Dear City Fans,
To all of those who are participating in the upcoming 5-a-side tournament as part of the Australian Supporters Weekend in Sydney here are the pools for the competition as well as a couple of ground rules.
After a few enquiries regarding footwear, trainers and rubber studs are all good but NO Blades, shin pads are compulsory, should you have a specific enquiry then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The pitches are 3rd generation artificial surfaces which means that should the weather turn the competition will not be affected.
The first games will start at 10:00am prompt, each group will have its own pitch and pitch number 4 will be available for teams to practice.
The top two from each group will progress along with the two best placed 3rd teams, should it be a tie then it will be decided on goals scored not goal difference.
The venue is the Kikoff centre which is at Harbord Bowling Club with the address being Cnr Bennett Street & Stirgess Ave, NSW 2096, probably an idea to google map it and send out – very easy to find. http://www.harbordbowlingclub.com.au/contact
At the site there are changing facilities and there is ample parking space alongside the Club.
Group 1
Aston Villa
Australia
Northern Ireland
Portsmouth
Lokomotive Cove
Cardiff City
Group 2
Everton
Tartan Army
Manchester City
Liverpool
Australia 2 (not the yacht)
Spurs
Group 3
Sydney Benfica
Rangers
Sydney Brazil
Celtic
Ireland
Awaiting confirmation on final spot.
For Man City the group is an interesting one. We face defending Champions Everton, who have a striker who is simply unbelievable. Also in the group are our bunnies, Liverpool who we defeated 3-1 after trailing 1-0, with only 6 players to their 12! The Tartan Army seemed only interested in the drinking last time, and Australia 2 are an unknown quantity.
For City to qualify wins over Liverpool, the Tartans, and Spurs should be what we are looking for. Any sort of points against Everton will be a bonus.
Regardless of our result the day should be good fun (especially if you like Ukulele music) and City will be there to represent in the good spirit and good humour we are known for.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Just when things couldn't get any worse...
Should we overcome Stoke in the FA Cup replay, we will face Chelsea away in the quarter-finals of the competition. So we will have it all to do to make Wembley.
The tie will be played on March 6 or 7, just a week after we visit Stamford Bridge in the league.
The full draw is as follows:
Chelsea v Manchester City or Stoke City
Fulham v Bolton Wanderers or Tottenham Hotspur
Reading or West Brom v Crystal Palace or Aston Villa
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
The tie will be played on March 6 or 7, just a week after we visit Stamford Bridge in the league.
The full draw is as follows:
Chelsea v Manchester City or Stoke City
Fulham v Bolton Wanderers or Tottenham Hotspur
Reading or West Brom v Crystal Palace or Aston Villa
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
City fans spotted at Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory - can you help?
A couple of the Sydney Blues decided there'd be no better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with a bout of live football... and the Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory game definitely did not disappoint.
At a drizzly Sydney Football Stadium (probably accounting for the slightly disappointing crowd of just over 25k) the stage was set for one of the most important games of the year. If Sydney could overcome Melbourne then they would lift the 'Minor Premiership' (ie finish top of the league before the A-League finals series starts) and not only put one over their Victorian rivals, but also put them in the box seat for an assault on the A-League crown itself.
Sydney FC Vs. Melbourne Victory is always a bit tasty and whilst 'soccer' isn't the most watched code of 'football' over in Oz, the fans are surprisingly passionate. To this end there always are plenty of flares, fighting (in this case inside the stadium with the Police!), singing, dancing, scarves and yesterday was no disappointment. Not that I condone a bit of a ruck with the fuzz, but watching the idiots getting pepper-sprayed, tasered and kicked out along with a cameraman slipping in the mud is all part of the fun.
As for the game itself, Sydney played well and sealed victory with a cracker of a goal from Jean Aloisi just after half time to take the game and the Premiership plate 2-0. Also on the scoresheet this weekend was a certain Terry Cooke for North Queensland Fury (also the club currently hosting Robbie Fowler until his falling out with the manager a couple of weeks ago).
Intriguingly, spotted from our vantage point was this season's Third kit, belonging to a City fan that we have yet to meet in our travels and travails around Sydney. Furthermore, on viewing this blog post again we've noticed directly behind him is a chap in this season's Home shirt. Surely, if you live in Sydney and are a Blue, you know about the Sydney Blues, right?
These people were sat in Bay 38. We'd like you to get in touch if you could, so we can ask "Where the bloody hell are ya?"
If you know who of either of the mystery duo are - please get in touch or leave a comment below!
