Rocker Noel Gallagher has opened up about the open access he has at his beloved Manchester City and says he struggles to accept the fact the club's superstar players are fans
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Noel Gallagher
Noel and Liam Gallagher ae lifelong Manchester City fans(Image: Photo © Kevin Cummins)
Rock star Noel Gallagher has revealed the truth about his relationship with Pep Guardiola - saying one thing in football was the “ultimate” in his career.
The Oasis songwriter has written about his love of football and Manchester City in a new book. The guitarist has granted an interview to photographer Kevin Cummins for his new book Oasis: The Masterplan and also wrote a piece about his beloved City.
He and brother Liam famously posed in Man City shirts in a photoshoot, but the new book features unseen shots from the day in 1994. Noel says his dad watched both City and United but he knew Manchester was blue after his ‘old man’ took him to see City v Newcastle in 1974 in an era when City had fantastic players including Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee.
Noel said: “I do have a clear memory of seeing Bell, Lee and Summerbee play. The stadium seemed enormous to me, and I love the buzz, the noise and the singing.” Fast forward 50 years and Noel is still going to watch City most weeks of the season home and away and now some of the chants are to the tunes of Oasis songs, whilst Oasis tracks are also played over the Etihad stadium soundsystem before and after games.
pep
Pep Guardiola has grown closer to the rock star (Image: Manchester City FC/Press Associa)
Noel said: “It’s a real honour when you see the huge banners and flags with some Oasis reference on them. It’s the ultimate for me. To have the respect of the lads on the terraces is, well, there’s no higher accolade.” Turning to discuss the current crop of players and City manager Pep, Noel writes in The Masterplan book that he “can’t get his head around” the fact players are Oasis fans.
He added: “Pep is my mate; actually, for real. I love him so much, it’s a f**king joke!. It’s a real privilege to be able to wander in to say ‘hi’ to the lads. It doesn’t get any better.” Noel and brother Liam will be in Manchester this Summer as part of their Oasis Live 25 tour when they play a number of dates at Heaton Park.
Oasis: The Masterplan by Kevin Cummins is out now, published by Cassell.
Oasis: The Masterplan by Kevin Cummins is out now(Image: Photo © Kevin Cummins)
Asked about the Oasis Live 25 ticket sales, Noel said: "I thought it'd be a big deal, but I was a bit taken aback by just how much of a big deal it was." He is also quizzed by Cummins to name his favourite Oasis song but replied: "Can I have more than one? Supersonic, Some Might Say, Live forever and Rock'n'Roll Star."
All these songs are from early in the band's career and are now expected to be played when the tour kicks off in Wales. Noel and Liam will walk on stage for the first time together since the band split in 2009 on July 4 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The line up for the band is also now thought to have been completed with rehearsals also expected to start soon.
Liam poses with a Man City advert near Maine Road
Liam poses with a Man City advert near Maine Road
Liam and Noel Gallagher are bringing in newcomer Joey Waronker on drums alongside more established former Oasis band members on guitars. The full line up reported by NME is said to be Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker.
The shows will also feature special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast, who are friends up the band. At this stage it is not thought Villanelle will be in a support slot so Gene will instead be watching from the sidelines with Lennon.
Oasis: The Masterplan by Kevin Cummins is out now, published by Cassell.