foden, he is yet another local lad who will inspire other youngsters as he joins City’s long line of Academy graduate successes.
“I loved growing up in Wythenshawe and have a lot of happy memories of being a kid and living there,” said Palmer.
“I’d be with my mates as much as possible and we’d go to the park and play football or at the front of my house in the avenue or wherever we could, there was always a football involved.
“My dad played for a Wythenshawe team who played Sunday League football and I’d go to watch him every week at Firbank Park or other parks in the area and I used to love that.
“He was a decent player, and my grandad was really good by all accounts and was with a couple of club youth teams near where he lived– I’m not sure which teams they were – but it didn’t really work out for him for one reason or another.
“Apart from that, there wasn’t really anyone else in the family who played at any level – of course, I’ve cousins, uncles and suchlike who claim they could have been great players! You know what families are like…
“But looking back, I just had a normal family life like most kids. It was school, training and playing football mostly.”
Palmer arrived aged eight at the junior City Academy and has already been with the Club for 12 years.
Skilful, with great vision and passing ability, he has become a favourite among City fans who love to see nothing more than homegrown talent coming through the ranks.
“After I was scouted by City, my mum and dad would bring me to the Academy to train and things just went from there,” he recalled.
“I worked hard and played a lot, but if it hadn’t happened for me, I’m not sure what I would be doing right now – maybe labouring on a building site or something.
“But it’s been going really well. I was just a kid when I started to train with the first team.
“I was maybe 16 or so and it was exciting because one minute you’re with your own age group, then next you’re playing alongside Sergio Aguero and David Silva – I wouldn’t say it felt normal, and if I’m honest, you can’t help but be a bit starstruck at the beginning.
“I’d had the occasional session to begin with, but then I started training with the first team all the time and it was just fantastic. It didn’t seem real at the time!”
So, who has taken Cole under their wing as he establishes himself in Pep Guardiola’s squad?
He says everyone has helped him, but one player in particular – who has since left – seemed to take a special interest in his welfare.
“I’d say Raheem Sterling was one of the biggest influences I’ve had at City,” he said.
“We’re obviously totally different players, but it was just the way he spoke to me, always checked in on me and was giving me advice whenever I needed it. He played first team football since he was 17, so he’d had a similar path to senior football as me.
“But all the lads are good role models – Scott Carson, Kyle Walker, and John Stones – everyone has been great with me and helps me and passes on tips and advice.”
Being a talented playmaker himself, Palmer admits he pays close attention to Kevin De Bruyne in training or during first team games.
“It’s crazy. He’s so good – it’s like, ‘wow’ when you are watching him play. He does things in training that leaves you wondering how he did it.”
And it would be remiss to not mention the influence Phil Foden has on Academy youngsters.
A couple of years older, Foden’s exploits for club and country show what hard work and talent can achieve – and Palmer believes that is crucial for other youngsters at the Club to recognise a pathway exists and that they, too, can follow in his footsteps.
“Everybody in the Academy wants to play in the first team and seeing someone like Phil do what he’s done for City and with England, really helps and makes you want it all the more.
“It makes you believe even more that you can do it and that’s exactly how I felt.”
With the World Cup and Premier League winter break now over, Palmer is determined to make the most of the next five months or so.
Fully fit and with batteries recharged, he says the break has been better than he’d imagined it would.
“It’s been good, actually,” he said.
“We obviously don’t normally get a winter break during the season, so it’s been different, but I’m ready to go now for the second part of the season. I can’t wait.”
Looking back at the stories behind some classic – and not-so-classic – City Magazine covers from the past 30 years…
With the January transfer window freshly ‘slammed shut’ – as they say - Kiki Musampa became an obvious cover option for our latest City Magazine.
The Dutch winger was an amiable chap and had spent much of the previous five months warming the bench at Atletico Madrid.
City brought Kiki in on loan, and he would be one of Kevin Keegan’s last signings at City boss before he quit six weeks later, and the Dutch star was delighted to have a fresh opportunity.
As often happened with signings during the window, time was of the essence, so we had to grab a photo of him in his new City shirt after training at Carrington.
Kiki had a winning smile and the glance over the shoulder look worked really well.
And look who else made the cover – fresh from her FHM cover shoot, model and City fan Natalie Pike made her debut on any of our platforms with an interview and a fashion shoot.
Some 20 years on and Natalie is the face of Matchday Live, our live match show available via the Matchday Centre and Etihad Stadium pitch side presenter.
And to think it all started with the February City Mag!
Feature: David Clayton
This season I’m taking you on an A-to-Z tour of Manchester and possibly taking a few liberties with the alphabet. Expect lots of musicians, an occasional session with a footballer and whatever else I can find in my archive...
