City Magazine: December issue now available to read!

Welcome to the December edition of the City Magazine!

It's that time of year again, so you'll find a festive theme running like Santa's sleigh throughout this edition.

Kicking off, we speak to cover star Josko Gvardiol about what a Croatian Christmas looks like, and what his family gatherings were like when he was a kid.

Josko also reveals his all-time favourite Christmas movie - and it's a classic. Kevin!!

We also speak to Oscar Bobb about life in Norway and what Christmas is like back home.

Our women's team share the Christmas presents they loved as kids and we also have City festive gifts of years gone by.

Crowd favourite Lauren Hemp is our feature women's interview this month and there are our usual spotlights on EDS and U18 talent.

Marc Riley, Kevin Cummins, Mozzer v The Vloggers, One Goal Wonders, Random Match Generator... the list goes on!

All the above plus loads more, so get stuck in...

For the festive season. Crowd favourite Josko Gvardiol tells City Magazine what he loves most about this time of year…

It’s easy to forget the sacrifices footballers have to make around Christmas, especially those who come from overseas.

Being away from your family and friends at this time of year isn’t easy, and people will argue that the benefits of being a top Premier League star far outweigh the negatives, but still, Christmas is a special time. and they are no different from anyone else.

Josko Gvardiol is a very popular young man at Manchester City, on and off the pitch.

A genuinely lovely, friendly lad who bristles with enthusiasm and positive energy, he is clearly loved by his team-mates and staff at the club.

Our classy Croatian defender is now in his third season with the Blues, but he is still only 23 years-old.

Josko comes from a close, loving family who still live in his home city of Zagreb, so what is the holiday season like for a top player, so far from home?

He gives a beaming smile at the mention of Christmas and what it means to him.

“Back home, our Christmas celebrations kick off towards the end of November and continue throughout December – it’s a really big deal in Croatia and the holiday period is something we all really look forward to,” says Josko.

“It’s a really big deal in Croatia and the holiday period is something we all really look forward to”

“As a kid, Christmas Day would start with Santa – and a little help from my parents – leaving presents under the tree and we’d open them together in the morning. It was always magical and something I look back on with a lot of happiness.”

Josko left home six years ago, so much of that time since was spent in Germany with RB Leipzig, and in Manchester with City.

It means – as it does for most professional footballers – Christmas is no longer a time that can be enjoyed at length. It is all about making the most of the odd day here and there and taking the opportunity to be with those you love when - and if - it arises.

"I’ve always made sure ever since I moved away that I’m back home to celebrate Christmas with my parents and two older sisters whenever it is possible," he says.

"Obviously when I lived in Croatia, we’d go and see our grandparents later in the day as well, but since I’ve been living abroad, that’s harder to do because I get just one day or a maximum two to go home over the holidays.

“When I was in my early teens, I didn’t see my sisters so much because of football and obviously they were always around and as siblings, you get tired of each other! But since living away these past six years, now it’s different and I can’t wait to see them and each time I go back home now at Christmas, we spend a lot of quality time together whenever they have free time.

“And yeah, when they have the opportunity, they come over to Manchester to be with me, but for the last three years, I’ve been able to go to them for Christmas and because we aren’t playing Boxing Day this year, maybe we will get a couple of days to spend time with family.”

So what might be on the menu for the big day?

A typical Croatian Christmas dinner includes a variety of dishes and drinks.

Traditionally, the table is often decorated with božićna pšenica (Christmas wheat), and the meal is accompanied by traditional Croatian Christmas songs.

“For the last three years, I’ve been able to go to them for Christmas and because we aren’t playing Boxing Day this year, maybe we will get a couple of days to spend time with family.”

Families may eat such items as Bakalar, which is salted cod in white sauce and a traditional dish from the Adriatic coast. They may also have Sarma, which is minced meat wrapped in sour cabbage leaves, or roast pork.

For sweets, fritule: - deep-fried doughnuts flavoured with rum and citrus zest are a Croatian staple, along with Makovnjača, which is a Christmas cake made with nuts and dried fruit.

Josko admits he loves to do his own Christmas shopping for his family and friends and believes he’s solved the issue about what to get those he loves the most as a present.

“Yeah, I do all my Christmas shopping myself,” he smiles.

“It takes me a while to figure out what to buy and what my parents might need, but I finally figured out just asking them what they want is the easiest way! I like to choose them, wrap them up – everything – it’s only once a year, right? I enjoy it.”

He also says that while he is fortunate to be able to buy people the things he wants, those closest to him do not come with expensive requests.

“My sisters are very humble and kind and they would never think about asking for something expensive, it’s not in their nature,” he says.

“We came from a good background and could afford to have the things we really needed when we were kids, but we also weren’t the wealthiest family around, so we learned to keep our expectations grounded.

“In all honesty, I’m the one who goes to them and asks what they would like, so I’m really happy they are the way they are, and hopefully, they will stay like that!”

Of course, Manchester becomes a winter wonderland at this time of year with markets, elaborate decorations, ice rinks and trees – not forgetting Santa at the Town Hall!

What has Josko enjoyed about the festive season in our city – and what is like back home in Zagreb?

“When I lived in the city centre, I went to one of the Christmas markets in Manchester near the Cathedral – between Selfridges and Harvey Nichols – and it was really nice and I got to try out the sausages which is not always something you get the chance to do, so it was enjoyable,” he says.

“One thing I would say, that if you get the chance to experience the Christmas markets in Zagreb, go! They are incredible and really nice. It’s a huge thing back home.”

The food and decorations are one thing, but the Christmas movies and songs are on a loop this time of year – and that’s very much the case at Josko’s house...

“My favourite Christmas movie? Home Alone, I’d have to say – you can’t beat that at Christmas, can you?” laughs Josko,

“And my favourite Christmas song is a Croatian version of White Christmas called Bijeli Božić, which is really nice and popular back home – either or that or Mariah Carey’s or All I Want for Christmas Is You.

“The best thing for me is that from the start of December, all day on my TV there are Christmas songs – non-stop – and I love it!”

That leaves us just one thing to say - Sretan Božić, Josko! And, of course, a very happy Christmas to City fans around the world.

Interview: David Clayton

Can Mozzer get the better of City YouTuber Typical City?

Here’s December’s predictions as the nip and tuck battle of the our former captain and the vloggers continues…

FULHAM v CITY

Premier League
Tuesday 02 December, 19:30 kick-off
Craven Cottage

Mozzer’s verdict: Fulham haven’t quite hit the heights they did last season – at least yet – and their results have largely been predictable on the whole. Craven Cottage is a great ground for us and, if we’ve beaten Leeds at the weekend, I think we’ll go to West London and take three more points as well.

Mozzer’s prediction: Fulham 1-2 City

Vlogger verdict: Marco Silva’s Fulham are notoriously difficult to break down, well organised and are capable of the odd surprise. I expect City to win but our away form is something of a concern. I just hope Craven Cottage’s lack of hostility can allow City to play our best football and collect all three points. It won’t be easy, though!.

Vlogger prediction: Fulham 1-2 City

CITY v SUNDERLAND

Premier League
Saturday 06 December, 15:00 kick-off
Etihad Stadium

Mozzer’s verdict: Sunderland have been nothing short of superb since winning promotion. They were probably everyone’s tip to get relegated, but they have spent most of their time in the top six. The Africa Cup of Nations is going to rob them of a lot of players, but that won’t come into play in this game (though it will for the return on New Year’s Day). But I do think they will struggle to sustain the levels they’ve set and though they will have a go, I can only see a City win.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 3-1 Sunderland

Vlogger verdict: Sunderland have surprised everyone this season and even though they spent - and spent big in the summer - they’ve clearly used their funds well. Their reward is a well-deserved spot in the top half of the Premier League table. Régis Le Bris has his players well-drilled and difficult to beat. I still expect City to have too much talent - namely Erling Haaland - to score and win the game.

Vlogger prediction: City 2-0 Sunderland

REAL MADRID v CITY

Champions League
Wednesday 10 December, 20:00 kick-off
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Mozzer’s verdict: Here we are again! Real Madrid v City has become almost a seasonal staple and both teams know each other well. We’ve not had the rub of the green in recent meetings, but playing them away might suit us as this is a vastly different City team to the one they met last season. Our defeat to Leverkusen means there is more pressure going into this game, but I think we can come away with at least a draw which would tee us up nicely for our last two league phase matches.

Mozzer’s prediction: Real Madrid 2-2 City

Vlogger verdict: There are three things that are guaranteed in life – taxes, death and City facing Real Madrid in the Champions League every season. Here we are again. This fixture has a lot more jeopardy associated with it now due to our loss against Bayer Leverkusen. Real Madrid haven’t been at their best for some time, but their other worldly ability to get the job done in the Champions League will always remain a factor

Vlogger prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 City

CRYSTAL PALACE v CITY

Premier League
Sunday 14 December, 14:00 kick-off
Selhurst Park

Mozzer’s verdict: Never an easy place to go and never an easy team to face. Palace have been something of a bogey team over the past few years, with the FA Cup final defeat underlining that they don’t mind taking City on. They are going really well again, but whether their squad is big enough to challenge in four competitions – as they are currently – I doubt. Oliver Glasner is a terrific manager, but something tells me we will just edge this one.

Mozzer’s prediction: Palace 1-2 City

Vlogger verdict: Selhurst Park is definitely not an away ground you want to be visiting only a few days after facing Real Madrid away. I’m expecting another tough match – even more so than previous seasons. No matter our form, City have struggled away to Palace, but Oliver Glasner has taken Palace to another level, as we found out for ourselves in last season’s FA Cup final.

