Born in Gorton
Picture Manchester in 1880. Anna Connell, a vicar’s daughter, wants to keep the local lads out of mischief, so she starts a football team at St Mark’s Church in Gorton. They call it St Mark’s (West Gorton), then Ardwick AFC by 1887, and finally Manchester City FC in 1894.
These were working-class blokes kicking a ball around after long shifts. By 1899, they’d battled up to the First Division with a Second Division title. In 1904, they grabbed their first FA Cup, nicking a 1-0 win over Bolton. That’s when City started making some noise.
The ‘60s and ‘70s Buzz
The 1960s and ‘70s were a proper good time for City. Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison, the coaching duo, got the club firing in 1965.
With players like Colin Bell running the midfield, Mike Summerbee tearing down the wing, and Francis Lee banging in goals, City won the First Division in 1967-68, edging out Manchester United.
They kept the party going with the 1969 FA Cup, 1970 League Cup, and 1970 Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Górnik Zabrze 2-1 in Vienna. Fans were buzzing, and City showed they could mix it with the big boys.
League Titles Stacking Up
City’s got nine league titles by 2025—four from the old First Division and five in the Premier League. The ‘30s and ‘60s chipped in with 1936-37 and 1967-68, but the Premier League era’s been the real deal.
Sheikh Mansour’s 2008 takeover brought the cash, and Roberto Mancini delivered the 2011-12 title with Sergio Agüero’s last-gasp goal against QPR—still gives fans shivers.
Agüeerrooooooooooo...!!!
Manuel Pellegrini bagged another in 2013-14, and Pep Guardiola went mad, winning in 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23. In 2024-25, City came 2nd with 23 wins, 9 draws, and 6 losses, just missing out to Liverpool but still looking sharp. Toss in six FA Cups, eight League Cups, and a bunch of other silverware, and City’s got a trophy haul to brag about.
Finally Cracking Europe
City’s got one Champions League, and it was worth the wait. The 2023 win in Istanbul, a 1-0 grind over Inter Milan with Rodri’s goal, sealed a treble—Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League. Before that, Europe was a headache.
The 1970 Cup Winners’ Cup was their only big continental prize for years, and early Champions League runs flopped, like losing to Real Madrid in the 2016 semis.
Guardiola’s obsession paid off, though, and 2023 showed City can hang with Europe’s elite. A Club World Cup and other bits add some extra shine.
Maine Road to Etihad
Maine Road was City’s spot from 1923 to 2003—a loud, old-school ground packed with memories. Fans still get misty talking about it. In 2003, the club shifted to the City of Manchester Stadium, now the Etihad, with 53,000 seats and all the modern gear.
When it’s jumping—like for Agüero’s 2012 goal or the 2023 treble celebrations—it’s class. Fans singing “Blue Moon” make the Etihad feel like home.
Rivalries That Get Spicy
The Manchester derby with United is the big one—bragging rights across the city. City’s had some belters, like the 6-1 pasting at Old Trafford in 2011 or Erling Haaland’s hat-trick in 2022.
Liverpool’s been a proper rival too, with title fights in 2018-19 and 2019-20 going right to the end. Tottenham and Arsenal have dished up some crackers, like Spurs knocking City out of the 2019 Champions League. These games get City fans going mental.
Academy Kids
City’s youth setup has turned out some gems. Shaun Wright-Phillips was a livewire, all speed and heart. Phil Foden’s the main man now—a Stockport lad who’s gone from kid to superstar, picking passes and scoring in big games.
Cole Palmer was another talent, though he’s doing his thing elsewhere now. The academy’s about finding players who can handle City’s fast, tricky style and bring a bit of Manchester to the pitch.
Low Points and Bouncing Back
City’s had some proper rough patches. The 1980s were a mess—dropped to the Third Division in 1983, stuck in the lower leagues. The ‘90s and early 2000s were grim too, with another relegation to the third tier in 1998. Fans kept turning up, singing through it all.
The 2008 takeover flipped the script—Mansour’s money brought stars like Agüero and David Silva, but there were still wobbles, like missing the title in 2012-13. Even in 2024-25, coming 2nd with 23 wins, 9 draws, 6 losses keeps City right up there after a rare miss. That’s City—take a hit, get back up.
Fans All Over
City’s got supporters in every spot—Middle East, Asia, America. Agüero’s clutch goals, Kevin De Bruyne’s pinpoint passes, Haaland’s goal machine antics—they’re why fans love the club. Social media’s rammed with people hyping every win, and tours to places like Japan pack out stadiums.
Sponsorships with Puma and Etihad Airways bring in the dosh, but City’s also about doing good—stuff like community projects in Manchester, helping local kids, shows they care. The sky-blue shirt’s a global thing now.
What’s Up Next
It’s June 2025, and City’s in a good place. That 3rd-place finish in 2024-25, with 23 wins, 9 draws, and 6 losses, has them itching for more. Guardiola’s still calling the shots, with Haaland piling in goals, De Bruyne pulling strings, and Foden stepping up big.
The Etihad’s loud, and young lads like Rico Lewis from the academy are knocking on the door. City’s after everything—Premier League, cups, another go at Europe. They’ve got the hunger.
City’s got nine league titles, one Champions League, and a journey full of ups and downs. From the ‘68 title to Agüero’s 2012 madness to the 2023 treble, the Sky Blues keep pushing. Here’s to Manchester City, always scrapping for the next trophy.