This issue we’re up to the letter U and because I don’t want to subject you to a tenuous piece about a U2 gig in Manchester, we’re moving quickly onto V and The Verve. Now, while they’re not strictly from Manchester, being from Wigan, I suppose Wigan is now Greater Manchester, so here we go.
I’ve only ever photographed Richard Ashcroft (and his band) once, and that was for NME on 4 May 1993 in London. The session was a bit rushed, as I had to get up to Manchester the following morning, where City battled out a 0-0 draw v Crystal Palace at Maine Road to hang onto 5th place in front of 21,167 hardy souls.
Ashcroft was a bit spiky as he felt I should prioritise the shoot, rather than my watching City, who he despised; something he told me approximately ten times during the short session (it was only for a page in the NME). He was a massive Red, something else he told me approximately 10 times during the session.
It was difficult to get him to concentrate on the job in hand. I don’t care who anyone supports, especially while I’m photographing them, and all I was interested in was getting a few good shots of him and the band and not discussing whether United would win the inaugural Premier League trophy.
He also told me he hadn’t wanted me to do the NME session as he thought I’d 'stitch him up'. I was tempted to use sky blue gels on the background (OK, I gave one a blue tint) – something I’ve done with Man United-supporting musicians previously – but I actually just wanted to get it finished and processed and to get my train up to Manchester. I like the photos though and I think he looks great in them, and he’s made some great music. So well done Richard, it didn’t hurt did it!
Kevin Cummins
This month I’ve chosen to prod and probe the mind of a man who wisely decided Manchester City were the team for him during the Mark Hughes era. He had many options open to him… but he chose the right path. Evidently.
Over to Mati!
“Hi, my name is Mati...
I grew up in London and am currently studying at Glasgow University which unfortunately restricts my visits to the Etihad, but every single one I cherish. My dad supports Liverpool (unfortunately) and I have been a City fan since the Mark Hughes days and am enjoying every second of it! From heartbreaks to QPR, Centurions, UCL winners and 4-in-a-Row.
I travel to home games only a couple of times a year, but always support from the other side of the west coast main line, and I do get to join everyone at Wembley when we get there (like this year!).”
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF GOING TO A FOOTBALL MATCH?
My first ever football match was an invitation to the League Cup final at Wembley in 2010 between Man Utd and Villa (not the result I was hoping for). Ended up 2-1 to United, but I remember our own lad James Milner scoring a penalty after five minutes.
WHAT IS THE MOST PECULIAR OR MEMORABLE THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU AT A CITY GAME?
It happened at the greatest game of footballing display I have ever seen live at the Etihad. City 7-2 Stoke 2017, the day before my 13th birthday. Met Colin Bell (RIP), Mike Summerbee and Vincent Kompany during a pre-match dining experience in the Colin Bell Stand. KDB put on, in my opinion, one of his absolute best performances for us; creating the first two goals and assisting two others. A rocket from Fernandinho as well was the second best goal I’ve ever seen at the Etihad. What a lovely day it was as well.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND PREVENT ONE MATCH FROM BEING PLAYED - WHAT MATCH WOULD THAT BE - AND WHY?
I’ll be cheeky on this one and go for two. City vs Palace 2018. Although a blinding strike by Andros Townsend it was the only home game we lost in the league that season. Best goal I’ve seen live (exception of Fernandinho vs Stoke and Toure vs Sunderland at Wembley). The other game was vs Wigan in the FA Cup final in 2013 - our only shot at a trophy that year.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE CITY GOAL YOU HAVE WITNESSED?
It must be Toure vs Sunderland at Wembley. Sparked the five-minute comeback and the commentary is stuck in my head!! Was sitting at a perfect angle to see it as well.
HAVE YOU EVER MET ONE OF YOUR MAN CITY HEROES… IF SO - WHO… AND HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE?
In 2011, I was lucky to have my wish of meeting the City team by Make-A-Wish. Got to have a stadium tour on the first day and met/watched the players train the next day. Meeting David Silva at the time (and of course Balotelli) meant a great deal to me. It was a fantastic experience!!
WHAT'S YOUR MOST DISASTROUS AWAY GAME EXPERIENCE?
Villa away in 2013. I remember we threw away a 2-1 lead. Fortunately, we were able to go on and win the league on the last day against West Ham.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CITY PLAYER OF ALL TIME?
It has to be Kevin De Bruyne. Pure satisfaction just watching him on the ball.
IF YOU COULD PICK ONE CURRENT CITY PLAYER TO BE ON YOUR PUB QUIZ TEAM - WHO WOULD IT BE - AND WHY?
No doubt it has to be Rodri for me. He always has all the answers.
Continuing our vintage Q&As with former favourites, we look at the Shoot Magazine feature on Gary Owen.