Vlogger prediction: Palace 1-1 City

CITY v BRENTFORD

Carabao Cup quarter-final
Wednesday 17 December, 19:30 kick-off
Etihad Stadium

Mozzer’s verdict: I think Pep would like another Carabao Cup in the cabinet and if we win this, we’ll be into the semi-finals and close to returning to Wembley. We’ve already beaten Brentford on their own soil, and I can only see us winning this one comfortably.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 4-1 Brentford

Vlogger prediction: This competition represents a real opportunity for silverware. City fans have gotten a taste for success in the last decade, and last season’s empty trophy cabinet was a tough one to take. This is a rebuilding season for City, and I think we have to humble enough to admit that and treat this opportunity to win silverware with all of our respect. I’m hoping a full strength line-up will see City progress.

Vlogger verdict: City 3-1 Brentford

CITY v WEST HAM

Premier League
Saturday 20 December, 15:00 kick-off
Etihad Stadium

Mozzer’s verdict: There’s no doubt Nuno Espirito Santo has improved West Ham and I’m certain he will steer them clear of relegation. But they don’t travel particularly well and rarely cause us any issue at the Etihad – that’s why I’m going for another comfortable win as we start to hopefully build up a head of steam going into the New Year.

Mozzer’s prediction: City 4-1 West Ham

Vlogger verdict: If you’d have asked me last month, I would have said this game shouldn’t just be a City win, it should be an emphatic win, with plenty of goals ending up in the back of the Hammers’ net. Since Nuno Espirito Santo has taken over at West Ham and they’ve started to pick up points, this fixture isn’t going to be as simple as it may have been last month. I still expect a City win.

Vlogger prediction: City 2-1 West Ham

FOREST v CITY

Premier League
Saturday 20 December, 15:00 kick-off
Etihad Stadium

Mozzer’s verdict: Sean Dyche has worked wonders at the time of writing and got Nottingham Forest back on track. They are difficult to beat on their own ground and if they have continued their upward trajectory, this could be a very tricky fixture. But I think we’ll be in the middle of a very good run by the time we meet and therefore I’m tipping us to win and keep a clean sheet.

Mozzer’s prediction: Forest 0-2 City

Vlogger verdict: You could take my comments and prediction for West Ham and just swap the name from Nuno Espirito Santo to Sean Dyche. Like West Ham, Forest got off to a terrible start to the season, but the arrival of Dyche has seemingly changed their fortunes and Forest have also started to pick up points. Another tough fixture for City to end their Christmas period with, but I’m still predicting we will have enough to bag the win!

Vlogger prediction: Forest 1-2 City

Last month: There's nothing like a couple pf unexpected defeats to throw a spanner in the works of the predictions battle. Mozzer was up against JSM44 last month, and both started November by correctly predicting a 3-1 win over Bournemouth. But though they both got the Dortmund result correct, JSM44 also tipped the Blues to beat Liverpool whereas Mozzer went for a draw. Both got the Newcastle and Leverkusen games wrong, but the result against Leeds correct, so it ended in a 6-5 win for JSM44 - but the overall score is still desperately close.

Season scoreboard so far:

Mozzer 19-20 Vloggers

City winger Oscar Bobb on Christmas, fjords and Norwegian life…

There’s nothing like snowflakes falling at Christmas. It’s not something that happens very often in Manchester, but when it does, it’s magical, and how we all imagine it should be like every year.

Norwegians don’t have to worry that much about snow around Christmastime.

Parts of the country have so much, it’s probably not viewed quite the same during the long, freezing winter months in the north can bring.

Oscar Bobb’s home city is Oslo in the south of Norway. It’s still where his family home is and he admits around this time of year; he misses Norwegian life and Norwegian Christmases.

“I love Christmas in Norway – it’s very different to how it is in England,” says Oscar.

“For instance, two years ago I was in Manchester and my mother, and a few family members came over to celebrate with me and we went out to eat in Manchester on Christmas Eve and we thought we’d be alone in the restaurant – but it was full!

“I love Christmas in Norway – it’s very different to how it is in England,” says Oscar.

“In Norway, that wouldn’t really happen because from around 3pm on Christmas Eve, everything shuts down until December 27, and I mean everything. There’s no Boxing Day back home and families are all together for those few days, so it’s very different in that respect. That said, I really like Christmas over here as well.”

It’s been six years since Oscar lived in Norway. That’s more than a quarter of his life, so while he’s used to life in Manchester, he still misses home at this time of year.

“I do miss Norway, but the English and Norwegian cultures are very similar in a lot of ways,” he said.

“But what I particularly like in England is the way people who know you or even who are strangers greet you and are friendly and respectful. People are a bit more reserved back home, so that’s something I love about English culture. It’s really nice.

“I obviously miss the community in Oslo where I grew up back in Norway, my friends and family and people I’d see every day in the streets around our neighbourhood – I miss that – and going to the local shops and cafes. But I get back when I can and obviously briefly when I am with the national team.”

Anyone who has visited Norway will tell you what a stunning country it is.

Breath-taking scenery, lakes, forest, mountains and islands, it is a naturally beautiful part of the world with the air quality an experience in itself.

Oscar, however, is the first to admit that most people from outside his home country seem to know about it better than he does!

He says: “It’s funny because when people speak to me about Norway, it’s usually about the fjords – and I’ve never been to the fjords! Everybody else seems to have been, but I haven’t – at least not yet – though I really want to explore Norway more.

“I want to go to where Erling is from (Bryne) and have been to Bergen which is really nice, and I want to go back there again. But I’ve only been to the north of Norway a couple times and that’s somewhere I’d also love to explore more.”

And there is nowhere more festive than Lapland at Christmas, which is just a short flight away from Oslo – and another place Oscar is planning to go to at some stage.

“Lapland – it’s on my bucket list as I hear it is an incredible place,” he says.

“It’s not so far from Norway and Manu Akanji spent New Year’s Eve there with his family last year and thought it was fantastic, so I plan to go there as well.”

Interview: David Clayton/Jon Smith

Lauren Hemp picked the perfect occasion to grab her first WSL goal of the 2025/26 season.

City had roared into a two-goal lead in the first Manchester derby of the campaign heading into the half-time break but, with our rivals on the ropes, it was the winger who provided a knockout blow.

And what a strike it was – a stinging drive into the top corner with minimal back lift that left Safia Middleton-Patel with no chance from 25 yards.

It was Hemp’s first start since mid-September, when she’d been forced off with an ankle injury against Tottenham Hotspur, and the England international more than delivered.

Undoubtedly one of the finest wingers in world football, our number 11 helped England retain their European crown this summer but has had to battle her fair share of adversity over the past 12 months.

She missed almost half of last season with a knee injury, returning in time to help the Lionesses to glory in Switzerland, only to pick up that ankle issue in North London three games into the new campaign.

Thankfully, the winger is fit and firing once again for Club and country and loving every minute of it after a challenging 12 months.

Hemp begins: “It’s been a tough year because obviously I had the injury at the end of last year and then come back, literally just in time for the Euros and then got hurt again.

“It’s so refreshing and nice to be back with the squad again preparing. It’s really exciting and I’m so happy to be going again and being part of it.

“It’s the feeling we love, playing week in week out, it’s what you train for so it’s special.

“Rehab isn’t fun, it’s a lot of sweat and tears behind the scenes, it’s a lot of hard work that you have to go through to get back.

“To get back from my knee was big because I’d been out for so long, so to be back for a few games for City and the Euros was lovely, but it’s obviously hard, you just want some consistency and run of games and I couldn’t get that.

“It makes the comeback sweeter, but I’m glad it wasn’t as long as the last one. I want to help as much as I can and contribute to the team. I’m excited to be back out there doing what I love doing.”

Hemp’s return was carefully and patiently managed, meaning she was ready to hit the ground running heading into the November international break.

City went into that period with an 11-match unbeaten run and eight-game winning run in the WSL under our belt.

The England winger has found the net in our last two matches as well, adding to her stunning Manchester United strike with a slightly simpler tap-in against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup.

It’s an impressive run of results, with the Blues digging deep to come from behind or regain our lead in five of those 11 matches.

As Hemp explains, even if the performance hasn’t quite hit our usual standards, the results speak for themselves.

“At times last season we wouldn’t play as well, and the result would show that. It’s important to manage the game where we can, and a couple of times this season the performance hasn’t been where we wanted it to but we got the results,” she adds.

“At the end of the day, that’s what people will remember and this time next May we wouldn’t be looking at where we didn’t perform well, it’s about the results and the points.

“There’s always training where you can go and improve but if you don’t win at the weekend it doesn’t count for much.

“It’s great we’ve been able to do that, and it shows the commitment in the squad and the game management that we’ve been able to get those results through.

“It's been really good. I’m really happy with where the squad’s at. It’s about performing consistently which is what we’ve done.

“The clean sheets are important too as it gives us confidence as a group. Hopefully the wins will continue but I’m proud of the girls and what they’ve done.

“There’ve been a few injuries as well and changes to the squad but everyone who’s come in has done really well. We’re in a great position.”

A huge portion of credit for that impressive sequence of results must go to Head Coach, Andrée Jeglertz, who moved to the Joie Stadium this summer after leading Denmark at Euro 2025.

The Swede has made subtle changes to City’s style and line-up but has consistently emphasised that plenty of good work was already being done before his appointment.

Regardless, those alterations have so far bore plenty of fruit, and Hemp feels his methods are bringing the best out of her.

She said: “It's different. I really like the style of play and what he wants to get out of players.

“We’ve had a few conversations about what he wants from me this season so it’s important to have that close communication with a manager and have that support.

