In this short, yet emotionally draining blog, I will try and articulate what really happened in this monumental week for European Football, after the announcement of the European Super League (ESL), from not only my perspective, but without doubt across the country and continent. Coincidentally, this will be my first blog I write in blue for obvious reasons . . . 

I remember throughout childhood, I was always asked in school and even demanded by friends to support Man Utd. Why support City, especially when we win nothing and they are the dominant force in England, and in the midst of Europe. At least we can look forward to Derby Day we thought. I had asked my mum as a little boy, and she said to me that my indebted Great Grandad Henry loves city. She told me anecdotes of how he went to Main Road, sneaking out of class to go to games. The one that sticks with us all is the FA Cup 1969 final which City won against Leicester. My Great Grandad Henry went to the Friendship pub in Gorton to celebrate with the team as they arrived back from Wembley. They had such a good night that when they woke up the next morning, they realised they had forgotten the cup, leaving it under the table!! My Great Grandad with the club captain and manager Joe Mercer OBE went back at the crack of dawn to get it. It's a story he told, nearly 10 years now he passed away. Perhaps when I ask my uncle Michael who lives in Las Vegas he will have pictures and more to add. Before moving on, I always play Blue Moon by Frank Sinatra, who was his favourite and the song for City too! Prior and even after the events of what happened as I show below, I have no intent to disrespect our owners nor those who give everything 24/7 worldwide daily for Manchester City and belittle on anybody who makes mistakes in life for that matter. It will always still be a dream for me to work for this club in some capacity in the foreseeable future. Never mind be an employer or volunteer for them, I would die for them! I have no shame in saying that. With my own personal and perhaps shared recommendations going forward, I will attach a quote of Liverpool legend Bill Shankly and a video here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHlc8rY4gS4&t=6s 

After an already hard weekend working at the sports academy and seeing the result in the FA Cup, we all heard rumours or speculation of this so-called 'European Super League'. Like most of us, it was all very raw news at the time and the media such as Gary Neville on Sky had spoken out during and after the Man Utd game against Burnley; thinking when we wake up, it won't be as it is being portrayed as a lot of news in the media is. At the same time, I remember vividly during the Football Business Summit Seminars in late 2018 , that the top clubs predominantly in the Deloitte Top 20 Money League were not satisfied with the CL income being received by UEFA to what they in reality deserve. Teams like Roma were reaching the semi-finals, deservedly by beating Barcelona. You could never expect this to come to fruition, only a negotiation tactic perhaps. Anyway, putting down our phones we went to sleep hopeful that in the morning this was not a reality, especially that City were not part of this at all.

About 7am, barely able to open my eyes, my mother frantically runs into my room. She can't breathe. That woke me up. Even though I am aware of her asthma and other underlying health conditions especially during this pandemic, trying to be as safe as I can socially so I didn't bring anything home; for example in September when returning to University or going to the sports academy where I work in Altrincham. I got up to immediately get her nebuliser machine and use liquid needed. As she became stable, I glanced at my phone to see the morning headlines, thinking last night was a warning by broadcasters the farcical nature of the project from Perez was while he does radio shows on El Larguero. I saw that Man City were part and a confirmed member of the 12 clubs. I couldn't breathe myself, literally. I felt empty, numb and even as a man I see myself now at the age of 22, I can't lie in saying I had a tear in my eye. It went everything against what football is about. The giant killings, the David and Goliath or how an unprecedented event of Leicester who lost to my Great Grandad's team in '69 final can also come back and win the league. I knew, if my mum was going to be fine at home with my sister, that I need to go, voice my opinion and at least try and make a difference online; even if it is only a few hundred or employees at the club main entrance that see me. Word can go round fast, as we very well know in the small world of football and its business runnings. Off I went.

Fans Are in This Together, Forget Rivalries 

The reaction in Spain wasn't the same, nor was any tangibly by fans. Why was that? Now, I have lived in Spain for about 2-3 years. In cities like Barcelona, Madrid and in the Basque Country such as Vitoria-Gasteiz (Deportivo Alavez), San Sebastian (Real Sociedad), Eibar and Bilbao. All of which are interconnected, tight-knitted and an established culture with their own language, traditions and of course profound love for football. The Spanish clubs are fan owned, not a company or profit association and without capital or shareholders, meaning they need to rely on their own resources and the clubs themselves want more part of the pie in a macro refurbishment, taking into account of the losses incurred from the pandemic. Thus, fans could be in agreement with this element of the argument, but deep down, nobody can accept sporting merit will be compensated at all costs. 

