It's Always Darkest Before The Dawn!

Think back just over a decade when City were at their lowest position in their history. When you ask City fans about the 1998-99 season and the majority of minds instantly jump to the last minute Dickov goal in the playoff final or the Weaver marathon run around the Wembley pitch. All those were great memories, I myself was on holiday in Tenerife at the time and remember the many bars that were filled with City fans. They, like me, had felt the season was at a loss when they booked their excursions probably seven months or more prior. At that point City  (24th October 1998) were struggling. After 15 games they were mid table with just 21 points and only five wins. Things looked bleak and looking back now, had City not pulled it together through the second half of the season then we may very well have slipped into football oblivion!

City Don't Pity Mickey!

Another game down and City find themselves doing a very good Tony Hawk impression as we move past the quarter mark for the season, got nothing but air! Earlier on in the day United had just scraped a win against Everton to draw within two points of Manchester City at the top of the table.

He Wasn't Really Here - Lake, The Greatest Player We Never Saw

Nobody will argue that at Manchester City we currently can boast some of the most gifted football players that the Premiership, or even the World has to offer. Aguero, Silva, Nasri, Johnson, Balotelli and Milner can all do things that leave us in awe at least once a game when they are on.

Go back a few years and we had Benarbia and Berkovic and go back even further than that and you can cite Georgi Kinkladze as having been cast in that mould. Israel, Georgia, Spain, Argentina, France and Algeria boast these products but at City we had one that was actually born with in Manchesters own borders. That man was Paul Lake and he was born on this day in 1968.

Tevez, Taylor and the PFA!

After such a great week it was inevitable that something would come along to try to ruin the high that City fans are on right now. With the Carlos Tevez affair seemingly coming to a conclusion the PFA rekindled the debate by saying that based on the evidence supplied to them by the City board didn't show that Carlos Tevez had refused to play against Bayern Munich but more that he refused to warm up again.

City's Big Dogs To Savage Wolves...Again

So part one of Mancini v McCarthy is over with Mancini the victor however, this weekends tie at the Etihad Stadium will be a completely different proposition. Several changes were made for the midweek venture by both sides but for sure Mancini will have one eye on the upcoming fixture against Villerreal when thinking about Saturdays selection. McCarthy on the other hand has no such distractions with his teams sole participation currently being in the Premier League until the FA Cup starts for them in January.

Football Superstars, High Wages and Huge Transfer Fees. I Blame The Welsh.

While City are progressing very nicely in the League with 'that' certain result against the guys from Salford at the weekend it is important that we also remember our history also. On this day in 1894, the first season after Ardwick had changed their name to Manchester City, a young Welshman by the name of Billy Meredith took the field for the blues.

Wolves Put Down (And No Silva Bullet in sight!)

Roberto Mancini and Manchester City traveled to Molineux to face Wolves in the Carling Cup only three days after that emphatic and historical win at Old Trafford at the weekend. How would City handle the hangover from such a game? On the other side of the spectrum Wolves boss, Mick McCarthy, was feeling the pressure from the weekend as his side failed to get a win against newly promoted side Swansea. The crowd had jeered him at the end of the game and Mick had reacted how only Mick can and it wouldn't have been unexpected to see a Wolves victory in other 'Typical City' seasons.

He's Not The Messiah, He's A Very Naughty Boy!

Manchester City have today confirmed that they have concluded their hearing relating to Carlos Tevez and his alleged misconduct. The now infamous incident that took place in Munich as City were playing their Champions League fixture against Bayern on September 27th when it was alleged that Carlos Tevez refused to come onto the field of play.

Les McDowall - A Forgotten Manager, Remembered

When talking about the influx of foreigners into the Premier League it may surprise you that City actually had an Indian in their team in 1937! Ok so he was only 'technically' an Indian as he was born in Gunga Pur, India he was raised in Scotland as a Scot. I am, of course, talking about Les McDowall.

League Cup, Episode 2: The Bobby and Micky Show!

Manchester City have to quickly but Sundays absolute demolition of Manchester United behind them when they take the field away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening. With City on such a high and some Wolves fans howling for McCarthy blood at the weekend this has all the hallmarks of an upset on the cards.

Asa Hartford

Born 61 years ago today, in 1950 was a City legend that may never have kicked a ball at City if not for the Leeds medical staff. Young Scottish player, Asa Hartford looked set to join Leeds United who were all set to dominate the 1970's when it was discovered, much to both his and Leeds boss, Don Revies disappointment,  that Asa had a hole in the heart. The deal collapsed and Hartford returned to West Brom.

6-1 Hammering in Verse!

We're a team with no history
That's what they say
As we enter Old Trafford
For Derby Day

Both teams unbeaten
Both with eyes on the prize
So who would have thought
We'd have a 6-1 surprise

Six In The City!

At approximately 1:30 this afternoon eleven men entered an address in the Salford area of Manchester dressed all in Blue. Just before 3:30 these same men left after a rampage, leaving the occupants battered, beaten and confused. One of the victims managed to sneak out half way through before the major disturbance happened but was still clearly shaken.