“They’ve really helped me take my game to the next level. I’ve had a lot of incredible managers at City and previously to that, everyone’s different in their own way but Andrée gives people a lot of freedom and the way he wants us to play really helps us thrive.”

Interview: George Kelsey

Journalists help record historic moments, and in the case of Managing Editor George Kelsey, he leads the Club’s content around the Women’s team.

From covering games to contract extensions to hosting the Official Man City Podcast, George helps publish hundreds of pieces of content each month for City fans to enjoy on mancity.com and on the Official Man City App.

And I’m sure you’ll have seen plenty of his work in previous editions of the City Magazine.

We asked him to come out from behind the laptop screen and instead take centre stage to talk about his role within City’s content team…

CITY MAG: George, hopefully it doesn’t feel too weird going from interviewer to interviewee! First, where did your passion of wanting to work in the editorial space of football come from?

GEORGE: I think like a lot of people who work as journalists, my interest in football media stemmed from going to matches as a kid. My Dad would always buy the matchday programme from any home or away game we were at, so I'd spend hours reading it cover to cover. I know it sounds a bit weird, but I'd also spend a lot of evenings as a kid drawing up league tables like I'd seen them in the programme. I'd try and make them 'realistic' at the time, which often meant Liverpool and United were relegated every season! Watching, playing and reading about football was always such a massive part of my childhood, so it felt like a natural progression into adulthood.

CITY MAG: That’s lovely! How did you then come to be in your role at City?

GEORGE: It was a bit of a 'right place, right time' situation. I'd just finished a Sports Journalism Masters at Salford University, and the Club had spoken to one of my lecturers to see if anyone wanted to do a bit of freelance work on matchdays.

He put my name forward and, on my trial shift, City scored an own goal from 40 yards inside the opening 10 minutes! I was asked to come back and cover our Men's, Women's, EDS and U18s sides as a freelancer while also working for the BBC and became a permanent member of the team towards the end of the 2020/21 season.

12 months on, my role became more geared to our Women's coverage, which came naturally as I have an older sister who played football and a Mum who's as mad about football as my Dad, so a lot of my childhood was spent watching England Women in particular. Meeting Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, Demi Stokes et al was a real 'pinch me' moment - they were the best in the business and I was desperate to help give them the platform they deserved.

CITY MAG: So what does an ‘average’ day look like for you?

GEORGE: It's such a cliché, but there honestly isn't an average day in this role! While I have to consider the usual 'day to day' content for our fans, such as information around upcoming games, press conferences, milestones etc., there's also a longer-term consideration.

For example, is a player nearing 100 appearances? Or is there a big game at the Etihad coming up that we need to plan for? Is there a contract extension coming up? Each of these requires significant planning and co-ordination across each different area of the media team, and as a 'core' group working on women's content, we have to plan ahead for these big milestones. It's demanding, but it's very, very fun.

CITY MAG: And then what does a matchday look like for the editorial team when covering Man City Women?

GEORGE: Matchdays are my favourite day to work, without question. We typically have two members of the team working on a matchday, with one of us predominantly covering our Matchday Centre - a live blog which provides minute-by-minute commentary - and the other looking after the match report. There are also interviews to conduct with our manager and players after the game, as well as push notifications to send when key moments in the game happen. When you're watching a game as a fan, you want tons of goals, late drama, red cards, comeback wins, the lot. As a journalist - you want absolutely none of them! Again, it's incredibly fast-paced but it's crucial you're accurate and clear in your writing. Sometimes you need to take yourself out of the game and think about what the fans want to see from your content.

CITY MAG: What do you think makes the editorial content at City stand out?

GEORGE: I am incredibly lucky to work with a bunch of incredibly talented journalists and fantastic human beings. I think that's clear in our writing as well, and although it's easy to say this, I don't think any other team can match our mix of information, live coverage and archival material. City have gone on to become a global phenomenon in recent years, and we've done an amazing job at marking those moments in our history, but what I love about our team is that the past is never forgotten. Some of the finest work we've produced has focused on lesser-known players, games and teams from 30, 40 or 50 years ago or stories that are intrinsically 'City'. This is the Club we know and love, and it's crucial that we never lose sight of that. And together with my colleagues, we have done our best to keep that going.

CITY MAG: And from all that content you’ve spoken about, what piece of work are you most proud of?

GEORGE: Personally, it would be our 10-year anniversary magazine for the Women's team, which marked a decade of professional football at the Club. It was packed full of interviews and creative features, and a real team effort between three of us, alongside our incredible graphics designers. To be able to bring something like that to life and celebrate our Women's team's past as well as the present was a real triumph. All this talk about the past... can you tell I did a history degree?

CITY MAG: It was great to see the history of the Women’s team honoured in such a way! Finally, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self/someone looking to get into the industry?

The biggest piece of advice for me is to try and approach everything with a positive attitude. You can learn and develop skills, but only if you're willing to do it, and people want to help you to do it. Coming in with a smile on your face, chatting to people and listening to your colleagues is so important and goes a lot further than you might think at the time. It's also great to have an 'end goal', but don't neglect 'short-term' things in pursuit of them.

Say yes to every opportunity you get, and build yourself up in ability and confidence rather than racing to get the biggest gig you possibly can. Journalism is very much a marathon, not a sprint, so enjoy the journey and absorb everything you can!

Interview: Holly Percival

This season we’re working round the calendar to bring you a session I’ve taken on a specific month of the year. These photos of Shaun and Bez were taken during the Black Grape years in Havana Cuba in December 95

Their record company needed Shaun and Bez to promote their album in the USA.

There was only one problem, and that was, erm, let’s just say they were in negotiation with U.S. immigration authorities, who had banned the group from entering the country, for their “recreational” behaviour.

Someone then had the bright idea of sending them to Cuba for a few days and flying the American writers in, too. Somehow, we (the NME) were invited to tag along for the ride.

The day after we arrived, the PR Anton and I went out to look for photo locations.

He was a tall white guy from Barnsley with long dreads; it’s fair to say he attracted attention. Lots of street kids were asking him for money and he just kept handing out US dollar bills. Word quickly spread, and hundreds more kids came to follow us, with Anton, striding through Havana like the Pied Piper, littering US bank notes over his shoulder.

The following morning, I arranged to take Shaun out to take some photos. When we stepped out of our hotel, there were at least 1000 kids waiting outside. “This is mad” said Shaun, “I had no idea we were so popular in Cuba”.

I broke the news gently to him: “You’re not.” I briefly explained that these kids were all waiting for Anton and his bottomless sack of money.

While we stood there, a huge cheer came from the crowd, I looked behind me thinking Castro had turned up, but it was the arrival of Anton they were cheering.

We went out and took photos with 1950s cars out on the street, and, inevitably with lots of kids getting in shot, we just couldn’t shake them off as Anton continued to unbalance the local economy by handing out money to everyone.

We headed back as it was time for the US interviews. Shaun was at his belligerent best, or worst, depending on whether you were a US journalist or not. He insisted on doing all the interviews at once, then fell asleep after the first question. I woke him up.

He listened to two more questions and said he couldn’t remember anything of what they were asking him about. “Ask Kevin,” he said, “he’s been everywhere with us for years.”

A writer for Spin magazine said he hadn’t travelled to Havana to interview a British photographer.

Shaun told him to make it all up then and went back to sleep.

Many years later, the journalist who wrote the NME feature, Ted Kessler, interviewed Shaun for The Guardian. Shaun said, “We’ve met before, haven’t we?” hoping that Ted would say something to spark his memory.

Ted replied, “Yes we went to Cuba together in ’95”

Shaun looked puzzled. “I’ve never been to Cuba”

“We did. It was me, you and Bez, and Kevin Cummins took the photos”

“Did we meet Castro” asked Shaun, grasping for something to jog his memory.

“No, we didn’t meet Castro” Ted replied.

“Thank (expletive) for that” said Shaun, “I wouldn’t have wanted to forget meeting him.”

There’s a certain logic to this, but it probably requires a greater mind than mine to unravel it all, so I’m not going to attempt it.

I’ve never been back to Cuba, but I’d like to imagine all those kids who collected reams of dollar bills from Anton have set up their own successful businesses since we left the island thirty years ago...

Kevin Cummins

FELIX GREEN

British-Swedish singer and songwriter Felix Green’s path into music began unexpectedly during his music production studies in Bristol, when he stepped behind the mic for the first time. The reaction to his raw, raspy voice was immediate, sparking a journey that has now culminated in this powerful debut release.

With influences that span Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and the Isley Brothers, alongside contemporary inspirations like Hozier, Sam Fender, and Loyle Carner, Felix bridges classic soul storytelling with a modern rawness. The result is a debut that timeless yet fresh, resonating with audiences on a deeply personal level.

On supporting City, he says: "As my family wasn’t too into football, along with my siblings I followed in my godfather's footsteps who had always been a City fan, and was Blue from day one. When thinking of top memories, I can’t look past the 2012 ‘AGUEROOO’ moment as I shared it with my family as well as my godfather, so it was a really special moment. Other than that, I’d have to say our first Champions League title and Treble will be hard to forget.

Below, Felix explains his Best XI choices...

Manager: Pep Guardiola
Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI:

Ederson: One of the most consistent keepers in the league and defined the new style of ‘ball playing keepers’

Pablo Zabaleta: A true City servant and workhorse on the pitch

Vincent Kompany: One of the best leaders the Premier League has ever seen

Ruben Dias: Body on the line type-player with a proper presence on the pitch

Aleksandar Kolarov: Weapon of a left foot and set piece master

Rodri: Ballon d’Or winner… what more needs to eb said?

