Dexter loves his football, and for his birthday he really wanted us to take him to Manchester City Football Stadium, so we did.

We met up with his Granny & Grandad who were on the last leg of their visit to us from France (they were meeting up with my husband's extended family of uncles and cousins, so we met up with them too).

Dexter (like many boys) dreams of being a professional football player (in addition to being a photographer, travel writer, author, artist....) and going round the stadium I can see why as I even wanted to be signed up.  The plans they have for the future of their club and the development of future talent was impressive.  I could see my little blonde bombshells mind ticking!

He even got to meet one of their former star Goalkeepers who he had a photograph with, and the club also gave him a training shirt as a birthday present :)  The tour was fantastic.

 We got to see the whole stadium, from the Chairman's Box area with the fancy heated seating.....

 .....where you got a birds eye view of the players entering the arena......

 .....the media area where the journalists interview the players and manager after matches or important signings.  Dexter got to sit in the manager's seat and if this were his job when he grows up, this is how he would look :).....

 ..... we got to see the Cup they so marvellously won......

 ..... line up as the players do before they go out into the arena and walk in their footsteps.......

 We got to sit in the chairs that the Managers and additional players sit on at the side of the pitch when matches are taking place.....

We even got to see the changing and training facilities... as well as their loo's!

 Dexter was so excited - ha, ha, ha

 And after we went for cakes in Manchester Selfridges store......

...we went back to Andrew's cousin Neil's house where we were staying and Dexter put on his Goalkeeper strip (he actually plays in midfield and striking positions but wanted the green strip because it is so nice) which was actually quite fitting having met Manchester City's actual Goalkeeper who played professionally for them in the 1980's :)