Since their inception in 1880 by Rev. Arthur Connell and William Beastow as St. Mark's (West Gorton), Manchester City F.C. have developed a loyal, passionate and dedicated following.[1][2][3] Evolving from a cricket team which aimed to unite the community in industrial east Manchester, St. Mark's changed to Ardwick F.C. before settling on Manchester City F.C. on 16 April 1894.

Manchester City supporters are recognised for their loyalty, and in 2007 had the longest-supporting fans in the Premier League.[4] City supporters have been described as being able to "revel in adversity" – evidenced in average match attendances increasing as the club fell to the second, and then third tier of English football for the only time in the club's history in 1997.[5] Since moving to the City of Manchester Stadium in 2003, the club have sold approximately of 36,000 season tickets in every season they have played and average attendances have ranked in the top 5 of English football since.[6]

Manchester City supporters are distinguishable by their sky blue, a colour which is only used by a handful of professional football clubs in England. The City supporters' song of choice is a rendition "Blue Moon" and are famous for their inflatables, normally yellow bananas[7] which are still occasionally seen today at various games, often when City are on a cup run. The inflatables were initially started as a humorous laugh by numerous City fans after a City player Imre Varadi was nicknamed banana hence the inflatable bananas. Other inflatables soon followed aimed at putting goodwill back into football during the dark days of English football hooliganism and stadium riots and the craze soon caught on with other clubs following suit and even dressing up the inflatable bananas.[7][8]

The club have been previously branded as "everyone's second favourite club"[2][9] due to their reputation as being one of the most tumultuous and unpredictable teams in English football with an innate ability 'to do things the hard way'.[2][10][11] Supporters refer to inconsistent results and unexpected events as "Typical City", or "City-itis" and media often refer to City as a "soap opera" club.[12][13] Historical events and results labelled as "Typical City" include being the only team to score and concede 100 league goals in one season (1957–58) and the only reigning champions in English football to be relegated. However, despite anguish, many City fans regard success and failure as part of being a loyal and real football supporter and specifically what it means to be a Manchester City supporter.[14][15]

Manchester City hold the second highest attendance record in English football (84,569), beaten only by Tottenham Hotspur F.C on 14 September 2016 as Spurs were temporarily playing UEFA Champions League "home" games at Wembley stadium. However Manchester City F.C still hold the record for the highest attended all English football match, 84,569 fans packed Maine Road for a sixth round FA Cup tie against Stoke City in 1934 (City went on to win the FA Cup that season). The ground was packed two and a half hours before kick-off, as supporters sat down on the touchline only yards from goalkeeper Frank Swift and the magnitude of the crowd caused a crush barrier to collapse causing a few injuries.[16] Since then, the club has moved to the Eastlands (also known as the Etihad Stadium) near to where the club was formed in 1880. It has gradually gained a reputation as a modern atmospheric stadium[17][18] despite fans initial reservations about moving from the famous Maine Road which although atmospheric was considered to be in a dilapidated state.

Demographics [ edit ]

In a 2007 Premier League survey, Manchester City fans had the second greatest proportion of long-serving supporters after Everton with 55% of those Manchester City fans questioned having attended games at City for 25 years or more (versus Everton's 57%), both above the Premier League average of 44%.[4] Despite the club's wealth, Manchester City have very strong working class roots which still remains today.[19]

A 2002 report by a researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University found that while it was true that a higher proportion of City season ticket holders came from Manchester postcode areas (40% compared to United's 29%), there were more United season ticket holders, the lower percentage being due to United's higher overall number of season ticket holders (27,667 compared to City's 16,481). However, the report warned that since the compiling of data in 2001, the number of both City and United season ticket holders had risen hugely; expansion of United's ground and City's move to the City of Manchester (Etihad) Stadium have caused season ticket sales to increase further.[20] The 2002 report has lost most of its validity as both clubs season tickets sales have fluctuated further as of 2010, with United selling 52,000 season tickets and City selling out all of its allocated 36,000 season tickets.

A 2012 survey by local newspaper the Manchester Evening News aimed to establish the spread of Manchester City and Manchester United in Greater Manchester, which consists of ten metropolitan boroughs with a combined population of 2.6 million. The survey found that Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Salford and Trafford had a majority of United fans while Stockport, Tameside, Oldham and Wigan were found to have a small majority of City fans. The survey demonstrated that there is a general east-south support for Manchester City and north-west support for Manchester United which correlates with the location of both clubs respective stadiums.[21]

Manchester City supporter traits [ edit ]

Manchester City fans watch Manchester City play Birmingham City at Eastlands

Manchester City had a large fanbase even before its success in recent years. Since moving to the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City's average attendances have been in the top six in England,[22] usually in excess of 40,000. Even in the late 1990s, when the club were relegated twice in three seasons and playing in the third tier of English football (then Division Two, now Football League One), home attendances were in the region of 30,000, compared to an average for the division of fewer than 8,000.[23] Research carried out by Manchester City in 2005 estimates a fanbase of 886,000 in the United Kingdom and a total in excess of 4 million worldwide.[24]

In the most recent season, 2014–2015, Manchester City had the fourth highest average attendance in English football and the third highest in the Premier League, with only Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United drawing greater crowds.

