Man City's treble parade delayed due to lightning storms

Manchester City’s treble-winning season victory parade has been delayed after threats of electrical storms and heavy rain in the area.

Due to take place at 6:30pm, the parade has been pushed back at least half an hour because of the weather conditions around Manchester city centre.

On the club website, a statement reads: “Due to reports of adverse weather conditions and localised lightning storms, which are expected to reach Manchester city centre shortly, the start of the trophy parade will be delayed until 19:00 (UK).

“This decision has been taken in the interests of safety by Manchester City Council in conjunction with the Club and other local stakeholders, who have consulted with meteorologists and the Met Office.

“Gates for the stage show on Oxford Street will now open at 18:30.

“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

Sky News

City wrapped up their treble in Istanbul on Saturday, winning a tense Champions League final 1-0 against a dogged Inter Milan side.

Adding that European title to Premier League and FA Cup success – the latter against their bitter rivals Manchester United – saw them become just one of two English teams to complete the treble.

The other – of course – was United in 1999.

In British terms, only City, United, and Celtic – who won a quadruple in 1967 – can claim to have had such a season, moving the club that sat in the third tier of English football as recently as 1999 into rarified air.

The parade is now set to begin at 7:00pm, and thousands of fans have already gathered in Manchester city centre, getting soaked by rain after the skies opened.

Much has been made of City’s remarkable rise to prominence, funded by the state wealth of Abu Dhabi, but for the players on the field and the fans in the streets today, that nuance may well be left to one side today.

As will the 115 charges looming over the club relating to various financial regulations breaches that are yet to be settled, though City deny any wrongdoing.

What is already decided is that City overcame a large deficit to win the Premier League, star striker Erling Haaland scored a record goal tally in this year’s league, and they wrapped up their season with wins against their ‘noisy neighbours’ at Wembley, and the Italian underdogs Inter in Istanbul this weekend.

That’s what has the fans on the streets, regardless of any other factors at play.

Twitter/Champions League

Only defeat against Southampton in the League Cup stopped Pep Guardiola and his men emulating the feats of the Glasgow side more than 50 years ago.

They’ll have to wait a bit longer to welcome their returning heroes back, though.

Even if this parade is ultimately delayed, it's unlikely to be the last of this kind, given the football that they've been playing, and the potential for them to build from this position of strength in the future.