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Manchester City F.C.

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Manchester City
Manchester City crest
Full nameManchester City Football Club
Nickname(s)The Citizens or The Blues
Founded1880, as
West Gorton (St. Marks)
GroundCity of Manchester Stadium/Eastlands
Manchester
England
Capacity47,726[1]
ChairmanEngland John Wardle
ManagerVacant
LeaguePremier League
2006–07Premier League, 14th

Manchester City Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Manchester. Formed in 1880 as St. Marks (West Gorton), they went on to become Ardwick A.F.C. in 1887 before finally becoming Manchester City F.C. in 1894. The club have won the League Championship twice, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the European Cup Winners Cup once. Manchester City's most successful period came in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when they acquired several trophies under the management team of Joe Mercer and assistant Malcolm Allison, and with great players such as Colin Bell.

The club have not won a major honour since 1976. The club's decline led to relegation twice in three years in the 1990s, meaning they spent one year in the third tier of English football. However, the club has since regained FA Premier League status, putting City back in the top flight, the division in which they have spent the majority of their history. The club enjoys a large fanbase, regularly attracting more than 40,000 to their home ground, the City of Manchester Stadium.

History

Further information: History of Manchester City F.C.

Manchester City were founded as St. Marks (West Gorton) in 1880 by Anna Connell and two wardens of St. Mark's Church, who also worked in the nearby iron factory, in Gorton, a district in east Manchester. In 1887 they moved to a new ground at Hyde Road, in Ardwick just to the east of the city centre, and were renamed Ardwick A.F.C. to reflect their new location. Ardwick joined the Football League as founding members of the Second Division in 1892. Financial troubles in the 1893-94 season led to a reorganisation within the club, and Ardwick were reformed as Manchester City F.C.

City gained their first honours by winning the Second Division in 1899; with it came promotion to the highest level in English football, the First Division. They went on to claim their first major honour on 23 April 1904, beating Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup; City narrowly missed out on a League and Cup double that season after finishing runners-up in the League. In the seasons following the FA Cup triumph, the club was dogged by allegations of financial irregularities, culminating in the suspension of seventeen players in 1906, including captain Billy Meredith.[2] A fire at Hyde Road destroyed the main stand in 1920, and in 1923 the club moved to their new purpose-built stadium at Maine Road in Moss Side.

In the 1930s Manchester City reached two consecutive FA Cup finals, losing to Everton in 1933, before claiming the Cup by beating Portsmouth in 1934. The club won the First Division title for the first time in 1937, but were relegated the following season, despite scoring more goals than any other team in the division.[3] 20 years later, a City team inspired by a tactical system known as the Revie Plan reached consecutive FA Cup finals again, in 1955 and 1956; just as in the 1930s, they lost the first one, to Newcastle United, and won the second. The 1956 final, in which Manchester City beat Birmingham City 3-1, is one of the most famous finals of all-time, and is remembered for City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann continuing to play on after unknowingly breaking his neck.

After relegation to the Second Division in 1963, the future looked bleak with a record low home attendance of 8,015 against Swindon Town in January 1965. In the summer of 1965, the management team of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison was appointed. In the first season under Mercer, City won the Second Division title and made important signings in Mike Summerbee and Colin Bell. Two seasons later, in 1967-68, Manchester City claimed the League Championship for the second time, clinching the title on the final day of the season with a 4-3 win at Newcastle United. Further trophies followed: City won the FA Cup in 1969, before achieving European success by winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970, beating Górnik Zabrze 2-1 in Vienna. City also won the League Cup that season, becoming the second English team to win a European trophy and a domestic trophy in the same season.

The club continued to challenge for honours throughout the 1970s, finishing just one point behind the league champions on two occasions and reaching the final of the 1974 League Cup. One of the matches from this period that is most fondly remembered by supporters of Manchester City is the final match of the 1973-74 season against arch-rivals Manchester United, who needed to win to be sure of avoiding relegation. Former United player Denis Law scored with a backheel to give City a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and confirm the relegation of their rivals.[4] The final trophy of the club's most successful period was won in 1976, when Newcastle United were beaten 2-1 in the League Cup final.

