Liam Manning and his son Isaac took to the Ashton Gate pitch to celebrate after Bristol City secured their place in the play-offsLiam Manning celebrated with his son Isaac after Bristol City’s draw with Preston(Image: Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Liam Manning has lifted the lid on his celebration with his son Isaac after Bristol City’s place in the Championship play-off places was secured following the Robins’ draw with Preston North End at Ashton Gate, admitting he had “force him” to join in with the fist-bumps.

The Robins came from behind to draw 2-2 with Paul Heckingbottom’s side on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a brace from Ross McCrorie. In the space of just five minutes, the Scotland international twice beat David Cornell in the Lilywhites’ net to ensure the Reds ended the regular campaign with an extra point to their name.

While McCrorie’s goal got the party atmosphere started in and around BS3, the mood turned tense when the full-time whistle was blown and the players gathered in the middle of the pitch as they waited to learn the result of Blackburn Rovers’ meeting with Sheffield United. When the full-time whistle was blown at Bramall Lane, a cheer echoed around the stadium and the celebrations truly began as supporters invaded the playing surface.

READ MORE: Bristol City 2 – 2 Preston North End recap: Ross McCrorie brace helps Robins secure play-off spotREAD MORE: Liam Manning shares ‘special’ Bristol City verdict as Reds secure top six spot with Preston draw

Once the fans had returned to their seats, Manning and his playing squad returned to the field for the end-of-season awards before completing a lap of honour. As they approached Section 82, the head coach was joined by his son Isaac when he completed his trademark fist-bumps to the home crowd, something he had planned in the lead-up to Saturday’s game.

“Yeah, it was special. I had to force him to do it,” the head coach told Bristol Live. “He’d said about doing it during the week and then he bottled it a little bit, so there was a little bit of a nudge.

“It’s been a tough year personally for me, so it’s a special moment for me to be able to do that with my family at the end.”

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While on the pitch, it has been an incredibly successful season for the Robins, the last year or so has been nowhere near as straightforward off of it. City confirmed in October of 2024 that Manning would be taking a leave of absence following the tragic passing of his baby son Theo. Ahead of the meeting with Preston, the Reds head coach admitted he and the playing squad were “desperate” to get over the line having had to contend with so much over the course of the campaign so far.

Although the Robins boss was able to enjoy a “special” moment with his family, his players and his coaching staff after the full-time whistle, he confessed he had been on an emotional rollercoaster over the course of the afternoon. Despite those mixed feelings, he was keen to shine a light on the role those around him, both in his personal life and in a footballing sense, have played to help him navigate the last few months.

“It was tough,” he continued when asked about the emotions at the full-time whistle. “I’ve probably nearly cried about three times today. The fans have been terrific right?

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“I remember even going up to Leeds on Monday, I remember Leeds here in terms of that day and it was such a strange feeling, such a difficult day. That’s where there’s a huge amount of credit to the lads, they got us through the last six months in terms of distracting me and allowing me to stay focused. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for that group.

“That in itself speaks volumes about the lads and how they are as people. Forget the outcome of today and achieving what we have, what they’ve done for me, I’m eternally grateful for that.

“It was special, special to have Isaac out there with me as well. My wife’s incredible, how tough she is and what she’s done for me as well in the last however long we’ve been together so it’s a special moment for me and my family.”

READ MORE: Bristol City player ratings vs Preston: Ross McCrorie steals show as Reds secure play-off spotREAD MORE: Zak Vyner: Bristol City defender on play-off final trip, learning from Leeds and top six race