(30/07/2011)-Under16's compete in Swiss Tourn

City's under 16 side are to participate in 6^th International Swiss U-16 Cup scheduled for August 4^th-7^th, 2011 in Switzerland.

The teams have been divided in to two groups of six teams each and City  are in group A alongside FC Lucerne of Switzerland, Team Liechtenstein, FC Johansen and two German sides VFB Stuttgart and SV Werder Bremen.





Group B comprises of Team St. Galler Oberland, the Swiss side FC Zurich, Team Vorarlberg, SK Rapid Wien, Vlf Wolfsburg and Liverpool.

see the full schedule here...

http://www.swissu16.com/en/

(26/07/2011)-Nijmegen cancelled

Dutch club NEC Nijmegen have announced that this Fridays friendly against City EDS has been cancelled due to injurys at City.

They also say that they are taking Abdisalam Ibrahim on loan

(26/07/2011)-Trippier joins Burnley on

After recently signing a new deal with City, Kieran Trippier has joined Burnley on a season long deal

Expect similar loan deals for Reece Wabara and Alex Nimely(destination unknown as of yet)

(23/07/2011)-Ruhr Cup Update

City finished fourth in Group B of the Ruhr cup.

In what is essentially billed as an under 19 tournament, City have done extremely well as their squad consists mainly of kids who are aged 15 or 16, supplemented by a few older heads.

Game 1 saw a goal-less draw agains Schalke 04 and Game 2 ended in a narrow 1-2 defeat to end of day group leaders FC Porto.

Victory over Werder Bremen would possibly have led to City progressing to the semi final stages, if other results went their way, however Werder were too strong for the young City side and inflicted a 5-1 hammering.

The side were then in action against Juventus for the 7th/8th play off,and after a 1-1 scoreline at fulltime,the match went to penalties and a James Thorne conversion meant City won 5-4,

(22/07/2011)-AC Milan striker for City?

Manchester City are set to make a raid on AC Milan for 20-year-old striker Luca Scapuzzi

The striker has come through the youth system at the San Siro but has struggled with a knee ligament injury and has been sidelined for almost a year.

But, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini is ready to take a gamble on Scapuzzi, with the youngster set to go straight into City's reserve side if he decides to move to England.

(21/07/2011)-Eight goal thriller with Mexican champs

A side billed as Manchester City U16'S (although the vast majority were in Germany) fought out an eight goal thriller with Mexican side Club Deportivo Cruz Azul at Platt Lane,

The young Mexicans took the lead, but City fought back to gain a 3-2 advantage, a penalty for the vistors drew the scores level and as the game ebbed from end to end City looked to have grabbed the winner  but for a wonderful 25 yard strike ,five minutes from time, that finished the scoreline at 4-4

(19/07/2011)-City Academy draw latest game in Germany

In their final game before partcipating in the Ruhr Cup in Germany, City's academy side forced a draw against BV-Brambauer Lünen with a goal scored four minutes from time by Right to Dream player Godsway Danyoh.

The game was played in the stadium Lüner Schwansbell in front of a crowd of 700 spectators and here is a brief report from their website.

The stadium could Schwansbell our strong first gambling team earn a 1-1 draw. Against the U 19 of the top English clubs Manchester City took
our team from the outset the issue of action to take in hand and achieve a light
field superiority.  In the 31st Minute  we were then able to even go through a
beautiful gate of our veterans Thorsten Nitsche, a 1-0 lead. This was also the half-time. 

After the break, and some substitutions, it only went on as before the break, we had several good opportunities to expand our leadership even further, which the team was unfortunately not allowed. Towards the end of the game would be a little stronger and the enemy was in the 86th Minutes at 1-1 Final achieve the goal.

