City’s first season back in the Premier League after a one-year absence was also the last at the club’s beloved home, Maine Road.
With a move to the City of Manchester Stadium in the offing, City were saying goodbye to a British footballing institution.
It was a ground steeped in history and tradition, opened in 1923 and one-time home to Herd, Brook and Tilson, to Summerbee, Lee and Bell.
Champagne and tears had flowed in equal measure up from the pitch to the terraces over Maine Road’s 80-year life cycle, with boom or bust punctuating many a campaign in this corner of inner-city Manchester.
Although Southampton spoiled the party on the final day of the 2002/03 season by inflicting defeat on Kevin Keegan’s men, there were still several highlights in that final year for Blues to look back fondly upon.
A ninth place finish for a newly-promoted team is never an achievement to be underestimated and it was all the more impressive that the feat was achieved with the nucleus of the record-breaking promotion team intact.
While Kevin Horlock, Ali Bernarbia and Shaun Goater were retained from that magnificent season in Division One, Keegan also recognised a need to add Premier League nous to his squad to avoid a swift return to the second tier.
Peter Schmeichel, Robbie Fowler and Marc Vivien Foe were among the players to come into the squad, along with record signing Nicolas Anelka, who would go on to finish the season as top-scorer with 14 goals.
It had looked like the Blues might face a long season ahead when they were beaten 3-0 by David O’Leary’s Leeds United on the opening day but seven points from the first three home games allayed fears of another relegation battle.
Instead, the team were looking up the table and quickly set about establishing themselves as a Premier League force once more with early season victories over Birmingham, Everton and West Brom.
However, the crowning moment of the season was still to come on 9 November 2002 when Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United came to town.
In City’s previous season-long stay in the Premier League in 2000/01, an early David Beckham free-kick left supporters heartbroken in the tight Maine Road meeting but now the Blues were back in the big time, a sweet dose of revenge was to be served.
Anelka gave City the dream start with a fifth minute goal after Fabien Barthez spilled Goater’s tame effort into the Frenchman’s path.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leveled matters just three minutes later, leaving those in sky blue present fearing another shellacking from the kings of comebacks.
Goater popped up to score either side of half-time to set up a 3-1 win which left supporters in dreamland and Keegan demanding this level of performance every week.
"You look at that performance and think: 'wow'," he said. "Now we should go into every game knowing that, if we can beat Manchester United, we can beat anyone."
Unfortunately Keegan’s rallying call seemed to take time to register with his players as they stumbled to back-to-back defeats against Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough but another run of good form was on its way.
City checked in and out of the busy festive period with five wins in eight games, including a hugely impressive 2-1 win over soon-to-be Champions League semi-finalists Leeds at Maine Road on 11 January.
At the base of midfield Marc Vivien Foe was proving to be a masterstroke of a loan signing, chipping in with a number of crucial goals, Shaun Wright Phillips was emerging as the most exciting prospect from the Academy in years and, in Anelka, City had a striker capable of getting into most XIs in Europe.
However, there were still bumps in the road and bloody noses dished out City’s way, not least in the 5-1 defeat to Arsene Wenger’s all-conquering Arsenal and the 5-0 trashing at the hands of Chelsea’s expensively assembled galaxy of stars.
As the final weeks of the season approached, City had earned the reputation of a Jekyll and Hyde outfit, equally likely to turn over Champions League contenders and to go down to relegation battlers.
Without dreams of Europe or the threat of the league’s trap door looming, City carried their schizophrenic form through to the end of the season, deservedly losing to Bolton away, trudging to a goalless draw with Middlesbrough at home before beating title-chasing Liverpool at Anfield for the first time since the eighties.
City’s final ever win at Maine Road came on 21 April 2003 when Mick McCarthy’s Sunderland were the visitors.
It was Marc Vivien Foe who scored the final ever City goal at the ground, his second of a brace in the 3-0 victory over the Black Cats.
That was to be the final time City supporters would climb to their feet as one to applaud on-the-field action because West Ham’s Frederick Kanoute scored the only goal in the penultimate game there, before Michael Svensson scored the final-ever competitive goal at the stadium in Southampton’s 1-0 win on the final day.
