Manchester city football club is an English Premier League side, which is based in Manchester, England. The club was founded in 1880. Initially, it was known as the St. Mark’s (West Gorton), but by 1887, it was called by the name Ardwick Association Football Club. It was not until 1884 that they adopted the present name of Manchester City. The club has been playing at the City of Manchester Stadium, which is also known as the Etihad Stadium, since 2003. Prior to moving to this Stadium, Manchester city played at the Maine Road.
It was a stadium with limited capacity, but the City of Manchester Stadium can hold up to 47,805 people. It is one of the largest stadiums in Great Britain. The most successful period for the club came in the 1960s and the 1970s. It was during this period that they managed to win the second League title, while also winning the League Cup and the FA Cup during this period. The club won their first League title back in the 1936-37 season. Even though they have not won many first division titles, Manchester City have won a number of second division titles, which currently stands at seven. They have also contested in the play-offs of the third division.
Even though the club has not had great success domestically, Manchester City has won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1970. Aside from the domestic success in the form of the League titles, Manchester City has also won five FA Cup titles and two League Cup titles. The FA Charity Shield accounts for three numbers, while they have also finished as the runners up on five occasions. The most recent success came in the form of the FA Cup in 2011, a trophy they won by beating Stoke City in the final.
Joe Mercer is regarded as one of the important managers to have shaped the history of Manchester City. Under the guidance of the Englishman, Manchester City one a number of titles including the first division title in the 1967-68 season. The notable players for Manchester city include the likes of Alan Oakes, Mike Doyle, and Bert Trautmann. The record goal scorer for City is Eric Brook, who has managed a record 177 goals in 493 appearances.
The major turning point for Manchester City came in the summer of 2007, when Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided to buy the club. Even though his tenure was not exactly the most successful one, it laid foundations for the purchase of the Abu Dhabi-based owners in the summer of 2008. Following the purchase, Manchester City were transformed into one of the biggest clubs in the world, with huge influx of cash.
Manchester City immediately brought Brazilian forward Robinho for a record transfer fee of £32 million, while it was broken by the arrival of Sergio Aguero in 2011. Present manager Roberto Mancini has the highest win percentage amongst the other recent managers of Manchester City.