MCFC UAE

Wigan Athletic Vs City - The Crown & Lion Sunday 18th Oct K.O. 7.00pm

2009-10-15T11:34:00.014+04:00

It seems to have dragged on for an eternity, but the international break is finally over.................... at least for another three weeks anyway.

So what have we learnt from this break? Well, we now have conclusive proof that Rio Ferdinand can't actually defend, that Steve Bruce has a man crush on David Beckham, and that England's best players are clearly Wayne Bridge, Gareth Barry, and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Oh, and that simply playing for Stretford Rangers is enough to land the England goalkeeper's gig, even if you have recently been playing like an orangutan with a rod stuck up its bottom.

City look to get back to winning ways this week after earning a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa several lifetimes ago as they travel the short distance to Hicksville, Lancashire to take on the pie eaters of Wigan.

Roberto Martinez's side currently sits 12th in the table on eight points from nine games. They have won two and lost four of their last six games and come into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 away defeat to Hull.

Unfortunately it's yet another Sunday game, so work commitments / general laziness may get in the way. However, for those of you interested in getting out for a few jars, mcfcUAE will be meeting at the Crown & Lion in Al Barsha's Byblos Hotel from 6.30pm to watch this game on the big screens with full English commentary. The day's other fixture is Blackburn Vs Burnley at 4.00pm, so do please try your best to rein in the excitement.

See you there,

Dave

Aston Villa Vs City - The Crown & Lion Monday 5th Oct K.O. 11.00pm

2009-10-04T12:55:00.007+04:00

City once again find themselves drawing the shortest of all fixture straws by having to travel to Villa Park for the week's Monday night game.

Mark Hughes will have an almost full squad from which to choose as he goes head to head with City old boy Martin O'Neil. Vincent Kompany has resumed full training for the first time this season, Emmanuel Adebayor returns from suspension, and Michael Johnson and Roque Santa Cruz are once again likely to feature from the bench.

The Blues will be looking to exact revenge on the Villains after a Gabriel Agbonlahor hatrick helped seal an impressive 4-2 victory for the home side in last season's corresponding fixture. John Carew grabbed the other Villa goal, while Elano and Corluka netted for City.

City go into this week's game on the back of an excellent 3-1 against an admittedly poor West Ham side, quickly laying to rest the disappointment of the previous week's Manchester Derby defeat. Villa, meanwhile, play hosts to City on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Blackburn, having previously recorded back-to-back victories against Liverpool, Fulham, Birmingham and Portsmouth.

For those of you able to go out for this one, there will be City fans in the Crown & Lion from 9.30pm. Others will be at the Players' Lounge in Bur Dubai from around the same time, so take your pick or stay in and watch it at home.

Dave

City Vs West Ham - The Crown & Lion Monday 28th Sept K.O. 11.00pm

2009-09-24T13:49:00.007+04:00

Seen as i have just about calmed down after the infamous timegate charade of last Sunday i am back relishing the visit of Zola's West Ham for some deserved retribution after last weeks debacle at the swamp.

Our Boy Blues stood up to the plate this week with a hard earned victory over the ever improving Fulham under Roy Hodgson. Hodgsons whole team who got the not for the fixture had either played one or zero premier league games this season. They started well at eastlands with 35yard screamer from Zoltan Gera in the first half and remianed formidable opposition for most of the game but a resilient City got the deserved place in the final sixteen teams after an equalizer from Gareth Barry and a winner from Captain Kolo.

With the four day rest break for Hughes team they hopefully should all be in peak shape for the Visit of the Hammers. Run-outs for Michael Johnson and Roque Santa Cruz in mid week which they both came through unscathed means that they should be fit enough for a call up to the bench for this match. Tevez should also be fit for a start aswell as Micah Richards who was rested against Fulham midweek. Kick-Off is late this week but some fans are likely to be at the Players Lounge bar or the Crown and Lion.

Chairman's Prediction - Bellamy to continue his great vein of form against his old club and get two goals in a 3-0 victory to the blues.