Despite the disappointing result, spirits were lifted by performances from Badly Drawn Boy and Doves after the final whistle as generations of fans took in the scene and said their own, personal goodbyes to an intrinsic site of so many childhood memories.
With one last chorus of “Blue Moon”, they made for the exits before the old gates creaked shut for a final time, bringing to an end an 80 year chapter in the club’s history.
Finished: 9th in Premier League.
Top scorer: Nicola Anelka 14 goals (14 in all competitions).
Average attendance: 34,564.
FA Cup: Third Round.
League Cup: Third Round.
Manuel Pellegrini excited by Manchester City plans
Outgoing Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has no doubts that Manchester City will play "very good football" should he take charge at the Etihad Stadium.
The 59-year-old is leaving the La Liga outfit at the end of the season, and revealed earlier this week that he has a verbal agreement in place to become City's new boss.
While a deal is yet to be done, Pellegrini is adamant that City can develop under his guidance.
"Manchester City have offered me a great project," Pellegrini told Sky Sports News. "Hopefully, it becomes official.
"If it happens, Manchester City will have a team that will play very good football. City have a great team and a clear plan on how things will develop. This motivates me. City have shown a lot of interest in me becoming their new coach. My agent has spoken at length with them.
"There is nothing signed still, so I cannot say that I am their coach, but I don't see that there will be any problems. I have a verbal agreement and I hope that it can be executed. Manchester City have offered me a great project."
Pellegrini led Malaga to the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season.
Micah Richards has been putting his summer break to good use.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Micah has re-launched his personal website and ended his 15 month Twitter hiatus to mark the occasion.
The City ace will be using his website to bring supporters updates on his career, as well as news on his many charity endeavours, most notably in his ambassadorial role with If U Care Share and Alive & Kicking.
"The site's looked after by my sister mainly but it's a good way to interact with the fans and to tell them about things that are happening,” Richards told mcfc.co.uk.
“I'm proud to be involved with If U Care Share and Alive & Kicking too so we can use it to tell the fans about them too."
City’s 24-year old defender has been absent from Twitter since February 2012 but after his star turn on the official @MCFC Twitter account for the Leeds FA Cup match last season, it’s clear he has a rediscovered a taste for social media.
Richards has already been inundated with tweets from supporters, as well as a cheeky shout-out from popular former Blue and friend, Nigel de Jong.
“The human elephant has returned 2 twitter!” Nigel tweeted.
“@MicahRichards. Don't let that smile fool u, he will crack u in half with his butt cheeks! Haha.”
Micah also supports charities Speak to the Streets, Education for the Children and 1GOAL.
More information can be found on MicahRichards.com and you can follow him on Twitter @MicahRichards.
Manchester City top alternative Premier League table
Manchester City would have won the league title if only goals from open play counted
Manchester City would have won the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur a close second and Manchester United as low as fourth - but only if goals from long throws, corners, free kicks and penalties were not counted.
Opta Sports has compiled an alternative league table to illustrate the impact set pieces can have on a team's overall success. United, in particular, have shown that prolific attacking drills can be the decisive factor over the course of a full season.
Alex Ferguson's side are placed fourth in the makeshift standings - a lack of set plays would have cost them an overwhelming 21 points this campaign - and are listed behind City, Spurs and Arsenal in the Champions League qualification spaces.
Chelsea would have missed out on a top four place for the second successive season with just 66 points – two behind Manchester United.
The Citizens' points tally would have remained largely the same with solely goals scored in open play, it is the detrimental effect to their Manchester rivals that would have handed them their second successive Premier League trophy.
Meanwhile, Swansea City and Roberto Martinez's Wigan side would have been rewarded for their expansive playing style by significantly better score lines and results, with Norwich City hypothetically relegated at the expense of the FA Cup winners.
Manchester City are winning the race to sign Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, according to reports in Spain.
City have been heavily linked with a raid for the 27-year-old Spanish international, who is valued at around 30 million euros by the La Liga outfit.
And, despite Navas intimating that he would prefer to stay in his homeland with Real Madrid, Spanish daily newspaper AS is claiming that he will link up with City on a four or five-year contract.
It is thought the prospect of trying to help City to Premier League and Champions League success under new manager-elect Manuel Pellegrini is a challenge that Navas is relishing.
