David Conn's journey from supporter to sceptic - an impassioned look at what modern football means for its fans.
An account of Manchester City's history, this is also the story of English soccer's transformation—from the battlegrounds of the 1980s to today's moneyed, seated, global entertainmentAuthoritative, emotional, and provocative, this account of Manchester City's history culminates in its takeover by Sheikh Mansour, following its transformation as his vast wealth led to the club's 2011/12 Premiership victory in one of the most closely-fought title races of all time. Placing the club's extraordinary current rise in the wider context of its patchy modern history, Conn is led to question the very nature of the clubs and being a supporter, the underlying values, and running of what used to be called "the people's game." It is also a tale of innocence lost: that of a six-year-old boy transfixed by his skyblue heroes, coming of age as a writer with the mature understanding that both his club and the game are businesses. A labor of love, this powerfully told account of Manchester City's fall and rise, is based on meticulous research over many years, with exclusive access and interviews with key figures.