All enjoy your weekend.

Mark Lynch

The Manchester Derby - The Crown & Lion Sunday 20th Sept K.O. 4.30pm

2009-09-18T17:17:00.005+04:00

The inane, whisky-fuelled ramblings emanating from a press room in deepest darkest Stretford can mean only one thing: Yes, it's time for the 152nd Manchester Derby.

Clearly a fan of irony, Taggart McRasher opted to use his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon to rant and rave for the 764th time about a club he apparently doesn't care about, turning a putrid shade of purple as he once again stamped his feet over the topic of THAT poster. Our "small club, small mentality" certainly seems to be getting right up Ol' Baconchops' shiny red nose ahead of what is one of the most eagerly awaited Manchester Derbies of the last 35 years.

City will of course be missing Emanuel Adebayor for this one after he was a rather naughty boy in the mauling of Arsenal last week. Robinho is still injured and perennial treatment room inhabitant Roque Santa Cruz remains several weeks away from full fitness. Depending on who you believe, Carlos Tevez may or may not play, whilst Benjani's magic shoulder is definitely ruled out through injury. Meanwhile, united will be without the tackling expertise of Paul Scholes, whilst Wobblygob Ferdinand is doubtful.

Kick-off is at 4.30pm (UAE) and the match will be shown live with English commentary at the Crown & Lion in Tecom's Byblos Hotel. The exact timing of the Eid holiday remains unclear, but if all goes to plan, the more thirsty members of mcfcUAE will be in there from 1.30pm for a liquid lunch.

Come on down; it's sure to be a cracker.

Dave

City Vs Arsenal - The Crown & Lion Saturday 12th Sept K.O. 6.00pm

2009-09-10T17:08:00.003+04:00

I'm guessing these two are looking forward to the weekend. Kolo Toure and Emanuel Adebayor return from international duty this week to take on their former club at Eastlands on Saturday afternoon

The international break hasn't been particularly kind to City, with both Robinho and Carlos Tevez picking up knocks in last week's battle of the South American giants. Fear not, though, as it seems that Andrei Arshavin has been ruled out, while Fabregas and Walcott are looking doubtful

We're still in the midst of Ramadan, but the game will be shown live on the big screen with full English commentary at the Crown & Lion in Barsha's Byblos Hotel (Tecom). Food and soft drinks will be on sale throughout the day, with alcohol available from 7.30pm onwards. Kick-off is at 6.00pm (UAE) and the day's other fixtures include Liverpool Vs. Burnley and Stoke Vs. Chelsea at 6.00pm and Tottenham Vs. Stretford Town at 8.30pm.

Come along if you can make it.

Dave

Portsmouth FC Vs Manchester City FC Sunday 30th Aug K.O. 4.30pm

2009-08-24T16:12:00.011+04:00

At one time he was the outspoken frontman for ADUG's takeover of God's own team, but Abu Dhabi-based chancer Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim now has his sights firmly set on wresting control of the rapidly sinking ship that is Portsmouth Football Club.

Whilst Portsmouth fans must surely not regret their side's famous FA Cup win in 2008, it has been a rather spectacular fall from grace for the south-coast club since another famous chancer, Harry Redknapp, led them to victory at Wembley against Cardiff City.

Redknapp has, of course, departed for pastures new, and has been followed out of the door by a string of stars who were instrumental in driving the club's march to Wembley and its eighth-placed finish in the Premier League. Lassana Diarra now plies his trade in Madrid, Glen Johnson's at Liverpool, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe have joined 'Arry at Spurs, and ex-City boys Sylvain Distin and David James are seemingly searching for the escape hatch.

As we all know, City's fortunes have turned out rather differently, and Mark Hughes will be full of confidence as he takes his side to Fratton Park on Sunday afternoon on the back of three successive clean sheets and victories against Blackburn, Barcelona, and Wolves. Joining the squad on the flight down south will be new-boy Joleon Lescott, whose protracted and acrimonious transfer from Everton has capped off an incredible summer transfer window for the Boys in Blue.