Gary was with City from 1972 until 1979 – read this month’s Sometimes They Come Back to learn more – and here he is answering questions from circa 1978…
Full name: Gary Alfred Owen
Birthplace: St Helen’s
Birthdate: 7 July, 1958
Height: 5' 7¼"
Weight: 10st 6lbs
Married: No
Car: Escort Popular
Favourite player: George Best
Favourite other team: None in particular
Most difficult: They're all difficult
Most memorable match: My league debut against Wolves
Biggest thrill: League debut and playing for England
Biggest disappointment: Losing to Wales in a youth tournament at Maine Road after leading 2-0
Best country visited: Japan
Favourite food: Steak and chips
Misc likes: All sports, driving
Misc dislikes: Gardening and long coach journeys
Favourite TV shows: The Sweeney, Mike Yarwood, Porridge
Favourite singers: Rod Stewart, The Carpenters
Favourite actors: Clint Eastwood and Farrah Fawcett Majors
Best friend: Team-mate Peter Barnes
Biggest influence on career: My father
Biggest drag in soccer: Being injured
International honours: Youth and U21 honours for England
Personal ambition: To be happy and successful
What would you be if you weren’t a footballer? No idea!
Person you’d most like to meet? Muhammad Ali
WITH
Lindsey Hewitt
Not even a stint in ICU could stop Lindsey Hewitt from cheering on her beloved Manchester City in February 2025...
A season ticket holder for our Women’s team, she was in an intensive care unit following surgery on a brain haemorrhage when City beat Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals.
Such is her love for the Club, Lindsey watched the game on an iPad with one of her nurses, as Mary Fowler’s last-gasp strike saw the Blues win 2-1.
“I made this poor nurse watch it on an iPad and she was like: ‘please don’t be getting excited, you’re not supposed to get your blood pressure up’,” she reflects with a smile after posing for photos with Club photographer Declan Lloyd at her home as part of our 'Love This City' series.
“A fun fact now is that I apparently have £25,000 worth of platinum in my head.”
Lindsey looks back on a traumatic time in her life with an incredible sense of positivity, but she still admits that the experience was one filled with fear around each operation’s outcome.
The first of two surgeries took place in January, with Lindsey then having a stroke.
She said thoughts of waking up as a different person or not waking up at all were in the back of her mind, but that City provided her with a comfort and purpose in such trying circumstances.
“You could be left with problems with speech, walking, height, sight," she added.
“When I was sat recovering from the stroke waiting to have another surgery, I thought I’ll wear one of my City shirts every day.
“As silly as that is, it gave me something to think about while I was waiting for this surgery.”
Thankfully Lindsey, a show pony breeder by trade, is on the mend and was even able to attend the League Cup final in March.
The fact that she was able to cheer on her beloved City just weeks after surgery shows what the Club means to her.
“City’s been part of my life for so long,” Lindsey adds.
“Football brings together a really diverse group of people, and there’s a really diverse group at City.
“We have a massive fanbase who are people I might not have ever met or spoke to. Everyone’s tied together by their love of football.”
For the past 10 years, Craig Mudd has been helping carve out the careers of City’s Academy youngsters.
From working with exciting talent at Under-9s to reconnecting with players in the Elite Development Squad, the Under-21s Assistant Coach has been a key cog in the journey from academy to senior football for players such as Micah Hamilton, Shea Charles and our very own Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly.
Craig sat down with the City Magazine and detailed his partnership with EDS Lead Coach Ben Wilkinson, the development of players and why he has a passion for youth football.
CITY MAG: First of all, Craig, thanks so much for your time. To start things off , it would be great to hear a bit about how you came to be in your current role at the Club.
CRAIG: So this is my third season as the assistant to the Under-21s and my 10th full time season at the Club. When I first joined City it was working with the Under-9s as an assistant in the foundation phase before progressing to Lead Coach. I then moved up to the Under-14s and Under 15s in the youth development phase before taking up my role now with the EDS. Before working at City, I had a short playing career where I began at Leeds Academy and then at 16 years old, I moved to Rotherham United and went on to have a senior career there. While playing in the lower leagues I went back to Leeds and started my coaching badges before joining City at Platt Lane and completing my A Licence here. I also went over to Mexico between leaving Leeds and coming to City where I worked as a director of coaching, working across many age groups. During my time there we went from 200 players to 2000 in the youth system which was a great experience for me and helped develop me into the coach I am now.
CITY MAG: Does coaching at younger age groups differ much from your coaching now at EDS level?
CRAIG: Yeah, so first the biggest difference is at Under-21s level we are working with young professional players, and as a coach you must be a lot more adaptable because one of our priorities is supporting the first team and a lot of things can change. So ultimately the goal is to develop our players, that’s at the forefront of our mind. But then also a huge part of my role is supporting Ben. I plan training and take a large part of the sessions and it’s something I really enjoy.
CITY MAG: You mentioned there supporting Ben, what’s your partnership like?
