Bernard Halford passes away aged 77

"Mr Manchester City" spent 40 years as club secretary before being named as Life President

Bernard Halford, City's Life President, has sadly passed away after a short illness at the age of 77. Nicknamed "Mr Manchester City", Halford spent nearly 40 years as club secretary and was an immensely popular figure at the club.

Manager Pep Guardiola said:

"It is such sad news to hear of Bernard Halford’s passing. It was an honour and a privilege to meet and talk football with him and his knowledge of this football club was amazing..."

"He was a great man, but moreover, he was also a great football man with a complete understanding of the game from grass roots level up. His whole life was dedicated to the game, but mostly to Manchester City and we were lucky to have him."

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added:

"The loss of Bernard Halford marks an extremely sad day for our football club. Bernard was an incredibly dedicated, loyal and wonderful part of the City story for almost five decades. I was fortunate and privileged enough to know him for ten of those years."

"He lived and breathed City and was a tireless advocate for us. His depth of knowledge about City was unparalleled and his enthusiasm for the club infectious. Even as his health deteriorated, he was a familiar face at the CFA or at the Etihad Stadium."