A long period of decline followed the success of the 1960s and 1970s. Malcolm Allison rejoined the club to become manager for the second time in 1979, but squandered large sums of money on unsuccessful signings, such as Steve Daley. A succession of managers then followed – seven in the 1980s alone. City reached the 1981 FA Cup final but lost in a replay to Tottenham Hotspur. The club were twice relegated from the top flight in the 1980s (in 1983 and 1987), but recovered to finish fifth in Division One twice in succession under the management of Peter Reid. However, this was only a temporary respite, and following Reid's departure Manchester City's fortunes continued to fade. City were founders of the Premier League upon its creation in 1992, but were relegated to Division One in 1996. After two seasons in Division One, City fell to the lowest point in their history, becoming the first ever European trophy winners to be relegated to English football's third tier.

Manchester City (blue) in action against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, January 2006

The 2002-03 season was the last at Maine Road, and included a 3-1 derby victory over rivals Manchester United, ending a run of 13 years without a derby win. City also qualified for the UEFA Cup through the "Fair Play ranking", earning the club's first entry into European competition in 25 years. In the 2003 close season the club moved to the new City of Manchester Stadium.

In March 2005 Kevin Keegan left the club, and Stuart Pearce took over as caretaker, leading his side to an eight-match unbeaten run at the end of the season as they just missed out on European qualification. Pearce was rewarded by being given the manager's position on a permanent basis. The 2005-06 season started brightly for Manchester City; the club held a top-six position until November. However, form deteriorated in the second half of the season and City finished 15th.

The 2006-07 season was equally disappointing for their fans, particularly those who only saw home games. The team created a new record for the fewest goals scored at home in a season in the top flight (beating Sunderland's 14 in 2002-03 and Woolwich Arsenal's 11 in 1912-13)[5], scoring only 10 goals (having missed two penalties in the last two home matches). Disciplinary problems with Joey Barton compounded an awful season, which saw City finish in 14th place. The season's troubles finally culminated in the sacking of manager Stuart Pearce on 14 May 2007. Assistant manager Steve Wigley & reserve team coach Ian Woan both also left the club on 16 May 2007. Pearce's successor has yet to be named.

Colours and crest

File:Oldmanchestercitylogo.gif
Manchester City crest from 1972-1997

Manchester City's home colours are sky blue and white. Traditional away kit colours have been either maroon or (from the 1960s) red and black; however, in recent years several different colours have been used. Through the 2004-06 campaigns, the team wore an all-navy blue away kit. During the 2006-08 seasons they sport an all-black (with grey trim) second strip. However, when away to Premiership teams who wear predominantly dark blue as their first choice colours, the team generally changes to a third kit, which is yellow shirts with black shorts & socks. The club tried to justify the use of yellow as a Manchester City colour in an article in one of their match day programs, by saying that it was used in 1950s & 60s. The colour they were referring to was, indeed, amber with a maroon trim - and was very rarely used.

The origins of the club's home colours are unclear, but there is evidence that the club have worn blue since 1892 or earlier. A booklet entitled Famous Football Clubs - Manchester City published in the 1940s indicates that West Gorton (St. Marks) originally played in scarlet and black, and reports dating from 1884 describe the team wearing black jerseys bearing a white cross, showing the club's origins as a church side.[6] The red and black away colours come from former assistant manager Malcolm Allison, who believed that adopting the colours of A.C. Milan would inspire City to glory.[7]

The current club crest was adopted in 1997, a result of the previous crest being ineligible for registration as a trademark. The badge is based on the arms of the city of Manchester, and consists of a shield in front of a golden eagle. The shield features a ship on its upper half representing the Manchester Ship Canal, and three diagonal stripes in the lower half, for the city's three rivers. The bottom of the badge bears the Latin motto Superbia in Proelio, which translates as Pride in Battle. Above the eagle and shield are three stars.