A combination of Ramadan and an early Sunday afternoon kick-off means that mcfcUAE will be somewhat fractured for this fixture. Basically, watch it wherever you can, although there will probably be some Blues in both the Players' Lounge and the Crown and Lion. There will be no beer on sale until 7.30pm, so home will also be a very appealing option.

Dave

City Vs Wolves - The Crown & Lion Saturday 22nd Aug K.O. 6.00pm

2009-08-21T01:27:00.007+04:00

It would appear that Manchester City have committed the ultimate sin against a cast member of 'The Lord of the Rings'. Yes, we have tried to sign one of Gollum's players. Before you gasp too much in horror, we also had the audacity to increase our offer after Saint David of Toxteth deemed our initial bid as "disgusting".

I fully appreciate that the abhorrent behaviour of our manager Mark Hughes ranks alongside that of Pol Pot, and, as such, accept that he should be tried in front of the UN for crimes against the people's game. But in the meantime, City look to capitalise on a fantastic opening-day victory over Blackburn and an unforgettable win in the Camp Nou against the reigning European Champions as they take on Premier League new boys Wolves in front of a sell-out crowd at Eastlands.

Ramadan has arrived, so alcohol won't be on sale during the day for the next few weeks. But fear not, mcfcUAE will once again be at the Crown and Lion in Al Barsha's Byblos Hotel for this one. Kick-off is at 6.00pm UAE time and the beer should be flowing again by 7.30.

The day's other games include Arsenal Vs Portsmouth and Wigan Vs Rags. See you there.

Dave

Blackburn Vs City - The Crown & Lion Saturday 15th Aug K.O. 6.00pm

2009-08-04T11:46:00.012+04:00

With the opening game almost upon us, it is time to announce mcfcUAE's new venue for the first few games of the 2009/10 season: The Crown & Lion at the Byblos Hotel in Al Barsha (Tecom).

The Crown is a large, bright, English-themed pub equipped with eight plasma screens, a tournament-standard American pool table and two dart boards. The food is excellent (and reasonably priced), whilst a bucket of six beers will set you back Dh120.

The pub's manager, Mr. Craig Leader, has guaranteed us the main screen with full English commentary for the opening game against Blackburn, and we hope it will be the start of a fruitful relationship with The Crown & Lion. It is unlikely that Craig can offer us sound for every game, so we can discuss our plans for future fixtures in more detail on the day.

Depsite being in the midst of a building site, the Byblos Hotel is fairly easy to find, and an increasing number of taxi drivers now know where it is. If yours doesn't, tell him to head towards the Media Rotana Hotel at Tecom. Instead of turning right into the Media Rotana, go straight on to the first roundabout and follow the sign posts from there. For a map, please see http://www.bybloshoteldubai.com/uc.php

The match kicks off at 6.00pm (UAE time), but the more thirsty of us will start arriving from 3.00pm onwards. The day's other fixtures include Chelsea Vs Hull at 3.45pm and the battle of City's feeder clubs (Everton Vs Arsenal) at 8.30pm. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Mark

Pre-Season Friendlies: City Vs The Old Firm

2009-08-04T11:42:00.003+04:00

As preparations for the new season reach their climax this week, City take on both of Scotland's footballing giants.

Thankfully, Rangers fans won't be making an unwelcome return to the streets of Manchester as Mark Hughes takes his team up to Glasgow to face the current Scottish champions at Ibrox on Wednesday, August 5th. The game kicks off at 10.45pm (UAE) and will be screened live on Al Jazeera Sport +4.

The Blues return to Manchester on Thursday to host an open training session at Eastlands, before taking on Celtic in the final pre-season friendly of the summer on Saturday, August 8th at 6.00pm (UAE). This game currently isn't scheduled to be shown live in the UAE, but streams should be available on the internet. I'll update this as and when I get the necessary info. Edit: It's live on Al Jazeera Sport +4 at 6.00pm (UAE)

City also take on Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, August 19th. More info to follow.

