Looking back through the history books for the events, signings and memorable matches that happened on this day in City’s history.

Sunday 20^th August 1976

Moss Side-born Dave Bennett signs for City from school. The talented young forward is one of a crop of emerging black youngsters scouted by the club from the neighbourhoods surrounding Maine Road and along with brother Gary, Roger Palmer, Alex Williams and Clive Wilson, Bennett becomes a role model for aspiring black Mancunian footballers. He makes his debut as sub at home to Everton in April 1979 and goes on to establish himself in the first team under Malcolm Allison and later John Bond but is disappointingly sold after playing in the 1981 FA Cup Final and the subsequent replay, joining Cardiff City just a few months after his Wembley appearances.

Saturday 20^th August 1977

City open their league campaign against Leicester City for a second successive season and are held 0-0 by the Foxes at Maine Road. Almost 46,000 see the bore-draw that will also be the first ever game for the author of this book who leaves the ground far from bored, only smitten.

Saturday 20^th August 1980

Sunderland help Malcolm Allison and Tony Book edge closer to the Maine Road exit after a 4-0 drubbing leaves the City fans mortified. Dragoslav Stepanovic has a nightmare and is at fault for at least two of the goals and John Hawley helps himself to a second-half hat-trick.