City have previously worn two other crests on their shirts. The first, introduced in 1970, was based on designs which had been used on official club documentation since the mid-1960s. It consisted of a round badge which used the same shield as the current crest, inside a circle bearing the name of the club. In 1972 this was replaced by a variation which replaced the lower half of the shield with the red rose of Lancashire. On occasions when Manchester City play in a major cup final, the usual crest is not used; instead shirts bearing a badge of the arms of the City of Manchester are used, as a symbol of pride in representing the city of Manchester at a major event. This practice originates from a time when the players' shirts did not normally bear a badge of any kind, but has continued throughout the history of the club.[8]

Stadium

Main articles: City of Manchester Stadium, Maine Road, Hyde Road
File:CIMG1422.JPG
The City of Manchester stadium

Manchester City's current stadium is the City of Manchester Stadium, a newly constructed state-of-the-art 48,000-seater stadium situated in East Manchester, leased from Manchester City Council after the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The City of Manchester Stadium has been home to City since the end of the 2002-03 season, when the club moved from Maine Road.

Before moving to the stadium, Manchester City spent about £35million on upgrading it and lowering the field of play from ground level (where it was during the Commonwealth Games) to below ground level, adding an additional tier of seating around the entire pitch and also building the new North Stand. The inaugural match at the new stadium was a 2-1 win over FC Barcelona in a friendly match, with the first goal at the stadium scored by Nicolas Anelka.[9]

Manchester City have also used several other grounds during their history. After playing home games at five different grounds between 1880 and 1887, the club settled at Hyde Road and stayed for 36 years. After a fire destroyed the Main Stand in 1920, the club decided to look for a new site, moving to the 84,000-capacity Maine Road in 1923, which was nicknamed the "Wembley of the North" by designers. On 3 March 1934, Maine Road hosted the largest-ever crowd at an English club ground, when 84,569 attended an FA Cup tie against Stoke City.[10] Maine Road was redeveloped several times over its 80-year lifespan, though by 1995 its capacity was restricted to 32,000, prompting the move to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Supporters

Manchester City have a large fanbase in relation to their comparative lack of success on the pitch. Since moving to the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City's average attendances have been in the top six in England.[11], though in the 2006/2007 season City's attendances fell slightly, to an average league attendance of approximately 40,000. Even in the late 1990s, when the club were relegated twice in three seasons and playing in the third tier of English football (then Division Two, now Football League One), home attendances were in the region of 30,000, compared to an average for the division of fewer than 8,000.[12] Research carried out by Manchester City estimates a fanbase of 400,000 in the United Kingdom and a total in excess of 2 million worldwide.[13]

Manchester City have a number of supporters organisations, of which three have official recognition: the Official Supporters Club, the Centenary Supporters Association and the International Supporters Club. There have been several fanzines published by supporters; two are still on regular sale, King of the Kippax and City Til I Cry.

Celebrity City supporters include brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher of the Manchester based rock band Oasis. On 27 April - 28, 1996 the group played their first headline outdoor concerts at the Maine Road Ground. Highlights from the second night featured on the video ...There And Then, released later the same year.

The City fans' song of choice is a rendition of "Blue Moon", which despite its melancholic theme is belted out with gusto as though it were a heroic anthem. City supporters tend to believe that unpredictability is an inherent trait of their team, and label unexpected results "typical City".[14][15] Events that fans regard as "typical City" include City's being the only reigning English champions ever to be relegated (in 1938), or the more recent example that City was the only team to beat Chelsea in the 2004-05 Premiership, yet in the same season City were knocked out of the FA Cup by Oldham Athletic, a team two divisions lower.

Manchester City's biggest rivalry is with neighbours Manchester United, against whom they contest the Manchester derby. Unlike football rivalries in some other cities, such as Glasgow and Barcelona, the rivalry between City and United does not have its origins in religion or politics, and before the Second World War, when travel to away games was rare, many Mancunian football fans watched both teams. As travel became easier, support for both teams became unusual and the rivalry developed.