The report claims Navas is happy with the terms on offer from City and it is now a case of the two clubs agreeing a fee before the deal can be rubber-stamped.
Former City youth player Vladimir Weiss will be the man Sevilla approach to replace Navas as he is poised to leave Pescara following their relegation from Italy's Serie A at the end of last season.
MANCHESTER CITY SET UP CARLOS TEVEZ SWAP FOR REAL MADRID PAIR PEPE AND ANGEL DI MARIA
MANCHESTER CITY are attempting to swap Carlos Tevez for Real Madrid pair Pepe and Angel Di Maria.
According to reports in Spain, Real have asked City about the availability of Tevez this summer.
And - rather than turn down the Bernabeu giants - City suggested Real offer two of their stars in return for the Argentinian striker, says newspaper Marca.
Both Pepe and Di Maria face a fight for a first-team spot at Real next term.
Portuguese defender Pepe has seen his place in the side taken by French youngster Raphael Varane in recent weeks.
And Di Maria is likely to be forced out if Real succeed with their attempts to land Tottenham star Gareth Bale.
The pair are both well-known to new City boss Manuel Pellegrini, who has spent the past nine years managing in La Liga.
Tevez is out of contract at City next summer, with Etihad chiefs thought to be unsure whether to offer the 29-year-old a new deal.
The former Manchester United star has recently spoken of his interest in joining French sides PSG or Monaco, but would no doubt be keen on joining Real.
Tevez's wife previously wanted her husband to move to Spain or Italy, having initially struggled to adapt to life in England.
If Tevez does leave City this summer, the club will no doubt step up their efforts to sign Napoli star Edinson Cavani, who is also a target for Real.
Toronto FC says it is not pursuing Carlos Tevez
Argentine star being sought by Monaco and by TFC, report says, with Toronto offering $10M. TFC spokesman denies talks.
Toronto FC has shot down a report that it is willing to break the bank to sign Argentine star Carlos Tevez.
A report from Brazil’s Lancenet said the MLS team and Monaco were both after the Manchester City forward, with Toronto offering $10 million (U.S.).
“We are not in talks to acquire Carlos Tevez,” a team spokesman said Thursday when asked about the report.
Tevez is a talented if mercurial striker on big wages at Manchester City. What appeared to be a leaked pay slip in March 2010 indicated he made a gross wage of 720,287 pounds ($1.4 million) in that month alone with an extra accommodation bonus of 20,000 pounds.
Monaco, which is owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, has been spending freely since being promoted to France’s top tier. Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is the latest star on its radar.
The top-earning Toronto player is Dutch striker Danny Koevermans, who is due to make $1.663 million this season.
Tim Leiweke, the incoming president and CEO of TFC owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, has had success with marquee players in the past. Leiweke was with the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owned the Galaxy, when Los Angeles signed David Beckham.
“I’ve been told by the (MLSE) board and the owners that if we find the right guy, they are all in and that they are committed to that move,” Leiweke told a conference call in April following his hiring.
Manchester City’s Barry lined up for New York City MLS role
Manchester City are considering offering Gareth Barry a two year extension to his current contract, with the proviso that the final year is spent in New York on loan for the first season of the club’s new MLS franchise, New York City.
The deal, which will depend on the agreement of the new manager, would see Barry,32, play for the next season or two at the Ethiad before finishing his career in the MLS, possibly as captain of the new team.
Barry, a model professional, is seen as just the type of overseas player that would provide the right sort of influence to the younger players upon which the new team will be based.
New York City general manager, the former City player, Claudio Reyna has already hinted that the relationship with City would lead to players coming across on loan.
Speaking with US Today he said: “.They have talented players and good youth players who will be ready to come over on loan. The last wish is to have a big name player to come over and finish his career in New York. I think that is all possible.”
While Barry himself, speaking during the club’s recent US tour, described the New York City project as “fascinating and really exciting.”
Barry is desperate to stay at City and is even prepared to sign a one-year extension to do so. However, former City manager Mark Hughes, now leading Stoke City, will be willing to step in should the club fail to make an offer.
Parents cry foul as Manchester City and United ‘rip-off’ replica kits now top £100
The kits broke the £100 barrier for the first time, and stunned parents have hit out at the clubs, with some saying they will refuse to pay the sum
Manchester City fan Tony Morton from Royton, who has two children, Aaliyah, 11 and Declan, 14.
