South Asian Heritage Month: FG on where his love of City originates | OneFootball

When deciding what football team to support, many follow in the footsteps of family members or friends.

And for presenter, content creator and streamer Faraaz Ghaffur, more commonly known as FG, he was no different, opting for the club his Dad, Tarique, follows, Manchester City.

But, they wouldn’t have become Season Ticket Members and avid City followers if it wasn’t for the warm welcome FG’s Dad received when he joined fellow Cityzens at Maine Road after moving to Manchester.

“My Dad is a City fan, so that meant I was,” began FG.

“He worked a lot when I was growing up, but we made a point of going to all the games together and we made a lot of friends along the way. Football wasn’t as diverse in those days, but people made us feel really welcome and it made us fall in love with the Club even more. “These things stay with you and mean so much.

“My Mum is from Pakistan, my Dad was a refugee from Uganda. He moved to the UK and got his first job in Moss Side and ended up following City.

“My Dad was welcomed by the fans and the Club with open arms.

You can talk a lot about how Asians and people from my culture aren’t well represented in football.

“But it’s changing. You only need to look in the stands. The make-up of fans is changing and should be encouraged; football is for everyone.”

Since falling in love with football and City from a young age, FG has equated hundreds of memories following his two decades following the Club.

In typical football fashion, not all have been the most prolific moments in City’s history, but to FG, that is also what makes those moments special to him.

“When I was in school, aged about nine or 10, I always used to wear a sweatband like Nicolas Anelka.

“I became instantly attached to the people, the players, the Club. Through the hard times and the good times, Manchester City was my first love, and it will be my life-long love for the rest of my life. And I have my Dad to thank for that.

Weirdly, a memory I have at the Etihad was Tim Cahill scoring, taking off his shirt and getting booked for it,” said FG.

“And it was his second yellow so he was sent off! And the likes of Antione Sibierski, Paulo Wanchope, Willo Flood, they were my first memories of City.

“I remember Corradi’s knighthood celebration – and I’ll never forget Hatem Trabelsi’s screamer at Old Trafford. Scoring a goal at Old Trafford in those days was amazing.

“My early years supporting City were fairly uninspiring on the pitch, in all honesty. But the thing was, in those days getting a win was massive. But supporting your team is about so much more than what happens on the pitch, it’s about the memories you create with your family and friends.

“Even though we weren’t that great on the pitch in those days, I had the best time and developed a really strong love for City.”

Working with the Club you’ve grown up supporting is often a fairytale that you never expect to come to fruition.

But for FG, when he received the call to work with Man City Esports, his dream became a reality.

Since then, it’s fair to say FG has become a role model to young fans, showing that anyone can achieve their goals and that there are so many jobs in football that fit a person’s passion.

And, he’s always keen to pass on advice to those looking to follow in his footsteps.

“I had to pinch myself to be honest,” admitted FG when asked about the moment City reached out to him.

“I went from recording videos for my friends in my bedroom to being asked to represent my football club. It was and still is surreal!

“The opportunities I have experienced with City since that moment is unbelievable. I’ve been there when we lifted the Premier League and ePremier League, I was there with the team as we won the Champions League in Istanbul, and I’ve travelled the world with the Club I love.

“I think I have a great relationship with all the players at the Club, and I like to think you can see this in the content.

“Sometimes when I go to a game and fans ask for a photo or say hello, I constantly remind myself that I was once just a kid going to the games with his Dad. I feel extremely fortunate to be in the position I’m in.

“And for anyone looking to have a similar career, my biggest piece of advice is be yourself,” FG continued.

“If you pretend to be something you’re not, it will be exposed and at some point, it will backfire.

“Starting out is going to be tough and I think it’s rare that people feel comfortable on camera straight away. It took me a long time to feel comfortable streaming and then it was another experience when I stepped into a TV studio.

“I think it’s good to be out of your comfort zone and that’s where you learn. There is no hard in trying and see how you get on.

“I took the risk and now I work with my favourite football club in the entire world.”