Team:

Gunn, Coulson, Enock Kwakwa(T),Facey, Swann, Bismark Adei Boateng(T),Hutton, Hews, Micham Khaloua(T),Rusnak, Godsway Danyoh(T)

Subs:  Halsall(GK), Leigh, Byrne, Lallen Holden(T), King

Thanks to BV Brambeur and the WAZ newspaper in Lunen for the pictures and lineups

(18/07/2011)-Squad for Stalybridge

(18/07/2011)-Wakefield Lad signs for City

(17/07/2011)-New Academy Building

People living near the stadium have been getting pamphlets today written by Cook  that reveal details on just how huge the new youth development and training  facility near Eastlands will be - it sounds like it could be one of the biggest  in the world - 400 young players!

-

A new Academy for up to 400  young players
A learning facility for 200 Academy players
Accommodation  for 40 Academy players
1st team building with changing room, gym, refectory,  injury and rehab centre, 32 bedrooms.
8 youth development pitches
8 1st  Team football pitches
A 7,000 capacity stadium for youth matches and  community use.
Office space for football club employees
A media centre
A customer service centre
A new footbridge linking the centre to the  Etihad campus
Up to 5.5 acres of land dedicated to the construction of new  community facilities.



Read more:  http://www.manchestercity.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=17428#ixzz1SNrooecb

(17/07/2011)-Academy fixtures are out

The 2011/12 Academy fixtures were released yesterday, games are filtering through slowly, probably as Club secretary's confirm all fixtures. So far for City we have found

Newcastle United(H) September 10

Manchester United (A) October 1

Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) October 15

Stoke City (H) October 29

Blackburn Rovers (H) November 5

Bolton Wanderers (A) December 3

Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) December 10

Stoke City (A) December 17

Blackburn Rovers (A) Jan 7

Bolton Wanderers (H) January 28

Manchester United (H) February 18

(15/07/2011)-Squad announced for Altrincham Game

Full squad:

Ian Lawlor, Ian Ormson (GK released by Stockport County, aged 17), Kieran Trippier, Nedum Onuoha, Karim Rekik, Courtney Meppen Walter, Francisco Santos Silva Junior (From Guinea-Bissau, plays for Benefica, 19 year old midfield player Born; 18/01/92) Adbul Razak, Gai Assulin, Michael Johnson, Craig Bellamy, Joan Angel Roman, Jo, Wayne Bridge, Ahmed Benali, Ellis Plummer, Kieran Kennedy, Paul Clowes, Bradley Robinson, Devante Cole, Jordi Hiwula, Jeremy Helan and Adam Drury

(14/07/2011)-Academy to compete in Ruhr Cup

City's academy side are to compete in the 2nd edition of the Ruhr Cup, played between 22nd and 24th July.

City are in Group B alongside FC Shalke 04, Porto and Werder Bremen.

http://www.ruhr-cup-international.de/



(14/07/2011)-Academy win in Germany

City's academy side won their opening game of their two week stay in Germany.

SC Wiedenbruck's under 19 side  provided the opposition in a game played at the German sides  Jahnstadion and City ran out 8-0 winners

In front of some 300 spectators  , City with a side containing several trialists from the Ghanian 'Right to dream Academy'went in at the break five up

When asked about Citys striker, this is the response translated from German to English

That his team is staffed exclusively, occupies one of Personnel, commented the coach of the Manchester short. For a 17-year-old newcomer from Spain are circulating in the media reports about a transfer fee in the amount of one million. Neither the amount nor the contract would not confirm Scott Sellers. "There is nothing signed. I tested the players today only. "After all, Manchester's new striker scored two goals for the 2-0 and 6-0.

More details to follow....

James Thorne scored one of the goals

Spanish trialist Hicham Khaloua scored twice

Team

Manchester City: Tom Halsall – Luke Coulson, Enock Kwakwa (T), Shay Facey, George Swan, Bismark Adei Boateng (T), Lallen Holden (T), Emyr Huws, Hicham Khaloua (T), Albert Rusnak, Godsway Donyoh(T)

Angus Gunn, Conor Morrisey, Greg Leigh, Ashley Smith-Brown, Jack Byrne, Jamis Horsekeln (???).Sadio Al Fitouri (T)

we suspect (????) to be James Horsefield

We also know that George Glendon, James Thorne, Billy O'Brien, Louis Hutton and Dominic McHale were part of the squad

