Unreliable History

Another side who have developed a reputation as a yo-yo club over the last few years.  Since the inception of the Premiership, Manchester City have bounced between the top two divisions and in one case slipped down to the Second Division.  Only a play-off escape against Gillingham earned them an escape from the bottom point of their plummet of late.

This is in stark contrast to the early days of the club.  After formation in 1887 and changing their name from Ardwick FC in 1894, City won Second Division championships in 1899 and 1903, with a FA Cup win in 1904.  Two more Second Div. titles and another FA Cup lead to them finally taking the top spot in the First Division in 1937.

An illegal payments scandal rocked the club in 1906, which lead to City falling from grace.  They had been accused of using the payments to win the 1904 FA Cup and had 17 players suspended (including the big notorious figure of Billy Meredith), having to put their ground up for sale to pay off the fines imposed by the FA.  This was the main reason they tried to shy away from publicity and moved to Hyde Road.  Four of the men joined arch rivals United and they went on to win the league title twice and an FA Cup with the Reds over the following four years.  When this period of success was over, City acquired the architect of this United team, manager Ernest Mangnall.

In 1912, City were awarded three penalties in the same game against Newcastle United and missed the lot from the spot.  It is not something that is new to City.

Considering the rivalry between the two clubs, there has been a fair amount of movement across the city.  Indeed, when the FA Cup was lifted in 1934, it was Matt Busby who was in the light blue doing so and Denis Law’s famous back-heel condemned his former side United to relegation in 1976.  It is a little known fact, but Eric Cantona actually thought he was signing for City when he went to Manchester and the rest, as they say, is history.  The club even managed to sign up a cricketer in the case of Patsy Hendren !!

In 1957-58, the Citizens famously scored 104 and conceded 100 goals in finishing 5th.  It was an expensive season for City, as they had just installed new nets and had to replace them at the end of the campaign !!

Joe Mercer, the popular manager of the club, paved the way for further success by winning the Second Division again in 1966 and the FA Cup for a fourth time in 1969.  Malcolm Allison’s reign in the 1970s brought a League Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1970 and a League Cup followed in 1976.

Coming into the 90s, the City side have made a habit of vacillating between the top division and the First Division.  On one occasion, they guarded the ball in the corner of the pitch believing that the would avoid relegation, as other results had gone their way.  Unfortunately, they had been misinformed and went down.

Moving away from Maine Road to take the main chance in becoming occupiers of the Stadium of the City of Manchester built for the Commonwealth Games was a big risk, but they have now settled in and are scoring goals, as Swede Sven Goran Eriksson took charge and the team look to pull themselves up the table, much as their manager is always on the look-out to pull.

Unfortunately, despite a good season, Sven was replaced by Mark Hughes, when Thaksin Sinawatra (the Thai Prime Minister) took over and made changes.  They were nothing in comparison to the changes in his life, when he was charged with corruption in his homeland and he decided that perhaps he didn’t have the money to run a football club after all.  Despite trying to do it his way, he sold the club quickly to Abu Dhabi United, who suddenly were not only a company pumping oil out of the ground in the Middle East, but were pumping money into Middle Eastlands.  This included the Premier League record fee for Robinho from Real Madrid of £35 million, leaving Hughes with a great weight of expectation on his shoulders, which couldn’t be met immediately, leaving him out of a job.

Coming in, Roberto Mancini was initially unpopular, but when City beat Stoke City in the FA Cup Final of 2011 for their first trophy in 35 years, he was a hero, but one backed by the huge oil money that threatened to buy the Citizens way to the top.  The slick work of the team pushed them on to the top of the table winning the Premier League title with the last kick of 2011-12 to achieve the aim of the project, but the following season was a slippery slope that saw them struggle to keep up with neighbours United once more, leading to Roberto Mancini being shown the door.  Manuel Pellegrini was the next manager through the door and he seemed to be getting things right, with his array of attacking talent hitting the net more than 100 times by the middle of January in all competitions on their way to their second Premier title.  That wasn’t enough to secure his long term future and when he left, he was replaced by Pep Guardiola, who was to bring his particular brand of football to City in the aim of winning not just the Premiership, but the Champions League too, although that proved to be more of a challenge as 2020-2021 proved with a comfortable Premier League title but losing out in the final of the Champions League.

