May 7 – City Back in the Big Time
IN 1998 they had been the first European trophy winners to be relegated into English football’s third tier, but today in 2000 Manchester City proved that they had bouncebackability in abundance when they defeated Blackburn Rovers to return to the Premier League.
The late 1990′s were a trying time to be a City fan. Under Alan Ball they were relegated out of the Premiership in 1996 as the club changed manager more times than Milan Mandaric in an indecisive mood. Good to see they’ve stopped doing that right Thaskin?
As Leicester City fans can vouch, a lack of stability in the dugout leads to only one thing: relegation. After being dumped out of the Premier League, City would find themselves at the wrong end of the table two years later, sinking to what was then called Division Two.
This was to be the kick up the backside that the club needed, as new chairman David Bernstein introduced a modicum of common sense and stability to the club. Under the stewardship of Joe Royle the Citizens were promoted at the first attempt, when they beat Gillingham in the play-off final at Wembley thanks to an injury time equaliser and heroics from Nicky Weaver in the penalty shoot-out.
City didn’t mess around next season, going into the final day needing at least a point at Blackburn to ensure Premiership football returned to Maine Road. Never doing it the easy way, City went behind to an early Matt Jansen goal, but when Kevin Horlock fed the goat, the floodgates opened. Shaun Goater’s equaliser propelled City to a 4-1 win, with the goals coming from Mark Kennedy, a Christian Dailey own goal and Paul Dickov.
Jubilant scenes followed and the City faithful finally had something to celebrate after dropping down the league and watching their cross-town rivals winning everything. Unfortunately they were relegated a year later before King Kev rode into town on his white horse.
See footage of City’s game at Ewood Park below and head over tomorrow for more end of season excitement.
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R-Unit on May 7th, 2008
Who would have thought a load of English fans would be feeling so sorry for Sven…
Greg Burns on May 7th, 2008
Feed the Goat and he will score.
It is very sad to see Man City begin the slide again. They could implode and find themselves back in trouble if they let Thaksin rule with an iron fist!!