by Mazzini

Created on: November 09, 2009

To decide whether a club is big you must take into consideration three factors; their historical success, size of fan base, and their current situation. Within English football only Liverpool and Manchester United could claim to be 'Big Club's' on a world level. They have countless trophies over many decades to their name, are consistently challenging for honours, and have two of the biggest fan bases on the planet. The other clubs in England's top four, Chelsea and Arsenal, are big clubs nationally but neither have won a European Cup so I would dismiss them as truly big clubs.

As for Manchester City, lets look at the three factors:

1. Historically, Manchester City have been a moderately successful side, their most prolific period coming between 1969 and 1976, when they won 1 English League Title, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups and 1 European Cup Winners Cup. This was achieved in a time when English football was full of top class teams such as Liverpool, Leeds, Derby etc. Competition was tough at the top, tougher than today as the field was much more even. Since 1976 however they have failed to win a single trophy and in the late 1990s/early 2000s they even got relegated to the third tier of English football before finding their way back to the top echelons of the game. When looking at Manchester City in this context they cannot be classed as a big club. They are a club of national status but without winning any trophies in over 30 years and only appearing in European competition once in recent memory we must dismiss them on this point.

2. As for their fan base they can claim to be a massive club. Their can be no argument that they have fervent support and are one of the best supported teams in England. Even when Manchester City were relegated twice to go into the third level of the English game, they sold out games, taking huge support to away games and creating interest and income in the division and teams that were not used to it. City fans seem to hold a self deprecating wit about them, always expecting the worst to happen so in times of joy they are never quite sure how to react. One thing is for sure, they are with the side through thick and thin and are the epitome of what proper football fans should be.

3. In becoming the richest club in world football last summer, Manchester City now find themselves in an enviable position in most other clubs eyes. They can afford to buy any player they want, they can't persuade them to join them however. Not yet anyway. With the financial backing comes massive pressure for Mark Hughes as manager and his squad of players. They are the best placed side to break the top four monopoly in England and must be looking for silverware this season. Anything else will be deemed a failure. Their best placed finish since returning to the top flight was 10th last season and until they can win a trophy or qualify for the Champions League there will always be a doubt over them as a force. At the moment they are a threat but at best the 5th team in England. That might change soon but at the moment you can't use it to justify City as a big club.

I wouldn't say city are a small club, just a club in the strongest position out of any in World football currently, to gain big club status. With the huge amounts of wealth within the club they could become a dominant force within world football very soon. Chelsea have established themselves as a solid club on a European level since Abramovich's monies at the start of the decade and City will be looking to have the same impact but with greater silverware so they can usurp their great local rivals and claim bragging rights in Manchester first, and then Europe.

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