FAMOUS PLAYERS : –  Colin Bell, Barry Auld, Matt Busby, Neil Young, Barry Masticate, Keith Coleman, Georgi Kinkladze, Bobby Shinton, Eric Milkman, Walter Chew.

FAMOUS FANS : – Eddie Large (Comedian), Liam and Noel Gallagher (Musicians – Oasis), Bernard Manning (Comedian), Ricky Hatton (Boxer – World Light-weight champion), Rick Wakeman (Prog-rock keyboardist).

 

Club Records

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Formed 1887 
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Turned Professional 1887
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Became a Limited Company 1894
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Previous names 1887-1894 = Ardwick FC
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Previous grounds Clowes Street  1880-1881
Kirkmanshulme Cricket Ground   1881-1882
Queens Road  1882-1884
Pink Bank Lane  1884-1897
Hyde Road  1897-1923
Maine Road  1923-2003
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Nickname “The CITIZENS” or “CITY” or “BLUES”
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Club Colours HOME :  Shirts – Light blue with white neck
Shorts – White
Socks – Light blue with thin white stripes on turnover
AWAY : Shirts – Black
Shorts – Black
Socks – Black
THIRD : Shirts – “Whisper white” with light blue paisley pattern
Shorts – Black
Socks – “Whisper white” with light blue stripes on turnover
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Record Premier League Win 8-0  v   Watford (home)   21.09.2019
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Record Premier League Defeat 1-8  v  Middlesbrough  11.05.2008
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Record Football League Win 10-0  v    Darwen    Division 2  18.02.1899
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Record Football League Defeat 0-8  v  Burton Wanderers  26.12.1894
0-8  v  Wolverhampton Wanderers  23.12.1933
1-9  v  Everton  03.09.1906
2-10  v  Small Heath  17.03.1893
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Record Cup Win 12-0  v   Liverpool Stanley    FAC  04.10.1890
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Record Fee Paid £100 million to Aston Villa for Jack GREALISH (August 2021)
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Record Fee Received £54.8 million from Bayern Munich for Leroy SANE  (3rd July 2020)
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Record Appearances 680 –  Alan OAKES (1958-76)
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Record Football League Appearances 564 –  Alan OAKES (1958-76)
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Record Premier League Appearances 309 –  David SILVA (19-)
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Record Premier League goal-scorer 184  –  Sergio AGUERO (2011-2021)
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Record goal-scorer in a Premier League season  36  –  Erling HAALAND (2022-2023)
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Record goal-scorer in a league season 38  –  Tommy JOHNSON  Division 1 (1928-29)
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Record goal-scorer in a season (all competitions) 52  –  Erling HAALAND   2022-2023
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Record all-time goal-scorer  260  –  Sergio AGUERO  (2011-2021)
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Most goals in a match 5 – Fred WILLIAMS  v Darwen  Division 2  18.2.1899
5 – Tom BROWELL  v Burnley  Division 2  24.10.1925
5 – Tommy JOHNSON  v Everton  Division 1  12.9.1928
5 – George SMITH  v Newport County  Division 2  14.6.1947
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Record Home Attendance (all-time) 84,569 v Stoke City  FAC R6  3.3.1934  (Maine Road)
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Record Premier League Attendance 54,693  v  Leicester City  (Premier League)  06.02.2016   
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Record match receipts £512,235   Manchester United v Oldham Athletic  FAC SFr  13.4.1994
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Record total of goals in a Premier League season 106 –  2017-18,  38 games
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Record total goals in a league season 108  –  Division 2  1926-27 (42 games)
108  –  Premier League  2001-02  (38 games)
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Record Premier League points total 100  –  2017-18  (38 games)
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Record League points total 3 points for a win : 100    Premier League   2017-18
2 points for a win : 62    Division 2   1946-47
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Most capped Player while at club David SILVA  87  (Spain)
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Stadium details 

