NOEL Gallagher proved he’s a man of his word by showing up to watch his beloved Man City play in the Champions League final in a bar with supporters in San Diego, California.
The team are currently up against Inter Milan in Istanbul, and Noel was seen cheering them on at the Bluefoot Bar and Lounge with the San Diego’s branch of City’s official supporter’s club.
Ruaridh Connellan for The SunNoel Gallagher turned up to watch City play at a San Diego fan club today[/caption]
Ruaridh Connellan for The SunNoel gave a wave to fans as he nestled in for the Champions League final[/caption]
Chair Kristi Hummel initially phoned in to TalkSport during Noel’s recent interview to ask the High Flying Birds singer if he’d join them.
On Saturday, Kristi told The Sun: “We got to the bar at eight o’clock this morning to put up all the flags and do some decorating and reserve seats.”
Kristi said she’d been back and forth with his management and security for days ahead of the big game, and he was eager to keep his promise.
She was thrilled when he showed up to watch the game with hundreds of supporters spilling out into the street.
Noel arrived through the back door with his security and team just after 11.30am half an hour before kickoff, and was shown to his reserved seating area in the back of the bar.
Also sat nearby was a Liam Gallagher tribute, Welsh singer Kelvin Matthews, 41, of the band Oasiz.
He lived in Manchester for ten years, and has been in the US for two.
Kelvin said he was “buzzing” to be at the bar and has tickets to his Saturday night gig in San Diego – with Noel promising to perform in his underpants if City win.
“I’m a massive fan of Oasis, have been since the 90s,” Kevin said.
He admitted he’s not a Man City fan, but won’t be telling Noel.
Asked what he’s going to say to the star, he said: “Get the band back together, give your brother a call.”
Talking about how Noel ended up being invited, Kristi went on to say: lWe were all looking at our calendars and we realized that Noel Gallagher was going to be playing in town on the day of the final, and we had no idea whether he was going to be staying over in LA or if he was going to be traveling down early in the day.
“We wanted to reach out and invite him to join us if he wanted a place to watch.
“We didn’t really think that he’d take us up on it. We sent him tweet, we heard nothing, not surprisingly.
“The guy who runs showing soccer here at the bar, my downstairs neighbor is British. He’s a Tottenham fan, but we don’t hold it against him.
“He had heard that Noel Gallagher was going to be on the show and he sort of egged me on to call in with an invite.
“And so I stayed up until four o’clock in the morning and called in and they invited me to ask him live on air and the rest is kind of history.
“I was very nervous speaking to him on air. I am a big fan and I’ve seen him a couple of times, never with Oasis but with The High Flying Birds.”
Noel’s brother and rival Liam also tweeted he would phone his sibling if Man City won, giving fans hope of an Oasis reunion.
Kristi said: “Whether he takes the call, who knows. He’s also threatened to play in his underpants tonight, so who knows what can happen.”