'I'm still connected to Manchester' - Ilkay Gundogan keeps promise to Man City fans with classy gesture

Ilkay Gundogan might have left Manchester City almost 12 months ago, but he has not forgotten his charity work in the city as he invited three fans to watch him play in Barcelona recently - keeping a promise he made when he departed Manchester.

Gundogan was not just a treble-winning captain and last-day hero for City over his time at the Etihad, he was also regularly seen helping local groups when he was in Manchester. He is an ambassador for Community Integrated Care after spending two of his birthdays helping out there over the years, assisting quietly during the pandemic, and last June he provided Turkish food and drink for 115 people in the social care project to help them celebrate the Champions League final.

Other gestures saw him volunteer at a soup kitchen, and paying the Sky Sports bill for a group of football fans - as well as similar help to young fans back in Germany. When he left City, he sent an inspiring letter to Community Integrated Care, telling participants that: "you are a true inspiration for me. Your strength, resilience and zest for life are truly awe-inspiring. The challenges you face on a daily basis require immense courage, and your ability to overcome them is remarkable.

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"I understand that life can be filled with obstacles and uncertainties, but please know that you are not alone. The bonds you have formed at Community Integrated Care, the laughter you share, and the support you provide to one another are testaments to the strength and beauty of our community and the human spirit."

Now, Gundogan has continued his support for the charity by inviting three fans to Barcelona, where he now plays, to watch a La Liga game and meet him at their training ground. For some, it was a first chance to go abroad, build confidence travelling and develop new life skills.

Kayley Davies from Tameside, Daniel Wilmott from Stockport, and Katie Richardson from Warrington - who are supported by Community Integrated Care - were given the once-in-lifetime experience with their families and support teams. All City fans, they spent two days in Barcelona and saw Gundogan start in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Real Sociedad.

The next day, they were invited to Barcelona's training ground to meet Gundogan and quiz him on his time at City and move to Barcelona. Community Integrated Care said that for Kayley, the trip allowed her to reconnect with Gundogan after the midfielder arranged for socially-distanced visits during the pandemic and interviews to City games.

Katie, who is autistic and accesses personal development programmes with the charity, said: “To me, Ilkay is a legend on and off the pitch. I was in total shock when I was told that I was going to Barcelona to see him play. It was even better having the chance to meet him at the training ground - talking about football and all the things that I do with Community Integrated Care.

“Ilkay has changed the lives of so many people who are supported by our charity. I will never forget this experience. He will forever be my football hero.”

Gundogan said he remains connected with Manchester despite leaving City, saying: “It’s been amazing to see the guys from Community Integrated Care again and to see Kayley, Daniel and Katie so happy and smiling a lot. I still feel very connected to the city of Manchester and I’m very happy we could manage that together to bring them to my new city and to show them where I play and work now. They have told me they enjoyed the city a lot. I hope to see all of them again soon.

"I spent seven years in Manchester, it became my second home, to try to give something back to the community. It feels amazing, seeing the people with a smile, connected by football and their passion. It's a pleasure even after leaving Manchester, it still feels great."

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, said: “This experience truly represented the people we support living their best life possible. The opportunity to fly on a plane, visit a new country, watch an iconic football team and meet your hero would be an incredible experience for any person, but for the people we support to be enabled to overcome the barriers that they face and enjoy these moments was magical.

“Ilkay will forever have the respect and gratitude of Community Integrated Care. He promised the people we support during the most difficult moments of their life, at the peak of the pandemic, that he would stay in touch and support them in happier times.

“He has truly lived up to that promise in ways that are unprecedented. The fact that he has maintained this relationship with our charity even from Barcelona shows the enduring respect that he has for our teams and every City supporter."