Address :  City of Manchester Stadium, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3FF

Telephone :  0161 884 1894

 

Capacity :  55,017 (Premier League)
53,000 (UEFA competitions)
Pitch size : 105m x
68m  (114.8 yards  x     74.4 yards)


Official website : www.mancity.com
 

Fanzines
King of the Kippax

Directions to the Etihad Stadium

By Car
There is no on-street parking around the ground, as they are all resident parking zones, which will mean your car could be ticketed or clamped/removed.

Road closures will be in place for 20 minutes after the game on Ashton New Road, Grey Mare Lane and Merrill Street. 

There is pay on the day parking in Blue Car Parks G & H  via Alan Turing Way (Gate 2) [near the gasholders].  Coaches and minibuses park for free and cars will be cheaper for more than one passenger than if the driver is the only person in the vehicle.

By Train
Nearest railway station:
Manchester Piccadilly (1 mile). Free shuttle bus to Sportcity.

Bus routes:  53, 54, 185, 186, 216, 217, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, X36, X37  – all go to within 8 minutes walk of the stadium.  

After the game to get back to the City Centre, buses depart from the South Stand – Ashton New Road.

Metrolink (tram) – Blue Line from Piccadilly to Etihad Campus or Velopark (towards Ashton or Droylsden)
After the match use Etihad Campus stop to return to the City Centre, as other stops are closed for one hour after the end of the game.

Park & Ride –  You can take the Metrolink from two large car parks situated at Ashton West or Ashton Moss or any of the other Park & Ride stations on the Metrolink system.  Travel time to the Etihad Stadium should be less than 25 minutes.  

Alternatively the walk from the city centre to the ground takes approximately 30 minutes or 25 minutes from Piccadilly station.

Honours

 

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Premier League Champions  (First tier) 2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023
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Premier League Runners-up  (First tier)  2012-13, 2014-15, 2019-20
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Division One Champions  (First tier) 1936-37, 1967-68
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Division One Champions  (Second tier) 2001-02
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Division One Runner-up  (First tier) 1903-04, 1920-21, 1976-77
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Division Two Champions  (Second tier) 1898-99, 1902-03, 1909-10, 1927-28, 1946-47, 1965-66
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Division Two Runners-up  (Second tier) 1999-2000
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FA Cup Winners 1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019, 2023
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FA Cup Finalists 1926, 1933, 1955, 1981, 2013
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League Cup Winners 1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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League Cup Finalists 1974
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Champions League Winners 2023
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Champions League Finalists 2021
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European Cup Winners Cup Winners 1969-70
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FA Charity Shield Winners 1937, 1968, 1972
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FA Charity Shield Runners-Up 1934, 1956, 1969, 1973
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FA Community Shield Winners  2012, 2018, 2019
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FA Community Shield Runners-Up  2011, 2014, 2021, 2022
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Full Members Cup Finalists  1986
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Anglo-Italian League Cup Finalists  1971
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Managers

 