A common stereotype is that City fans come from Manchester proper, while United fans come from elsewhere. A 2002 report by a researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University found that a higher proportion of City season ticket holders come from Manchester postcode areas; however United had a higher number of season ticket holders living in Manchester, as they had more season ticket holders overall. However, the report contained a caveat stating that the number of City season tickets has since increased (the report was compiled before City's move to the City of Manchester Stadium). The study also found that City had the highest proportion of support in the south and east of the city, and United had the highest proportion in the north and west of the city.[16] Manchester post codes also cover Salford, a city in itself located to the northwest of Manchester.

In the late 1980s, City fans started a craze of bringing inflatable objects to matches, primarily oversized bananas. The craze had its origins in a match against West Bromwich Albion when chants from fans calling for the introduction of Imre Varadi as a substitute mutated into "Imre Banana". Terraces packed with inflatable-wielding supporters became a common sight in the 1988-89 season as the craze spread to other clubs, with the phenomenon reaching a peak at City's match at Stoke City on 26 December 1988, a match declared by fanzines as a fancy dress party.[17]. In the 2006/2007 season, City's FA Cup run to the sixth round of the competition saw the reemergence of the inflatables craze, with hundreds of yellow and blue bananas being brought to cup matches.

In August 2006 the club became the first to be officially recognised as a "gay-friendly" employer by campaign group Stonewall (UK).[18]

The official mascots of the club are the space aliens "Moonchester" and "Moonbeam", pun's on the club's anthem Blue Moon.

Ownership

The holding company of Manchester City F.C., Manchester City plc, is a public limited company. Manchester City plc is listed on the specialist independent equity market PLUS (formerly OFEX).[19] As of 30 April 2007, Manchester City's market capitalisation value is £22.72m[19] and the club made a pre-tax profit of £16.97m in the year ending 31 May 2006.[20]

The club has approximately 54 million shares in issue. The largest shareholding is that of John Wardle and David Makin, founders of the JD Sports retail chain,[21] who have a combined holding of 29.95% of share capital. The second largest holding of 18.75% is controlled by the estate of former Limelight owner Stephen Boler. British Sky Broadcasting hold 9.88% and former chairman Francis Lee holds 7.13%.[20] The remainder is held by several thousand small shareholders.

In December 2006 the club issued a statement regarding a possible takeover,[22] prompting press speculation about potential buyers. On 24 April, former Manchester City player Ray Ranson announced interest in making an offer for the club,[23] though the club denied press reports that a bid had been made.[24] On 1 May 2007, it was announced that former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had been granted access to the clubs accounts.[25]

Current squad

(Correct as of May 15, 2007) Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Sweden SWE Andreas Isaksson
2 DF England ENG Micah Richards
3 DF England ENG Michael Ball
5 MF France FRA Ousmane Dabo
7 MF Ireland EIR Stephen Ireland
8 MF England ENG Joey Barton
9 FW Belgium BEL Émile Mpenza
11 FW England ENG Darius Vassell
12 GK England ENG Nicky Weaver
14 FW Scotland SCO Paul Dickov
15 DF France FRA Sylvain Distin
16 DF Nigeria NGA Nedum Onuoha
17 DF China CHN Sun Jihai
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF England ENG Danny Mills
20 FW Greece GRE Georgios Samaras
21 MF Germany GER Dietmar Hamann
22 DF Ireland EIR Richard Dunne (captain)
25 GK England ENG Joe Hart
26 DF England ENG Matthew Mills
30 FW Italy ITA Bernardo Corradi
33 MF England ENG Michael Johnson
34 DF England ENG Sam Williamson
36 FW England ENG Daniel Sturridge
38 DF England ENG Shaleum Logan
39 MF Scotland SCO Marc Laird
41 FW England ENG Ashley Grimes
43 MF England ENG Ishmael Miller

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
19 GK Denmark DEN Kasper Schmeichel (on loan to Falkirk)
37 FW Nigeria NGA Kelvin Etuhu (on loan to Rochdale F.C.)