Dave.

Manchester City Tour of South Africa

2009-07-14T11:35:00.004+04:00

Having returned on Tuesday from a training camp in Germany that featured a 1-1 draw with 1860 Munchen, Mark Hughes takes his team out to South Africa this week for the club's first appearance in the annual pre-season Vodacom Challenge.

If you'd like to see new signings Gareth Barry, RSC, and Carlos Tevez in action for the first time in City's newly-branded Umbro and Etihad kit, Abu Dhabi Sports 1 will be showing each of the Blues' three games live on the following dates:

Saturday 18th July

Orlando Pirates Vs Manchester City (Polokwane) - K.O. 5.00pm (UAE)

Tuesday 21st July

Kaizer Chiefs Vs Manchester City (Durban) - K.O. 10.15pm (UAE)

Saturday 25th July

To be decided Vs Manchester City (Pretoria) - K.O. 5.00pm (UAE)

New City Shirts Available in the UAE

2009-07-14T11:30:00.003+04:00

For any City fans living in the UAE, I have good news: You can now pre-order the new Manchester City home jersey from RSH Middle East, the sole supplier of Umbro in the Middle East.

The shirts are due in the UAE in the next few days and can be delivered to your door on 18th July. If interested, please contact Boyet Battara (Sales Manager) at: boyet@rshme.co.ae Tel: +971 4 3966696 Fax: +971 4 3966679 Mobile: +971 504577840.

Sneak Preview of New Kits for 09/10

2009-06-09T14:45:00.002+04:00

Rags Vs Manchester City - Players' Lounge Sunday 10th May K.O. 4.30pm

2009-05-07T16:13:00.003+04:00

It's that time of year again when God's own team has to climb aboard a bus to leave the city boundaries and travel to the rat-infested wastelands of Trafford. Yes, it's the 151st Manchester Derby.

With the league championship at stake for the rags and a return to Europe on the line for the Blues, there has rarely been a Manchester Derby as important as this one in recent times. City are likely to name an unchanged side to the one that has won its last three games, despite the return to fitness of SWP, Martin Petrov, and Valeri Bojinov.

mcfcUAE will be in home territory for this one at The Players' Lounge bar in Bur Dubai's Country Club Hotel. Here's hoping for a repeat of last year's visit to The Swamp, when the The Boys in Blue impeccably ruined their special day. Kick-off is at 4.30pm. See you there. Dave

mcfcUAE in Hamburg

2009-05-04T12:44:00.004+04:00

SV Hamburg Vs MCFC - Barrels Bar Thursday 9th Apr K.O. 10.45pm

2009-04-07T13:36:00.003+04:00

Mark Hughes takes his team to Germany once again this week as The Blues aim to continue their run in the last ever UEFA Cup. Having already disposed of FC Schalke 2-0 at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen during the group stages, City this time travel to northern Germany to take on high-flying Hamburg at the HSH Nordbank Arena.

Kevin Keegan's old team currently sit joint-top with Wolfsburg on 51 points in the Bundesliga and overcame Galatasaray in the previous round of the UEFA Cup. They are probably the best team left in the competition so this is clearly going to be the toughest test City have faced so far.

If you're unable to make it over to Hamburg for this one, the next best place to be will be Barrels Bar on the first floor of Bur Dubai's Majestic Hotel. mcfcUAE will be meeting in there from 9pm onwards in order to get suitably lubricated before kick-off at 10.45pm (UAE time). Enjoy.

Dave

mcfcUAE Trip to Hamburg

2009-03-22T12:49:00.007+04:00

For those that are interested, a few of us are going over to Hamburg for the UEFA Cup game on April 9th. We're booked on Flight EK059 leaving Dubai at 9am on Wednesday April 8th. The return flight is EK060 arriving back in Dubai at 11.40pm on Saturday April 11th. The cost is Dh2,590 or Dh1,499 + 7,000 miles.

