Even the Manchester City fans in the Football Transfer Tavern didn’t know some of these!

Manchester City have history and more than some care to imagine.

The fact remains the club is not well researched by football fans as they refuse to accept the club’s iconic past prior to the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008.

This really frustrates the Man City faithful in the Football Transfer Tavern!

Some of our facts may be a surprise, as they certainly stunned our landlord – but these are all facts opposition supporters should consider before reverting to chants and abuse of the two-time Premier League champions.

The oldest club in Manchester, City are undoubtedly a very misunderstood club whose core values remain the community spirit and fans, that have allowed the team to develop over the decades.

Now despite the influx of unlimited finances, City continue to create a legacy and break records whilst adding to statistics.

With that said, here are 7 facts you didn’t know about Man City…

 The First Manchester FA Cup Winners

In 1904, no team in Manchester had won the oldest cup competition in the world. That was until Billy Meredith rocked up at Wembley and stole the show against Bolton.

A 1-0 victory over their north-west rivals meant City had won their first major honour – just 24 years after being formed in Gorton, West Manchester.

City have gone on to win the competition a further four times following their success in 1904 – something which is rarely mentioned.

City saved United

In 1929, the F.A. had their focus solely on southern-based clubs with the north of England almost becoming a second thought.

United were on the verge of going bust and were unable to even afford their own kits!

Umbro, a well-known sports clothing manufacturer, had a factory in Stockport, and due to United’s financial difficulties – they agreed to give United the “Rag Ends” from rolls of fabric to make their kit.

And who rented out that very same facility? It was Man City – of course!

Think about that next time the two sides face off…

Relegated Champions

In 1937, Manchester City claimed their first domestic league title by securing the First Division title. Less than a year later City were relegated to the second division and remain the only English champions to suffer relegation.

Wilf Wild’s side will never be forgotten in City folklore and is now the butt of numerous jokes here in the Football Transfer Tavern.

Surely not a laughing matter at the time, but almost 80 years on we can certainly look back with a smile.

Maine Road was shared after World War Two

Sadly, during the Second World War, Manchester United’s Old Trafford was bombed by German’s. This forced the club to look elsewhere to play their home games once the Football League started again.

City offered United the chance to play at their home ground of Maine Road until the refurbishment of Old Trafford was completed.

The rivalry between the two sides may not have been as intense as the modern day – with it not being uncommon at the time for the people of Manchester to support both teams.

Imagine that in this day and age.

Yo-yoing City

During the mid-1990’s and early 2000’s City spent 7 of 8 seasons in different leagues. Relegation or promotion occurred for the Maine Road faithful every season bar one between 1996 and 2003.

Three relegation’s, a play-off victory, a runners-up spot and a First Division title during that period meant that City were the most inconsistent side in the country.

Looking back it could be considered funny, but it was certainly wasn’t at the time with headaches, heartaches and tears often seen in the stands.

Lowest home goals in a league season

Never in English football has a team scored fewer league goals at home than Manchester City in 2006/2007.

Under Stuart Pearce, City scored just TEN goals as he somehow lead City to Premier League survival despite his team not scoring a goal at home from January 1st until the following season.

Georgios Samaras’ brace against Everton to secure a 2-1 victory over David Moyes’ men and were the last two goals witnessed for ten months at the then City of Manchester Stadium.

Seven years later City scored 103 goals as they won their second league title in three seasons…

European Support

‘Emptihad’ and ‘Plastic Supporters’ are two descriptions commonly used when an empty seat is seen at the Etihad on match-day by opposition fans. But the fact is City are one of the most supported clubs in the continent.

Only Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund regularly out-sell City’s 54,900 supporters.

This leaves them as the eighth most supported club in Europe.

Success may not be have been as regular as other clubs, but it’s clear to see City aren’t a small club.