Number 23

Since 2003, Manchester City have not issued the squad number 23. It was retired in memory of Marc-Vivien Foé, who was on loan to the club from Olympique Lyonnais at the time of his death on the field of play playing for Cameroon in the 2003 Confederations Cup.

Hall of fame

Further information: List of Manchester City F.C. players

The following players are members of Manchester City's Hall of Fame,[26] and are listed according to year of Manchester City first-team debut (year in parentheses):

Notable former managers

Further information: List of Manchester City F.C. managers

The following managers have all won at least one major trophy with Manchester City (Totals include competitive matches only):

Name From To Played Won  Drawn Lost
Tom Maley 1902 1906 150 89 22 39
Wilf Wild 1932 1946 354 158 124 72
Les McDowall 1950 1963 592 220 127 245
Joe Mercer 1965 1971 340 149 94 97
Tony Book 1974 1979 269 114 75 80

Honours

  • Second Division (old format), First Division/Championship (new format)
    • Champions 1899, 1903, 1910, 1928, 1947, 1966, 2002 (7 times, record holders)
    • Runners-up 1896, 1951, 1989, 2000
  • Second Division (new format)
    • Play-off winners 1999
  • FA Cup
    • Winners 1904, 1934, 1956, 1969
    • Finalists 1926, 1933, 1955, 1981
  • Charity Shield
    • Winners 1937, 1968, 1972
    • Runners-up 1934, 1956, 1969, 1973
Preceded by UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Winner
1970
Runner up: Górnik Zabrze 		Succeeded by

Records

References

  • James, Gary (2002). Manchester: The Greatest City. Polar Publishing. ISBN 1-899538-09-7.
  • Goble, Ray and Ward, Andrew (1993). Manchester City: A Complete Record. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-873626-41-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Stadium History". Manchester City FC official website. Retrieved September 18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ James, pp 59-65.
  3. ^ "England 1937/38". league table from RSSSF. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Other results meant United would have been relegated if the match had been drawn, but neither team knew this at the time.
  5. ^ "Manchester City on course for low-scoring record
  6. ^ James, pp. 14-15
  7. ^ "Nicking the shirts off their backs". The Guardian. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ David Clayton, Everything Under the Blue Moon (Mainstream Publishing, 2002), 21.
  9. ^ "Man City vanquish Barca". BBC article. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "True Blue facts about Manchester City". BBC article. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Top 30 English Football Clubs by League Attendances". footballeconomy.com attendance table 2002-2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Average Attendances - English Football Divisions - 1994/95-2004/05". footballeconomy.com division attendance table 1995-2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Customer Success - Manchester City Football Club". Hewlett-Packard case study. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help) (archive.org mirror)
  14. ^ "FA Cup preview". ESPN Star article. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Typical City!". Unofficial supporters homepage. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Do You Come From Manchester?" (PDF). Manchester Metropolitan University study. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "The Inflatables Craze". Manchester City Football Club Supporters' Homepage. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Top club backs gay rights". Premiership side set to change footballing attitudes by introducing 'gay-friendly' policy.' Homepage. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b "Manchester City plc". PLUS Markets Group. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b "Final Reports and Accounts 2006" (PDF). Manchester City plc. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help) (pdf)
  21. ^ "Wardle loan key to City takeover". The Times. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Manchester City plc - Statement re Possible Offer". PLUS Markets Group. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Ranson's 'inadequate' bid leaves City cold". Independent. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Manchester City plc - Statement re Ray Ranson". PLUS Markets Group. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Ex-Thai PM steps up Man City bid". BBC Sport. 2007-01-05. Retrieved 2007-01-05. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "Hall of Fame". Manchester City official website. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Up until 1992, the top division of English football was the Football League First Division; since then, it has been the FA Premier League. At the same time, the Second Division was renamed the First Division, and the Third Division was renamed the Second Division.
  28. ^ The figure of £13 million includes the valuation of Alioune Touré , who went to Paris Saint-Germain as part of the deal.

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