Manchester City FC has had a patchy history, with most of their fans willing to admit that supporting them is a constant roller coaster ride. The Club was formed in 1880 by St Marks Church, but before becoming Manchester City were known as Ardwich AFC, who were also founding members of the English Football League at its inception in 1892.

A couple of years later, they became Manchester City in a bid to represent the whole of the city. But the club has had it's ups and downs, for example, in 1926 the Club became the first Manchester side to play at Wembley, recorded their highest Manchester derby victory at Old Trafford and then got relegated!

Everyone knows of the extreme rivalry that exists between City and Manchester United and it is definitely not a new thing. During World War II, damage to Old Trafford meant that United were forced to play their home games at Maine Road, which of course is where City are based. Whenever the two teams met there, City would never allow United use of the home team changing room!

The 60's saw the Club develop a new badge which was based around the central part of the City of Manchester coat of arms. They also won the FA Cup in 1969. The 1970s brought great things with a brilliant European and domestic cup double with the European Cup Winners Cup and the League Cup.

The club then changed their badge again, replacing the coat of arms with the rose of Lancashire, and broke the transfer record, signing Steve Daley for 1,450,277. City were also the first ever live Monday night Sky game when they played against QPR in 1992, which was the beginning of the FA Premier League.

They Club had a dramatic season in 1995/96 when three different managers were appointed and in 1997 they revealed a new badge with a Latin motto meaning 'Pride in Battle' inscribed.

In 2003 the Club waved goodbye to Maine Road, and moved on to the 48,000 capacity City of Manchester Stadium. In 2007 City established a 'top flight' club-record of nine straight home League wins and in 2008 they broke the British transfer record for the second time when they signed Robinho from Real Madrid. That though was only the beginning.

As well as the new stadium there have been refurbished training facilities, new website, kit, offices, retail store and new players. When Abu Dhabi took over it was under the premise that Mark Hughes remained as manager, and it was obvious that this was a promise that was not going to be broken - Hughes is recognised as professional and determined and the Sheik would be foolish to get rid of him.

With such a dedicated and influential manager and such a dominant supporting project backing Manchester City, it is likely that the club are really about the stir things up in the Premiership.