From Takeover To Trophy

2011 has been a landmark year for Manchester City. Automatic qualification for the Champions League followed the club's first major trophy success in 35 years. But back in the summer of 2008, after a disappointing end to the season culminated in an humiliating defeat at Middlesbrough, all of this looked very unlikely. But then, one fateful day in September, Manchester City were thrown into the limelight. The takeover and funding of Sheikh Mansour put the club on the map and, just three seasons later, the club are quickly on the rise. From Takeover To Trophy follows the journey from the start of the 2008-09 season, right up to the end of the 2010-11 season, featuring match reports and opinion columns by David Mooney.