Perfect Day

Yesterdays match against Sunderland was extra special for me as my 6 year old son Lucas won the right to be mascot.  Getting the call Wednesday lunchtime and receiving the letter and our tickets was a huge buzz for Lucas and my wife and me.  We already knew we would have been getting up early as it was a 12:45 kick off but to allow for a tour etc.. we had to be at the Etihad for 9:15am.  I was a little worried Lucas does have ADHD and there was a risk he might be over stimulated by what was going to happen.

We arrived a little after 9 and were directed to the back of the City @ home building to await Liz Douglas who looks after the mascots.  After a quick drink and chat with the other mascot Marcus's family it was over to the stadium to begin the tour.  Using the players lounge as our base we were shown the home dressing room where the kits were already neatly laid out.   I could see the excitement in Lucas being in there before the players made the reality of the magic day that lay ahead begin to sink in.  I even managed to have a chat with legendary kit man Les "Chappy" Chapman.

From there it was the warm down area where after some impressive press ups and forward rolls Lucas was allowed to "make a sub" using the boards you see the 4th official use.  Excitement building it was then up the tunnel and pitch side via posing at the Match of the day interview position,  where the kids (ok and the adults) got to sit in the dugout and even have pictures and a chat with club ambassador and former player Mike Summerbee. 

Back to the players lounge for some light refreshments in the shape of some delicious mini burgers and hot dogs, and both Marcus and Lucas were given their kits to wear to run out onto the pitch.  Lucas was bouncing as I was changing him he was really getting excited he was delighted he had been given a goalkeeper kit and looked really smart.  Once back in the players lounge we met up with the Sunderland mascot and the girls who were player escorts for the day.

Just before the players arrived we were wisked up stairs to meet them and for them to sign the tops of Lucas and Marcus.  Both boys were full of beans and energy as soon as the laid eyes on Roberto Mancini and the players both went silent and stood still allowing the players chance to sign their tops whilst staring transfixed at their heroes.

Then it was back to pick up the rest and head near the family stand for some pitch side photos with Moonchester and Moonbeam. Lucas was surprised we didn't see Moonchester and Moonbeams Rocket Ship but was informed by security it was parked on the roof with it's cloaking device on.  After the pictures a big test for Lucas, Angela and Connor were taken to their seats and he didn't bat an eyelid at the thought of his mum going.  He was taken to the tunnel whilst the other parents and myself were taken to a vantage point above the tunnel.  I was praying he was behaving himself and looking at tunnel cam I  shouldn't have been worried though you can hear some classic Lucas comments,  a gap in the players coming off was greeted by "there's more there's more there's more more more"  a hot Sunderland player "uuurrrggghh he got his sweat on me!"  Then it was time the teams marched out and Lucas did the fairplay hand shake with the entire Sunderland team then ran towards the family stand and not that i'm jealous (much) scored against Joe Hart.

Then off he and the mascots ran and the match kicked off.

 We met the kids back in the players lounge and were being escorted to our seats when a huge cheer!  We'd missed the first goal!  Managing to catch a glimpse on the big screen it was a cracking free kick from Aleks Kolarov.  Getting to our seats we were able to enjoy the rest of the game as City ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. 

Missing the goal was the only negative it was a fabulous day for us as a family and especially Lucas.  Liz and the other City staff were fantastic and are a credit to the club deep, heart felt thanks to them for making my little boys big day so special and making us feel welcome.  We will have many fond memories of yesterday for years to come and of course Lucas has his signed Goal Keeper shirt as a memento as well as many photos and the videos both ours and the clubs tunnel cam.  I really shouldn't have worried Lucas was a star!

Match day experience at Manchester City

City fans have become very accustomed to the words "match day experience" Indeed the club on a regular basis get fans to do online questionnaires about their experiences whilst visiting the Etihad Stadium.  These have been used to introduce various facilities and features.  Since Shiekh Mansour bought the club the changes have been swift making the Stadium a much better place to go and have a day out, instead of just turning up seeing the game and leaving.

It first started with the changes to the North Stand which became the Family Stand. It's the end where my seasoncard is along with my two sons.  I got my first taste of it when City played Valencia in a pre season friendly and was impressed the whilst well lit plain lobby area had been transformed.  There were player height charts so the kids could see how big they were along side their heroes, as well as a kids food bar and sweet shop.

There was also face painters and during the season various forms of entertainment ranging from a robot chasing the kids around to pantomime dames.  Balloon animals were also popular seeing the speed those guys could make them really is a sight to behold and of course it gets your child's attention as they watch every twist and knot.  For me the best entertainment was a magician that came up to us and started performing he was brilliant and given chance I'm sure Connor would have stayed there all evening but there was a game to watch.

Then along came CitySquare now from what I know this is a fairly unique part of the Stadium Complex comprising of 3 large screens a stage a bar and cafe area.  Summerbee and Star Bar are the main meeting points for a lot of blues alongside Bluemoon Cafe on the other side of the CityStore.  Pre kick off there is usually things for kids to do be it being a keeper in the huge blow up goals as demonstrated by Lucas! or shooting through a giant picture of Joe Hart, to having your shot speed measured. On stage "Fanzone" Danny, Natalie Pike and Hugh Ferris interview various former players and celeb blues fans and stage competitions for upgraded tickets.  As well as this there have been "battle of the bands" etc...  It's all designed to make fans get there early have a beer or food and then not have to worry about rushing to get to the stadium and it's working normally CitySquare is packed an hour before kick off.  The bars are also open after the match so you can have a drink and a bite to eat whilst letting the traffic go and listen to a review of the 90 minutes.

This is where I do have a slight moan.  Things have ground to a halt in the family stand there is now no longer any entertainment there is rarely any face painters it seems the emphasis is purely on CitySquare.  If you go into the Stadium early you end up seeing whats going on on CitySquare on the big screens though the audio can be bad depending on the elements outside and in my opinion perhaps should be left for the people who are out there on the Square.  CitySquare is great but for me if you have younger children having things to do inside should still happen.  I have mentioned this in the last fan questionnaire I received so yes I am not just blogging without attempting to make my views clear to the club.

Things have changed The Etihad is a place to head to long before kick off and mix with fellow fans well before the game, things have been a bit trial and error as the club do strive to create a great "match day experience"  They are getting there and it made me change my habits that's for sure and I know other blues have said similar.