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Frederick HOPKINSON 1880 – 1882
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Jack McGEE 1882 – 1884
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Edward KITCHEN 1884 – 1887
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Walter CHEW 1887 – 1889
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Lawrence FURNISS August 1889 – May 1893
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Joshua PARLBY August 1893 – May 1895
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Sam ORMEROD August 1895 – July 1902
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Tom MALEY July 1902 – July 1906
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Harry NEWBOULD July 1906 – July 1912
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Committee July 1912 – September 1912
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Ernest MANGNALL 9 September 1912 – July 1924
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David ASHWORTH July 1924 – 14 November 1925
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Albert ALEXANDER/Committee (Caretaker) 16 November 1925 – 26 April 1926
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Peter HODGE 26 April 1926 – 12 March 1932
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Wilf WILD 14 March 1932 – 1 December 1946
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Sam COWAN 2 December 1946 – 30 June 1947
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Wilf WILD (Caretaker) August 1947 – November 1947
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Jock THOMSON November 1947 – February 1950
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Leslie McDOWALL June 1950 – May 1963
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George POYSER 12 July 1963 – April 1965
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Committee April 1965 – May 1965
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Joe MERCER 13 July 1965 – 7 October 1971
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Malcolm ALLISON 7 October 1972 – 30 March 1973
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Johnny HART 30 March 1973 – 22 October 1973
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Tony BOOK (Caretaker) 23 October 1973 – 22 November 1973
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Ron SAUNDERS 22 November 1973 – 12 April 1974
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Tony BOOK 12 April 1974 – July 1979
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Malcolm ALLISON 16 July 1979 – 8 October 1980
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Tony BOOK (Caretaker) 9 October 1980 – 16 October 1980
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John BOND 17 October 1980 – 3 February 1983
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John BENSON 3 February 1983 – 7 June 1983
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Billy McNEILL 30 June 1983 – 20 September 1986
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Jimmy FRIZZELL 21 September 1986 – May 1987
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Mel MACHIN May 1987 – 29 November 1989
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Tony BOOK (Caretaker) 29 November 1989 – 5 December 1989
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Howard KENDALL 6 December 1989 – 5 November 1990
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Peter REID 11 November 1990- 26 August 1993
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Tony BOOK (Caretaker) 27 August 1993
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Brian HORTON 28 August 1993 – 16 May 1995
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Alan BALL 30 June 1995 – 26 August 1996
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Asa HARTFORD (Caretaker) 26 August 1996 – 7 October 1996
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Steve COPPELL 7 October 1996 – 8 November 1996
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Phil NEAL (Caretaker) 9 November 1996 – 28 December 1996
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Frank CLARK 29 December 1996 – 17 February 1998
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Joe ROYLE 18 February 1998 – 21 May 2001
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Kevin KEEGAN 24 May 2001 – 11 March 2005
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Stuart PEARCE 21 March 2005 – 14 May 2007
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Sven Goran ERIKSSON 6 July 2007 – 02 June 2008
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Mark HUGHES 4 June 2008 – 19 December 2009
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Roberto MANCINI 19 December 2009 – 13 May 2013
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Brian KIDD (Caretaker) 13 May 2013 – 14 June 2013
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Manuel PELLEGRINI 14 June 2013 – 30 June 2016
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Pep GUARDIOLA 1 July 2016 – 
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League Record

The Football League structure has historically been as follows …

1888-1892 1892-1920 1920-1921 1921-1958 1958-1992 1992-2004 2004 to date
First tier Football League Division One Division One Division One Division One Premiership Premier League
Second tier Division Two Division Two Division Two Division Two Division One Championship
Third tier Division Three Division Three
(North) and (South)
Division Three Division Two  League One
Fourth tier Division Four Division Three League Two
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Joined Division Two 1892
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Division Two 1892-1899
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Division One 1899-1902
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Division Two 1902-1903
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Division One 1903-1909
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Division Two 1909-1910
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Division One 1910-1926
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Division Two 1926-1928
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Division One 1928-1938
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Division Two 1938-1947
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Division One 1947-1950
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Division Two 1950-1951
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Division One 1951-1963
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Division Two 1963-1966
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Division One 1966-1983
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Division Two 1983-195
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Division One 1985-1987
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Division Two 1987-1989
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Division One 1989-1992
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Premier League 1992-1996
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Division One 1996-1998
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Division Two 1998-1999
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Division One 1999-2000
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Premier League 2000-2001
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Division One 2001-2003
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Premier League 2003-
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