In fact it wasn't an bunch of hoodlums but the Manchester City Football Club giving their neighbours Manchester United the biggest spanking on their own turf since 1955. That was a 5-0 defeat and was....against us!

Mancini Excited, Can City Beat United?

Villarreal were handled, eventually by City during the week to keep Manchester City's Champions League assault on track. Sunday, however, sees a much different challenge. Manchester City travel to Old Trafford for the first League derby of the season and with both Manchester teams in relentless form this really will not be a game for the nervous!

Ernie! The Greatest Winger in the North West!

Today sees a whole 24 years since City lost possibly one of the most underrated superstars to pull on a City shirt. On this day in 1987 Ernie Toseland passed away quietly in Stockport.

Ernie joined City in March 1929 from Coventry where he had already made a name for himself, scoring eleven goals in twenty two games for them. As an outside right player this was not his main job for the club which made it even more impressive.

First I'd Like To Thank, Bobby Manc!

Some people have likened the Country of Italy to remind them of a lady's leg in high heels. If this is the case then on the 27th November 1964 our savior was born right, slap bang on her sexy calf muscle. Roberto Mancini was born in Lesi, a small town on the east coast of Italy to Aldo and Marianna.

Religion and football were big in Young Mancinis life and he has played at the highest levels of football throughout his career. Starting at Bologna before moving to Sampdoria where he spent most of his playing career. He left them for Lazio in 1997 before joining English side Leicester in 2001. He left a month later after being offered a managerial role.

I Need Aguero, I'm Holding Out For Aguero Til The End Of The Night!

This was all set up in favor of Manchester City going into the Champions League game against Villarreal at the Etihad Stadium, Tuesday night. City had come off a dominant win against Aston Villa at the weekend while Villarreal had only managed a scoreless draw away to Getafe. City had at least registered a single point on the board in Champions League play, Villarreal had played, and lost two.

Tell Them About The Dunney, Mummy!

Manchester City were totally dominant against Aston Villa on Saturday but I would like to focus on a very important player for City, currently in the claret and blue of Villa. That player is of course, former Captain and four times winner of Manchester City Player of the Year from 2004 all the way through to the end of the 2008 season.
In 2000 Joe Royle signed Dunne from Everton for 3.2 million. In those years he has, like City, had some highs, some lows and some memorable moments before moving onto Villa in August 2009, a fee believed to be around 5million.

City Beat Villa, Now Time For Real-Villa...I mean Villarreal!

Ok City fans, dust off your Aston Villa celebrations and get ready for the first game in what could possibly define our whole season. Ok so the Manchester derby is coming too early for it to make or break a title challenge but certainly is still a big game. The biggest however takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday as City look to put their Champions League campaign back on track.

City Reach Summit. In related News, Nosebleeds on the Rise in Manchester!

Manchester City returned to Premier League action this Saturday after a couple of weeks away and faced Alex McLeish's Aston Villa side who, like City were undefeated going into the game.

City, as previously thought, had a number of their high profile and 'creative' players out of the starting lineup with Nasri, Silva and Dzeko all starting from the bench and Aguero missing the game altogether. Obviously Mancini had the vitally important Champions League clash on his mind when selecting the side and so the question was could a City side without these key players still perform. The answer was a resounding 'yes!'

Francis Lee - He Fell Over! he Fell Over!

Forty Four years ago today, almost twenty one years before Sergio Aguero was born, Manchester City welcomed a record signing striker onto the pitch. The record fee was a mere 60 grand and the striker, was a 5ft 8 (just like Aguero) Francis 'Franny' Lee.

Big Mal - A Year On

A year ago today the world of football lost as a great as Malcolm Allison, aged 83, passed away. Mention ‘Big Mal ‘ to any City fan and they remember his partnership with Joe Mercer during the clubs glory days when the likes of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee stepping onto the field in a sky blue shirt was enough to frighten most opposition. But to remember him as ’just a partnership’ would be to rob the man of his true worth to the game we all love

When The Lights Come On At Man City!

Floodlights! Allows sports to be played at anytime of the night or day and any time of the year, even when it gets dark early. However it hasn't always been this way and despite having floodlights reportedly as far back as 1878 they were not used until the 1950's.

City Got Deeeecent Hart!

Exactly five years ago today City set out to play a League tie at, what was then, the City of Manchester Stadium. The opposition that day was Sheffield United and the game was goalless however it was also the first time City fans got to catch a quick glimpse of City Goalkeeper, Joe Hart. He was only given his chance because of the injuries to Andreas Isaksson and Nicky Weaver and Weaver would return to stopper duty in the next game.

Should Mello Capello Leave Out Looney Rooney?

So a slight detour from everything Manchester City but I am amazed by the news coming out of the media regarding Wayne Rooneys ban. After what was a stupid lash out in Englands last qualifying game Mr Rooney has been handed a three match ban, which will see him out of the Euro group stage. That is if Mr Capello takes him, which I have no doubt he will.

