When you sit down on Sunday night (or Monday morning) to watch Manchester City attempt to win their first league title in 44 years, and before you allow tall poppy syndrome to set in, spare a thought for their fans.
Start by reminding yourself that Manchester City actually didn’t spontaneously burst in to existence in 2008 when Sheikh Mansour arrived with his $300 million transfer fund.
City fans are in-fact among the longest suffering fans in English football; if anyone deserves a bit of glory, it’s them.
Manchester City has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout their long history, and the lead up to Sunday’s make or break fixture with Queens Park Rangers is the ideal time to reflect on that history.
They have been relegated 11 times in total, and as recently as 1999 they found themselves competing in the third tier of the English league system with ‘glamour’ clubs like Macclesfield Town and Walsall.
It was the same year that their cross-town rivals, Manchester United, became the first English club to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League (or ‘The Treble’) all in one season.
A bitter pill to swallow for the blue half of Manchester, no doubt.
Despite clinching back to back promotions and clawing their way back to the top flight in the year 2000 under the management of former England international Joe Royle, Manchester City stayed true to form and were relegated once again after just one season back in the Premier League.
Throughout these turbulent years Manchester City’s average match-day attendance never dropped below 25,000, even in the third tier where the league average is closer to 7000.
Although City are bound to have accumulated an abundance of fair-weather supporters in recent times, it’s important to remember the hard-core group from years gone by, and how they’ll be feeling on Sunday.
After 44 years, there are generations of supporters who, until recently, had never experienced anything but heart-ache in relation to their beloved football club.
This championship will mean everything to them.
City did eventually re-establish themselves back in the top flight, with an 11th place average finish in the 7 years prior to the arrival of their new owner Sheikh Mansour.
Sheikh Mansour is officially the wealthiest man in world football. His personal fortune is estimated to be approximately $30bn and because of this, in time, Manchester City will no doubt take their place alongside Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea as the clubs that people most love to hate.
But until then, think of those long suffering fans, those old men and woman that were stood on the terraces as their club sank further and further down the divisions, wondering if things would ever get better, but stayed with their beloved team, despite the success of the ‘Red Devils’ across town.
Think of those fans, and cross your fingers.
Colin N
Guest
"They have been relegated 11 times in total, and as recently as 1999 they found themselves competing in the third tier of the English league system with ‘glamour’ clubs like Macclesfield Town and Walsall." Slightly harsh considering Walsall were promoted from Division Two that season and finished above City.
Ballymore
Guest
I'm glad you have differentiated between 'real' MCFC fans those 'supporters' who burst in to existence in 2008 when Sheikh Mansour arrived with his $300 million transfer fund.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
I think most Aussies favour the underdog and hate to see the same team dominate year after year and that's why we have so many salary capped competitions. While most fans want to see City win, the EPL is open slather, no spending limits and capatalism has its flaws in sport too. We might see a new EPL champion this year but only after the richest man in the world spends hundreds of millions of pounds on them. I love the EPL games, but in the end its still only 4 or 5 teams who will ever win it.
Danisrob
Guest
Great article. People can hate on the money all they want but to be pulling in 30,000 week after week in the the third tier while your local rival is the greatest club in the world is an amazing effort and something that would never happen in any other sport and could only happen in a few countries around the world. I grew up in NZ in the 90s with a City supporting Father. Can't say Sky screened their games all too regularly in the 90s....
silky
Roar Rookie
That's the whole point of the article. Forget the money, just think of the fans.... It doesnt matter who owns the club or how much theyre worth now... the blokes sitting in Etihad Stadium on Sunday will be the same blokes that were sat at Maine Road all those years ago...... i'm happy for them!
Football United
Guest
lol city deserve nothing. they didn't do anything special in history to become a top club like Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal. Just like Chelsea they were are a mediocre club who got a cash cow (of the arab variety) with a fat wallet to buy you a team.
clipper
Guest
While 44 years may be a long wait, spare a thought for Notts County - the oldest continuous club - I don't think they've ever finished higher than 3rd in the top division since 1863!
Griffo
Roar Guru
What is it with tattoos and fandome? :-) Have a mate who's born and bred Sheffield Wednesday. Last trip home and he got a small tat on the upper arm. One Jets game he detects a familiar accent and asks "Sheffield?" - which was really code for 'Which club?'. On cue the guy lifts up his sleeve and kisses his Sheffield Wednesday tattoo on his upper arm. Mate goes 'Oi!' and shows his; guy can't believe it and calls his visiting father, brother and nephew over. Classic!
Janek Speight
Guest
Hey! The Fairs Cup in 1969 does count, I don't care what anyone says! The Yids will choke and we'll be at Wembley next year..
Matt F
Roar Guru
Long-suffering City fans? What about us Newcastle fans! We're still waiting to get anywhere near a trophy! 44 years is nothing :) That being said I guess I can settle for a Champions League spot, even if the odds are against us on Sunday
silky
Roar Rookie
I just hope i'll be able to write a similar piece about my very own Leeds United in a few years time! Fingers crossed for me, too!
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
Being a Chelsea fan since I was 10, I vaguely know the feeling of when we first lifted the Premiership after a lengthy period in 2005. And actually knowing a few people that love the blue side of Manchester, I find myself in the position where I really, really hope they win the title this weekend.
Swampy
Guest
Attendances went up when city were relegated to the 3rd tier! As a city fan (long suffering - until the FA Cup I hadn't seen them win anything in 30 years of support) I will be casting large rectangular blocks from my rear as I watch the game. I can see now United scoring early against Sunderland and the fear set in at Eastlands... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
wickedlenny
Roar Rookie
Well written. Even though I support the other side of town, i wouldn't begrudge the die-hard city supporters a win this weekend. City have capitalised where we've failed, and that is telling in the end.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
We have a mad Man City fan here in Phnom Penh (tattoos and the lot). He's bringing 30 Man City shirts for people to wear in the local sports bar! Should be fun.
The Pivotonian
Roar Rookie
Nice article. Geelong Football Club supporters know how a 44-year drought feels.