The Etihad Stadium was once a weekly hotspot for fans of comedy as the likes of Jo, Sun Jihai and Kiki Musampa took to the field to embarrass their audience with dismal displays of incompetence and inelegance.
One can't deny that 'the old days' entertained, however. They were funny; and behind the frown that often clung to 40,000 sky blue faces at the full-time whistle, a smirk hid. Success is a word that has only recently become a part of the Manchester City dictionary, but every long-standing blue reserves a special place in their heart for the days when a 50-yard own goal lay firmly in the realms of possibility.
Although we enjoy painting a calamitous picture of our past, we're grateful for the gaffes that have made us even more appreciative of the David Silvas and Sergio Agüeros of today's squad. Through the medium of song we celebrate players who only ever managed to make just one appearance for us, and we openly admit that we were sh*t.
Irony is a key component in the humour of Manchester City fans, and although we mock the individuals that didn't exactly impress, among them emerged a number of club legends that are still celebrated to this day.
Below I present to you 16 absolutely fabulous Manchester City fan favourites from the last 11 years:
16) Richard Dunne (2000-2009)
Appearances: 296
The 'King of own goals' was also one of Manchester City's best defenders of recent times. Dunne captained the blues for three years from 2006 and became the first player to win Manchester City's Player of the Year award on four occasions.
15) Martin Petrov (2007-2010)
Appearances: 59
City fans warmed to the Bulgarian winger immediately as they watched him parade up and down the flank in Shaun Wright-Phillips-like style. His speed and wand of a left foot rendered him a potent threat in City's attack and he was often asked to treat fans to a 'wave'.
14) Eyal Berkovic (2001-2004)
Appearances: 56
Before David Silva, there was Eyal Berkovic, and the Israeli magician formed one of the most exciting partnerships in the club's history with fellow playmaker Ali Benarbia. The pair were instrumental in City's promotion to the Premier League in 2002 when the blues achieved 99 points and a record breaking 108 goals.
13) Nigel De Jong (2009-2012)
Appearances: 104
The tough-tackling midfielder added bite to the blues' midfielder in 2009 when he signed from Hamburg in an £18m deal. An entertainer both on and off the field, De Jong established himself as a popular figure in the dressing room and his determination won the hearts of the Etihad Stadium.
12) Elano Blumer (2007-2009)
Appearances: 62
The midfielder provided City with their first taste of Brazilian magic in 2007. Although his attitude was questionable at times, Elano's skill and dead-ball abilities attracted ticket sales and commenced a free-flowing style of play at the Etihad Stadium. A wonderful player.
11) Mario Balotelli (2010-2013)
Appearances: 54
Mario Balotelli not only made a significant impression on Manchester City, but also on the whole of England. The controversial Italian exhibited the ability to both destroy and resurrect City's title challenge when he provided the vital touch in 'that' famous goal against Queens Park Rangers to win the Premier League trophy in 2012. Possibly the most unforgettable character the club have ever welcomed.
10) Ali Benarbia (2001-2003)
Appearances: 71
Benarbia's double-act with Eyal Berkovic in the 2001-2002 promotion to the Premier League proved to be one of the most exciting partnerships in the club's history. The Algerian struggled with the pace of the Premier League in the following season, but still remained a vital creative cog in City's midfield. The first player I ever saw lift the ball off the ground with a back heel.
9) Yaya Touré (2010-Present)
Appearances: 134
The Ivorian powerhouse has established himself as one of the world's best box-to-box midfielders since joining the blues in 2010 when he was transformed from a part-time central defender into a full-time midfield monstrosity. City's big game player has recently added goals to his list of talents and has pledged his future to the club after a summer of intense speculation.
8) Carlos Tevez (2009-2013)
Appearances: 113
The Argentine infuriated the red side of Manchester by crossing the border in 2009 after a war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson. The signing formally announced Manchester City as a genuine threat to the Premier League crown, but the striker often carried the blues with his undefeatable workrate and eye for goal. Possibly the most important Manchester City player in the last ten years.
7) David Silva (2010-Present)
Appearances: 127
Arguably the finest player to ever wear the sky blue shirt, David Silva is admired by Manchester City fans. The Spaniard, nicknamed 'Merlin' by his teammates, was tipped to struggle with the physicality of the Premier League after moving to the Etihad Stadium from Valencia in 2010, but his technique and vision has made him one of the best players in the division.
6) Sergio Agüero (2011-Present)
Appearances: 87
Manchester City's £38.5m record signing proved to be worth every penny when he secured City's first Premier League title in 44 years with a last minute goal against QPR in 2012. Immovable on the ball and a predator in front of goal, the Argentine is possibly the most exciting striker to have ever played for the blues.
5) Vincent Kompany (2008-Present)
Appearances: 181
Signed for £6m in 2008, City's 'captain fantastic' is one of the Premier League's greatest bargains. The Belgian is one of the league's most intimidating defenders and has guided the blues to two Premier League titles in three years with his leadership on the field.
4) Pablo Zabaleta (2008-Present)
Appearances: 164
The 29-year-old, who now speaks in a Spanish-tinted Mancunian accent, has completely devoted himself to the club since moving from Espanyol in 2008. Once a liability in City's back four, 'Zab Man' has warmed to the physicality of the Premier League and is now regarded as one of Europe's finest full-backs. The South-American wears his heart on his sleeve and is adored by the City faithful.
3) Micah Richards (2005-Present)
Appearances: 179
Handed his debut in 2005 by Stuart Pearce, Micah Richards became on of the club's most exciting youth talents. Admired for his strength and pace when marauding forward, Richards was tipped to become a key figure for both Manchester City and England.
However, frequent injury trouble began to bruise the defender's progress and soon he fell down the pecking order behind Pablo Zabaleta at the Etihad Stadium. The 26-year-old is likely to leave the club this summer in search of first-team football, but the fans he has served and loved for so long will never forget him.
2) Shaun Wright-Phillips (1999-2005, 2008-2011)
Appearances: 217
Shaun Wright-Phillips captivated both Maine Road and the Etihad Stadium down the right-wing as he wriggled in and out of opponents with frightening pace and agility. Standing at a mere 5ft 5inches, the ex-England international still wielded a ferocious right foot and treated fans to a piledriver against Manchester United in a famous 4-1 victory in 2004. City have been unable to find a true replacement for Wrighty since he left the club in 2011 and the tune of 'Shauny Wright-Wright-Wright' still echoes around the Etihad on match day.
1) Shaun Goater (1998-2003)
Appearances: 212
'Feed the Goat and he will score'. It's true, the Bermudan was a goal machine and is undoubtedly the most celebrated Manchester City player of the last decade. With 103 goals in 212 appearances, Goater is the greatest goalscorer in the blues' modern history and City fans will never forget the time he humiliated Gary Neville in front of his own fans. Cheers, Shaun!