Yaya Touré: The definition of a box to box player and unstoppable on his day

Kevin de Bruyne: Genius of the game with vision like no other player

David Silva: Magician from day one

Erling Haaland: Robot, Viking

Sergio Agüero: All-time leading goalscorer and… 93:20!

Subs:

Joe Hart: One of our longest serving keepers and most solid shot stoppers

Kyle Walker: Rapid, strong, intelligent = perfect full-back

Fernandinho: The kind of player where you love to have him, hate to face him

Phil Foden: One of our own!

Bernardo: A player that you are happy to have, anywhere on the pitch with an ever-running engine

Raheem Sterling: A driving force of attack in his time and a key player in our ‘Fourmidables’ season

Felix Green’s single ‘Dirty Cigarette’ is out now.
Link - https://www.instagram.com/felixgreen.music/

The clock continues to tick and this month we’re up to 12 and 13 combined – a dozen played or unlucky for some… find out who, below!

April 29, 1970

Neil Young puts City 1-0 up in the European Cup Winners' Cup final against Polish side Gornik Zabrze. As torrential rain soaks all inside the Prater Stadium in Austria, Francis Lee cuts in from the left wing, escapes a tackle from Alfred Olek, and strikes a fierce shot that keeper Hubert Kostka parries and Young makes no mistake, tucking the loose ball home from close range.

August 4, 2019

City get the upper hand in the 2019 Community Shield against Liverpool at Wembley. In a bid to get an early psychological advantage for the season ahead, the Blues edge ahead when Kevin De Bruyne's cross is flicked on by David Silva for Raheem Sterling who manages to get a slight connection under keeper Alisson and there is just enough power for the ball to cross the line.

November 7, 1987

What was the start of a quite incredible afternoon at Maine Road begins as City take a 1-0 lead over Huddersfield Town. The visitors, managed by Newcastle United legend Malcolm Macdonald, should have been three goals up by the time Neil McNab picked up the ball midway inside the Terriers' half, cut inside and drilled a low left-foot drive into the bottom right corner of the net. The first of 10 City goals that afternoon...

September 23, 1989

With City still celebrating the opening goal against Manchester United, the Blues double their lead to lift the roof off Maine Road. Mal Donaghy dithers on the edge of his own box and Trevor Morley steals the ball, fires in a low shot that keeper Jim Leighton pushes out.

Paul Lake picks up the loose ball, goes around a defender and fires in a shot that Leighton again saves, but this time Morley is first to react and he forces the ball home from a couple of yards out to put City 2-0 up. Cue pandemonium.

September 10, 2011

David Silva receives the ball on the left of the Wigan Athletic box, feigns a shot before looking up to see Sergio Aguero darting into the box. Kun takes the ball a touch to the right before hitting a low drive through the legs of a Wigan defender and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to put City 1-0 up against the Latics.

September 18, 2011

Gareth Barry passes to David Silva on the edge of the Fulham box and the Spanish playmaker plays the ball through to Sergio Aguero who darts clear of his marker before drawing Mark Schwarzer off his line and lifting the ball over the keeper and into the corner of the net to give City a 1-0 lead at Craven Cottage.

October 18, 2014

The first of four goals for Sergio Aguero against Spurs. Frank Lampard plays a simple pass to Aguero in the box and, after sizing up his options, he cuts back inside before hitting a low shot across the keeper and into the far corner to give the Blues an early lead.

August 5, 2018

Sergio Aguero (again!) scores his 200th Manchester City goal to put City 1-0 up in the 2018 Community Shield clash against Chelsea at Wembley.

The Blues open the scoring when Phil Foden bursts down the middle before playing a side pass to Aguero on the edge of the Chelsea box - he allows the ball to move across his body before firing a crisp low drive into the bottom right corner of the net to give Willy Caballero no chance.

city V IPSWICH
25 NOVEMBER 2000

I’m Football Focusing on the most recent programme so far with this episode of Get With The Programme. As recent as the November of 2000 to be exact!

As you can see below - Nicky Weaver is the cover star and is treating us all to a glimpse of the world-famous tongue not seen since it was lolling around his face during his memorable celebration following his brilliant save that gifted Man City promotion out of the Division Two of old. Many Blues consider this to be most important match in City’s history… and Nicky’s tongue WAS THERE!

So was I… but that’s another story.

Sticking with Nicky there is a rather misleading headline accompanying a photo of Nicky (no tongue sadly).

‘Pea soup and chips washed down with Becks’. I was desperately hoping for a shamefaced recalling of a tale involving all of the above. Liquidized peas. Deep fried spuds and German lager. All this followed by a blurry night asleep under a bush somewhere in Cheadle. But alas no. It turns out the Pea Soup was in actual fact the slang phrase for fog (which led to an abandoned England match Nicky was playing in). The ‘chip’ involved had nothing at all to do with a Maris Piper (or any other kind of spud). It refers to a ‘cheeky chip’ by Paolo Di Cannio. How disappointing. As for the Becks…I’m presuming it refers to David Beckham of whom I can see no mention of.

I bought this programme from Pear Mill Emporium in Stockport. £2 I paid - and to be frank I’m thinking of asking for my money back.

I hope you’ve been enjoying our Caption Competitions! There’s a good one coming up for you. But not before we see one of the most inventive (or daft - depending on your point of view) competitions in living memory.

I won’t try to explain it. This is it.

I won’t spoil your ‘fun’. I’ll give you the correct answer at the end of this episode.

Oh! The Caption Competition I was talking about.

This programme features many shots taken at the previous week's home derby (we lost 0-1). My favourite though was too good to resist. If you think you can make us laugh with an appropriate or hilarious speech bubble for this - give it your best shot!

As usual, the winner will be treated to some Man City related trinket or other. Don’t mention it.

I think I know who my money would have been on!

If I wasn’t gifted such a dream of a shot for this Caption Competition I could well have gone for this one!

Or even this!

The shot above must be of GREAT INTEREST to any True Blue! Just consider the date it was taken.

25th November 2000.

That's roughly SEVEN MONTHS before a VERY SPECIAL day in MCFC’s history. That being the birth of Alfie’s heralded and celebrated son Erling! Little did Alfie know but wife, Gry Marita Braut, was carrying one of the greatest footballers ever in her tummy.

Lets now turn our attention to the great Danny Tiatto.

All together now…

Ti-a Ti-a Tiatto -Tiatto Tiatto.

Danny. The fiery Australian who suffered the indignity of being associated with myself and my former Radio 1 partner Mark Radcliffe.

“How so?” I hear you say!

Feast your eyes on this.

And THIS!

Yes - it was yet ANOTHER competition. The hours flew by!

You had to guess which Manchester City star was dressed up as Santa. Though to be honest, I would have to admit that the most severe indignity must’ve been shared by Mark and I as two of Santa’s elves.

Never mind all that… WE GOT TO MEET DANNY TIATTO.

This wasn’t for a match-day programme. It was for the printed version of the City Magazine (R.I.P.) and was instigated by the fact that Raddy and I (alongside Radio1) ‘adopted’ Danny!! By that I don’t mean he came to live with us in our co-owned Mock Tudor Mansion in Bramhall. It was more of a ‘sponsorship’ kinda thing!! That’s right! Back in the dark ages any City player could be sponsored by anyone with £500 in their pocket!

If you don’t believe me - LOOKY HERE!

Imagine if you can, Sergio aligned to a tyre fitting company on Ashton Old Road, or Yaya Toure having his photo taken with a ladies hairstylist based in Timperley!

Welcome to a parallel universe!!

Lee Crooks - Bluebird Bus and Coach Co.
Shauny Wright Phillips - Clive Watson Autoglaze
Alfie Haaland - Moorend Golf Course.

I hope Erling’s dad got a few free rounds at least!

So, all things considered, Danny probably came out of this not too shabbily.

Just considering the entirely justifiable celebration of Women’s Football these days let’s take a quick look at the trailblazers. Not only were they leading the way - but Man City’s Ladies team were also busily beating the Reds too!

Its nearly time to go but before I do, I’d like to re-ignite the disbelief and excitement that was George Weah in a Manchester City shirt.

FIFA’s World Player Of The Year… at Maine Road.

Deep joy.

At this point he was on his way out… but nevertheless… GEROGE WEAH!!!

As promised (though if you got it right you win precisely nothing)... here’s the ‘SOAP STAR’ ANSWER - IAN BISHOP (which I correctly guessed. Honest I did).

As is the tradition I’ll leave you with a shot of the back page of this programme of our fixture against Ipswich Town. A match which we lost, by the way, 2-3.

Some footballers have been given the innate gift of finding the back of the net almost every time they take to the pitch.

For others, it feels more like a present when they get to experience the unrivalled joy of scoring a goal.

Erling Haaland, Sergio Aguero and Eric Brook are the types of players who grab (or grabbed) headlines and adulation week in week out for their goalscoring exploits, but what about the rest of us?

It must feel like Christmas has come early when a tireless servant, someone who puts the team first always, gets to celebrate a strike of their own.

Few City stalwarts have ever deserved their moment in the spotlight – or fairy lights, if we’re sticking with the Christmas theme – quite as much as Richard Edghill.

In 210 games for the Blues from 1993 to 2002, he scored just the once. Officially, at least.

He’s not alone in finding the net on only one occasion for City, with 123 others joining him on the 501st highest total in terms of goals scored for the Blues.

Edghill’s bullseye moment came in his 156th game, more than six years after making his Maine Road debut.

He had, however, technically found the back of the net a few months prior.

Although it was a strike that many City fans of the required age will be able to retell much quicker than his official effort, it did not count toward his career tally.

