The Kippax Street Kid on May 14, 2014 at 15:43 said: Anyone smell a rat? David Gill: 1997 David Gill joins The Rags as Finance Director. 2000 “G-14″ Founded. Gill eventually became Vice Chairman. 2003 Appointed Chief Executive of Rags PLC. 2005 Appointed Chief Executive of Rags Ltd after Glazer takeover. 2006 G-14 Demands “fair share” of receipts from Euro’s & World Cup tournaments in exchange for “releasing players” to play in them. 2007 Platini calls for G-14 to be disbanded claimimg “elitism”. 2008 (January) G-14 & UEFA reach agreement. UEFA & FIFA will pay compensation to clubs in exchange for dissolution of G-14. 2008 (February) G-14 disbands. European Club Association replaces it. 2008 (August) Manchester City takeover completed. City immediately spend £30m on Robinho & nearly steal Berbatov from under United’s nose. 2009 (January) Manchester City spend around £50m buying players to ensure Premier League survival. 2009 (Summer) Manchester City spend around £100m on further player recruitment. 2009 (September) David Gill elected to two year place on European Club Association Board. 2009 (September) UEFA unanimously agree financial fair play concept and FFP is born. 2012 (October) David Gill appointed Vice-Chairman of The Football Association. 2013 (May) David Gill appointed to UEFA’s Executive Committee on a four year term. 2013 (June) David Gill leaves his Chief Executive’s post at The Rags, but remains as a Director. 2013 (June) David Gill appointed as Chairman of UEFA’s Club Licencing Committee, with influence to decide whether clubs financial situations entitle them to participate in UEFA competitions.

Raison D'Etre

Obviously this was written before the Abu Dhabi takeover took place, but I think it's a wonderful, off the cuff piece written by "Unknown Blue" which sums up the unique spirit of Manchester City fans:

To all the united "Fans" who call City:
Have you ever wondered why, even with all the trophies, glory, showbiz weddings, superstar "glamour" players and planet-sized, graceless ego's that surround the "entity" that is manchester yernited, you still can't kill off local support for a skint club that has won nothing for 31 years, shoots itself in the foot at every opportunity, sells it's best players and yet is somehow still one of the best-supported teams in England?

I'd say that says more about your club than ours. Supporting Manchester City is typically Mancunian. Backing the underdog in the face of adversity, knowing that one day soon, "our time will come again..." Supporting united is heroism in a can. The refuge of the characterless, the humourless, the bland - the footballing epitome of "blending in"...though i guess you'll just never understand that's what separates us from you, and long may it remain so!
City fans never have to justify why they are blue. Unlike our red counterparts. So every time you have yet another humourless dig at my beloved Blues, please accept my thanks for reminding me why I am and always will be a Blue.