CRAIG: We are both very adaptable people, so I think our partnership is strong. This year we’ve taken on different aspects of the game, so Ben works on when we are in possession, and I work on when we are out of possession. I come up with the game plans on how we press our opposition and defending certain scenarios and Ben will have more of a say on how we play when we have the ball. But it’s also collaborative, we combine our experience, and we’ll always make sure we agree on what we are doing and it’s clearly working!
CITY MAG: It definitely is. Speaking of this season, it’s our second season in the new PL2 format, what do you think is different in this campaign to last?
CRAIG: Exactly what you said, it’s our second season in the new structure so I think we’ve got a bit more experience with it now and with the addition of the team being a little bit more mature – we have been much more consistent in our performances this time around. Last year, they merged the leagues, and it was just so different to the season prior where we won the title. We played teams we weren’t used to playing and almost found it harder because they were more likely to include first-team players and we found it difficult to break down at times. But ultimately, I think any experience for the team will help our players develop, regardless of the results. And as staff we learnt a lot, we experienced more games than ever before in terms of us not enjoying as much possession and losing but it has clearly all proven to be an invaluable experience for the players in terms of our defensive work and hopefully they can take this into senior football in the not-too-distant future.
CITY MAG: Are there any games from this season that stick out in your mind where you’ve seen your coaching, the hard work on the training ground come to fruition in a match?
CRAIG: There has been a lot which is a good thing! I think one of the real standouts for me, if you talk about going into a game and having a plan and us sticking to that plan I'd probably say Hoffenheim away. We watched a lot of their games, and I think it was over 50% of their goals came from the left-hand side so we obviously knew we had to control their left-back coming forward and their left winger coming inside. But I think other games also come to mind like Chelsea which was a real good example of us watching a lot of their games and we identified they were good at pulling teams out of position to then exploit space centrally and in behind. And I thought the lads in that match really excelled in terms of the game plan we set.
But I think as a coach the most pleasing games for me were Norwich and Spurs at home because it was the opposite to what we asked. We had a plan; we'd worked on something and from minute one the game was completely different. So, the team then had to ultimately solve the problems and work collectively as a team to adapt and find a solution on the pitch.
CITY MAG: And finally, what is your advice for others looking to get into academy coaching?
CRAIG: I’m passionate about it because I like to see the players improve daily and ultimately try and help them on their journey to senior football. So, wherever they end up in some capacity, we have helped them in some way. If someone reading this is just getting into coaching my advice is to get as much experience as you can at a variety of age groups and be adaptable to different situations when coaching.
Interview: Holly Percival
Irrespective of how the final weeks of the season pan out, it’s safe to say Spike Brits will never forget the 2024/25 campaign...
In addition to impressing and further accelerating his development with City’s Elite Development Squad, the 17-year-old was also afforded a unique insight into what life is like with the Club’s first team.
For when Ederson was sidelined with injury during December, Brits suddenly found himself called into City’s senior squad.
As well as training and learning alongside City’s hugely experienced goalkeeping group and coaches, Spike was also named in the matchday squad for our Premier League home clash with Everton on Boxing Day.
A week earlier the England Under-18 international had also been part of the City party that travelled to Aston Villa.
And his appearance on the bench against the Toffees was followed three days later by another Premier League trip with City, this time to Leicester City.
Collectively it proved a priceless set of experiences for Brits, who signed for City as a scholar in the summer of 2023 following his impressive progression through AFC Wimbledon’s Academy.
And with the 2024/25 campaign now approaching its conclusion, Spike admits he sometimes still has to pinch himself when recalling those moments being immersed within Pep Guardiola’s first team set-up.
“Being named on the bench against Everton was really amazing,” Brits recalled.
“I got my chance because Ederson had been injured and it was really good to have my own experience, and to be able to experience the Premier League.
“It was such a top experience.
“It might sound really weird, but the moment that really hit home to me was when I walked into the Etihad on Boxing Day and I saw my shirt with my name in the dressing room.
“That really resonated with me.
“It was like, oh wow, this is like really real. And it was mind blowing.
“All my family were in South Africa for my granddad's birthday, so unfortunately, they couldn't come up to the Etihad to watch but it was still a very special experience.
“In terms of the build-up and days itself I think I was so focused in the moment that it was like I didn't actually get the chance to take in everything, unfortunately.
“From a nerves point of view that was OK, in terms of the Everton match.
“I think the first time I was part of the group against Aston Villa it was a bit shaky, but after that I think it was alright.
“It also definitely does give you a hunger to experience more.
“It's like I've ticked off it once. Now I want to try and tick it off continuously.”
Brits also pointed to the help and advice he had been provided with by City’s goalkeeping unit.
As well as pointers and tips by the Club’s coaches, he revealed how the input passed on by both Stefan Ortega Moreno and Scott Carson had also proved vital.