Inflatables craze [ edit ]

Manchester City fans have also been characterised by their yellow inflatable bananas since the late 1980s and are often seen at Manchester City cup games; for a while, the fans of many other English clubs began to parade inflatable bananas in the crowd at matches.[25][26] In 1988 when City played against West Brom, during which City fans called for the introduction of City striker "Imre Banana", or Imre Varadi as his real name was. Varadi said after his career, "I remember running out at Manchester City and someone threw a banana and just called me 'Imre Banana!', it didn't even rhyme with my name. The inflatable craze just swept the country and there was a banana craze."[27] Indeed, Varadi was affectionately known as 'Banana' from then on and in the 1988–89 season inflatables soon become commonplace at many English football matches. In 1989, Manchester City travelled to play Hull City with City fans bringing hundreds of inflatable bananas amongst a veritable assortment of inflatables such as a six-foot crocodile, a toucan and a spitfire.[28]

Although the bananas were present at Maine Road matches, the bigger inflatable displays were generally reserved for away matches, most notably against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. This was an evening match which City lost 1–0. The drab match itself has largely been forgotten apart from Brian Gayle's original excuse for the mistake which cost the goal: "I was blinded by the floodlights". The sheer array of inflatables staggered many, four City fans appeared carrying an inflatable paddling pool, and sharks, penguins, crocodiles were present and there was even an epic battle of the monsters. At one end of the terrace stood Godzilla. Six feet tall, green and mean, this dinosaur was a match for anybody. At the other end of the terrace stood Frankenstein's Monster. Slowly they began to converge towards the centre of the terrace. The crowd roared in anticipation. Eventually they met and the creatures joined in battle.[7] The craze soon died down and come the 1990s the inflatable displays on a large scale were nowhere to be seen.[29]

Currently, inflatable bananas make sporadic appearances of at the City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad Stadium) in recent years.[30][31] Bananas are occasionally on show during latter stages of cup runs, such as the 2009 UEFA Cup quarter-final when Manchester City played Hamburg and 2016 League Cup semi-final against Everton.[32]

Another craze that City supporters decided to implement in England is a celebration or dance that has been given the nickname of 'The Poznan'. It first started on 21 October 2010 in a game against Lech Poznań in the Europa League, during the game the whole of the Poznan end turned their back to the pitch, joined arms and jumped up and down in unison.

Since, other clubs including West Ham United, Leicester City, and many more clubs up and down the country have joined in doing 'The Poznan',[33] albeit not as frequently as the City faithful. 'The Poznan' was frequently seen performed during the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, and as the United line-up was being announced over the public address just before kick-off the entire City end turned their backs and did 'The Poznan'[34] and the Manchester City players and staff did the 'Poznan' at the end of match in front of the City supporters.[citation needed]

City gallows humour [ edit ]

Manchester City supporters are also well known for their gallows humor fuelled by the many years of failure and unpredictability which is commonly associated with City and which fans enjoy wearing as a badge of their commitment. Gláuber Berti – After sitting on the bench 20 times in the 2008–09 season, the City fans were starting to joke that Gláuber Berti wasn't real and nicknamed him the invisible man. Finally though in the last game of the season against Bolton Wanderers he made an appearance in the 85th minute. This was the most popular substitution of the season and City fans greeted his every touch with applause and sang songs for him for the rest of the game.[35] In a game against Red Bull Salzburg, the City fans found another new Brazilian they took to call Alan. When he came on as a second-half substitute, the announcer on the public address simply called him "Alan" and City fans were amused to see a Brazilian footballer with such an English name as Alan. City fans then started singing songs for him such as "Alan is Superman!".[36] After the match, Alan thanked the City supporters for their support.[37] Grandma – In a game against West Bromwich Albion in February 2011, the big screen at the City of Manchester Stadium zoomed in on an elderly looking woman. City fans cheered, so the camera zoomed in on her a few more times throughout the match. As the game went on City fans nicknamed her 'Grandma' and started singing songs such as '75 years and she's still here' and 'Grandma do the Poznan' (which she did).[38] She was later revealed to be Mavis Goddard from nearby Hulme.[39] Unfortunately she suffered a stroke and was unable to attend the 2011 FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United,[40] a match City won 1–0 to book their place in the 2011 FA Cup Final, and she died in December 2011.[41] In 2012, Porto considered complaining to UEFA over an "unsporting" chant which was aimed at their player Hulk: "You're not incredible, you're not incredible!" to the tune of "La donna è mobile". With Manchester City leading the UEFA Europa League tie 4–0 at home, unimpressed City supporters proceeded to sing "You're not incredible, you're not incredible!" to the £80 million-rated Porto striker, who had a mediocre performance.[42]

