Thousands of City fans turn out to support City’s Men’s and Women’s First Teams and the Club’s trophy-winning Elite Development Squad.

City fans were given a glimpse of this season’s first team as new signings Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph joined Manuel Pellegrini and the rest of the team on stage at Manchester Central last night, kicking off their season at City Live, the Club’s annual pre-season launch party.

We will do everything we can to bring the title back. We need to work altogether, players and fans in the stadium. We need to play like we know we can play.

Speaking ahead of their first Premier League game this Saturday, manager Manuel Pellegrini said ‘We will do everything we can to bring the title back. We need to work altogether, players and fans in the stadium. We need to play like we know we can play’.

Now in its third year, City Live has grown to become a big night in the Club’s calendar and a chance for faithful City fans to see their favourite players rewarded for their achievements throughout the season.

Manchester City Women’s Toni Duggan was the first to be recognised when the 2014/15 season awards were announced, scooping up the prestigious ‘Goal of the season’ award for her skillful winning strike against Chelsea in last year’s Women’s Super League. Duggan’s award celebrates an unforgettable first season for the Women’s team and a promising second season that will see them face Arsenal Ladies this Sunday. 

Fan favourite, Sergio Aguero scored twice , winning both ‘Player of the Year’ and the ‘EA Player Performance Index Award’ scoring 880 points, the most of any City player, on EA’s performance statistics table.

Argentinian defender, Martin Demichelis, picked up this year’s ‘Vitality Fitness Award’ as the outfield player who clocked up the most minutes of any City player last season. Whilst this year’s ‘EDS Player of the Year’ accolade was presented by Frank Lampard to 18 year old Angelino, now on loan at the Club’s sister team New York City FC.

Academy Graduates Rony Lopes, Jason Denayer and Kelechi Iheanacho were introduced to the crowd following the recent announcement of their promotion to the first team. Captain Vincent Kompany received a rapturous reception as he took to the stage to thank fans for their support, saying ‘The Club has to grow, the future has to be bright. With this team, we will keep improving and with this Club we will keep growing. We will be on top.’

In addition to the night’s football features, Fans were treated to an evening of live music in the form of Manchester’s newest band and lifelong City supporters, Black Rivers. Fresh from their recent gig supporting another big Blue, Noel Gallagher at his sold out Summer In The City show, the audience were treated to a set packed full of Doves classics and the band’s latest material.

The next opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with their City heroes before their first home game of the season will be Wednesday, 12 August when both the Men’s and Women’s First team will take to the Etihad Stadium pitch for an opening training session in support of City in the Community’s Disability Programme. There will be a range of activities on offer for all the family and the chance for fans to win money-can’t-buy prizes and experiences. Tickets now on sale at mcfc.co.uk.

Manchester City’s Premier League campaign kicks off on Saturday when the team travel to The Hawthorns for their first away game of the season against West Bromwich Albion. Sunday 16 August sees City go head to head with Chelsea at the newly expanded Etihad Stadium for their first home fixture.

@MCFC