“Stefan and Scott have been really top for me,” Spike added.
“They have given me lots of advice that I hope I've taken that into myself and into my game.
“And it's just like small, minor details that you don't realise until someone mentions it to you and it's like, ‘Oh, how did I miss that?’
“It was literally as simple as the message that hard work does it all for you. That if you keep working hard and keep being persistent in what you love and what you do then eventually your time will come.
“And just about taking that opportunity and being confident in yourself that you know that you will be able to take that opportunity with both hands.
“You learn so much so quickly over there and I think it's a really great experience.”
Interview: Neil Leigh
Gary Owen &
Peter Barnes 1980
The combined departures of Peter Barnes and Gary Owen in the fire sale of summer 1979 outraged many City supporters.
Two home-grown kids who had gone on to represent their country at full and U21 level, Owen was 21 and Barnes 22 – it was madness, but Malcolm Allison had made his mind up to get rid of many established City stars and replace them with his own signings having returned for a second and sadly disastrous spell at Maine Road.
On paper, Allison was Tony Book’s No.2, but it was Big Mal calling the shots as Tony Book was, in many ways, overpowered by his former manager.
Asa Hartford, Dave Watson, Colin Bell, Mike Doyle, Dennis Tueart… the list of players who left the club for one reason or another was astonishing, and it was a senior cull that would affect the club for more than a decade in which the Blues’ fortunes steadily declined.
But if the fact some of the players who left were ageing and on big wages was Allison’s argument, the sales of Barnes and Owen was unforgiveable to many City fans.
And both would have their revenge.
The first meeting between the teams at The Hawthorns came just weeks after Owen and Barnes had signed for the Baggies – Owen had left in June for £450,000 and Barnes six weeks later for £748,000.
Both were upset at the move and Owen openly admitted crying when he learned he’d been sold.
An inspired Owen masterminded a 4-0 win over City at The Hawthorns, but on 2 February 1980, both former favourites returned in the green and yellow stripes of West Bromwich Albion.
It would be a chastising afternoon for Allison’s side.
Bullied by the powerful Cyrille Regis, it was the Baggies who went ahead before half-time as the impressive Brendan Batson fed him an angled ball on the right of the box and Regis drilled a low shot past Joe Corrigan to make it 0-1.
Owen and Barnes in particular had a score to settle.
Both had received warm ovations from the City fans and it wasn’t the supporters the former stars had a beef with – it was Malcolm Allison and probably chairman Peter Swales for sanctioning the moves.
Just two minutes into the second half and on a mud-bath of a pitch, Barnes arrived in the six-yard box before finishing smartly to double Albion’s lead.
Former Stockport County striker Stuart Lee pulled one back for City, but Ron Atkinson’s side – featuring future England captain Bryan Robson – weren’t quite finished.
With just five minutes left, Barnes collected a knock-down just inside the box, jinked past Corrigan and slotted home to make it 1-3 in Albion’s favour.
Barnes celebrated joyously and who could blame him? As Owen congratulated him, both appeared to glance towards the dugout – though you’d suspect not at West Brom boss Ron Atkinson – more at City’s somewhat sheepish management team.
Words: David Clayton
One of the fresh, young faces to join our Under-18 ranks this season is full-back Dante Headley.
Since stepping up to Oliver Reiss’ side in the summer, the 16-year-old has already made an impressive 13 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League North.
The local lad is capable of playing on both flanks and has also shown he isn’t shy in getting high up the pitch to help City attack.
In fact, it’s his favourite part about playing in City’s squad.
“I think going forward brings out the best in my performance,” began Headley.
“When I was younger, I used to play in midfield and higher up the wing but now I’m a full-back. I still take elements from that and try to use them in the position I am in now.
“I’ve also been trying to get faster! But also always working on my defending. It’s a big part of my game and I can’t just be a full-back who goes forward all the time, I have to help the team defend because that helps win games too.”
Evidence of Headley’s eye for goal includes the two goals and two assists he has accrued over the course of the campaign.
But his fortitude in defence is also showcased through Headley’s inclusion in seven clean sheets. And the exciting young talent was quick to applaud his team-mates for the accolade.
“Yeah I think I've learnt a lot from Kian [Noble],” said Headley.
“He's a big character in the team and helps us in every game with his leadership skills.
“I feel like we play together as a team a lot and for us it's not just about winning, it's about us playing well, keeping the ball and looking good. But there is also the other side of it that when we are down, we can get back in the game as well.”
The interview with Headley took place just prior to City’s 4-3 comeback win over Derby County that secured the North title for Reiss’ side with one game left of the campaign.
But when asked how he had found his debut season in the competition, Headley smiled instantly.
“I think it's been a really great experience,” he said.
