An entire generation of Manchester City fans had no idea what it was like to be successful until the sheikhs of Abu Dhabi rolled into town with their billions of oil dollars. Before Sergio Aguero smashed home the dramatic Premier League winning goal in the dying seconds of the 2011-12 season, supporters of the Citizens had to go back 36 years to remember their last piece of major silverware – the 1976 League Cup.
As City line up against Sunderland in this year’s first domestic Cup final, it was the Mackems’ local rivals Newcastle United who provided the opposition at Wembley back in 1976.
Tony Book’s side wore this mid-70’s classic Umbro shirt as they beat the Magpies 2-1 thanks to goals from Peter Barnes and an overhead kick by Dennis Tueart.
Other notable City players from that era were Colin Bell, Joe Corrigan, Joe Royle, Dave Watson and Asa Hartford – the man who suffered from a rare hole-in-the-heart medical condition.
As the jubilant men in light blue paraded the three-handled trophy around Wembley that February afternoon, who would have thought it would have taken another 36 years of infrequent highs and all-too-regular lows for City to win anything again?
Classic Retro shirts now available from Campo Retro www.camporetro.com
