Manchester CityFC undoubtedly live in the shadow of their more successful neighbours from Old Trafford, but their staunch fans neither care, nor lament the fact that some say they even relish the ups and downs they have endured.

Manchester City are currently touted as the richest club in the world, backed by the fabulously wealthy Middle Eastern Abu Dhabi United Group, which bought City in September 2008. Many believe Man City are on the verge of finally being able to challenge rivals Man U.

Such promise is a million miles away from Manchester City's humble beginnings in east Manchester. Founded in 1880 by three churchgoers, the St Mark's (West Gorton) team consisted mainly of members of the church cricket team.

City moved in 1887, being renamed Ardwick Football Club before joining the Football League as founding members of the Second Division in 1892. Financial difficulties in the next season led to them being reformed as Manchester CityFC.

City have had a chequered history, marked by relegations and promotions, but with strong showings in the domestic cups four FA Cup and two Football League Cup triumphs.

The first of their two football League championships came in 1937 and they had to wait another 31 years for the second to arrive, in 1968.

Manchester City were guided to that title by the management duo of Joe Mercer and the flamboyant Malcolm Allison, who had such stars as Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Joe Corrigan in the side.

Manchester City went on to add an FA Cup, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup to their haul in this most successful era.

A roller-coaster period followed and, despite City's size and heritage, and being members of the Premier League at its formation in 1992, they found themselves in the third tier of English football as recently as 1999. Two swift promotions saw them back among the elite again, however.

In 2003, Manchester City moved from its home for 80 years, Maine Road, to the City of Manchester Stadium, originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

A string of high-profile managers followed, among them Kevin Keegan, Stuart Pearce and Sven Goran-Eriksson, before Mark Hughes took over in 2008.