That’s because it came in the famous penalty shoot-out victory over Gillingham at Wembley that earned us promotion from the third tier.

City fans hadn’t always appreciated Edghill’s work, but that moment has stuck with any Blue who was alive to witness it.

So, on to the goal that he can claim with no dispute.

The right-back netted the first in a 2-0 Division One win over Blackburn Rovers, receiving the adulation of more than 30,000 in our beautiful old home.

Clearly a popular member of the squad, Edghill was then mobbed his team-mates.

Unfortunately for Edghill in particular, that game wasn’t even the most memorable against Blackburn in that campaign.

Instead, Joe Royle’s Blues would win 4-1 at Ewood Park the following May to secure promotion back to the Premier League, with thousands watching on from the exposed hill outside the stands.

Born in Oldham, Edghill showed incredible promise through our youth ranks and was capped at Under-21 level by England but a serious of injuries hampered his development.

He wasn’t helped by being part of a tumultuous period for the Club, with relegations and promotions up and down the divisions all too common.

A couple of in-and-out seasons gave way to consistency in 1997/98, before he played a key role in the back-to-back promotions of 1998/99 and 1999/00 – a feat that many credit with kickstarting the Manchester City we see today.

On the right of a solid back four that was intent on defending first and foremost and leaving those ahead to produce the magic, goal-getting opportunities were scarce.

But that’s the life of a full-back, who can’t even rely on venturing forward for set pieces to pick up the odd goal here and there.

While it may have been a long road there, there’s no doubt that Edghill, a local lad who gave his all for City every single time, left the Club in a better place than he found it.

After leaving in 2002 with Kevin Keegan’s side on the way back to the top-flight, he spent time with QPR, Bradford City and Macclesfield before calling it a day.

He’s since furthered his impression on the Club, returning as a youth coach, doing matchday hospitality and even leading some tours of the Etihad in 2012, where he – of course – recounted tales of his one and only ‘official’ strike.

Feature: Jack Mumford

Bersant Celina

Swansea v City, March 16 2019, Liberty Stadium, FA Cup

Continuing our series looking at former City players who later scored against the Blues, we recall a thrilling cup tie from nearly seven years ago...

When you think of all the young players that pass through the Manchester City Academy and go on to have impressive careers, either in Blue or away from the Club, to be named the EDS Player of the Year is no mean feat.

Among past winners are current City winger Oscar Bobb, England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis and current holder Max Alleyne, impressing on loan with Watford.

Back in 2015/16, promising young forward Bersant Celina was a worthy winner of the award after a string of excellent performances in the Under-21 Premier League.

The rising star had an eye for the spectacular with a sweet right foot that saw him add perfect free-kicks against Southampton, Chelsea and Norwich to an impressive goalscoring showreel.

Celina had already played international football for Kosovo when he made his first-team City debut in the FA Cup third round victory over Norwich and featured again in the next round as we swept aside Aston Villa.

A Premier League debut followed the week after as Celina claimed an assist for Sergio Aguero in a 3-1 defeat to eventual champions Leicester City.

His first start came in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea when Manuel Pellegrini rested much of his side ahead of a Champions League trip to Dynamo Kyiv but it would be his last ever appearance for City.

After signing a new contract and featuring on the pre-season tour to China under Pep Guardiola, the 19-year-old headed out on loan to gain more experience.

A season at FC Twente in the Netherlands was followed by an even better year at Ipswich Town before he finally made a permanent move, switching to Swansea.

And, of course, his debut season would see him reunited with his old club as City headed down to South Wales for a difficult FA Cup quarter-final tie against Graham Potter’s side.

The Liberty Stadium was bouncing for the arrival of Pep Guardiola’s Centurions and the volume went up another notch when Matt Grimes scored from the penalty spot after Fabian Delph had tripped Connor Roberts.

Then came Celina’s magic moment to spark real concerns of an upset as the home side superbly cut through the City defence.

The ball eventually came to Celina just inside the box and he coolly curled a shot beyond Ederson and into the top corner.

Coming in front of a shellshocked away end, the young player ran towards his own fans to celebrate, but it would be understandable if he took an extra pleasure in showing City what they were missing.

Except, of course, City were imperious and fought our way to victory. Bernardo pulled a goal back, Raheem Sterling won a penalty converted by Aguero via the goalkeeper before the Argentinian’s late winner, which may have been offside!

Now 29, Celina is playing top-flight football in Sweden for AIK after a career that has also taken in Dijon in France, Kasimpasa in Turkey and Stoke City as well as close to 40 appearances for his country.

City, meanwhile, went on to win the trophy with an FA Cup record-equalling 6-0 win over Watford two months later.

Feature: Jonathan Smith

Christmas 1971

Hard as it might seem to believe today, Christmas in the 1960s and 1970s meant the Manchester City panto – and that involved first team players.

Held annually at the City Social Club beside Maine Road, the one -off pantomime was the hottest ticket in town for City fans who packed out the house for this festive treat.

We reckon this was in December 1971, with Francis Lee (left), Joe Corrigan (centre), Mike Summerbee (right) and Tony Book (centre, back) and was a production of Aladdin.

Just imagine if Bernardo, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland performed a production of Dick Whittington in the Legends Lounge? Gianluigi Donnarumma could play the cat!

Now there’s an idea…

Huddersfield 1-3 City
Second Division | December 27 1983 | Leeds Road

Huddersfield: Cox, Pugh, Burke, Stanton, Sutton, Hanvey, Lillis, Doyle, Stonehouse, Wilson, Cowling. Unused sub: Russell.

City Williams, Lomax, Bond, McCarthy, Power, May, McNab, Baker, Kinsey, Tolmie, Parlane. Unused sub: Ranson.

Christmas is not always the “most wonderful time of the year” if you’re a footballer. The calendar gets busier, family celebrations can be put on hold and there’s no opportunity for that glass of sherry or two that some of us indulge ourselves with!

Coaches too, have to be wary of a hectic schedule and avoid players hitting the red zone, being careful over their fitness that is, not the Santa section of the fancy dress store.

But that wasn’t always the case. Back in 1983 it was all about getting on with it – training on Christmas Day, match on Boxing Day and another on December 27.

It seems inconceivable now that the fixture ‘super computer’ would schedule two full rounds of games in the space of 24 hours, but that’s exactly how it was four decades ago.

The matches were at least against local opponents and at 3pm – in 1983 we faced Oldham Athletic at home on December 26 before the relatively short journey to Huddersfield.

City players could at least be grateful that they weren’t with one of the more remote English clubs – Sunderland travelling to Everton or Burnley at Walsall seemed unfairly long journeys.

But it was an important double-header for Billy McNeill’s side as we chased promotion back to the top-flight after our shock relegation the previous season.

December had seen a mixed bag of results up to that point. It started with an away win at top of the table Chelsea but was followed by defeat at Maine Road to second-placed Sheffield Wednesday and a goalless draw at bottom side Cambridge United.

Boxing Day at least brought some cheer as Derek Parlane and Steve Kinsey were on target in a 2-0 win over Oldham.

The following day came the short trip across the Pennines to Leeds Road – a compact noisy stadium before the luxury of their current Accu Stadium and place where the Terriers had only been beaten once all season.

Leeds Road was a tight and intimidating ground and lit by the ‘Denis Law floodlights’ as they were nicknamed after they were bought with the money City spent on signing the Scottish striker in 1961.

City started with two Scottish strikers again in Parlane and Jim Tolmie with boss McNeill keeping the same team from the day before as we aimed to cement our place in the promotion spots.

But it was young Blue Kinsey, who had been with the Club since the age of 14 who continued his good form, rounding off a quick City move inside seven minutes to fire us ahead.

It got better before the break when Graham Baker added a second but Kevin Stonehouse pulled a goal back and Huddersfield threatened to get back into the game.

Another City youngster who settled the clash late on, Geoff Lomax grabbing what would be his only ever goal for the Blues to secure a Christmas double.

The good news for the squad was that they weren’t in action again until New Year’s Eve and a return trip to Yorkshire to face Barnsley.

However, fast forward a few months to April when Huddersfield played and won at Maine Road, our promotion hopes were effectively over.

Feature: Jonathan Smith

Under-18s midfielder Charlie Holt has been put to the test as he selects his Academy 5-a-side team.

Like always, Holt had to abide by the following rules when building his squad: he can only select one goalkeeper, one defender, two midfielders and one striker. And they can only be players he has played alongside during his time at City’s Academy.

Who did he select?

GOALKEEPER:
I’m going to go with Max Hudson. He's quite tall so would be good in the little 5-a-side nets and can play out from the back as well which is helpful.

DEFENDER:
A tough choice, but I’m going to pick Leke Drake. He's physical and good at getting the ball off the opposition.

MIDFIELDER:
I’ve got to go with Tyrone Samba. His dribbling is great, and I think that would be even more important on a little 5-a-side pitch.

MIDFIELDER:
Myself - Charlie Holt, I just try to score goals and win the ball back. I think Ty and I would work well together too.

FORWARD:
Has to be Teddie Lamb. He scores goals and he’s always there at the right time. He's also physical so can win the ball back for us too if we press quickly.

Interview: Holly Percival

Sergio Aguero
March 2012

Trawling back through the City Magazine archives, we found our first ever interview with the legend that would become Sergio Aguero…

Sergio Agüero and Manchester City is a match made in heaven – and here the Argentine striker reveals how life has been since his summer move from Atletico Madrid…

CITY MAG: Did you imagine you would become such a huge favourite among the City fans so quickly?

