Man City Square meet Man City Fan TV

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates with team mates after scoring his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates with team mates after scoring his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Man City Square meet the owners of Man City Fan TV
We wanted to see how Man City Fan TV were getting along, what they thought of the progress they had made so far and how they believed they could develop further.

Previously, we analysed the influence of fans vlogs and youtube shows as having a great influence on the club’s worldwide fan base. Now, it is time to go more in-depth with Man City Fan TV.

I had the pleasure of meeting Andy @AviationBlue and Ray @mancity_ray to discuss the new internet fans channel this week.

Who are you and why do you support Man City?

ANDY – I grew up in Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe in the 70’s. I went to my first game in 1977 with my Uncle who is a mad City fan. I used to sit on their shoulders in the corner of the Kippax as a kid, then eventually, went to matches with my mates at 14/15. Many a time we didn’t have a ticket and managed to jib in after 15 mins or so and mingle with my Uncle’s mates or they’d sneak us in through the turnstiles and over walls. I got my first season ticket on my own and followed City all over until 1997 when my first lad was born. Things became more difficult to go home and away – so got to as many home games as possible but not many away games after that, which was difficult. Then my job took me all over the world so I got to games whenever I was back in the UK. It’s now been business as usual since 2005.

RAY – I grew up in Oldham and started following City when I was 5 or 6 because my big cousin supported City. Because of the negative coverage of football at the time, my father wouldn’t let me go to matches. Hooliganism and racism were all too prevalent and you never heard many good news stories about football. I started going to City games in the mid 80s and when I moved to London in 1990, I watched us get beat at many London grounds for a few years. I can’t ever remember us winning down there! Moving to France almost 10 years ago stopped me from going to watch games more regularly, but I’ve probably been going to 8-10 matches each season these last few years as it’s tough living in another country with a young family. But I’ve had a season ticket for several years as it became harder to get tickets to the odd matches when I was over in the UK.

What experience have you had with media before starting Man City Fan TV?

ANDY – Through my job, I was involved with a media company in London that used to shoot all of our corporate videos, so having to star in many of them, I’ve been on camera before, though it wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed – more out of necessity and cost saving. I’m still not overly comfortable being on camera – but needs must and as its about a subject you are passionate about – it makes it easier.

RAY – I’ve been on tv in France and I thoroughly hated it. But, with smaller crowds, or making our own videos, I find it is much more enjoyable and we can edit out any faux pas! With a little more experience behind me, I’m less nervous about it, but still not comfortable!

What do you want to achieve with Man City Fan TV? Its a crowded marketplace – how do you see Man City Fan TV fitting in?

ANDY – I think we’ve already fitted in. We were fans first and foremost and we always watched BMR TV. Then when that stopped – we realised that there was nobody offering content for the fans. I don’t believe its a crowded marketplace …. – this is not a competition, we’re just trying to provide content that is varied and appeals to everyone, not just die-hard Mancs.

RAY – Andy and I were heavy contributors to a City Forum (bluemoon legends) which was formed after the demise of BBC’s 606 forum. We got chatting after the end of BMRTV and said we could do something if no one else was stepping up. Once we knew I would be moving back to Manchester, we set the wheels in motion in the spring of 2018. What we wanted to do with our channel was to provide a voice for the fans, both here in Manchester and overseas. To provide video content and opinions about anything newsworthy to do with Man City. To go to as many matches as possible and to give viewers unable to attend, a feel for what been happening games and the atmosphere and the excitement. To make them want to come to Manchester and witness games for themselves. But we also wanted to cover stories that might not always appeal to the masses but had great relevance to City and, especially, to our rich history (honestly, we do have some history despite what other fans may claim!). Other channels may see us as competition (and comments they’ve made clearly indicate they do) but we think everyone has their own space with the content they provide.

How can you make your content stand out?

ANDY – I believe we already have done. No other Man City Fan Channel:
1. Puts out daily content like we do…no-one.
2. Gets as many varied content out as we do. David White interview about his book, Sharon Latham about her career at City, Andy Morrison about his life and love of City.
3. Provides a voice for fans across the globe…and remember, we are going global right now as a club. Therefore, it’s not just about Manchester-born fans…nor should it be. I get their reticence when you get young, overseas fans talking nonsense about getting rid of Gundogan or saying Raheem is a money-grabber – but in all fairness, some so-called old school blues chat garbage on social media as well. (See our Akio video from Goa tonight, as a prime example of a passionate, overseas City fan who would love nothing more than to have been born at a time when we were all following City to places like Grimsby!
4. Opposition fan channel pre-match reviews – nobody else is doing that.

How can you appeal to fans to grow your subscribers?

ANDY – We’re hopeful that with our start – doing such a varied range of topics, the fans who may have been sceptical may get on board and realise that we didn’t set this up for fame, money or notoriety. We’re always looking for new ideas and we are always open to constructive feedback from anyone, not just City fans.

RAY – I think there’s a space for non-sensationalist fan channels and feedback so far has been very positive. People see that you can have discussions without ranting and raving. It’s about the word getting out that we’re here and this is what we do – give the fans a voice.

How are you managing without a sponsor? Will we soon see “This Channel was brought to you by Darren’s Sheds of Ardwick”?

RAY – We didn’t set up the channel with a view to make money. We’d like to cover our costs and I think that’s a reasonable target to aim for. I’m very happy to support charities with free advertising for the time being.

How much time is the whole thing taking up? Is it sustainable?

ANDY – I’m running my business full time and possibly working on Man City Fan TV for around 4-6 hours on a slow day. A busy day can be anywhere from 12-14 hours.

RAY – I’m running my own business, but I’ve put it on the back burner for now. A quiet day is 4-6 hours videoing, editing, responding to comments etc. A home match day is at least 12 hours commitment. We’ll arrive at least 3 hours before a game and stay on until a couple of hours after the game. An away game in London is pretty much full on for 24hrs with driving to the ground, arriving 3-4 hours early and filming for up to 2 hours afterwards. Fitting in EDS, academy and women’s games makes this a full time job!

What does a successful Man City Fan TV Channel look like to you?

ANDY – A multitude of partnerships with UK and overseas fan clubs, whereby we can get numerous contributors to continue and expand what we are doing now – access to ex and…current players (never gonna happen!) and bringing quality content every single day…basically, what the fans want to watch or listen to – via video or podcasts on our channel or social media forums….maybe our own daily radio show!!

RAY – Keep on doing what we’re doing with better access. We know that won’t happen with current players, even the academy kids which is a shame. Everything is so sanitised, we’d like to get some ‘real’ feelings and comments. We want to improve and extend our links with City fans from all over the world; that’s just so exciting.

What would you like the fans to do to support you? What do you need from us?

ANDY – Subscribers are always important. View time is equally important. Give us a chance, comment below the videos, get involved and come and speak to us at matches, or send suggestions.

RAY – We want people to keep contributing and subscribe to our channel. Positive comments gives me more energy and motivation especially when driving home from an away game in London or Southampton!