Meet the Team
Find out more about the Charities and Events team.
Team members
Alex Williams MBE, Connell Awards Manager
Alex started with Manchester City Football Club in 1978 as an apprentice footballer; in 1981 he became a first team goalkeeper and made 140 first team appearances. He was also picked to play for England’s under 18’s and under 21’s. After a successful career playing for Manchester City and England, Alex retired from football in 1985.
He then joined City in the Community in 1990 as a junior member of staff. In 2002 Alex went on to manage the scheme for 10 years and was awarded an MBE by HRH Prince Charles for Services to the Community.
Alex’s current role is the Connell Awards Manager. The Connell Awards are for working with local community groups and rewarding individual people for their hard work in sustaining sports programmes for local children.
He also assists in the delivery of International Soccer Schools, and Coach Education programmes.
Lorraine Firth, Charities Executive
Lorraine joined Manchester City in 1999 after the fantastic Wembley game. Initially Lorraine worked part-time in the Ticket Office and then for Marketing with the launch of Citycard and International Supporters Club.
In 2003 Lorraine took over the Charities Department which involves signing session. She now concentrates on selling signed merchandise for CITC Giving and still manages all the signing sessions.
Sarah Wilkinson, Charity and Community Assistant
Sarah started her role as Charity and Community Events Assistant in September 2011. She oversees time lines and dependencies, and administering project plans to ensure smooth preparation of projects such as the Santa Stroll, Snapshot photograph exhibition and the Giving Game.
Prior to working at City, Sarah graduated with a BA Hons Events Management degree from Manchester Metropolitan University which lead her to work within the Guest Service and Events and Operations department at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
Sarah has always been passionate about customer service and raising money for charity through events and sponsored activities.
Paul Lake, Club Ambassador - CITC
As a former player, Paul appeared for MCFC over 130 times in the mid to late 1980’s.
Paul returned to the club as the Ambassador for City in the Community and has worked predominantly in a fundraising capacity alongside working with our fabulous delivery team.