SERGIO: It’s always gratifying to be considered as an important member of the team by the fans. Hearing your name being chanted across the stadium… it’s quite a rush. It’s stimulating, it makes me want to give my best on the pitch. But being held in high regard is only useful if it’s useful for the team itself, and so that we can reach our goals every season. There’s also the fact that their support gives me confidence, and I try to pay it back by playing my best football.

Has the season gone as you expected, or has it been better/worse?

I think it’s been better than I expected. Personally, I was able to adapt quickly to the team and to the Premier League. That was all due to my team-mates, the club and the fans. The team itself has had a great season, and I hope that we can take some important achievements to top it off. I’ve been told we’ve broken historic records and that’s already an achievement. I’ve also learnt it’s important to respect an on-going process. This has been one for the better, anyway you look at it. Of course we want the big prize, and that’s what we are trying to achieve.

You have been very close to some fantastic individual goals this season, beating three or four players and almost scoring the perfect goal – is it fair to say we can expect even more from you next season?

I hope so! I never hold back in doing my share for the team. If that sometimes means that we’ll see unique plays, that’s even better since they are great to watch and football played well is enjoyable for everyone involved. But if a simple assist or a goal off a rebound helps the team win, that doesn’t disagree with me at all either…

You appear to have a close relationship with the City fans, and they have great affection for you – do you enjoy that and how does it differ from Atletico?

Of course, I enjoy it. I was lucky to be well received in every club I’ve played for. It was the case at Independiente de Avellaneda then at Atlético de Madrid, and now here. The supporters of each team are different – but they all share the same passion for their teams. It’s true that they all express it in different ways, but the feeling is still the same. To me, having this kind of relationship is a privilege. It’s comforting and stimulating when I go down to the field.

We all know what a big family guy you are – your son Benjamin seems to have inherited your genes and maybe his grandfather (Diego Maradona) – do you watch games with him and is he a City fan now?

Benjamin is a blessing. He plays ball all day and he loves it. It runs in the blood, right? But that’s just something natural – he takes the ball and asks anyone who comes home to play with him, with no pressure from our side. Ben likes watching the games and he goes to the stadium with my wife all the time. The day we gave him his first Manchester City jersey, there was no way to get him to take it off…

How have you and your family adapted to living in Manchester? What do you enjoy about this country, and have you had chance to see its beauty rather than just the city you live in?

We’ve adapted well, and we haven’t been here for too long either. The staff of the club and my team-mates have been helpful, especially Pablo Zabaleta. Everyone has made us feel like home. We still would like to know the city and the outskirts more, but we don’t have too much free time in our hands. But from what we’ve seen, we find it quite nice.

Some players celebrate a goal as though it’s just part of your job – you always celebrate as though it’s your first goal – why is that?

I wouldn’t know – every goal is special. I just celebrate in the way it comes out at the moment. That could be related to our Latin blood, right? Argentinian men are very passionate. And football is our passion, it’s my passion. It’s that simple.

Your father in law is one of the most famous men on the planet? What does he think of Manchester City, and will he ever attend a game?

Diego is now working in Dubai, so he has little time to travel. I’m sure he’ll come when he gets the chance. He’s a man of football – he knows what is going on in every club in the world. That includes City as well, of course…

What do you like to do away from football? Do you watch English TV or get out shopping, etc.?

We carry a normal life and do what any ordinary family does. We try to spend our free time together and enjoy it, and enjoy Ben – he manages to surprise us every day more and more. He’s going through a wonderful age, barely three years old, and it’s such a pride to hear him speak or say his thoughts. We don’t go out too much for the reasons I previously stated, we don’t have a ton of time in our hands. We do watch TV, I try to browse around to see if there’s anything good on – and since I’m at it, I try improving my own English, I get better every day. For example, whenever I go training I turn on the radio – I can’t follow everything but I’ll eventually be able to do so.

You take a great interest in Twitter and social media – how important is it for you to be able to get messages out instantly?

Yeah, absolutely. These are great tools to speak to my fanbase. I like telling them my own thoughts without any third parties in the way.

You were once incorrectly quoted as saying ‘I’m the Che Guevara of football’ - which upset you. Did a journalist make this up or did they misunderstand what you were trying to say?

That happened as soon as I arrived at Manchester City. Some newspaper published a story with that statement. But I hadn’t spoken with any journalist yet. So it was all a fabrication. Of course I wasn’t glad about it. There’s evidently some people with wild imaginations. But this is something that happens everywhere, and it only happened to me in England once. I respect the press and I feel they respect me back. But there will always be bad seeds in every profession.

Are you aware of the interest in City back in Argentina?

Sort of, yes. I haven’t got the chance to return to Buenos Aires after arriving to Manchester. But my family and friends tell me so. We have three Argentinian players in the squad and that generates more buzz. Besides, the Premier League matches are transmitted live on TV, every single one of them, and that’s also a boost. Argentinians love good football and Manchester City has played some great games this season. They appreciate that back home and makes the team very popular.

How do you like the City fans’ song ‘Sergio, Sergio!’ and would you like them to think up anything else?

I like it. (Laughs) It’s original, too. In Argentina, it was “Agüero, Agüero”, while in Spain they chanted “Kun, Kun, Kun…” And now it’s the “Sergio, Sergio” that was missing. I like how they say it – it’s pronounced “SEHR-hee-oh” in Spanish, and it’s fun to hear the Mancunians’ “SEHR-gee-o”. I know the fans can come up with new songs on their own, but I’ll always welcome any new ones.

If we don’t win the league this year, do you think we will next season?

Why wait until next season if we can win it now? We’re fighting ‘til the very end. We all want to make it.

Interview: David Clayton

The festive season is finally upon us and while we’re too busy wondering where the year has gone, our City Women’s stars have been reminiscing on Christmas past as they revealed their favourite presents growing up and traditions.

‘Tis the season of joy and laughter so we also threw in a couple of pop culture related questions, too.

Rewinding back in time we’re transported into their childhood homes as we start with favourite presents, which of course brought back a whole lot of nostalgia.

For City winger Lauren Hemp it came as no surprise that the European Champion picked a particular Danish brand that specialise in interlocking bricks.

“Probably some Lego,” she laughed.

“I’ll probably say that because it started my love for it. I think my first set was a Ghostbusters car, and I really enjoyed making it so from there I just carried on. Normally with hobbies I can get bored of them but that’s one that’s stuck with me for a while.”

Surprisingly she wasn’t the only one to pick the iconic toy, as Rebecca Knaak also reminisced on the times she spent building creative objects with her family.

“I remember my brother, my cousins, we used to get Lego and then we would just build the whole evening. Actually, then my parents and all the other grown-ups had the same fun as we had so I guess it was actually the best present for everyone,” the German defender said.

“I remember I got one of these Lego Technic but it was like you could do three things out of it. I think one was a submarine, one was a helicopter, and then you could do another one. But I remember I've done the helicopter like 10 times and it was really tricky, but that was our favourite one definitely.”

Ayaka Yamashita’s favourite present growing up was housed in an egg-shaped handheld video game.

“A Tamagotchi! That was very popular at the time, so that was my favourite,” the City ‘keeper said.

For those who might not be aware, the goal is to raise the Tamagotchi pet as it goes through different life stages and it was the world’s first virtual pet. The first handheld toy has released in 1996 and the original sold about 40 million units worldwide.

The pet would develop differently depending on the care the player provided, with some even dying due to poor care! I’m sure if our number 31’s goalkeeping skills are anything to go by her Tamagotchi friend will have been in safe hands.

From digital pets to living pets, Laura Wienroither received a very special delivery from Santa. A little Shih Tzu called Wieny – after their surname of course.

“I remember me and my brother got a dog once.

“So we had no idea, we’d always wanted a dog and then obviously in the evening when we opened the presents, there was like a little box with like all holes in it and we were like, oh, that's a bit weird, so we opened it and they said our parents had ordered something for the both of us and so we opened it. It was a little puppy in there. So that was the best Christmas present.”

Moving onto more traditional proceedings we asked about their favourite Christmas traditions and even learnt a thing or two about different cultures.

However, we start with a slightly unusual tradition in Japan that always catches the headlines is their chosen holiday meal. An estimated 3.6 million Japanese families get their ‘Christmas dinner' from none other than KFC!

It’s known as one of their most sacred traditions and Aoba Fujino is no stranger to doing Christmas the Colonel way.

“My mum was working at Kentucky Fried Chicken, so me and my family we all ate KFC chicken. On Christmas night, Santa Claus came and gave us presents and waiting for him to come with presents, they are my big memories of Christmas. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Santa Claus.

“One Christmas I wrote a letter to Santa with my sister and also we left cookies for him. The following morning, we found the cookies all gone and also he replied to our letters in English so we were very impressed and really believed he existed.”

Speaking of Christmas dinner, it’s a personal favourite for Alex Greenwood, who will wait eagerly all year round in anticipation of the sacred meal.

“I love being with my family,” the City captain explained.

“It’s a time where you get to spend some crucial time with your loved ones. I’m so grateful for what I do, but this job doesn’t allow for that often. I also love a roast dinner, but only on Christmas. It’s a very English thing to have it on a Sunday but it’s not for me. But that one on Christmas Day just hits differently, the trimmings, the sauce, the pigs in blankets. If I’m going to do it, I want to do it properly, so I save myself once a year to have my roast.”

In Germany and Austria, they celebrate Christmas on the 24 December, which was both Laura Wienroither and Rebecca Knaak’s favourite traditions as they get to spend the day with their families, and of course going with the theme so far, eating a whole lot of tasty food.

Down Under, the festive period looks vastly different with families often spending their day on golden sandy beaches.

