6,000 City fans gathered in Manchester to watch the final - this is what happened when they won

June 10, 2023

Think of a jumbo jet taking off: how the engines roar, both deafening and visceral.

That was the sound, and the sensation, of being with 6,000 Manchester City fans as their team won the Champions League and clinched the treble.

It was a moment of collective euphoria that made the ground tremble and your body shake.

"I never thought I'd see this day," said Rob, 64, standing still among a crowd going wild, as if in shock.

"I've been coming since I was this high to City," he told me, gesturing a few feet off the ground, "and I never thought I'd see them do this. I'm so happy. Really, really happy."

For these fans, who hadn't made it to Istanbul, huge TV screens had been put up in an old warehouse in central Manchester.

It was a sea of blue shirts against a background of red brick, as these full-throated followers willed their team to score.

At City's first goal, in the 68th minute, there was a burst of dazzling pyrotechnics from the stage.

At the final, victorious whistle, it was like Vesuvius had blown its top.

Couples kissed, some people sobbed but the majority just closed their eyes, pumped the air and roared.

"This is the greatest day of my life," said Anthony, still staring at the screen in wonder.

"The first half was so stressful, it was too much. But now - I can't describe it."

Sam, in her 20s, came to watch with her mum and was in tears when we spoke with her.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic," she said. "It's the best thing ever."

"I feel like I haven't even cried everything out yet - I feel like I could cry for another week!"

There will be, of course, more opportunities for these football fans' happy tears.

A parade through the city, by City, will take place on Monday.

If tonight is anything to go by this will be chant you'll hear:

"City, City, the best team in the world."

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