Erling Haaland may be a rarity in the brand-conscious world of blockbuster transfers: a superstar signing whose professed love for Manchester City is actually genuine. Where many footballers kiss the badge and cite being childhood fans of Club A, Haaland is the 22-year-old centre-forward whose father, Alfie, played for City, was popular with teammates and staff and would take his infant son to the champions’ former stadium, Maine Road.
Roy Bailey was City’s physiotherapist when Haaland Sr was at the club for three seasons from 2000. “I remember him bringing his young lad Erling in when he was injured on a Sunday morning,” he says. “He had the freedom of Maine Road. I’d see him as a toddler when he brought him into the treatment room and he let him run about on the pitch. Alfie was very fond of City.”
