Final Itinerary: 1st MASSIVE Australian Blues Weekend

For those finalising their plans, this is the schedule for the weekend.

Dear City Fans,

Fresh off the back of a 2-0 win over Bolton here is the final itinerary for the upcoming weekend in Sydney. We’ve had a great response so far with people really warming to the idea which will hold us in good stead for the future of the concept.

There has been a slight change to the arrangements due to another event clashing with ours. Fortunately the change is for the better! The Sunday was scheduled to be a day off to see Sydney but has now been changed due to the Supporters Club 5-a-side tournament. The Sydney supporters had entered a team in this earlier but when given the dates recently discovered that it coincided with our weekend festivities. The good news is that instead of having 6 people (like last time) we will be able to bring our entire supporters club along and everyone should get the chance to play in the Sky Blue should they desire!

The plan is now as follows:

Friday 19 February 8pm: Bowling
Kingpin Bowling Bar http://www.kingpinbowling.com.au/

This is the start of the party with a game of ten pin and a few beers(soft drinks for the kids and designated drivers!) to introduce ourselves, have a laugh and enjoy a game of Ten Pin Bowling. The cost for bowling is $16 per person for the game, payable on the night, plus whatever you eat or drink. We will be running some games on the night as well such as pool comps and the like and you’re free to do as little or as much as you like.

10pm: Darling Harbour

On a fine summers night there really aren’t many places better than Darling Harbour. Its filled with restaurants, night clubs, bars, street performers, incredibly expensive yachts and people from all over the world. Those with families may wish to stroll around and wonder through the parks, or ride the Ferris wheel overlooking the Harbour. Those who are grown up can head into any number of bars, or trek further into town. Chinatown and George St are close by, the Rocks area isn’t far and is filled with Sydney’s convict history (and pubs) and you will have a blast no matter the direction you head. We will leave this open and decide on the night. Some people may wish to go off on their own or the group may indeed take to a bar together!

Saturday 20 February 10am: Sydney Bus Tour

Unfortunately our Blue Bus that we had is still undergoing repairs, and indeed the Museum that operates it is in some trouble itself. There is an alternative, and you’re not going to like part of it, the Sydney Explorer. This is a fantastic ride that lets you hop-on/hop-off as you like along the tour and simply get back on when the next bus comes. It covers the entire city and you get to see everything you’ve seen on a postcard in real life! The cost is $40 for adults and $20 for children ($97 for family ticket of 2 adults and any number of children from the same family.) The part you won’t like? The bus is red. So that means Blue shirts are mandatory that day!

We will take time to stop midway through for a picnic lunch in the Botanic gardens, a lovely spot overlooking the Harbour, the Opera House and of course, lots of flowers!

The bus also includes lots of vouchers to other attractions in Sydney should the tourist bug bite really hard! To board the bus we will meet at Town Hall at 10am, but will wait for the half past bus for any late-comers.

Saturday 8pm: Dinner
Bowlers Club of NSW http://www.bowlersclub.com.au/

Located in the middle of the City the Bowlers Club is a great venue and has some lovely function rooms, one of which is hours for the evening! Here we will be served a Chinese buffet and drinks, whilst we watch some highlights and lowlights of City throughout the year and enjoy some live music from a couple of our very own Blues!

At this stage it is uncertain as to whether the FOX Sports team will be able to join us due to their work commitments but hopefully they will be there to talk all things football and sign some autographs for the truly keen.

The cost is $40 per person and includes Entrée, Mains, Tea & Coffee. We are trying to organise a deal with the bar for reduced drinks.

This would have been the night that City was due to play Liverpool but due to the demands of TV contracts the game has been shifted to Sunday night. We can amuse ourselves by going to Cheers, Sydney’s home of Sport, or any number of other venues. We will leave this to be decided on the night.

Sunday 21 February: 10am Supporters Club 5-a-side Tournament

Taking place on Sydney’s northern beaches at Harbord Bowling Club is the summer edition of the Supporters Club Football Tournament. Man City featured last year and won a memorable match against Liverpool, despite their squad being twice the size of ours, and wearing matching shirts! This year we hope our added numbers will help push us towards the semi finals, or perhaps a piece of silverware!

We really want everyone to be at this so we can show the other clubs (Everton, Liverpool, Celtic. Rangers, NI, T Army, Inter, Benfica, Brazil, Portsmouth, Sydney FC, Cardiff, Spurs, Oz x2, Aston Villa, Rep of Ireland) that MCFC is a force to be reckoned with!

The day is a great laugh and City’s wandering minstrels will be there to make a fun day for everyone. Cost is $180 per squad ($20 per player) and free to spectators. Anyone is welcome to play, regardless of skill level.

To get to and from the event we will be riding the fabulous Sydney ferry to Manly, and then taking a bus. Everyone will need to be at Circular Quay at 9am to meet for the trip across the harbour.

The tournament will conclude around 4pm but you are free to leave early if there is anything you want to do in Sydney for the afternoon or you have a flight to catch! The buses and trains are all close by and transport always brings you back to the CBD.

9pm to 4am: The Match

Unfortunately some of you won’t be able to stay on for the game, but for those of you who do the night in Cheers will be filled with songs, colour, atmosphere and hopefully a Manchester victory! We will assemble in the Cheers Bar around 9:30pm to commence preparations for one of the biggest games of the year.

I hope you are all as excited as I am about the weekend and are ready to have some fun. Please pass this letter on through the supporters club and Facebook, or simply email to any other City fans you know who are coming or thinking of coming.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Sydney very soon,

Brendo the Jet