There are plenty of hotels still available and you're looking at paying in the region of Dh1,000-1,200 for the whole three nights, although there are cheaper options available. See http://www.eurobookings.com/ for more details. We're staying at the Lindner Hotel Am Michel in the city's St. Pauli district (http://search.eurobookings.com/hotel/de/lindner-am-michel.html?sid=5acaf34be75e84e383d21c386a3636b9;checkin=2009-04-08;checkout=2009-04-11#topanchor).

Match tickets are going to be difficult to come by. No chance of getting any in the City end, so we're going to try to get tickets with the Hamburg fans. Failing that, we'll just watch it in a bar in town.

Dave

MCFC Vs Aalborg BK (AaB) - Barrels Bar Thursday 12th Mar K.O. 11.45pm

2009-03-10T09:43:00.007+04:00

After enjoying a well-earned, eight-day break following the superb performance against Aston Villa last week, the Blues return to action in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night as they take on Danish opponents for the third time in this year's competition.

Having already seen off the might of FC Midtyland in the second qualifying round and FC Copenhagen in the last 32, the Citizens this time entertain Champions League drop-outs Aalborg BK at Eastlands.

Aalborg BK, more commonly known in Denmark as AaB, were responsible for sending Irish wannabes Celtic tumbling out of Europe this season after drawing 0-0 with the Hoops in Glasgow and beating them 2-1 in Denmark to finish 3rd in Group E. The other noticeable results of their short-lived foray into Europe's premier club competition were a 2-2 draw against Villarreal in Aalborg and another 2-2 draw against Salford's finest at the Stretford swamplands.

While City edged past FC Copenhagen 4-3 on aggregate in the previous UEFA Cup round of 32, AaB humped Spanish giants Deportivo La Coruna 6-1 over two legs, so they are clearly no mugs and probably the toughest test Mark Hughes and his team have faced in the tournament so far.

mcfcUAE will be meeting in their usual European home of Barrels Bar on the first floor of Bur Dubai's Majestic Hotel to watch this game live on the big screen with full English commentary. Kick-off is at 11.45pm (Dubai time), but no doubt there'll be people meeting earlier in the evening at the Players or Goodfellas. See you there.

Dave

Liverpool Vs MCFC - The Players' Lounge Sunday 22nd Feb K.O. 7.00pm

2009-02-22T13:37:00.005+04:00

After jetting back into Manchester from Copenhagen early on Friday morning, Mark Hughes takes his side to the pitiful Liverpool slums to tackle Rafa Benitez's high-flying Bin Dippers.

The Merseysiders will be without key midfielders Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, although Fernando Torres is a certainty to start. And score. Meanwhile, City will welcome back Richard Dunne from suspension and Nigel De Jong is likely to feature again, having missed out in Denmark due to being cup-tied.

Shaun Wright-Phillips will be missing due to a 3-match ban for his indiscretion against the delightful and talented Rory Delap in the Stoke game a few weeks back. (On a side note, it will be interesting to see if Tranaldo receieves similar punishment from the FA following his identical indiscretion against Blackburn last night. I shan't be holding my breath though).

Kick-off is 7pm (Dubai time) for this one and mcfcUAE will be meeting as usual at The Players' Lounge in Bur Dubai's Country Club Hotel from 6pm. Newcastle entertain Everton in the day's late fixture. If you can't make this one, be sure to make a note in your diary for Thursday night's second-leg UEFA Cup game against FC Copenhagen. Details to follow.

Cheers

Dave.

F.C. København Vs MCFC - Barrels Bar Thursday 19th Jan K.O. 11.05pm

2009-02-16T18:07:00.006+04:00

Courtesy of our owner's friends at Al Jazeera +4, we can all get over the huge disappointment of the Portsmouth game by meeting up to watch our latest exploits in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup this coming Thursday night.

Mark Hughes takes his Blue Boys to Copenhagen to face the city's FCK team at the 34,000-capacity Parken Stadium. The Danish Superliga side are one of the most successful clubs in Denmark and the country's highest placed club in the UEFA rankings, currently sitting in 77th spot.