United and City have been accused of ‘ripping fans off’ after it emerged their new children’s kits will cost more than £100.
Stunned parents have hit out at both clubs and strip manufacturer Nike with some saying they will refuse to shell out the sum.
It is the first time that the price for a shirt, shorts, socks and badges has broken through the £100 barrier and has put the Reds and Blues at the top of the price table.
Blues season ticket-holder Tony Morton, 42, contacted the M.E.N. to tell us that a full kit for his 11-year-old daughter Aaliyah, complete with the name ‘Silva’ on the back and Premier League badges, came to £109.
He said: “It’s a massive increase on last year. I know they have invested a lot in the team but this is silly. They want to look like the players so they want a name on their backs and the Premier League badge on the sleeve.
“They would have it on their backs every day so it wouldn’t last.”
Tony, a revenue manager from Royton, Oldham, added: “The ticket prices for kids are great and by all means make money from merchandising but not like this.
“I probably could afford it but I have to draw the line somewhere. £109 for an 11-year-old’s kit is ridiculous.”
Adult shirts, priced at £55, are also the most expensive in the Premier League with United and City the only two teams in the Premier League to charge more than £50.
Last season’s City shirt, made by Umbro, retailed for around £44 – meaning this year’s is up by more than 24 per cent. United’s 2012/13 number was £50, meaning the increase is 10 per cent.
Chelsea are the other top-four outfit to bring out a new home shirt.
Manufactured by Adidas, their shirt retails for £49.99. It is understood that Arsenal, whose kit is also made by Nike, will be releasing a new away strip with price details to come in the next fortnight.
Liverpool have also released details of their new home jersey. The traditional red number, made by Warrior Sports, costs £45.
Up until recently clubs only changed their home shirts in alternate seasons.
But that now appears to be a thing of the past with many producing a new kit each year.
This is the first time Nike have made a Blues strip after they signed a six-year deal reported to be worth £72m with the club.
United are said to earn £23.5m a year from their agreement with the same company which expires at the end of the new season. The Reds are currently negotiating a new deal with Nike.
A City spokesman revealed that the shirts were actually £5 cheaper than the suggested price of £60 – which is what the new England shirt, also made by Nike, is selling for.
He said: “The cost reflects value to the consumer through design, innovation, development, manufacturing, and retailing. CityStores are pricing the adult shirt £5 cheaper than the RRP.”
A spokesman for United said that pricing was an issue for Nike. Nike could not be reached for comment.
Man City lure Man Utd’s main man to the Etihad
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City have been swift to act in the off-season and have recruited one of Manchester United’s top men to help their cause at the Etihad.
Sportsmail has revealed that Gavin Rhodes, Head of Coaching at Manchester United Soccer Schools, has been recruited to Eastlands after a tenure surpassing a decade at Old Trafford.
Rhodes, who is a City fan, has been the mastermind behind all aspects of nurturing all Manchester United Soccer Schools’ coaches and has played a key role in the expansion of the set-up on a global scale.
It is believed that he had already begun work back in March with the Citizens and will be looking to emulate the successes of his previous endeavours.
In comparison to their rivals, City only boast one Soccer School, which is located in Dubai and caters for 550 young footballers, but they look to match the success of their counterparts with their hope to capitalise on their ever-growing presence in the footballing world.
The recent commitment to the soccer schools comes hand in hand with Manchester City’s strengthened ties with Nike, following a £72million kit deal with the American sportswear company in March.
It is believed that Nike have played a big part in the development of the United Soccer Schools, and are understood to be undertaking a similar role into City’s progression.
With everything clicking into gear in regards to Rhodes and Nike, it is projected that City will continue to grow in the footballing market, with the possibility to compete with their cross-city rivals on a commercial level in the future.
In an interview with Sportsmail last week, City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano expressed his desire to accelerate above Man Utd in the near future.
He said: “Manchester United have been very successful in the past but we are catching up.
“When I started in another club [Barcelona] in 2003 our revenue was £123million and United was £251million.
“After three years our revenue was higher than United. Our revenues will increase. Certainly it can be done.”
