Manchester City began in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton). The club became Ardwick in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894.
| Founded | 1880, as St. Mark’s (West Gorton) |
|---|---|
| Joined the Football League | 1892 |
| First major honour | FA Cup, 23 April 1904 |
| Moved to the Etihad | 2003, from Maine Road |
| Takeover | August 2008, Abu Dhabi United Group |
| Continental treble | 2022-23 |
Early years
City won the Second Division in 1899 and beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup in 1904. They won the Cup again in 1934 and their first top-flight title in 1936-37. Their home moved from Hyde Road to Maine Road in 1923.
Mercer and Allison
Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison arrived in 1965 and won the Second Division in their first season. The late 1960s and early 1970s brought the league title, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup, with Mike Summerbee and Colin Bell among the stars.
The wilderness years
A long decline followed, including relegation to the third tier. David Bernstein brought financial discipline and Joe Royle won back-to-back promotions.
The Abu Dhabi era
Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club in August 2008. City won the FA Cup in 2011, ending a 35-year trophy drought, and the Premier League in 2012. Under Pep Guardiola from 2016 to 2026 they won 20 honours, including the 2017-18 title with a record 100 points. In 2022-23 they won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, the club’s first continental treble. Enzo Maresca replaced Guardiola in June 2026.