Despite losing 3-1 to Spain's Racing Santander in the final group game, City topped Group A with 7 points, ahead of FC Twente and PSG, while FCK finished in third place behind St Etienne and Valencia in Group G on 5 points. The Danes currently sit in second place in their domestic table, just two points behind league leaders Brondby

mcfcUAE will be reverting to its European venue of Barrels Sports Bar to watch this one on the big screen with full English commentary. The bar is located on the 1st floor of the Majestic Hotel on Mankhool Road in central Bur Dubai. Kick off is at 11.05pm (UAE time) but we will be meeting from 9pm in the hotel's Music Room bar before moving upstairs for the match.

See you there

Dave

MCFC Vs Middlesbro' - The Players' Lounge Saturday 7th Feb K.O. 4.45pm

2009-02-05T11:26:00.013+04:00

Following the despair of last Saturday and the sheer ridiculousness of the FA charging SWP with violent misconduct whilst turning a blind eye to Boswinga's assault on Benayoun (not to mention Tranaldo's transgressions against Spurs and Stoke), Mark Hughes welcomes Gareth Southgate's smog-inflcited mob to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Shay Given is likely to make his debut following his much-anticipated transfer from Boro's barcoded North East neighbours. The other January signings of Craig Bellamy and Nigel De Jong will continue to add some much needed steel to the side and it is hoped that Wayne Bridge will soon eradicate the sloppy defensive errors that have cost us a goal in each of his two appearances so far.

The Smoggies come to Eastlands on the back of some truly shocking form and find themselves sharing the foot of the table with West Brom, having lost four and drawn two of their last six games. They have also lost their last five away, so now's the time to re-mortgage the house and put it all on Boro leaving SportCity with three points!!

mcfcUAE will be meeting as usual from 4pm onwards at the Players' Lounge in Bur Dubai's Country Club Hotel to watch this match live on the main screen with full English commentary. The day's other fixtures include Blackburn Vs Villa, Chelsea Vs Hull and WBA Vs Newcastle at 7pm, and Portsmouth Vs Liverpool at 9.30pm.

See you there.

Dave

MCFC Vs Wigan - The Players' Lounge Saturday 17th Jan K.O. 7.00pm

2009-01-15T15:43:00.004+04:00

In a week that has seen City heavily linked with the likes of Kaka and David Villa, the Blues come crashing back to Earth on Saturday as they take on the Elephant Man's pie eaters from Wigan.

Following the disappointing postponement of last week's game against some amateur outfit from the south coast, Superman Ireland will be sitting this one out due to suspension. Better news is that Robinho should be fit and, of course, there is always trusty old Darius to call upon.

Until Wednesday night's narrow defeat at Old Trafford, the Latics had been on a remarkable run of 6 wins in 7 games that saw them rise to the very healthy (and enviable) position of 7th in the league, 9 points ahead of God's own team. I seem to say this every week, but a victory this week is imperative for Mark Hughes's men; anything less than 3 points will simply not do. That certainly won't be easy to achieve though, as Palacios, Heskey, Zaki and Valencia have all been in inspired form this season.

mcfcUAE will be in the Players' Lounge as usual from 5pm onwards, with the match being featured on the big screen with full English commentary. There's no early game this week, but the other 7pm fixtures include Bolton Vs United, Cheslea Vs Stoke and Blackburn Vs Newcastle. Arsenal travel to Hull for the day's late kick off. See you there.

Dave

Portsmouth Vs MCFC - The Players' Lounge Saturday 10th Jan K.O. 7.00pm

2009-01-08T11:01:00.007+04:00

Let me start by wishing you all a Happy New Year. We didn't get off to the best possible start, but I'm beginning to think that City have never beaten a lower league side in any cup competition ever, so there's no point in dwelling on it.

Mark Hughes has miraculously managed to dodge the bullet despite the embarrassing defeat to West Brom and that diabolical display against Forest in the Cup. Sandwiched in between was the impressive 5-1 rout over an admittedly woeful Hull side and the Daniel Sturridge-inspired comeback at Ewood Park.