ON THIS DAY
31st May 2000
Future Blue Gareth Barry made his debut against Ukraine as a substitute and made his first England start against France in September 2000.
He has amassed 53 caps, scored three goals for England and was given the honour of captaincy for the first time in England’s friendly game against Ghana in 2011.
Gareth won his last cap in May 2012 against Norway.
1946
City lost 3-1 at West Brom in their penultimate game of a weather affected season.
Heavy snow and freezing conditions forced the league to extend the campaign by five weeks and fatigue appeared to have set in Wilf Wild’s team as they lost their second game in six days.
However, City had enough points in the bank and went on to win the Division Two title.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Real Madrid are prepared to offer Luis Suarez a £140,000-a-week, four-year contract and are confident they will be able to sign the Liverpool forward, 27, for £20m plus Spanish striker Jose Callejon, 26. Daily Mirror
The Spanish club have already agreed terms on a four-year deal with Suarez but accept they may have to pay as much as £40m to sign the Uruguay international. Marca
David Bentley, William Gallas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Jake Livermore, Tom Huddlestone and Heurelho Gomes could all leave Tottenham this summer as the club look to cut their wage bill to fund a new deal for star player Gareth Bale, 23, who is wanted by Real Madrid. DSSC
But Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas will make a fresh plea for chairman Daniel Levy to give Bale a new contract. Sun
Incoming Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants to make Porto central defender Eliaquim Mangala, 22, the first signing of his second spell at Stamford Bridge - but not at the £30m asking price. Sun
Mourinho, meanwhile, wants to sell Brazilian defender David Luiz, 26, to boost his transfer budget. Times
Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26, will be staying at Barcelona this summer despite reported interest from Manchester United and Manchester City. Sky Sports
Alternatively, Fabregas will make a decision on his future next week and wants to return to former club Arsenal, who he left for the Nou Camp in 2011. Daily Mirror
Porto's Ghana international defender Christian Atsu, 21, has rejected a new contract, increasing his chances of a £3m move to Liverpool. Metro
Fulham are on the verge of signing Netherlands international goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, 30, in a £3m deal from Roma as they move to replace Mark Schwarzer. DSSC
Sunderland are weighing up a move for Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster, 25, if current first choice Simon Mignolet, also 25, leaves this summer. Daily Record
Manager Paolo Di Canio has agreed a deal to sign Lazio centre-back Modibo Diakite, 26. Sunderland Echo
Bayern Munich's Germany striker Mario Gomez, 27, is a target for Italian clubs Napoli and Fiorentina. Kicker
Saint Etienne's French defender Kurt Zouma, 18, is set to move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala despite interest from Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. talkSHIT
Roberto Martinez is set for a second round of talks with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright on Friday as the Blues search for a replacement for departing manager David Moyes. Guardian
Porto coach Vitor Pereira and Red Bull Salzburg sports director Ralf Rangnick are also being considered for the Everton job. Times
German coach Rangnick was interviewed by Kenwright in London on Thursday. Sun
Jose Mourinho's first job when he returns to Chelsea will be to make a decision over the future of captain John Terry, 32. DSSC
Bayern Munich's Ukrainian midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, 34, says there is a "99% chance" that outgoing manager Jupp Heynckes will take over at Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti stays at Paris St-Germain. AS
Kenny Jackett, who left Millwall earlier this month, is set to take over as Wolves manager. Daily Telegraph
Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19, hopes to emulate his dad - former Stoke winger Mark Chamberlain - by helping England beat Brazil in the Maracana stadium on Sunday, despite admitting that he has never seen any footage of that famous 2-0 win in 1984. Daily Telegraph
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the club has no plans to sell forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, even for €1bn (around £856m). Marca
Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has offered striker Edinson Cavani, 26, a new contract of €7m (around £6m) per season to stop him from leaving for Chelsea. La Repubblica
New Napoli coach Rafael Benitez wants to sign Liverpool defenders Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, both 28, plus midfielder Lucas Leiva, 26, along with Barcelona star Javier Mascherano, 28. insidefutbol.com
Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski will remain with the club next season, according to coach Jurgen Klopp. El Mundo
Oldham manager Lee Johnson will either provide a motivational speech, training session or hand out awards for businesses prepared to sponsor the League One club's training kit. Manchester United Evening News
