Manchester City extends a lavish invitation to Panthers with a staggering $380 million gesture.
Here’s the incredible panorama of Manchester City’s $380 million training complex, featuring 16 football fields, including an indoor pitch, which will serve as the new home for the Penrith Panthers. Back in 2016, Phil Gould took pride in unveiling the Panthers’ $22 million academy, which remains one of the NRL’s premier training facilities.
However, the anticipation is palpable as coach Ivan Cleary, his son and halfback Nathan, along with their Panthers teammates, prepare to step onto the revered grounds utilized by the Premier League and European champions.
Exclusive information from this publication reveals that Manchester City has graciously opened its doors to the Panthers, offering them a sky-blue welcome as they strive for their inaugural World Club Challenge victory on English soil.
The Panthers will be honored guests of City as they face Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on February 17 (February 18 AEDT), followed by a training session on the indoor pitch 48 hours later.
Additionally, the Panthers will have access to City’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the gym, pool, and massage rooms. Discussions are also underway regarding the possibility of a few senior Panthers being featured in interviews on the club’s CityTV during the game-day coverage.
It’s worth noting that Cleary’s partner, Mary Fowler, plays for City, although her involvement is unrelated to the Panthers’ training arrangement.
While Mary Fowler will be engaged in an Olympic qualifier against Uzbekistan in Australia, Ivan Cleary, a devoted Manchester United fan, and the Penrith Panthers will face Super League champions Wigan on February 24. The Panthers, chasing their fourth consecutive title, secured the unique opportunity to utilize Manchester City’s campus, a privilege never before extended to an NRL club. City, currently vying for their fourth consecutive Premier League crown, granted access to their facilities, mirroring the support they offered to Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos during the 2022 World Cup.
Before their clash with Wigan, the Panthers will also undergo training in Warrington, including a practice session against Sam Burgess’ side. Panthers football manager Jason Wrigley is set to fly to England on Sunday to finalize the arrangements for this overseas stint.
Expressing gratitude for the exceptional treatment, Penrith CEO Matt Cameron acknowledged the global appeal of Manchester City, boasting 50 million followers on Instagram. Highlighting the stark financial differences, Cameron noted that Kevin De Bruyne, one of City’s top stars, earns $3 million per month—nearly three times the annual earnings of Penrith’s playmaker, Cleary.
Cameron emphasized the significance of the World Club Challenge for the club and the invaluable experience for the playing group to visit and train at the City campus. Recognizing the impact of the Panthers’ recent success on brand awareness, Cameron sees the collaboration with a club like Manchester City as a testament to their capability to represent the NRL and the game on the international stage.
The Panthers’ previous World Club Challenge experiences include a 1991 loss to Wigan (21-4) and a 2004 defeat to Bradford (22-4) in Huddersfield.
The Roosters had the opportunity to tour FC Barcelona’s facility ahead of their 2020 World Club Challenge against St Helens. Coach Trent Robinson acknowledged that their time spent at Camp Nou provided valuable insights into “how we want to play and want to be as a club.”
Jarome Luai, the playmaker set to join Wests Tigers, received positive news from surgeon Allan Young regarding his recovery from significant shoulder surgery. Although he is on track for a return in round one against Melbourne and remains a potential contender for the World Club Challenge, the club’s medical staff may exercise caution and hold him back a few extra weeks to ensure readiness for the regular season. Luai has been actively participating in passing drills, tackling technique work, and light wrestling sessions at the conclusion of each training session.
In an interesting twist, WWE stars LA Knight and Grayson Waller presented Panthers players with a championship belt, reminiscent of the one that symbolized their triumphant third NRL title last year.
Expressing excitement about the upcoming training at Manchester City, Panthers forward Scott Sorensen described it as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for the team. The unique experience is expected to contribute significantly to the Panthers’ growth and development.