(14/07/2011)-Reserve friendly against Burnley

On the development squad pages of Burnley's website, it says that Burnley development coach Jason Blake has pencilled in a game against Manchester City as part of the clarets pre season build up, no date was given

(14/07/2011)-Mee Joins Burnley on loan

Burnley have announced today that EDS centre half ,Ben Mee has joined them on a season long deal

(13/07/2011)-Lancashire Senior Cup Tie

The draw for the Lancashire Senior Cup has been made and City have been given an away tie at Blackpool FC in round 1. The winners of that tie have then been given a home fixture at the quarter final stage against either Bury or Rochdale.

With the draw being made all the way to the final stages, the winners of the QF tie will then be away to the winners of Blackburn Rovers/Manchester United.

(13/07/2011)-Ex Academy player joins Macclesfield

One of last seasons Under 16 strikers, Matthew Dolan has been announced as being part of the new Macclesfield Town Under 18 squad. Matt made one substitute appearance for City's senior academy side last season, coming on for the last few minutes in a 1-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers.

Another ex academy player, Kieran Burywood is also currently training with the Silkmen but has yet to be offered a contract

(10/07/2011)-The Musonda Trio

Charly Musonda is the most wanted teenager in Europe.

The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and ­Barcelona are all tracking the ­brilliant 14-year-old ­Belgian boy.

Charly is the youngest, and most gifted, of the three Musonda boys who are all signed by Belgian club Anderlecht.

But now Manchester City, the richest club in the world, have entered the frame.

And the Musonda family are considering an offer estimated to be worth £900,000-a-year to move to Manchester.

Under European football laws, clubs cannot buy a boy under the age of 16.

But if the family move to a new city in Europe and want their son to join a club in
the specific area, nobody can stop them.

Charly Musonda, the boy’s father and a former footballer, said: “We have had invitations to come to Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

“So far I have said no to all of them. But the amount of money which has been offered to us is now crazy.

“We have been to look at the set up of Barcelona and at the same time a Real Madrid scout has assured us that my son Charly Jr. would definitely get a place in Madrid.”

City now lead the chase to sign Charly junior and his brothers Lamisha (18) and Tika (16).

The £900,000-a-year offer is thought to be double the deal tabled by Barcelona and Real Madrid. Their father explained why City want all three boys.

He said: “Lamisha is small, but he has great moves and pace.

“Tika is a lot bigger than his brothers. He plays at the back and has a great pass.

“But Charly Jr. is a lovely mixture of technique and cleverness.”

(09/07/2011)-City in Oberndorf Tourn

Once again City's academy side are to feature in the Oberndorf Tourn.

City have been drawn in Group A along with Bayer Leverkusen, Team USA Vardar, TSG Hoffenheim and Team Black Forest.

There first games are on 5th August

see the following link

http://www.u19-oberndorf.com/

(09/07/2011)- Academy use Maine Road FC

Maine Road F.C.’s preferred night for home mid-week fixtures has changed to a Monday. This is to assist Manchester City who will now be using the Brantingham Road pitch (and some of the adjoining St Bede’s pitches) for their Academy sides. Saturday fixtures will not be affected. City have already carried out some pitch improvements as a result of which the Brantingham Road surface will not be ready for home games until 10th September

(09/07/2011)-City Quartet called up for England

City quartet, Angus Gunn, Shay Facey,Ashley Smith-Brown and George Glendon have been selected to represent England at Under 17 level in a forthcoming friendly tournanment in Iceland with the first fixture against the Faroe Islands, followed by Norway and Iceland, all in the space of 3 days.

The four academy players join a long list of current academy players who have played for England at this level, the others include. Ellis Plummer, George Swan, Louis Hutton, George Evans, Courtney Meppen-Walter,Alex Henshall and Devante Cole

(08/07/2011)-Vidal to trial with Yeovil

Yeovil have invited 22-year-old right-back Javan Vidal to trial with them during the club's pre-season build up.

The England under-20 international joins after being released by Manchester City.