“Obviously there has been a lot of big names to have played in this competition so it's obviously nice to hopefully get to the final and hopefully we can win it and put our name there with everyone else.”
Interview: Holly Percival
Burton Albion 0-1 City
Carabao Cup, January 23, 2019
Burton: Collins, McFadzean, Turner (Hutchinson 40), Akins, Templeton, McCrory, Harness, Miller, Wallace, Quinn (Fox 45), Boyce (Daniel 77)
Subs not used: Bywater, Brayford, Buxton, Sbarra
Man City: Muric, Zinchenko (F Nmecha 67), Sandler, Garcia, Danilo, Delph, Foden, De Bruyne (Mendy 63), Poveda, Mahrez, Aguero (Jesus 63)
Subs not used: Grimshaw, Stones, Bolton, Richards
Attendance: 6,519
It’s not the done things to say that a two-legged tie is over after the first 90 minutes, but it would have been absurd to pretend that a nine-goal advantage for the Premier League champions against a team fighting relegation to the fourth tier could be overturned.
When City had thrashed League One Burton Albion at the Etihad Stadium, we even faced criticism for winning the first leg at the Etihad by such a massive margin with some complaints that we had “pushed the boundaries of professional etiquette”.
Of course none of those remarks came from Burton boss Nigel Clough, who was typically classy in defeat and praised the brutal brilliance of the City side.
Asked when he thought the score-line might get messy, Clough joked with a similar wit and charm to his legendary father Brian: “When the draw was made.”
For the Brewers’ boss it was a celebration of a huge achievement by his club in reaching the last-four and the home leg would be a special occasion for Burton fans, particularly as many had missed the game at the Etihad when a motorway accident impacted travel plans from the Staffordshire town.
The Pirelli Stadium would get to see some of the Premier League greats with City starting with Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up.
There were also some new faces in the side as young City players were given a first proud moment of wearing the sky blue shirt.
Tricky teenage winger Ian Carlo Poveda made his first team debut although it was to be the only City appearance for the London-born youngster who has since gone onto play international football for Colombia.
Felix Nmecha, now a Germany international, also made his City debut, eight months after his brother Lukas.
Other Academy players involved included Foden, still only 19 at the time, goalkeeper Aro Muric, centre-back pairing Eric Garcia and Phillippe Sandler while Daniel Grimshaw, Luke Bolton and Taylor Richards were all on the bench.
Burton had their chances at a fully-packed, freezing stadium. Muric saved from Liam Boyce’s flick while Will Miller had a shot cleared off the line by Garcia.
But City got the only goal through a black-bearded, platinum blond Aguero when he tucked away a pull back from Mahrez.
It was a frustration for Clough that he couldn’t get a goal for the fans but he was proud of the way his side had fought and showed a huge respect for Guardiola, one of England’s great managers just like his father.
That two-leg tie remains our only one against Burton Albion and one that ushered in another trip to Wembley, a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea and the first part of a domestic Treble.
A seemingly meaningless fixture was actually a pretty special occasion for a number of reasons.
Words: Jonathan Smith
As the curtain falls on the 2024/25 Premier League season this month, we caught up with our FPL Scout for the final time this season…
1, Which City players in FPL could be good investments in May?
With the race for Champions League football really hotting up managers will be looking to target Manchester City players. Omar Marmoush (£7.6m), Kevin De Bruyne (£9.4m) and Josko Gvardiol (£6.3m) are likely to be popular targets for the run-in.
2, If managers have chips left to use, which would be a good time to use them?
Wildcards are hugely important in FPL and as such they should be played as soon as possible to maximise their returns. If managers still have their second Wildcard, then playing it ahead of Gameweek 35 makes sense as it means that managers can target the best players for the final four gameweeks of the season.
The Bench Boost chip ideally would be used in a double gameweek. If we have another of those this season, then managers could play it then. However, if not managers should play the chip when they have a full playing bench, including a second starting goalkeeper.
With the Assistant Manager Chip being active for three weeks, managers should ensure that they play it either in Gameweek 35 or 36 to ensure that they are able to benefit from the full three weeks of play. Man City’s Pep Guardiola (£1.5m) looks like a great option over the coming weeks, even without the upside of table bonus.
Finally, the Free Hit, if we end up with a blank gameweek around the FA Cup final then managers could play the chip then. However, if not Gameweek 38 is always a good option as it allows managers to target the teams with something to play for on the final day of the season.
3, Who could be differentials for May across the league?
Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) faces Spurs and Manchester United in Gameweeks 35 and 36. Both his opponents are likely to have one eye on their Europa League exploits and this could make him a fantastic pick not just for the next two weeks but for the whole run-in as he faces Ipswich on the final day as well as a tougher tie against Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 37. Bowen has returned in back-to-back matches and his 154 points this season is 43 points more than the next best at West Ham. Only five midfielders in the game have scored more points than Bowen this season.
