Man City pay classy tribute to Ricky Hatton as members of boxing legend’s family attend Etihad

On September 14, the boxing fraternity were shocked by the death of Ricky Hatton at the age of 46 and Man City have paid tribute to one of their most well-known supporters

Ricky Hatton was remembered ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League game against Burnley. Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde on Sunday, September 14.

The former world welterweight champion was a well-known City supporter and a minute’s applause was held before the Manchester derby earlier this month. And prior to the game against the Clarets on Saturday afternoon, Hatton’s two daughters, Millie and Fearne, accompanied by his granddaughter and niece, led both sets of players onto the pitch.

A silhouette of Hatton was also shown on the big screens inside the Etihad as City supporters sang Blue Moon ahead of kick-off. A banner of Hatton was also unfurled in the South Stand pre-match.

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton’s Oasis plan with daughters revealed after boxer’s tragic deathREAD MORE: Ricky Hatton’s manager recalls ‘shock and confusion’ of finding boxer’s body

Hatton’s funeral will take place on Friday, October 10, at Manchester Cathedral. Entry to the service is by invitation only, but members of the public will have an opportunity to pay their respects as the funeral cortege makes its way to the cathedral.

Paying tribute to Hatton after his side’s 3-0 win over Manchester United earlier this month, City boss Pep Guardiola said: “I’ve been 10 years here, there’s a lot of minutes silence, I don’t remember one so. so, so intense like today.

“I want to say thank you so much for Man United fans for the way they behave and they applaud. I know he was a world champion in boxing.

“It was a special, special moment. Of course, there’s no words that can explain the pain that the family feel right now for this loss.

“But of course, we are close. I know how incredible a Man City fan he is, he could live the bad moments and the good moments in the last 10, 15 years. I think he will enjoy it. I know for the fans how close he was.

“The minute’s applause was unbelievable. It was an experience that I will always remember because they feel, in every applause or every person in the stadium, the gratitude for what he has done professionally and of course being a massive, massive City fan.

“We are so sad and feel so sorry for the family.”

Phil Foden scored City’s first goal against United, and before kick-off he had also paid tribute to Hatton, saying: “My heart obviously goes out to his family at this hard time.

“To hear the news just before a big game is devastating, I’m sure he would have been here today supporting us. Today is for him and we’re going to try and get the win and do the best for him.”

Speaking after the game back on September 14, Foden added: “That was for him, his family, the people suffering right now. The lads made sure we gave everything.

“It wasn’t a pretty match today at the end, but the way we won, it was all for him and we’re delighted at the result. It was extra motivation going into the game.”

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