Italian Citizen To Scalp Scottish Villan

Premiership football returns to England this weekend with City hosting Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. City will be keep to continue their record of home results in recent seasons against the Midlands side which has seen City win nine from the last ten home fixtures. Last season, if you remember, City dominated Villa by a score of 4-0, with Balotelli netting a hattrick, although two came from the penalty spot. Previous to that, the last time City had beaten Villa by such a scoreline was on September 14th 2003 when City beat Villa 4-1, this time Anelka was the hattrick hero and again two of them came from the penalty spot.

City Statement: Tevez Is A Doo-Doo Head!!

Late on today Manchester City released a statement regarding wantaway striker Carlos Tevez. It was thought that there would be a statement regarding the Argentinian when he arrived back in the UK toward the end of his two weeks suspension.

Manchester City - Ruining YouTube since 2011!!

Ok so I know you were all wondering what would be next for Manchester City in their attempt at World domination. Hot off the heels of announcing the breathtaking Etihad campus plans and their mega million dollar deal with Etihad City now look to their online presence.

Englands No 1! Englands, Englands No 1 - Big (not Hart) Joe

When you think of great Manchester City Goalkeepers of the past then the first two names off the tongue may be Frank Swift and Bert Trautmann. Younger fans may look to Nicky Weaver, certainly his iconic run the length of Wembley in the Division 2 Playoff finals leaves somewhat of an impression.

Remembering Helen Turner

Every football team have a number of die hard fans who are there win, lose or draw. They turn up whether the team is in contention for success or battling against relegation. They, over time, become iconic to the ground and known to the regulars and fans watching on TV all across the world. The biggest of these most recently as an example is the crazy shirtless guy in Portsmouths ranks.
Manchester City had their very own iconic fan and although you may not know her name you will certainly have heard her in the stands for over 30 years. Six years ago, Helen 'The Bell' Turner died after a series of illnesses aged 85 and left a void in the City.

Here, There And Everywhere - Tommy Booth

Tommy was certainly a crowd favorite during his career (spanning three decades) at City and certainly no one was happier in a City shirt than Boothy. Tommy had been watching City before signing as an amateur on September 11th 1965 and turning pro two years after that in August 1967.

Happy Birthday Ali Benarbia!

Signed in September 2001 in what was one of Kevin Keegans greatest signings Ali Benarbia's name was entered onto Manchester City's books. Even though he was 33 and an unknown quantity at the time he still had enough to persuade Keegan to offer him a contract, on a free no less.

Football With A Smile

"Football is a great game. It is all about goals, goalmouth incidents and end-to-end attacking football. There is nothing wrong with the game; plenty wrong with managers, players, directors, legislators and the media. Football has been very kind to me and I really mustn't complain so I can leave you with this thought - The object of playing any game is for enjoyment. If you have enjoyed it and done your best you have won no matter what the result!"

Dust Off Your Disco Pants! It's Quinnys Birthday!!

He is 6ft 3ins tall, he owns a pair of disco pants and they are the best. Apparently they start from his knees and go all the way up to his chest. He scored 78 goals for City, saved a penalty and was born in Dublin exactly 45 years ago today. It is of course City's beloved Irishman, Niall Quinn.

All White On The Wing??

Exactly 25 years ago yesterday Manchester City played, and lost to Leicester City in the old Division One. That season Manchester City were also relegated and so you may be wondering where exactly this article is going. It was in this game that a certain Mr David White made his full debut. City had signed him as an apprentice in 1984 and he turned pro just over a year later.

'We'll Be Back Next Year!'

47 years ago today City lost a legend. Aged 62, and while refereeing a benefit football match Sam Cowan collapsed and died a few moments later in the dressing rooms.
Forty years earlier City signed Sam from Doncaster and a few days later he made the first of his 104 games for City against Birmingham, where City drew 2-2. Renowned for his man management skills he was able to motivate the players on the field and keep them focused on their game, something which would help give City some of their successes.

Best Premiership City Starts In The EPL!

After the Carlos Tevez one man protest on Tuesday it was certainly nice to see just how City rebounded. Mancini guided Manchester City to their sixth win from seven which keeps them joint top and just the single goal behind rivals Manchester United.
Now the players go off to their respective National teams as club football goes on the back burner. Again this International break has come at the wrong time results wise, with City having started so well but maybe at the right time as far as the backroom decision that have to be made are concerned.

Four Score City Leaves Blackburn Not So Kean!!

Four second half goals from City saw them keep pace with rivals United at the top of the Premier League Saturday. It wasn't all rainbows and unicorns though as a first half came to a close all City had to show for their efforts was an injured groin for Sergio Aguero! He was replaced, not by Dzeko but by Nasri. Maybe this was a show to Dzeko that although his outburst was forgiven there are still consequences? Maybe it was just that City needed more flair in midfield. Whatever the reasoning was will be up for debate but you cannot argue with results.