The third of FC Barcelona’s events with its supporters’ clubs in the United States took place in New York this Friday, with some 150 fans packed into Smithfield Hall, Manhattan.
The Penya FC Barcelona NYC and Garden State Blaugrana Penya of New Jersey were the hosts, where they were joined by representatives of the club in the vice-presidents Antonio Escudero and Fort Helenand board members Josep Ignasi Macia, Xavier Puig and Joan Soler. former star Julien Belletti and Pedri’s father Fernando Gonzalezwho is the president of the Tenerife supporters club, was also present.
Highlights included Barça’s resounding anthem to welcome visitors to Catalonia, and when Josep Ignasi Macià, the director of the department that oversees the fan movement, introduced Pedri’s father to a massive ovation and with everyone chanting the name of one of the most endearing players in the current team.
Jordi Getmanpresident of PB New York, and Christian Hernandez, president of PB Garden State, gave speeches thanking everyone for coming and Hernández also expressed his gratitude to Getman for the invitation to co-host the celebrations. Although the venue is New York, Saturday’s game against the NY Red Bulls will be played in New Jersey.
Josep Ignasi Macià mentioned that the New York fans always made him feel at home whenever he visited their city, and also thanked all the backroom staff who are so often forgotten, but who did such a brilliant job to make this tour a success.
Finally the director of the Social Area, Antonio Escudero, described the different projects of the club and especially those that concern the supporters, and ended his speech by saying, in English, that “This is my family”.
