#acityunited

United and City to wear shirts featuring worker bee

On 20 July the first Manchester derby to take place outside the UK will happen in Houston, Texas and both teams will wear shirts featuring Manchester’s iconic worker bee in a mark of respect for those affected by the terrorist attack in May.

The bee symbolizes the industrial heritage of Manchester and has been around the Victorian era. It was adopted into the city’s coat of arms in 1842. 

After the match, both clubs will put the match-worn shirts up for auction, with all the proceeds going to the We Love Manchester Emergency Funds. This auction follows the launching of #ACITYUNITED in which both teams came together to pledge a joint £1 million to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. 

Ferran Soriano, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City, said “Manchester continues to show great strength and sense of community since May’s devastating attack and the thoughts of everyone at Manchester City remain with those affected. The worker bee symbolises everything that makes Manchester such a special city and our players will wear it on their shirts with immense pride, as a demonstration of solidarity with the Manchester community”

Ed Woordward said, “The city of Manchester has shown great strength and unity since the tragic terror attack in May, showing the country and the world how special this city really it. Having the worker bee on our shirts once again shows the community spirit of our city and football club and it is only natural that we continue to help all of those affected through this fundraising and awareness, with millions of fans across the world watching this game”