We Admit, Manchester City Are Buying Trophies

For years, Manchester City have been accused by opposing fans of buying trophies, citing the blues have to buy them because they have no history. Now it’s official and their dreams and taunts have now become a reality.

The club have purchased the oldest FA Challenge Cup known to exist, with club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed making the winning bid at auction to secure the trophy. In a club statement, the blues announced that the trophy will be loaned to the National Football Museum in Manchester.

It was feared the trophy would be bought privately and taken out of the country, but Sheikh Mansour acted in order to keep the trophy in England. “Sheikh Mansour’s view is that a trophy of such cultural significance must be shared with the people of Manchester, the English football family, and all of those who love the English game. The National Football Museum is in a unique position to do that,” chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak said.

“This Cup is a visible reminder of the rich and long history of English football to which Manchester City is inextricably entwined,” he continued. “Winning this actual trophy in 1904 was a turning point for the Club and for the city of Manchester in that it firmly cemented football in the heart of its community.”

City beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 in 1904 to become the first club from Manchester to win the FA Cup, and the win was credited to be the start of establishing football in the city. The blues then became the first club in Manchester to parade the trophy through the city.

The news of the purchase has been well received, with FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham saying “This is wonderful news. Our sincere thanks go to His Highness Sheikh Mansour and Manchester City for ensuring the oldest surviving FA Cup will remain in this country and on view for all who visit the National Football Museum.

“The FA Cup holds a special place in the hearts of many football fans. Not just in England but across the whole world, and this trophy is an enduring symbol of its wonderful history and heritage. With this November marking the 150th anniversary since the FA Cup began in 1871, this is a fitting way to start the commemorations of such an important milestone.”

And National Football Museum Chief Executive, Tim Desmond said the trophy was amongst the ‘crown jewels’ of our artefacts. “When it left us in September 2019 to be auctioned by its then owner, we feared we may never see it again and that Britain would be losing the FA Cup for good.

“The fact that it has been bought by His Highness Sheikh Mansour and offered back to us is simply wonderful news both for the National Football Museum but also for the preservation of our sporting heritage in this country.”

No history and buying trophies to keep them in the country…Manchester City are back ruining football again!