On this day (7th May) in 2000 Manchester City achieved promotion by beating Blackburn 4-1 on the last day of the season. As with most things City did back then, the journey to promotion had not been as straightforward as fans hoped it would be.
“We will not be going to Blackburn to defend or looking for just one point, that would be inviting disaster. We will be playing to take three points. Legends are born in games like this and particularly at a massive club like City with the fan base we have. Someone can be a hero, not just for a day but for a long time.” These were the words Joe Royle used in the build up to City’s crucial match with Blackburn on the final day of the 1999-2000 season. He wanted to send a strong message to the rest of football that City were determined to return to the Premier League, and return they did. The game with Blackburn was extremely tense at times, and there were a number of occasions when everyone connected with the club felt that Blackburn would be added to the names of Luton and Liverpool in the City cock-up list. However Royle’s City showed resilience and success followed.
Here is my review of that game and the 1999-2000 season. To read the rest of this piece then please subscribe below:
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Gary James' Football Archive 
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