Man City fans have been given 115 reasons to be proud this weekend

Manchester City fans will celebrate a milestone this weekend when the men's and women's team play at home in their respective games.

A Manchester City fan group wants to talk about 115 this weekend. As the wait for the verdict into the Premier League charges continues, MCFC Fans Foodbank Support will reach that number of collections when they take donations at the men's and women's games.

MCFC FFS started in 2020 shortly before the pandemic hit with the aim of helping the local community through football fans. While not affiliated with the club, the group stand outside the Etihad or the Joie Stadium on matchdays and use the support they get from Blues to provide vital support to the increasing number of people who need it.

City supporters have become the biggest donors to Manchester Central Foodbank over the last five years, with over 12 tonnes of food donations and more than £30,000 - accounting for tens of thousands of meals - being donated to the city’s most vulnerable people.

The need for foodbanks may not be a good sign but the work that continues to go into them is good, and the volunteers want to champion City fans who have themselves been targeted over the club's financial allegations. As a three-man panel decides on the ethics of decisions made by the executives, there is only one way to view the generosity that has been shown on a regular basis from supporters over the past five years.

Alex Timperley, MCFC FFS member and volunteer, says: “We hope that this weekend is one of our best. Every time you see ‘115’ mentioned, it’s always in a negative context.

"This weekend, we hope that City fans can be proud of our 115th foodbank collection and the support we have provided collectively to the people in Manchester who need it most.

“It’s not charity, it’s solidarity. Every meal that goes to someone in need has been given by a Manchester City supporter who believes in them and their right to live with dignity.

“The community you find at the game can’t be beaten, and we’re so grateful for the generosity of City supporters. We can’t wait to see as many Blues as possible at the women’s and men’s games this weekend!”

City Women take on West Ham at noon on Saturday before the men face Bournemouth on Sunday at 4.30pm.

Collections are held outside the North West turnstile of the Joie Stadium ahead of women’s games, and at the junction on the end of Sir Howard Bernstein Way under the white bridge opposite Asda before men’s games.

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