Instead of being tucked inside, they celebrate with a summer theme and sometimes even a Barbecue, as Mary Fowler explained.

“Growing up, my family would always go to the beach and we just spend quite a bit of time there,” the Aussie international said.

“I remember, we'd have crackers and seafood and I love doing that because then we'd open our gifts in the morning and then we could bring some of our games to the beach and then we all eat there and play.

“Now that I’m a bit older and I live overseas, it's a bit harder to carry those things on. But a more realistic one would be doing Secret Santa. I love doing it, I think it's so exciting. I love gift giving, I think it's really a love language of mine, but I buy too many gifts. My bank account doesn't like it. I do not stick to the budget. Oh, I love Christmas so much.”

With the dark nights drawing in there’s nothing better than sitting down, hot chocolate in hand ready to watch your favourite Christmas film, but with so many to choose from, there’s obviously nothing better than a classic.

Home alone was a popular amongst Codie Thomas, Lily Murphy, Lauren Hemp and Mary Fowler. With Eartha Cummings and Rebecca Knaak picking the classic Love Actually and Laura Coombs going with The Holiday.

Home Alone is a true classic, even if you’ve watched it 1000 times, Love Actually is worth it just for Hugh Grant’s dancing alone and The Holiday is set in the most beautiful location, so I think our players have concocted the perfect films to kick off your festive movie marathon.

Despite some radio stations playing Christmas songs in November, we took it to the next level by starting in October and you can’t play festive music that early without a few laughs and of course multiple karaoke sessions mid-interview.

Laura Coombs opted for Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson along with Lauren Hemp, although it’s not one of the standard choices, it can’t be denied that the 2013 hit is a true classic for the holiday season. This year the record actually crept into the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the third week of November, marking its earliest return ever.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a section about Christmas music without mentioning the icon that is Mariah Carey and All I want for Christmas is you.

As the pop diva eagerly awaits her permission to defrost, Rebecca Knaak, Codie Thomas and Mary Fowler will be ready to whack it straight on the playlist come December.

Words: Alice Wright

Exciting Elite Development Squad star Emilo Lawrence is gearing up for what promises to be a memorable second half to the season for both club and county.

As well as impressing for City’s Under-21s for far this term, the left winger has also made a superb transition onto the international stage with Scotland.

Lawrence is currently part of a talented Scottish Under-21 squad who have made a fine fist of things so far in their 2027 European Under-21 qualifying campaign.

The Scottish youngsters currently sit third in Group B after playing six games but lie within striking distance of both the second placed Czech Republic and leaders Portugal, whom they both play next March.

The top side in the group qualifies directly for the tournament in 2027, which is being held in Albania and Serbia, while the second-placed team has a chance of being involved in the play-offs.

Lawrence has been at the heart of the Scotland youngsters’ fine showing to date – with his impact best illustrated by a quite remarkable four goal haul in October’s 12-0 demolition of Gibraltar Under-21s.

That night at Dundee’s Dens Park ground was an occasion to savour for Lawrence, who qualifies to play for Scotland through his Glasgow-born mum.

And he says he has relished being handed the opportunity to transfer his fine club form onto the international stage.

“It’s a really nice feeling, to be able to help the team, and I think the belief is definitely there that we can qualify for the Under-21 finals,” said Emilio.

“The Gibraltar match was just a fun game, to be honest.

“I think I got the first goal early on and from then on the team was really up for it and I think we were just able to control the game quite easily and showcase what we can do.

“It's a different dynamic compared to playing with your club, but that's just one of the things that makes international football so good. It's like a breath of fresh air and a completely different experience.

“I really do enjoy going there every time we meet up.

“Obviously it only happens at certain times of the season where you get the opportunity to go and do this. It's just different.

“You are on an international stage where probably more people are watching than what you normally get in PL2.

“And you don't get to play international football every day or so. It's just important that I just take in what I can now.

“The vibes are really good up there with rest of the Scottish guys. It's a good team.

“I've got quite a good group up there [who I spend time with]. There's about 7-8 of us who really get on well. We just get together when we camp and it's just always a great time for everyone.

“Now we’ve got two big fixtures coming up with Czech Republic and Portugal early next year.

“I think if we can beat Czech Republic in that first game, we would be in a really good position to then qualify.

“I believe we can do it and I think everyone else does too.”

Whilst Lawrence and his Under-21 colleagues have their eyes on European qualification, for Scotland’s senior side, the long wait for a cherished place at the World Cup finals in finally over.

Last month’s dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark sealed the Scots’ ticket through to the game’s ultimate showpiece for the first time in 28 years.

And Lawrence says the fact that Scotland will be gracing football’s biggest event in North America and Mexico next summer will serve as the mother of all incentives for him and every other young aspiring Scottish player.

“I was on my way home from camp when the game was on, but I was watching it and obviously it was an amazing occasion,” Emilio added.

“It was really good to see [us do it]. It's been a while since 1998 or something [since we reached the finals]. So, it was really nice to see them finally get there.

“And, for sure, the whole country is on a big high right now.

“It's a lot of time from now until the end of the season. A lot can happen, whether I maybe get a chance in the first team or go on loan in January.

“And you know, if [that happened and I did] really well there, then you never know.

“It's not impossible so I’ve got that extra motivation to try and push on.”

More immediately, Lawrence’s focus is now trained on helping City’s EDS enjoy a strong end to the calendar year in PL2 after what has been an up and down first few months of the 2025/26 season.

Ahead of our next league game away at Sunderland on December 6, the City youngsters had won three, drawn one and lost four from our first eight games.

However, Lawrence is adamant that best is yet to come from Ben Wilkinson’s young charges.

“I think it's a very different squad to what we had last year with lot of players all across different age groups,” Emilio points out.

“I think if anything, it was just finding ourselves a little bit , getting used to each other and each other’s playstyles [in the early stages of the season].

“We might not have had the best start, but there's still a long way to go to the end of the season.

“And I think we've got more than enough talent to obviously bounce back and get back up to where we should be, so we've got no doubts we can do that.”

Interview: Neil Leigh

A new face, that you probably haven’t missed thanks to his towering presence in City’s goal, is keeper Ben Vickery, who joined City’s Under-18s in the summer.

The 16-year-old signed his scholarship with the Club at the start of the 2025/26 season, shortly after making the move to Manchester from Hibernian.

People often say goalkeepers are a little crazy, volunteering to dive around and be peppered with shots for 90 minutes doesn’t sound like the most enjoyable way to spend your weekend.

But for Vickery, through his love of rugby, the shot stopper felt like being in between the sticks was always his calling.

“As soon as I started playing football, I’ve always been a goalkeeper,” began Vickery.

“I think playing rugby played a big part in that. And my Dad used to play for Sunderland Boys too, as a goalkeeper, and his army teams too.

“I think because I’m a big guy as well that helps me a bit.

“I’d say the biggest similarity between football and rugby is that I like to get muddy, diving about.

“And the communication in both is a big part, and I just enjoy getting my hands on a ball.”

At the tender age of 16, Vickery moved to the City Football Academy by himself, and has spent the past three to four months settling in to life in Oliver Reiss’ Under-18s.

He’s stepped up to the challenge of learning City’s style of play and with two wins from two league appearances, it seems like he’s taken it in his stride.

“The process [of joining City] was done really quickly,” said Vickery.

“The transition of moving away from my parents and everything, I think after the first month it’s a dream! It’s really enjoyable living with my mates all the time and playing football every day, it’s what you want.

“I’ve been enjoying developing and learning City’s style. I think all clubs want to play similar to us. Everyone wants to try and build out from the back, keep the ball as long as they can so I think being at Hibs before helped because it was a different experience to now.

“We liked to play out but it wasn’t the be all and end all. But I think at City it’s really enjoyable.

“And then my debut was really enjoyable to be honest. My first game in the league was Stoke and it was quite a tough one because they were pressing really high.

“It was different to how we would want to play but it was a big three points at the end of the day.

“It was a dream come true getting to put on the City shirt, it’s what every boy wants. And then in the next game I got a clean sheet against Burnley too, that’s all I want as a goalkeeper.”

Vickery has also been developing on the international stage. After living in Scotland for a prolonged period, he was able to represent them at youth level but has since opted to represent England again.

And he’s looking to use that experience as City fight to retain the Under-18 Premier League North title.

“I think my heart was always on [representing] England,” Vickery admitted.

“It’s where I was born, and all my family are English. But representing Scotland was still a really proud moment for me.

“And I’m just excited to keep on developing for England and City as much as I can.

“I think our fight to retain the title is a mix of exciting but I also want to keep focused on finding my feet.

“Obviously we want to win games but it’s more we want to develop and get better as players and as a team.

“I think winning the title comes along with it.”

Interview: Holly Percival

Eric Morecambe, 1975

If you watch TV at Christmas in the UK, no matter how old you are, chances are you will have seen a Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special.

Perhaps Britain’s most-loved comic duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise were consummate entertainers, and their festive specials became the stuff of legend as they tormented their guests, mercilessly lampooning them with the guest’s full consent.

They were supreme entertainers who could command 28 million viewers at their peak on the BBC.

So, what’s that got to do with football?

Not a great deal, but this is a festive special of the City Magazine and it feels remiss not to have Morecambe & Wise mentioned anywhere, so, as tenuous as it is, here is a brief story of when Eric Morecambe met Manchester City.

Eric loved football, and though he’d been born Eric Bartholemew and adopted the name of his home town when he became a performer, he didn’t have a football team to call his own.

Sadly, he didn’t choose Manchester City.

Eric moved south for work reasons and settled in Harpenden in Hertfordshire.

