In 2008, the Abu Dhabi United Group purchased Manchester City for £210 million. It was a move that forever changed football and took Manchester City from being the city’s second team to its first.
Although success had gone Manchester City’s way in previous decades, most trophies resided on the red side of Manchester. Sheikh Mansour’s purchase of the club led many in the football media to proclaim his interest and financial support would dry up when trophies didn’t appear. Fortunately for Sheikh Mansour and Manchester City supporters, everyone is still waiting for the trophy winning to end.
Over a decade has now passed since Manchester City began its warpath to being one of the biggest football clubs in the world. The Cityzens have won six First Division/Premier League titles. Four of those titles have come since Sheikh Mansour arrived and began investing billions into the club.
In September 2018, it was reported by the Guardian that Manchester City’s owner had invested an incredible £1.3 billion in the club over a 10-year period. The investment has not only outfitted Manchester City with players capable of winning trophies, but it has enabled the club to build an enviable infrastructure that has left rivals in their wake.
While fans and notoriety have been made thanks to Manchester City’s more recent successes, the club can trace its roots back to 1880. The club was originally founded as St. Mark’s but changed its name to Manchester City in 1894. Manchester City had moderate success in the beginning and their first trophy came in 1899. It was then that Manchester City won their first of seven Second Division titles.
The Cityzens’ first FA Cup arrived in 1904 as they defeated local rivals Bolton Wanderers for the historic trophy. Manchester City didn’t win their initial First Division title until 1937 as they topped Charlton Athletic by three points. The title was especially sweet as city rivals Manchester United were relegated from the First Division in the same season.
League titles over the next seven decades were nearly impossible to come by. Manchester City won just one First Division title between 1937 and 2012. That title came in 1968 and plenty of fans believed it could be their last. The Sheikh Mansour revolution changed all of that, however.
Domestic glory has been found at Manchester City, but European success has been limited to one trophy win. In 1970, Manchester City won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup defeating Poland’s Gornik Zabrze 2-1. Neil Young and Franny Lee scored both goals for Manchester City to win the famed cup.
Since 2003, Manchester City have played their home matches at the Etihad Stadium. Formerly known as the City of Manchester Stadium, it was built to host the 2002 Commonwealth games. Following the completion of the event, Manchester City signed a 200-year lease with Manchester City Council to take over the stadium. Since moving into the venue, Manchester City have invested millions of pounds to expand and renovate the stadium into what it appears as today.
The 1970s and 1980s belonged to Liverpool. The 1990s and 2000s were Manchester United’s, Arsenal’s, Chelsea’ time to shine. Now, English football is dominated by Manchester City and it doesn’t look like the Cityzens are going anywhere, anytime soon
