Phil Foden’s ‘mum puts £3m mansion up for sale a week after ‘vile’ chants about her from Man United supporters’

In a development that has sent ripples through Manchester’s footballing community, Claire Rowlands, the mother of Manchester City star Phil Foden, has placed her luxury £3 million mansion on the market just one week after becoming the target of deplorable chants from Manchester United supporters during the recent Manchester derby.

The 45-year-old Rowlands found herself the unfortunate subject of abhorrent chants during last Sunday’s goalless draw at Old Trafford, where sections of the home support directed offensive language toward her while her son was on the pitch. The England international midfielder was subjected to hearing these chants before being substituted in the 58th minute of the match.

These disgraceful scenes have apparently prompted a significant life change for Rowlands, with her luxurious Prestbury property now listed for sale seeking offers in excess of £3 million. The timing of this decision has led many to speculate about a direct connection between the abusive incident and her choice to relocate.

The mansion in question was purchased by Phil Foden four years ago, who initially lived there with his mother Claire and father Phil Sr. The 24-year-old footballer subsequently moved to a separate nearby residence with his fiancée Rebecca Cooke and their three young children, leaving the original property to his mother.

Situated in an upmarket lane in the affluent Cheshire village of Prestbury, the property boasts an impressive array of luxury amenities that reflect the lifestyle afforded by Foden’s success at Manchester City. Among its features are a swimming pool, cinema room, fully-equipped gymnasium, wine cellar, and even a golf simulator, creating a comprehensive high-end living experience.

This is not the first time the Foden family has made headlines regarding their Prestbury residence. According to local reports, Rowlands previously caused disruption in the neighborhood with what was described as a “deafening two-hour fireworks party” that drew complaints from surrounding residents.

Neighbors reportedly compared the extravagant pyrotechnic display to something one might expect at “Sydney Harbour Bridge or Disneyland,” claiming they received no advance warning of the event, which allegedly lasted from 6 PM until 8:30 PM. The unexpected nature of the display was said to have caused distress to residents’ pets and young children.

One particularly aggrieved neighbor went so far as to state: “There was no prior notice or warning, causing immense distress to residents’ dogs and babies. In response, the locals wrote an open letter deploring the antics of the Fodens and the effect it is having on our lives.”

The property has apparently gained a reputation among some local residents as a “party house,” with complaints about noise and loud music becoming somewhat regular occurrences. One local resident told reporters: “They do throw some wild parties there and it does get noisy. People don’t mind them enjoying themselves, but this is ridiculous.”

Family Background

While the article references some past incidents involving Claire Rowlands, including an arrest for being drunk and disorderly and an altercation at a boxing match where her protective instincts toward her son led to an incident with spectators, it also notes the strong family bond that exists between mother and son.

Phil Foden was raised in more modest surroundings before his meteoric rise in football, growing up in an end-of-terrace house on Grenville Street near Stockport County Football Club. Many locals who witnessed Foden’s development have expressed anger at the abuse directed at Claire, highlighting the tight-knit nature of the community and their protective attitude toward one of their most successful sons.

Despite occasional controversies, Claire’s commitment to her family, particularly her son Phil, has been described as “unquestionable” by those who have known the family throughout Foden’s journey to becoming one of England’s premier footballers.

This incident comes at a time when football authorities are under increasing pressure to address offensive chanting and fan behavior in stadiums across the country. The targeting of players’ families represents a particularly concerning trend that crosses the boundaries of acceptable rivalry between clubs.

Neither Manchester United nor Manchester City have officially commented on the specific chants directed at Rowlands during the derby match, though both clubs have previously stated their commitment to combating abusive behavior from supporters.

The Manchester derby, one of English football’s most fiercely contested fixtures, has seen tensions escalate in recent years as City have emerged as the dominant force in English football, winning multiple Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola while their local rivals have struggled to recapture their former glory.

The unfortunate incident comes during what has otherwise been a stellar period in Phil Foden’s career. The City academy graduate has established himself as one of the Premier League’s outstanding talents, becoming a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s side and a regular for England.

His performances this season have further cemented his status as one of the game’s brightest young stars, with many pundits tipping him as a future Ballon d’Or contender. This personal success stands in stark contrast to the unpleasant experiences his family has had to endure as a result of his high profile.

While the sale of the Prestbury mansion marks a significant change for the Foden family, it remains to be seen where Claire Rowlands will relocate to and whether she will remain in the Manchester area. The incident has raised questions about the protection afforded to players’ families and the responsibilities of clubs to ensure they are not subjected to abuse.

As Phil Foden continues to focus on his footballing career, with Manchester City competing on multiple fronts for major honors this season, this off-field distraction serves as a reminder of the personal cost that can sometimes accompany sporting success and the continuing issues surrounding fan behavior in the modern game.

The property listing comes at a time when the luxury real estate market in Cheshire’s “Golden Triangle” remains buoyant, with the area continuing to be a preferred location for footballers and other high-net-worth individuals. Despite economic uncertainties in other sectors, premium properties in this desirable location continue to command significant prices, with the £3 million asking price reflecting both the quality of the property and its desirable location.

There has been a noticeable outpouring of support for the Foden family from the local community in Stockport where Phil grew up. Many residents from his childhood neighborhood have expressed their disgust at the chants directed at Claire, highlighting the strong sense of pride the area takes in one of its most successful sons.

This community bond underscores the reality that behind the headlines and luxury lifestyles, the families of football stars often maintain strong connections to their roots and are affected by public abuse in ways that can have real-life consequences.

As Phil Foden continues his remarkable trajectory in football, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of some of the less pleasant aspects that can accompany sporting fame, particularly in the age of social media and heightened rivalry between supporters of different clubs.

The decision to sell the family home so soon after such a public incident of abuse suggests that the impact of such behavior extends far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch, affecting the private lives and personal decisions of those connected to the game’s biggest stars.