Plenty of Manchester City fans have been recalling one of the most bizarre substitutions in the club's history from 15 years ago today.

On 15 May 2005, they hosted Middlesbrough on the final day of the Premier League season, with both teams vying for a UEFA Cup berth. City had to win to qualify for Europe but were being held 1-1 as the clock struck 88 minutes. [via mancity.com]

The stage seemed set for £5m striker Jon Macken to be deployed from the bench to find the crucial winner, but then-City manager Stuart Pearce had other ideas. Off came midfielder Claudio Reyna, to be replaced by...goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, with on-field number one David James sensationally utilised as an auxiliary forward. [via mancity.com]

As if that wasn't dramatic enough, James was involved in the incident which led to City winning a stoppage time penalty, taken by Robbie Fowler. Unfortunately, a weak effort from the ex-Liverpool striker was easily saved by Mark Schwarzer and Middlesbrough clinched the final European spot at the home team's expense. [via mancity.com]

These Manchester City fans on Twitter looked back on Pearce's shock decision to play James up front on an "entertaining" afternoon at the Etihad Stadium:

Man City fans, what did you make of James being used as an emergency striker that day 15 years ago? Comment below with your thoughts!