Manchester logo unveiled

UEFA today unveiled the logo for this season's UEFA Champions League final at Old Trafford in Manchester.

May date
This season's final will be played at Manchester United FC's Old Trafford home on 28 May next year and Manchester's Town Hall was the venue for the unveiling ceremony, attended by Denis Law, Paddy Crerand and Bill Foulkes, all heroes of United's European Champion Clubs' Cup-winning campaign of 1968.

Media Conference
Also present were Richard Leese, leader of Manchester city council, and councillor Roy Walters, lord mayor of Manchester, along with Mike Lee, UEFA's director of communications and public affairs. Old Trafford is also the venue for this week's second UEFA Media Conference.

First since 1992
This year's final will be the first played in England since 1992 when FC Barcelona defeated UC Sampdoria at Wembley Stadium, and the first to be held outside London.

'Credit to Manchester'
"These things tell us what a credit it is to the people of this city, to the fans of football and also in particular to Manchester United," said Lee. "Before we make our decisions where to put the final - plenty of people want to host this final - we look at a number of matters. We look at the ground, we look at the airport, transport and the hotel facilities. Manchester has scored the highest points in all of those fields."

Looking forward
Walters said: "We look forward to working with UEFA, the Football Association and Manchester United to ensure the final is a huge success and one of which we can all be proud."