Manchester City Fans
In the heart of Orlando, Manchester City supporters congregated at Murphy’s Pub, the home base for the Orlando Cityzens, to celebrate their beloved team’s participation in the Club World Cup. Despite the city’s vast array of tourist attractions, the pub served as a beacon for fans eager to witness their team in action. The atmosphere was electric as fans, both local and traveling, shared their passion for Manchester City, creating a vibrant community in the Florida heat.
Jeff Heier said: “I’ve been a fan since the lean years! I went to school in London in the 90’s which is a long time ago already but that’s when the club was introduced to me. Then I said ‘Nikki, I’m going to send this to you. I’m the idea guy and Nikki took it and ran. Once it started rolling, now, it’s been over six years that we’ve been an official supporters club. We started off with probably about 15 people. During the last year we had about 128-150 members. Right now, during the current registration for the next year we have around 100 members. Because of where we’re located, very close to the theme parks, so many of the visitors from England stop in here. We’ve seen it grow every year and there was a pause during the pandemic. We switched venues at that time during the pandemic and we’ve been here for the last four years. It’s just grown since then. The atmosphere has been absolutely fantastic. We had a watch party which we did in conjunction with Man City and we had events and giveaways last week. Joleon Lescott and Sean Wright-Phillips were here. The place was packed!”
Nigel Gregory said: “I’ve not missed a game anywhere in the world for ten-and-a-half years, anywhere in the world. Wherever City are, I’m going to go. There wasn’t a decision to make. I’m on 566 and there’s 76 Covid-games that nobody could go to but I’ve airbrushed them out. They’re not going to ruin my run. I’ve had runs before of 250 or 350, but this is the first time I’ve managed to hit 500 without missing one. It’s an obsession, regardless of where they are I’m going to be there. This was obviously a bit of a stretch with it potentially being a month, but I’m retired now, so family aside, work and money wise it wasn’t a problem.”
The camaraderie among the fans was palpable, with stories of dedication and passion shared over drinks and food. Jeff Heier, a co-founder of the Orlando Cityzens, recounted the group’s humble beginnings and growth over the years. The club, which started with just 15 members, now boasts around 100 members, drawing in visitors from England due to its proximity to popular theme parks. The pandemic posed challenges, but the group adapted, switching venues and continuing to thrive.
Nigel Gregory, a devoted fan, shared his incredible journey of attending every Manchester City game worldwide for over a decade. His commitment to the team is unwavering, with over 500 consecutive games attended, excluding the Covid-affected matches. For Gregory, following Manchester City is more than just a hobby; it’s a lifelong obsession.
As the match against Al Hilal approached, fans filled the stadium, their excitement palpable. The game was a rollercoaster, with Manchester City initially leading before Al Hilal turned the tables in the second half. The atmosphere in the stands was charged, with both sets of fans passionately supporting their teams. Despite the unexpected result, the spirit of sportsmanship prevailed, with fans exchanging well-wishes post-match.
About The Author
