The mancityfans.net football forum

Singer entertains fans at Gary Neville testimonial dinner - with Manchester City anthem Blue Moon


Gary Neville celebrated his testimonial year with a swanky dinner in Malta - and a Manchester City anthem.

More than 1,200 fans shelled out around 80 euros for the chance to pay tribute to the United stalwart, who retired last season, amid idyllic scenery on the Mediterranean isle.

But many were left spluttering into their five-course feast when the opening singer, a former Eurovision entrant, closed her easy-listening set with the Eastlands favourite Blue Moon.

[youtube]7cutZmJNdzU[/youtube]

Her version of the City anthem boomed out over the renovated fortress before its conclusion was greeted with a polite smattering of applause from puzzled punters.

Neville, 36, was in Malta as an ambassador for the island's United supporters club, which is now 51 years old. He has visited the sun-drenched holiday haven every year since his first trip as part of the Reds' youth team in 1993.

The Premier League trophy was on display at the impressive venue and the symbolic number 19, which represents the number of times United have won the English title, was beamed onto the city wall across the harbour by lasers.

United legend Denis Law and former youth coach Eric Harrison, who produced the 'magnificent seven' group of starlets of which Neville was one, were also at the bash as were David Beckham's now-separated parents.

The singer's blooper failed to detract from what was an emotional night in which Neville revealed he was to buy the island's supporters club for the fans who currently rent it.

He has already launched plans to build a supporters club next to Old Trafford and will now do likewise in Malta.

A clearly overwhelmed Neville said: "I never thought when I came in 1993 when we had eight championships I would be standing here 18 years later having won 19.

"I call Malta my Manchester with the sun. We visited the supporters club and I couldn't believe so many people were so passionate. It was my first exposure to how powerful United are around the world."

He added: "You are special people. I wanted to do something for the fans that had made my career so great. The Manchester fans and the Maltese fans.

"I promise that I will deliver your supporters club to be owned by yourselves so you can own it forever more. It is something I will honour in the next 12 months.

"That's the only way I can repay you for the time, effort and money you have given over the last 20 years. I cannot do enough and can only thank you with this small gesture."

The M.E.N. understands the supporters club will cost Neville around £150,000.

lets all have a disco wrote:He thinks he is fucking jesus buying supporters clubs its got nothing to do with making money off the bar like.

I'd have done an encore and sang it again,up tempo.