(07/07/2011)-More ex City players team up at Rochdale

It seems two more ex City Academy/Reserve players are being given the opportunity to join the Steve Eyre revolution at Rochdale

On a trial basis, former Academy keeper James Wood and ex reserve midfield player Paul Marshall have both gone to Rochdales pre season camp in Spain

(05/07/2011)-City partnerships

Here at MCRAA towers we have been pondering over a couple of statements that we have read in the public domain

The first came from the clubs official website and was part of their statement when they announced they were pulling out of the Barclays Reserve League

The Blues second string will not feature in this season’s Barclays Premier League reserve division but will still have a comprehensive programme of friendly and competitive games. This will allow us the scope for a flexible games programme. We can also take advantage of playing games further
afield as we engage more with some of the clubs we have close relations with in Europe and across the UK.





The second statement came from a forum associated with Hyde FC

Manchester City could play up to 30 games next season at Ewen Fields with the likes of Celtic, Barcelona, Milan etc. who will be playing in The Next Generation League and other competitions, we have found out exactly what their requirements are for hospitality and catering and look forward to providing them and of course Hyde fans with the best possible service we can offer



So what exactly are these 30 odd games Hyde are expecting and what are the other games City talk about. We all know the Ngen fixtures and that adds up to 3 home games, The Lancashire Cup, going off last season’s entrants could be a minimum of one game and then we need to progress through that with a possible maximum of 3 more games to be in the final. The Manchester Senior Cup really depends on who enters it, questions need to be asked if Bury and Stockport (since their demise to the conference) will be entering teams, so it could be the perennial opponents, Manchester United, Bolton and Oldham,which would guarantee 6 games as the competition is played on a round robin basis,home and away and then possible qualification to a final.

Even the basic maths calculation tells us we are some way off having a full programme of games, so how will City fill these gaps in?

The Official City statement mentions parent clubs and it seems something is happening along these lines already with pre-season friendlies announced against RCD Espanyol and NEC Nijmegen.

So here at MCRAA we decided to do a bit of investigating for clubs that have forged good working relations/partnerships with the club. These are our thoughts but expect to see games against Sporting Lisbon of Portugal, Spanish side Atletico Madrid and a side from Belgium named KV Mechelen. Norwegian side Stromgodset have three of our players on loan, so maybe a game against them will be fixed up.

Closer to home look out for Hyde FC, Aldershot Town , Yeovil, Swindon Town, Rhyl and Chester City FC. Maybe even sides from the Yorkshire area could feature as City have a big scouting network in that area and have played Pontefract Collieries at youth level.

Further afield and probably unlikely opponents are Downtown United of New York City and do the partnerships formed under the Thaksin Shinawatra  regime still exist, when City announced partnership deals with South Africa's Thanda Royal Zulu, Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shen Hua and FC Moscow as well as  renowned Swiss outfit Grasshoppers .

Whatever happens remember to keep on checking or Twitter and Web accounts

(04/07/2011)-Lens starlet Aurier attracting Man City

Lens defender Serge Aurier has confirmed that there has been some contact with
Premier League clubs in regard to a possible summer transfer.

The 18-year old French full-back is under contract with Lens until 2015 but it has
not stopped some English teams, believed to be Manchester City and Blackburn
Rovers, from enquiring about his availability.

“It is true, contacts exist," he told French newspaper La Voix.

"The English league is a place where I would improve in the future.

(04/07/2011)-Man City table bid for Crewe starlet Dan Smith

Manchester City have made a move for Crewe Alexandra starlet Dan Smith.

The Daily Mail says City have tabled a £500,000 offer for Crewe starlet
Smith who is a 15 year old midfield player.

(04/07/2011)-City in battle with Barcelona

Manchester City are battling Barcelona for Racing Santander striker Miguel Angel
Sainz Maza.

City have already trumped the European champs for Real Betis attacker Denis Suarez and hope to do the same over Maza.

Barca chiefs fear they have already been gazumped by City for Maza, with the Premier League giants tabling a superior cash bid.

(01/07/2011)-McDermott signs for Huddersfield