20 minutes up the road was Kenilworth Road, home of Luton Town and, for maybe 20 years, Eric Morecambe became Luton’s most famous fan.

He’d regularly attend home games, always try and mention them during his TV appearances and, in 1975, Eric finally met Manchester City.

In April that year, City visited Kenilworth Road for a First Division clash with Luton and who should pop into the dressing room ahead of kick-off but Eric Morecambe?

Now, this is where the story sort of ends, but you can imagine him having a laugh with our lads and no doubt making jokes at his own team’s expense.

He’d have likely had his glasses on crooked and might have even done his ‘Arsenal!’ joke, that he often used on stage.

Whatever happened, Dennis Tueart recalls the visit but not what happened, and Asa Hartford says, “I do remember him coming in and he made some of the guys laugh but just can’t recall what! Everyone loved him.”

Well, it was 50 years ago, but what a privilege!

For the record, the game against Luton ended 1-1. As Eric would say, 'Arsenal!'

Words: David Clayton

The Forgotten
City Christmas gifts of days gone by

Now this might not apply to everything, but let’s just say there are some things that don’t make it onto Santa’s wishlist as much as they used to.

Here, in some particular order, are the gifts City fans used to get many years ago…

City slippers

Now these still exist today, of course, but back in the 1970s and 80s, they were an easy win for any relative wanting to buy a youngster a ‘stocking filler’ as they used to be called. Given that not everyone had carpets down back then – yes kids, that’s how it was – they were likely a welcome addition to the footwear collection of junior City fans around Manchester, as well as saving a few painful splinter incidents.

The Peter Barnes Trainer

If you loved football in the late 1970s and City winger Peter Barnes happened to be your hero (OK, I’m talking about myself here), then The Peter Barnes Trainer was a definite must-have. It consisted of a plastic football, tied to your waste via a clip by a piece of elastic. It was terrible! There was no way it could improve your skills, and most users probably discarded it after a couple of aborted attempts.

City bedspread

Another item that can still be bought today, a City crested bed spread was the last thing you saw before you fell asleep and the first thing you saw when you woke up. It was another easy-win gift relatives got for their City-supporting family members and Santa would deliver a fair few around Manchester on Christmas Day morning.

Junior Blue Membership

This innovative scheme – the first in English football – was set up by former chairman Peter Swales who saw the value of association from an early age. It cost very little to buy a membership and came with various signing on gifts. It also meant you could attend Junior Blues events, which often resulted in meeting first team players. So a membership gift was often a very welcome one.

City tracksuit

Now, this was the real deal! Made by Umbro and fairly expensive, this sky blue tracky top and bottoms ensured you were the coolest cat on the street, and that you would be seen in the dark and easily spotted on a mountainside if you got lost. It was a thing of beauty, made from nylon and a source of eternal pride.

City scarf

Attending games back in the ‘olden days’ as kid will see it meant having your City scarf. None of the half-and-half nonsense we see on matchdays, this was your club colours, worn around your neck with pride and keeping you warm at the same time. Almost every kid had a scarf, and some had a matching bobble hat. Heady days!

Replica City shirt

In 1973-74, Admiral began selling replica football jerseys, tapping into a market that is today worth billions. It led to other manufacturers doing the same, and Umbro started selling replica Manchester City shirts. They would be a fairly pricey item for the day, but they were top of most young Blues’ wish lists - as they are today if they have the patience to wait!

Feature: David Clayton

Children's hospital to receive year-round support from CITC

Manchester City’s charity, City in the Community (CITC), has launched a new year-round programme to support patients and their families at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH).

Following a successful pilot year, ‘City Onside’ will now expand to reach over 250 patients and their families, thanks to funding from Manchester City’s ‘Christmas Together’ campaign.

Sessions support physical and mental wellbeing, as well as education and skills development for patients, their siblings, parents and carers. The programme’s four key workstreams are:

Support for siblings: creating a space for patients and their siblings to play and learn together, which is not otherwise always possible for inpatients.
Family engagement Hubs: a holistic approach to family support for the youngest patients, bringing together mental health support and physical activity for under 5’s.
Transition mentoring: bespoke mentoring programme for young people aged 8-18 who have long-term involvement with the RMCH. CITC staff focus on supporting transition from hospital into various positive outcomes, such as education or community provisions.
Parental Hubs: group mentoring for parents, creating a space away from the hospital ward to chat with other parents, CITC coaches and RMCH staff.

Commenting on the launch, City in the Community CEO, Mike Geary, said:

“City in the Community and Manchester City has a long-standing relationship with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, but I am incredibly proud to announce our first ever year-round programme for patients.

“Being able to take our sessions to young people who might not otherwise be able to access them is incredibly important.

“The programme has been designed in consultation with the hospital, its patients and their families, meaning ‘City Onside’ is a completely bespoke offering.

“We would like to thank Manchester City for supporting this important initiative through the 2025 festive campaign.”

The new ‘Christmas Together’ campaign creates an opportunity for fans to team up with the Club to support ‘City Onside’. For every purchase a fan makes from a range of selected retail items, the Club will donate £5 to its charity*.

This year’s Christmas retail shop is open now, in store and online, featuring new festive gifts for 2025. Items which include a £5 donation to City in the Community through the ‘Christmas Together’ campaign are:

Adult Christmas Jumper (Novelty and Fair Isle)
Kids Christmas Jumper
Wolf Plush
Elf Plush
Teddy Plush

Manchester City is also matching any donations* made to the charity through the ‘City in the Community Prize Draw’, meaning fans can double their chances to win amazing prizes.

Entries start at £5 per ticket; supporters can enter on a one-off basis, or they can sign up to a direct debit, meaning they enter the monthly draw automatically.

To take part in the prize draw, or to find out more, visit: www.mancity.com/citcprizedraw.

For more information about ‘Christmas Together’ visit www.mancity.com/ChristmasTogether.

City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football.

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

*MCFC will donate £5 for each product** sold and will match donations made to Manchester City F.C. City in the Community Foundation (registered charity no. 1139229) during the period of 04 November 2025 to 31 December 2025 up to a maximum of £75,000 in total. The first £150,000 raised will support City in the Community’s ‘City Onside’ programme, with any additional fundraising helping to sustain the charity’s broader purpose of empowering healthier lives with city youth through football.

** Selected Christmas retail products: Adult Christmas Jumper (Novelty and Fair Isle), Kids Christmas Jumper, Wolf Plush, Elf Plush, Teddy Plush

***Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea are the only excluded countries from the CITC Prize Draw.

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“It’s a really big deal in Croatia and the holiday period is something we all really look forward to”

“For the last three years, I’ve been able to go to them for Christmas and because we aren’t playing Boxing Day this year, maybe we will get a couple of days to spend time with family.”

FULHAM v CITY

CITY v SUNDERLAND

REAL MADRID v CITY

CRYSTAL PALACE v CITY

CITY v BRENTFORD

CITY v WEST HAM

FOREST v CITY

“I love Christmas in Norway – it’s very different to how it is in England,” says Oscar.

“I do miss Norway, but the English and Norwegian cultures are very similar in a lot of ways,” he said.

“It’s so refreshing and nice to be back with the squad again preparing. It’s really exciting and I’m so happy to be going again and being part of it.

Image captions

FELIX GREEN

April 29, 1970

August 4, 2019

November 7, 1987

September 23, 1989

September 18, 2011

October 18, 2014

August 5, 2018

city V IPSWICH
25 NOVEMBER 2000

Bersant Celina

Swansea v City, March 16 2019, Liberty Stadium, FA Cup

Image captions

Christmas 1971

Huddersfield 1-3 City
Second Division | December 27 1983 | Leeds Road

Sergio Aguero
March 2012

Image captions

Image captions

“And the communication in both is a big part, and I just enjoy getting my hands on a ball.”

Image captions

The Forgotten
City Christmas gifts of days gone by

Children's hospital to receive year-round support from CITC

Win a Phil Foden signed shirt!

Image captions

“It’s a really big deal in Croatia and the holiday period is something we all really look forward to”

“For the last three years, I’ve been able to go to them for Christmas and because we aren’t playing Boxing Day this year, maybe we will get a couple of days to spend time with family.”

FULHAM v CITY

CITY v SUNDERLAND

REAL MADRID v CITY

CRYSTAL PALACE v CITY

CITY v BRENTFORD

CITY v WEST HAM

FOREST v CITY

“I love Christmas in Norway – it’s very different to how it is in England,” says Oscar.

“I do miss Norway, but the English and Norwegian cultures are very similar in a lot of ways,” he said.

“It’s so refreshing and nice to be back with the squad again preparing. It’s really exciting and I’m so happy to be going again and being part of it.

Image captions

FELIX GREEN

April 29, 1970

August 4, 2019

November 7, 1987

September 23, 1989

September 18, 2011

October 18, 2014

August 5, 2018

city V IPSWICH25 NOVEMBER 2000

Bersant Celina

Swansea v City, March 16 2019, Liberty Stadium, FA Cup

Image captions

Christmas 1971

Huddersfield 1-3 CitySecond Division | December 27 1983 | Leeds Road

Sergio AgueroMarch 2012

Image captions

Image captions

“And the communication in both is a big part, and I just enjoy getting my hands on a ball.”

Image captions

The Forgotten City Christmas gifts of days gone by

Children's hospital to receive year-round support from CITC

Win a Phil Foden signed shirt!

Image captions

city V IPSWICH
25 NOVEMBER 2000

Huddersfield 1-3 City
Second Division | December 27 1983 | Leeds Road

Sergio Aguero
March 2012

The Forgotten
City Christmas gifts of days gone by