I think following Monday, clubs, some more than others, started to see, listen and do the right thing with protests outside of Stamford Bridge and social media outrage. We saw players unite, the likes of David Beckham who has a vivid voice in the sport and externally; then to De Bruyne and Luke Shaw giving emotional dialogues. When I in particular saw the news City were leaving, relieve was an understatement. I had to tell my mum right away!

Following apologies from other clubs, such as Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool online and on video; it is a step in the right direction, Soriano went about it in a way which can be viewed more personal and enclosed via email, and they wanted to make it right. So, we commend them for that. It cannot be denied that trust between the club and fans has been damaged, and time will be the healer for that; moreover, we need to finish the season well and deal with what may come next. CL reform, player welfare, the summer transfer window as another legend leaves in Aguero. It is non-stop, as life is right now!

Juli, of whom plays for Oakwood Girl's Soccer Development Academy in the States (Glastonbury), is acquainted to the presence of camps Manchester City deliver. In the short period I have gotten to her more and the system she plays in respect to league and her own personal game, she is uncanny in the sense of her work ethic, pure dedication and obessesion to improve that one can see from afar. Many academies mould their players or assets to some extent into their philosophy, Barca being the prime example. Juli is certainly a dynamic player, one that evidently stands out from the pack and leads by example. She is I'm sure appreciative of what CFG offer not only in the States, but worldwide. The sort of legacy and work the likes of City in the Community deliver must be one of the prime objectives everything this club does, introspect of being a profitable and sustainable institution. We can't stop now, and neither will she and everyone involved. Any lovers of the game or and within the industry, be sure to check her out at the link in the image caption. Talent and grind = success. If you put in the time, you will reach the top and that's that. 💪⚽️

As the dust begins to settle, the ramifications and penalties for the English sides will be laid to bare. In the form of a points deduction for the big 6 would certainly be unfair, because that punishes the fans of whom had nothing to do with what happened in the last days. Perhaps, as being drafted by executives of the other 14 Premier League clubs, is that within meetings where decisions are made, the hierarchy and certain executives involved would have to change by having new faces; those who can be trusted in good faith of all clubs in the country and lower leagues. As touched upon, apologies to fans, as sincere they may be by their prompt pull out of the ESL, the same degree of trust between fans or change needs to rekindle and be altered. I have read a lot of what supporter groups have suggested or demonstrated at Carrington on Thursday with Man Utd fans while they speak to Ole and Carrick, This is the case for example in Germany; how they are partially fan owned likewise in Spain. However, this is evidently not feasible. What must be done is more fan consultation, and that the club for I and everyone up and down the country do not forget the rich history and humble beginnings. What looks to be on the agenda is in addition the CL reform proposal. I and many players do disagree with it and it could be fair to state it is the lesser of two evils. As seen by the previous international break and Nations League to what was already a prolonged and delayed season; there are too many games to handle. Perhaps the reason why Man City have been so excellent this season is not to overshadow Pep adapting and his genius, rather the fact we have two teams with such strength in depth incomparable to any team in Europe. Player welfare is at stake, and they must as much as fans be considered in the subsequent future of football. Perez and the new president of Barca Laporta are adamant that the ESL continues, with their financial issues exacerbated by the pandemic. For sure, the beautiful game needs stability and cohesion among everyone. which may be too hard to come by.

Our Greatest Moment Didn't Come From Our Greatest Moments, They Came From Our Defeats.

Blue Moon, 

JH27

I was chosen in the raffle to be one of the 20,000 allow din the stadium, as the restrictions allow a third of capacity to be filled in all clubs on final day. 

After an unprecedented season in all aspects, in terms of the no fan factor and the incredible records broken once again with this historic team winning 27 games in a row, what can I say. I am obviously devastated to lose the final. Even more so for club legend Sergio Agüero, which would have been his 16th trophy at City if we had won. Number 16 being the number of his jersey when he first signed in 2012. It seemed written in the starts. Yet, it seems as though nothing went for us, from the missed early chances to our captain Kevin getting injured at the hour mark. At that point, I knew it wasn't going to be our time. I trust Khaldoon when he says we will eventually win the Champions League, and even though we didn't I am so proud of the boys the way we have performed over the past 4 years. We broke so many records in the books such as the 100 points and changed English football forever in the way the beautiful game is played. City will always be there and there abouts in the future, and that is what I take comfort in. CTID. 🔵

Until Next Season, 

JH27