Rivalries [ edit ]

Wembley pictured before Manchester City's 1–0 victory against Manchester United in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final. Manchester City supporters can be seen in blue.

Manchester United [ edit ]

Most City fans are agreed that Manchester United is their main rivalry, a bitter rivalry which has reignited in last few years due to the resurgence of Manchester City as one of the top teams in England following their brief absence from the top flight at the end of the 20th century and City's re-emergence as a major club following their 2008 takeover.[43] Both Manchester teams are regarded as among the best teams in the world with both clubs consistently progressing to the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League in recent years and both are in the top 5 of football clubs by revenue with the city now viewed as a football city in similar vein to cities such as Madrid and Milan,[44][45] although City's disappearance from the upper echelons of the league following their 1960s–70s heyday until their recent rise has led to the two teams being regarded as polar opposites, with City seen as the nouveau riche to United's old money.[46][47] The two sets of fans are traditionally diametrically opposed to each other, with City's fans accusing United of arrogance and of attempting to turn the Premier League into a closed shop for elite clubs only via manipulation of the rules[48][49] and of the media[50] while they in turn are accused of using their club's money as a route to success.[51] Additionally, and in a unique twist on a cross-city rivalry, both clubs' fans accuse each other of not representing their city, with the blue half of the city observing that their adversaries do not actually play in the city of Manchester (in Trafford) and therefore do not warrant their name, while the red half instead argue over which team has more fans inside of the city.

Other rivalries [ edit ]

In a research study on football rivalries conducted in 2003, a sample of Manchester City fans also saw Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers as rivals after Manchester United. It also found fans of Oldham Athletic, Stockport County, Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United saw Manchester City in their top three of main rivals.[52] The club has always maintained a healthy rivalry with Tottenham, a club of similar stature, especially in recent years as both teams have been battling to secure lucrative Champions League places.[53] The rivalry has featured many memorable matches in the past including City's 3–4 FA Cup comeback of 2004,[54] the 1981 FA Cup Final and the "Ballet on Ice", which Manchester City fans remember as one of the greatest City performances.[55][56]

Supporters' groups and affiliations [ edit ]

Manchester City has various supporters' clubs such as MCFC Official Supporters' Club. In July 2010, it unified with the Centenary Supporters' Association and in 2014 has over 14,000 members in over 150 branches.[57]

Since 2010, City has run a 'Heart of the City' scheme, in which non-UK based pubs and bars which have become host to sizable supporters clubs are recognised with a Blue Moon design blue plaque.[58] As of May 2013, the club has awarded the Heart of the City plaque to establishments in Abu Dhabi, Baltimore, Brisbane, Chicago, Donegal, Frisco, Galway, Gothenburg, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York City, Oslo, Paris,[58] Portland, Sydney[59] Toronto.

Online supporter presence [ edit ]

The club actively partakes in using the internet for social media to communicate with fans and Manchester City's online overall blog, forum and social media presence is believed to be one of the strongest by a football club online.[60][61][62] A new, streamlined club website was launched in July 2009[63] and expanded to America and Arabic language soon after. The new site supports fan sites and forum, by posting links to fan sites which are listed on Manchester City's official website[64] On the popular FIFA video game series, Manchester City were third-most-played team by online players in the 2011–12 season.[65]

Furthermore, the club has run its own social media websites since 2009. Official sites run by the club include Twitter,[66] Facebook[67] and Flickr[68] pages which fans can join. As of January 2016, the Manchester City FC – Official fanpage on Facebook has over 20 million followers. Also as of recently, City fans can also join an official fan map on the club website and now City fans can watch official club videos on the mcfcofficial channel on YouTube.[69]

Songs and chants [ edit ]

Blue Moon,

You saw me standing alone,

Without a dream in my heart,

Without a love of my own —"Blue Moon" lyrics, Manchester City

We are not

We're not really here,

We are not

We're not really here,

We are the fans of the invisible man,

We're not really here —Invisible Man lyrics, Manchester City

Anthems [ edit ]

Manchester City fans song of choice and the most commonly sung is a rendition of "Blue Moon". Boys in Blue is unofficially the club's anthem, which is often played at the end of games at Eastlands. The club also play the popular "Live for City" song, which is a remixed version of "Pounding" by Doves before most games at Eastlands as well as playing a number of songs by Oasis, due to the both bands' support of the team.