With Nottingham Forest pushing to secure their first taste of Champions League football since the 1980’s Anthony Elanga (£5.4m) could be an excellent differential pick. Nottingham Forest face Crystal Palace, Leicester, West Ham and Chelsea to end the season. Elanga has registered 15 attacking returns this season.
With Evanilson (£5.8m) now suspended following his Gameweek 34 red card, Bournemouth midfielder Dango Ouattara (£4.7m) could be deployed as an out of position forward for the run in. When Evanilson was out through injury from Gameweek 21-26 Dango registered 38 points. Although it should be noted that Bournemouth have a very difficult run of fixtures to end the season.
What is one thing about you fans might not know?
I'm half Norwegian and half South African but born in England. So my actual name is Thorsten Spike Brits.
What is your go-to karaoke song?
I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) by The Proclaimers.
Your idea of paradise.
Golf and sun.
A place you would live if you could.
Portugal.
A food you'd eat for the rest of your days.
A toasted chicken wrap.
Best Netflix binge?
It's not on Netflix but I have to go with How I Met Your Mother.
What is the scariest thing that's ever happened to you?
I was once in South Africa in the sea and the shark alarm went off because they were close by so I had to get out.
A hobby outside of football?
Golf, it's not a hobby it's a lifestyle.
Your dream job if you weren't playing football?
I'd be a professional golf player.
The best gig you've ever been to?
I've been to the Reading Festival which was quite cool. Fred Again was the best act I saw.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs. We've always had dogs at home.
One song that sums you up.
Stargazing, Myles Smith.
A skill a team-mate has that you wish you had.
Ryan McAidoo's speed.
Interview: Holly Percival
"Being a source of inspiration has been brilliant"
We Are CITC: Ollie’s story
Each month, Manchester City’s Charity, City in the Community (CITC), spotlights its work and programmes through the voices and stories of its participants.
This month, CITC spoke with Ollie, a master’s student who was involved in an accident in 2021, after completing his undergraduate degree. After a couple of years in hospital, he returned to his studies to do his master’s degree, despite suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
As part of his university degree in Sport Coaching, Ollie has chosen to do his coaching placement with CITC’s BTEC course.
In the video, available below, Ollie describes his time coaching with CITC and the BTEC team saying:
“City has inspired me so much. I’ve had a brilliant time learning off established coaches at City in the Community and being able to fulfil my placement hours in the amazing facilities has been absolutely brilliant.
“Being a source of inspiration and watching the participants grow in confidence like I have through my rehabilitation has been brilliant.”
CITC also spoke with Ollie’s Dad, who has seen a real change in Ollie since starting his coaching placement, commenting:
“It’s been absolutely fantastic to watch him grow in confidence. He’s been able to feel the value that he can bring to a team, which is also helping him with his research for his degree.”
You can watch the full chat with Ollie by clicking here.
With thanks to Blue Emergency Cover for their support of the We Are CITC series.
Protect your home and support City in the Community - sign up for Blue Emergency Cover using code CITC20 to contribute to the campaign while enjoying reliable boiler insurance.
To find out more, visit: https://blueemergencycover.co.uk/
You can be the first to hear about City in the Community's events and news! Manchester City's charity is delighted to now be providing fans with regular email updates, including announcements of exciting initiatives before anyone else.
To sign up and hear more all you need to do is click here and fill out some simple details.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity.
We look at the fascinating journey of one of our rising talents - Laura Blindkilde Brown - in a new occasional series of features on our players...
The floodlights beamed onto the pitch and the crowd let out a roar as Laura Blindkilde Brown exhaled deeply and stepped out towards the centre circle. The national anthem fades and all she can hear is her heartbeat racing. It’s just another game – but this time it’s for England.
Long before the crowds of adoring fans and playing in big stadiums, there was the local park in Worcestershire. A battered patch of grass, her dad, her brothers and a five-year-old girl who couldn’t stop kicking footballs.
Girls’ teams were limited and Laura found herself playing for Warndon Villages Boys.
“My two brothers played football, and my dad was a football coach, so naturally, I was kind of pushed into that direction,” Laura says.
“When I was playing in the boys’ team, they were all really encouraging with me. It wasn't like, ‘oh, there's a girl playing’ they were fine with it, and I never felt not accepted into a team.”
But while Laura felt like she fit in, her talent stood out. Her headmaster was the first to spot her ability, and he always knew she would make it to the top.
“I was playing with the boys' team, our headmaster at the time was also the football coach. He was one of my biggest supporters, he would always praise me, and that really helped me. I think throughout the start of my career, he always believed in me,” Laura said.
The headmaster was that confident he jokingly offered to put money on it.
“He really started it off for me and made me believe that I could achieve something,” Laura adds.
