Other : Manchester City Football Club

1999

Lara Croft was once a mascot for Manchester City Football Club.

In August 1999, Eidos Interactive made a 3 year deal with Manchester City, a deal that depended on the results, could have net Eidos £2 million. Lara Weller even went to at least 1 match to represent Eidos, on 8th August 1999 to watch Man City play against Wolverhampton. In case you are wondering, Man City lost against Wolverhampton 1-0.

The Eidos logo featured on Manchester City’s shirts but Lara’s image did not.

Click here to also see some pin badges of Lara Croft wearing the football clothes.

Official Eidos UK Press Release - June 12th 1999

Eidos Signs Up To The Blues

Manchester City Football Club has announced a major new Club sponsor deal for the next three years.

New sponsor Eidos is one of the largest names in computer gaming and the name behind the world's best-selling Lara Croft Tomb Raider series of games in addition to UEFA Champions League, Championship Manager, Commandos and Official Formula One Racing.

Commenting on the deal, executive chairman of Eidos, Ian Livingstone, says,

"Eidos has recently announced that it is to be an official partner to the West McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team. It is also the official interactive partner of the England football team. It sees Manchester City as a unique property in domestic football with enormous potential for the future. Eidos is impressed with the Board's vision for the future and felt it should be part of the new era."

Eidos will be working closely with Manchester City FC in developing new interactive ideas for fans including promotions on the Club's very successful website.

Manchester City chairman, David Bernstein says,

"This association confirms that the Club is being recognised as turning a very important corner. Our success at Wembley capped a season of hard work and total commitment by everyone at the Club.

"Eidos is a modern and progressive company. We believe it will be an ideal partner as we move forward in the next stage of our development."

A formal press conference will soon be announced when full details of the deal will be explained and Lara Croft will make her first visit to the Club.

You can view and download this information in a PDF format here. 

2000

Information from the Official Eidos Interactive Website - December 4th:

Huge cheers went up from the crowd when the lovely Lucy Clarkson, dressed as her alter-ego, Lara Croft, appeared on the pitch for the first Derby in two years.

The Derby is a traditional match between Manchester City, of whom Eidos have been the official sponsors for the last two seasons, and Manchester United. As a special event, though, Eidos decided to treat the fans to a special surprise and sponsored the match itself.

Fun was had by all at the match, and Ian Livingstone, Executive Chairman of Eidos and a huge fan of Man City, presented the ‘Man of the Match’ prize to Danny Tiatto of Man City.

Liam Gallagher, another fan of Man City, also spent the whole afternoon at the Eidos hospitality suite, whilst our Competition Winners had a wonderful day...

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Sources:

• http://web.archive.org/web/20001013182936/http://cubeit.com/ctimes/news/199908/news0445.html
• http://web.archive.org/web/20010618234310/http://www.eidosinteractive.co.uk/corporate/pressinfo.html?prid=18
• ​https://tombraiderargentina.tumblr.com/post/119443825840/manchester-city-and-eidos-1999
• https://web.archive.org/web/20010127124200/http://www.eidosinteractive.co.uk/newsinfo.html?nwid=71