Fan songs and chants [ edit ]

Another song frequently sung is "We're Not Really Here". The true and correct origin of the song is due to a City fan from the Prestwich & Whitefield supporters branch who died on a trip to Amsterdam in the early 90s. The branch, led by City fan Don Price sung this song about their friend in their local pub, The Forresters Arms. The full version goes "if you're drunk you will die if you don't drink you will die so it's better to be drunk than be sober when you die...just like the fans of the invisible man...we're not really here." The song then took off on a pre-season trip to Ireland in 1996 and was sung firstly at away games then at home games since that time.

Another chant sometimes sung to the tune of the 1920s classic Kum Ba Yah, "Sheikh Mansour m’lord, Sheikh Mansour, oh lord, Sheikh Mansour", a reference to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Manchester City's owner, who is credited with investing heavily in the club and the rise of the club's success.[70][71][72]

The Yaya/Kolo Song [ edit ]

In 2012, Manchester City fans started a song for Yaya Touré and his brother Kolo Touré to the tune of "No Limit", they also came up with a dance to accompany it. The song became so popular that it was adopted by other clubs fans and would be a sang in holiday destinations such as Mallorca, Ibiza, Ayia Napa, plus other sporting events like the darts and at music festivals.

In popular culture [ edit ]

Manchester City F.C. and its fans have been portrayed in numerous music, art and TV programmes. L.S. Lowry was a Manchester City supporter who gained inspiration for his people, often known as 'matchstick men' at matches. Oasis used an animated video of Lowry's Going to the match for their single, "The Masterplan".

In film, There's Only One Jimmy Grimble was also a fictional film which focused on a young boy whose dream it was to play for Manchester City. TV programmes have had various fictional Manchester City fans who have been portrayed with differing mannerisms and personalities. DCI Gene Hunt from Life on Mars is a no nonsense police officer whilst comical characters include Young Kenny in Phoenix Nights and Dave from The Royle Family who both occasionally wear Manchester City shirts.

A feature film documenting Manchester City's 2009–10 season called Blue Moon Rising[73] was released nationwide in 2010. The film mainly follows a group of Manchester City fans in their Renault Espace throughout the season detailing the highs and lows whilst the film will also feature exclusive footage and interviews with fans, players and staff. The season documented City narrowly losing out on fourth place and Champions League to Tottenham Hotspur and City being knocked out of the League Cup by Manchester United in the semi-finals. Coincidentally, the following season saw a reversal of fortunes, with City beating Tottenham 1–0 to seal Champions League football, and beating United in the FA Cup semi-final before going on to the lift the FA Cup for the first time in 42 years.

The film The Keeper focusing on the life of City goalie Bert Trautmann has fans depicted throughout the film.[74] [75] Also, one of the main roles was played by a City fan, John Henshaw.[76]

Quotations [ edit ]

"Then there are the City supporters, many of whom have developed ulcers and who have grown prematurely grey for the cause. I have seen them at Plymouth and Newcastle, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough year after year, 'like Patience on a monument smiling at grief'. They have cursed, applauded, demanded, cajoled, laughed and wept. They have sworn never again to take out season tickets, never again to support their team. And always they have come back, generation after generation. As Mr Mercer put it on Saturday: 'I'm as pleased for our supporters as I am for anyone. Like the players they deserve to have their perseverance rewarded.'"

"Sometimes we're good and sometimes we're bad but when we're good, at least we're much better than we used to be and when we are bad we're just as bad as we always used to be, so that's got to be good hasn't it?".

"My husband's time as manager of City, from 1965 through to the early 1970s, was one of the most enjoyable periods of his life. He loved the club, the supporters, the players, the hope and the atmosphere of that period".

Norah Mercer, Joe Mercer's wife, who continued to regularly attend City matches until her death in 2013.j

"To support United is too easy. It's convenience supporting. It makes life too easy. There is no challenge. It is a cowardly form of escapism, a sell-out to the forces of evil. United fans have no soul and will spend their eternity neck deep in boiling vomit. City fans retain their soul and will spend their eternity forever reliving the moment their team beat Newcastle 4–3 away from home to win the League Championship in 1968, beating United into second place."