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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Thomas George

"There was no point waiting": Optimistic City fan gets celebratory treble tattoo days BEFORE Champions League final

An optimistic Manchester City fan is so confident of the Blues winning the treble that he already has a celebratory tattoo.

Stuart Cooper, 48, has had the ink permanently inscribed on his left leg days before City take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday. Should they beat the Italians, Pep Guardiola's side will complete a historic treble, having already secured both the Premier League and FA Cup titles this season.

Such is Stuart's faith in his team that the diehard Blue decided to have 'Treble Winners 2023' tattooed onto his calf before the match has even been played.

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"I've been a season ticket holder for years and said if City win the treble, I'll get a tattoo," said Stuart, from Blackley. "I've never had one before because I'm scared of needles.

"I've got a feeling it's going to happen and there was no point waiting. I wanted to be the first one to have it done."

Car salesman Stuart is among 20,000 lucky Blues who have managed to bag a ticket to Saturday's final at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. He had the tattoo done in the Turkish holiday resort of Alanya, where he is staying before flying to Istanbul on Thursday.

The ink, which also features Man City's club crest and the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies, took five hours to complete.

Manchester City fan Stuart Cooper's premature tattoo (Stuart Cooper)

Stuart later took to TikTok to show off his new tattoo, which went down like a lead balloon with fans of City, their rivals, and even his own friends and family.

"They have all gone mad," said Stuart. "They're saying I'm a d*** **** and I should have waited.

"Most people want Inter Milan to win but they're just jealous United and Liverpool fans."

Stuart, however, has no concerns about his eagerness coming back to bite him and says he is 'more than confident' of City lifting the Champions League.

The tattoo before completion (Stuart Cooper)

"I've never been this confident in my life that City will win on Saturday night," he said. "I'm more confident than if we were playing Barnet.

"Inter Milan are absolutely rubbish. It will be over by half time. City are on a different level at the moment.

"The last ten years have been unbelievable. It doesn't feel real. This is going to be the best few days of my life, but the worst if we lose.

"It won't happen but if it does, I'll have to hope they win the treble in 2028 so I can turn the three into an eight."

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