JOINING THE CITY SLICKERS

HARRI BURTON TELLS US ABOUT A MEMORABLE DAY FOLLOWING HIS FAVOURITE TEAM...

- HARRI BURTON

AS A lifelong Manchester City fan, influenced to become a goalkeeper by Joe Hart, and learning to become a sports journalist with the hope of one day covering his team, seeing the 7-0 hammering of RB Leipzig in the Champions League was a dream come true.

However, it was so much more special than just the football game itself. As a 21st birthday present, the Tunnel Club hospitality was a once in a lifetime experience that has gone down as one of the greatest days in my life to date.

When you arrive and the first person you come face-to-face with is club legend Mike Summerbee, you know exactly how your day is going to go.

I was absolutely astonished. And if a glass of fizz in hand and a photo with a 449-appearance Man City hero wasn’t good enough already, we were ushered downstairs with the likes of Summerbee, along with Txiki Begiristain (director of football), and the RB Leipzig hierarchy for an incredible three-course meal and a choice of some fine wines.

Even compared to a normal matchday, the word ‘luxury’ doesn’t quite do it justice. With still seven hours until kick-off, there was an aura of excitement about what was to come next, for those that weren’t used to the wine and dine at least.

Transported in an army of mini shuttle buses, we arrived just outside the main academy building, just in time to see the players arrive, with a couple scooting in to avoid paying a fine for being late.