This week sees the dead man walking take his side down to the south coast to face Tony Adams' fellow free-falling strugglers, Portsmouth. With only five points separating City in 13th place and Wigan in 7th, a victory is an absolute must if we are to begin climbing up the league and rescue some semblance of credibility from this season.

City will be without the injured SWP for this one, but fortunately Darius 'goal machine' Vassell is fit and raring to go, so you can all breathe a huge sigh of relief. Hughes will presumably throw new signing Wayne Bridge straight into the mix, which should hopefully shore things up a little down the left-hand side.

The match kicks off at 7pm (UAE time) and the ever beery and cheery mcfcUAE will be meeting at the Players' Lounge from 5pm to watch the match live on the big screen with full English commentary. Aston Villa host local rivals WBA at 4.45pm, while Liverpool travel to Stoke at 9.30pm. Arsenal Vs Bolton and Newcastle Vs West Ham are the day's other stand-out fixtures, also kicking off at 7pm.

See you there.

Dave.

The Manchester Derby - Players' Lounge Sunday 30th Nov K.O. 5.30pm

2008-11-23T13:03:00.006+04:00

Choose not knowing the history of your club. Choose Busby the Blue. Choose Dennis Law’s backheel. Choose Sir Bobby Ticket Tout. Choose staging the World Cup in '66 and being handed a huge sum from the FA to develop your stadium but continue to bang on about City’s ground. Choose opening the gates at Old Trafford in the 60s after kick off to let people in for free. Choose forgetting you went 41 years without winning a trophy. Choose your highest ever attendance being at Maine Road. Choose that attendance still being lower than City's. Choose United’s globalism and domination since the late '90s whilst forgetting the past. Choose an air disaster as a marketing tool. Choose forgetting about the survivors of Munich and kicking them out of their houses (which you owned) because they could no longer play football. Choose waiting 22 years to set up a charity match for the families of Munich. Choose milking Munich for 50 years and then getting beat by ickle ciddy on your own soil. Choose asking AIG to sponsor the Munich memorial.

Choose having statues of two City players outside your ground. Choose being so obsessed with City that you have a permanent banner dedicated to us on the Stretford End. Choose paying £28 million for Veron. Choose 19,000 fans at Old Trafford to watch you play Middlesbrough when you were in Division One but pretend you have loyal support. Choose the have-to-go-to-all-cup-games-because-you're-forced-to ticket policy. Choose the USA. Choose debt. Choose pricing out your own fans in favour of corporate Londoners. Choose having your own manager and players criticise your fans. Choose prawn sandwiches. Choose not being able to stand. Choose being outsung by 3,000 travelling away fans each game. Choose having Mick Hucknall and Eamon Holmes as your celebrity fans. Choose FC United…if they become successful. Choose Trafford. Choose United.

It's the 150th Manchester Derby, ladies and gentlemen. Do whatever it takes to be there.

Schalke 04 Vs MCFC - The Players' Lounge Thursday 27th Nov K.O. 10.00pm

2008-11-23T12:23:00.010+04:00

Following on from Saturday's mauling of Arsenal at Eastlands, Mark Hughes takes his team to the World Cup '06 city of Gelsenkirchen, as the Blues tackle FC Scahlke 04 in the UEFA Cup 2nd Round Group Stage.

There are some striking similarities between the two clubs: Both are extremely well supported and both play in impressive state-of-the-art stadia. Unfortunately, both are also rubbish when it comes to winning things!

Schalke have long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major success has been rare since the club's heyday in the 1930s and early 1940s. The club's stadium, known as the Veltins Arena under a sponsorship agreement with a brewery, was completed in the summer of 2001 and can hold up to 61,673 spectators. The Royal Blues' last major success came in 1997, when they beat Internazionale on penalties in Milan to win the UEFA Cup.

mcfcUAE will be meeting from 8pm onwards at The Players' Lounge in Bur Dubai's Country Club Hotel (Port Rashid) to watch this match. Kick-off is at 10pm Dubai time. See you there.

