"My Granddad Got Me a City Shirt" - Elliot Anderson Opens Up on Childhood Affection for Manchester City

"My Granddad Got Me a City Shirt" - Elliot Anderson Opens Up on Childhood Affection for Manchester City Elliot Anderson has donned sky blue beneath Newcastle's black and white since childhood. Not every summer arrival hits the ground running, which makes City fans especially quick to warm to those players that do manage to slot right in. Summer signing Elliot Anderson certainly fits into that category. So far, adapting to life under Enzo Maresca has been smooth sailing, earning the midfielder acclaim from fans and pundits - and now a nomination for the Etihad Player of the Month award for October. Beyond his obvious impact on the pitch, the 23-year-old has quickly connected with supporters through his humility and sincerity when handling media duties away from the grass. After spending more than a decade in Newcastle United’s youth and senior ranks, followed by an impressive two-year spell at Nottingham Forest, the possessionally dominant style of Manchester City was always going to represent a major shift. However, the midfielder has taken the step in his stride and cites the instant backing he received from City supporters as a key factor in his swift acclimatisation. In a recent interview for the November edition of Manchester City's official magazine , Anderson discussed his enduring connection with the club and how backing from the terraces helped him move past a challenging debut. "The Manchester City fans have been great to me from the first minute I played and really supported me and got behind me," Anderson said. Obviously, my first game was in the Community Shield and wasn't my best performance, but I think the fans really sort of stuck with me and hopefully I’ve started to repay them." That bond has translated into stellar form on the pitch, with exceptional performances at Old Trafford and Anfield among the highlights. With  Manchester City  competing fiercely across domestic and European fronts, the midfielder's combative and composed displays have given Enzo Maresca a must-start name in the engine room. A childhood affinity for the Blues While Anderson's footballing education took place in the North East during his long association with Newcastle, his ties to the Blues do stretch back further than his recent transfer. Growing up with a soft spot for Manchester City, the midfielder revealed how a gift from his grandad during his childhood left a lasting impression. "I think I joined Newcastle U9s and left when I was about 21," the England midfielder added. "I was a long time at the club, and I loved it. "Obviously, I've always been a Newcastle fan, all my family have, but everyone has a second club and that was City for me. "My grandad got me a City shirt, I think around the 2010-11 season, and I was about eight at the time. It was something I’d just wear around the house - outside I was always in a Newcastle top." Manchester City now prepare for a visit to RB Leipzig in midweek before Anderson returns to face his old club Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. As the club look to restore parity in the Premier League title race, Anderson's growing stature on the pitch will ensure he remains a vital cog in Maresca’s machine.