City enjoy strong support, traditionally drawn from the local Manchester area, but are a club whose fans have had to put up with a lot of boardroom instability.
Mark Hughes became their 14th manager in the last 20 years when he was appointed by new chairman Dr Thaksin Shinawatra – the former Thai prime minister who successfully took control of the club in 2007.
City moved from their old home Maine Road to the purpose-built Commonwealth games stadium in 2002, but have not enjoyed much success since then.
The club last lifted silverware in 1976 when Denis Tuart’s goal clinched the League Cup at Wembley.
City have won the FA Cup four times and the league title twice, while their only European success was in the old Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1970.
Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell, Tony Book, Neil Young and Francis Lee starred for the club in their glory years – the 1960s – but they have produced several talented youngsters recently – including Shaun Wright-Phillips and Micah Richards.
Current line up: Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Michael Ball, Nedum Onuoha, Pablo Zabaleta, Michael Johnson, Stephen Ireland, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Valeri Bojinov, Robinho, Elano, Darius Vassell, Javier Garrido, Kasper Schmeichel, Martin Petrov, Danny Mills, Gelson Fernandes, Felipe Caicedo, Dietmar Hamann, Richard Dunne (captain), Ched Evans, Nery Castillo (on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk), Tal Ben Haim, Benjani Mwaruwari, Daniel Sturridge, Kelvin Etuhu, Shaleum Logan, Vincent Kompany.
Robinho's prospects of returning to Manchester City have been hampered following his criticism of manager Roberto Mancini's tactics.
Patrick Vieira, Joleon Lescott and Roque Santa Cruz are set to feature in Manchester City's clash with Bolton at Eastlands on Tuesday.
Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City side they must start quickly against Bolton on Tuesday.
Craig Bellamy has been sent to London to see a specialist about his knee injury but Man City are confident it is not too serious.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli with a view to a summer move.
Goals from Jozy Altidore and George Boateng helped Hull record a surprise victory over Champions League-chasing Manchester City.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has earmarked ex-Birmingham City loan star Mauro Zarate as the man he wants to replace Robinho.
Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards are both major doubts but Wayne Bridge and Patrick Vieira are set to play for City against Hull.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed he may make a fresh attempt to sign Fernando Gago from Real Madrid in the summer.
Inter Milan defender Maicon's agent has dismissed suggestions Man City are lining up a summer swoop for the Brazilian ace.
Patrick Vieira insists he is now fit and ready to play a big part in securing a top-four finish for Manchester City this season.
Fernando Gago's agent has launched a blistering attack on Man City saying they "used the player" after failing to land him from Real.
Manchester City new boy Adam Johnson has targeted an England place following his deadline-day move from Middlesbrough.
Sunderland's swoop to take Manchester City striker Benjani on loan until the summer has now been confirmed by the Premier League.
Robinho has revealed he has no plans to return to Manchester City as he looks to turn his loan deal at Santos into a permanent switch.