At a drizzly Sydney Football Stadium (probably accounting for the slightly disappointing crowd of just over 25k) the stage was set for one of the most important games of the year. If Sydney could overcome Melbourne then they would lift the 'Minor Premiership' (ie finish top of the league before the A-League finals series starts) and not only put one over their Victorian rivals, but also put them in the box seat for an assault on the A-League crown itself.
Sydney FC Vs. Melbourne Victory is always a bit tasty and whilst 'soccer' isn't the most watched code of 'football' over in Oz, the fans are surprisingly passionate. To this end there always are plenty of flares, fighting (in this case inside the stadium with the Police!), singing, dancing, scarves and yesterday was no disappointment. Not that I condone a bit of a ruck with the fuzz, but watching the idiots getting pepper-sprayed, tasered and kicked out along with a cameraman slipping in the mud is all part of the fun.
As for the game itself, Sydney played well and sealed victory with a cracker of a goal from Jean Aloisi just after half time to take the game and the Premiership plate 2-0. Also on the scoresheet this weekend was a certain Terry Cooke for North Queensland Fury (also the club currently hosting Robbie Fowler until his falling out with the manager a couple of weeks ago).
Intriguingly, spotted from our vantage point was this season's Third kit, belonging to a City fan that we have yet to meet in our travels and travails around Sydney. Furthermore, on viewing this blog post again we've noticed directly behind him is a chap in this season's Home shirt. Surely, if you live in Sydney and are a Blue, you know about the Sydney Blues, right?
These people were sat in Bay 38. We'd like you to get in touch if you could, so we can ask "Where the bloody hell are ya?"
If you know who of either of the mystery duo are - please get in touch or leave a comment below!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
We've Only Been Semi-Interested
The recent weeks since the loss to "you-know-who in the, you-know-what" has seen the entire Manchester City Football Club feel a bit flat. A couple of poor performances on the pitch, despite sneaking a win or two, some very quietly spoken executives and a disheartened feel amongst the fans.
Many fans are of the belief that City, as a club, was so invested in the Carling Cup semi final that we are forgetting that there is life after death! The players have obviously felt the toll of the physical and emotional burden as our performances over the last couple of weeks have been less than enthusiastic. We were horrible against Hull, sub-par against Portsmouth and boring against Bolton. With big games coming up we must find a way to shake the hangover.
The cure? Stoke.
We've two games in a short space against the club who are the butt of many jokes, but often the bane of teams higher up the league than them. City has a chance to really right the ship in the next few days (not that 5th place and cup semi-finalists is really a bad place to be) as we look to push ahead of Liverpool, and deep into our second cup of the season.
The players, and fans, need to realise that although we all invested a lot in the matches against United they are gone, but the promise of so much more than the 'Mickey Mouse Cup' lies ahead. With our games in hand and an upcoming fixture against Liverpool we have the chance to push forward and take the Champions League spot that is on offering. Another quarter-final appearance would put the belief in a Blue Wembley right back in the hearts and minds of the City faithful and the silverware may yet come this year.
So to all the Blues across the land and world pick yourselves up, lift your head high again and get ready because the ride is only starting. When we are knocking certain red teams out of the Champions League next year we wont even remember that little cup United have so often slated. The focus has to be ahead and with so much more on the line it would be foolish of City to let any mistakes or misfortune from the season ruin what could be our best finish in many, many years.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Sydney in a week!
Brendo the Jet
Many fans are of the belief that City, as a club, was so invested in the Carling Cup semi final that we are forgetting that there is life after death! The players have obviously felt the toll of the physical and emotional burden as our performances over the last couple of weeks have been less than enthusiastic. We were horrible against Hull, sub-par against Portsmouth and boring against Bolton. With big games coming up we must find a way to shake the hangover.
The cure? Stoke.
We've two games in a short space against the club who are the butt of many jokes, but often the bane of teams higher up the league than them. City has a chance to really right the ship in the next few days (not that 5th place and cup semi-finalists is really a bad place to be) as we look to push ahead of Liverpool, and deep into our second cup of the season.
The players, and fans, need to realise that although we all invested a lot in the matches against United they are gone, but the promise of so much more than the 'Mickey Mouse Cup' lies ahead. With our games in hand and an upcoming fixture against Liverpool we have the chance to push forward and take the Champions League spot that is on offering. Another quarter-final appearance would put the belief in a Blue Wembley right back in the hearts and minds of the City faithful and the silverware may yet come this year.
So to all the Blues across the land and world pick yourselves up, lift your head high again and get ready because the ride is only starting. When we are knocking certain red teams out of the Champions League next year we wont even remember that little cup United have so often slated. The focus has to be ahead and with so much more on the line it would be foolish of City to let any mistakes or misfortune from the season ruin what could be our best finish in many, many years.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Sydney in a week!
Brendo the Jet
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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
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
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