Dave

MCFC Vs Arsenal - The Players' Lounge Saturday (gasp) 22nd Nov K.O. 7.00pm

2008-11-19T23:02:00.012+04:00

Well, judging by the look of Monsieur Wenger, he doesn't seem to be a happy bunny at the moment. And nor should he be, as Arsenal have now lost two of their last three league games. City, on the other hand, are bang in form and firing on all cylinders, having picked up 1 point from the last 12.

It's fair to say the Blues don't have the best of records against the Gunners (we've only beaten them once in the last 738 years) but this is our first Saturday game since the turn of the century, so that is at least something to get excited about, eh?

Despite losing 1-0 at The Emirates last season to an 80th minute goal from Fabregas, and 3-1 at Eastlands to strikes from Adebayor (2) and Eduardo, City acquitted themselves admirably and matched Arsenal's slick passing style for large parts of both games. Similar performances from City, coupled with improved scorelines, would offer some much-needed relief for under-fire boss Mark Hughes.

The match kicks off at 7pm (Dubai time) and mcfcUAE will be meeting at the Players' Lounge in the bizarrely-named, inner-city Country Club Hotel in Bur Dubai for food and drinks from 5pm onwards. Get there early to avoid the disappointment of having to sit next to me banging on about the 119 points I scored in Fantasy Football last week. That's ONE HUNDRED and NINETEEN!!!

Be there or be square. Or simply busy doing something else.

Dave (or '1-1-9' as I now liked to be called)

MCFC UAE

Wigan Athletic Vs City - The Crown & Lion Sunday 18th Oct K.O. 7.00pm

Aston Villa Vs City - The Crown & Lion Monday 5th Oct K.O. 11.00pm

City Vs West Ham - The Crown & Lion Monday 28th Sept K.O. 11.00pm

The Manchester Derby - The Crown & Lion Sunday 20th Sept K.O. 4.30pm

City Vs Arsenal - The Crown & Lion Saturday 12th Sept K.O. 6.00pm

Portsmouth FC Vs Manchester City FC Sunday 30th Aug K.O. 4.30pm

City Vs Wolves - The Crown & Lion Saturday 22nd Aug K.O. 6.00pm

Blackburn Vs City - The Crown & Lion Saturday 15th Aug K.O. 6.00pm

Pre-Season Friendlies: City Vs The Old Firm

Manchester City Tour of South Africa

New City Shirts Available in the UAE

Sneak Preview of New Kits for 09/10

Rags Vs Manchester City - Players' Lounge Sunday 10th May K.O. 4.30pm

mcfcUAE in Hamburg

SV Hamburg Vs MCFC - Barrels Bar Thursday 9th Apr K.O. 10.45pm

mcfcUAE Trip to Hamburg

MCFC Vs Aalborg BK (AaB) - Barrels Bar Thursday 12th Mar K.O. 11.45pm

Liverpool Vs MCFC - The Players' Lounge Sunday 22nd Feb K.O. 7.00pm

F.C. København Vs MCFC - Barrels Bar Thursday 19th Jan K.O. 11.05pm

MCFC Vs Middlesbro' - The Players' Lounge Saturday 7th Feb K.O. 4.45pm

MCFC Vs Wigan - The Players' Lounge Saturday 17th Jan K.O. 7.00pm

Portsmouth Vs MCFC - The Players' Lounge Saturday 10th Jan K.O. 7.00pm

The Manchester Derby - Players' Lounge Sunday 30th Nov K.O. 5.30pm

Schalke 04 Vs MCFC - The Players' Lounge Thursday 27th Nov K.O. 10.00pm

MCFC Vs Arsenal - The Players' Lounge Saturday (*gasp*) 22nd Nov K.O. 7.00pm

MCFC Vs Arsenal - The Players' Lounge Saturday (gasp) 22nd Nov K.O. 7.00pm