AS a life-long Manchester City fan, MP Ivan Lewis is no stranger to the terraces at Maine Road.
But his latest visit was behind the scenes looking at the important role the club is playing in the community.
Mr Lewis, Minister for Adult Learning and Skills and a founder member of the 150-strong Westminster branch of the Manchester City Supporters' Club, watched an anti-drugs lesson being delivered to youngsters as part of the Kick It programme at the stadium.
He also met adult learners working towards a computer qualification in the club's study centre, which is known as the Blue Zone.
At the end of the visit, Mr Lewis, who became patron of the club's City In The Community initiative during his visit, was impressed.
Season ticket holder Mr Lewis said: "City's commitment to the community is tremendous. I want to see football clubs embedded in communities and putting something back. The club is being inventive and imaginative in the way they work."
The club's expanded City in the Community drive is led by the club's director of community affairs, Alex Williams, former City and England under-21s goalkeeper.
He said: "What we find is that the kids open up a lot more to us. In the first session, we get to know them and find out how much they know. In the second session, it's about awareness of the dangers of drugs. It has been very successful."