For me, after the euphoria and undiluted bliss of Istanbul, there's also a tinge of sadness.
I'll never share the company of so many old friends (and new) as I did in my 4 days in Istanbul. Friday night at Nevidaze will live with me forever. The feeling of utter joy and bedlam when we scored will never be matched. The relief at the final whistle was overwhelming. But, I'll never forget, after the match, 25 of us sitting in our regular bar in the Old City in Fatih, singing, celebrating, watching the sun come up and staying together well past dawn. I'll admit to many a tear being shed as I looked round the table at so many of my best friends in the moment. One of our lot has cancer and won't be attending matches next season, so thoughts wandered to the people we've lost over the years and a glass was raised to every single one of them. I remembered my Dad who we lost to cancer in 2013. The last thing he ever said to me was "bloody Germans" after he'd asked me how City got on that night and I told him we'd lost at home to Bayern in the CL. He passed the morning after. Here I was 10 years later celebrating us winning the damned thing.
That was the best of it for me. Sharing the moment with my best mates, of many years. Shared with their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and absent friends remembered dearly.
I know there is very little chance of our group being together like that again. In a distant land, bonded by the blood of our fantastic club. Lifting the big one and smashing a treble. Drinking til dawn. Priceless memories.
A lot is made of the physical and mental demands of the players over a long hard season. Well, for me, the same is true of us supporters. When you take into account the emotional ties and hardships we've been through, it's tougher on us mere mortals.
So, I'm enjoying a break, basking on the seasons glories on the pitch. Recharging, getting fit and ready to go again in August.
Looking forward to visiting the five clubs who've thrown our lack of "European pedigree" at us for decades. We'll, they're getting it back, in fucking spades. Fucking spades and shovels full of steaming karma coming their way.
Champions of Europe....NOW SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Up the fucking Blues.