“He always said that he thought I'd play for England one day and he always said he was going to put a bet on it, but I don’t know if he actually did!”
By the time she was scouted into Aston Villa’s academy, Laura Blindkilde Brown was nine and already making noise.
And when she reached the U23s, she dared to dream.
“Before it had just been about having fun, but then the women's game evolved so much so you saw women becoming full time professionals. That was probably when I thought: ‘yeah, I can definitely make it here’.
It wasn’t always smooth though, and she began to be overlooked because of her height.
It was a frustrating time for a passionate and determined midfielder, who felt she could handle the physicality just as well as the other players.
“I do think sometimes I was undermined a little bit, so that knocked my confidence a little seeing other girls go up before me,” Laura recalls.
But she didn’t let it stop her, and Villa went on to give her the foundation and taste of what professional football would feel like.
At 16, she went on loan to Birmingham City, and her WSL debut would follow in January 2020 against the reigning champions, Arsenal.
The game ended in a 2-0 defeat, but it was a moment that helped to maintain Blindkilde Brown’s belief that a glittering professional career beckoned.
“To make my debut at 16, that was something I've always wanted - to play professionally. So, to do that at Birmingham at 16, that was probably my first thought of ‘I can make it’.
“It was against Arsenal. I think I came on in the last 10 minutes or so.
“That was a really big moment for me, especially at 16. I just felt really privileged.”
At the end of the 2019/20 campaign, Blindkilde Brown made the switch back across the city to Aston Villa before signing her first professional contract in September 2021.
It was a surreal moment for the teenager, who’d managed 24 goals and assists in her solitary season in the academy setup at the Villans.
The natural next step was the WSL, and it was a stage where the midfielder excelled.
She went on to be named Aston Villa Women's Young Player of the Season for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, having played in all but one WSL fixture in the latter.
Her consistent performances meant that, in her second season after that senior debut, she had become a key part of a Villa squad looking to shake up the established top four.
It wasn’t long before that energy, agility and excellent passing ability attracted the interest of Manchester City, who she joined in January 2024.
It’s a day which Laura will never forget.
The midfielder had just hopped out the shower and was surprised to see a text from her agent, which read: ‘Can we have a chat? You might want to sit down.’
At first, she thought it was bad news.
“Then he was like, oh, City have rung me. They want to sign you in this window, and I was just, ‘what?!’” she said.
Had the steam gone to her head? Was this really happening? Those were the thoughts that rang through her mind as she sat in shock.
But then the realisation set in. She would have to move to a new city and live on her own – which she’d never done before, but she knew it was an opportunity she had to grasp with both hands.
“I couldn't believe it. I'd always wanted to play for a club like Manchester City. So, for them to want me, it was a massive deal,” Laura says.
It was the call that changed everything. She was about to join up with one of the most competitive squads in Europe and dive headfirst into a WSL title race – something she had dreamed of for so long.
She knew that making the move up north would mean more competition for places among a host of world class players, so guaranteed minutes would be a challenge.
But she took a step back. She remembered five-year-old Laura playing in the garden with her brothers as their misplaced shots damaged flower beds. This was the time to develop, and she would become a better player for it.
Laura Blindkilde Brown signed for City on deadline day in January 2024, with an exciting reputation behind her.
On 21 April 2024, she scored her first goal for City in our 5-0 victory over West Ham, helping us to reach top of the table with a 13th consecutive league win.
Laura continued to impress, and, behind the scenes, the England coaches were watching.
It started with a phone call – short but completely unforgettable.
Laura was at home watching a crime documentary when the news came. She’d been called up to the senior England squad.
For a second, she just sat, documentary paused, in complete silence. This was the call. The one she had worked her entire career towards.
“That was another really big moment for me, it was just pure excitement,” she laughs.
“I couldn’t wait to go and ring my family and tell them the news. It was quite overwhelming, but in a good way.”
Her parents were bound to be emotional. They’d driven her to countless training sessions and watched flower beds destroyed by stray passes; they never doubted her.
Her debut came against Switzerland at Bramall Lane. She stood next to former City team-mate Ruby Mace and Manchester United defender Millie Turner as the national anthem blared through the speakers in Sheffield. The local park in Worcestershire, the destroyed flowers, the setbacks had all led her to this moment. Her lifelong dream had become a reality.
“My dreams when I was younger was to play for England, to play for City,” Laura adds.
“So, to be at City and also have represented my country, it's like all of my dreams have come true. But yeah, I never would have thought it.”
The Euros beckon this summer, but Blindkilde Brown is working her way back from an ankle injury and is determined to still have an influence on City’s final games of the 2024/25 season.
Now it’s about setting the standard for the future. The Laura Blindkilde Browns of the future. The girl on the local park dreaming of more.
Feature: Alice Wright
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