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

Saturday 17^th July 1976

City’s Mr Dependable, Alan Oakes, finally left City for Chester after giving solid, reliable service to the club for over 18 years. With 665 competitive starts under his belt, he remains the all-time record appearance holder.

Oakes was a quiet unassuming player who was overlooked at all international levels for England. Oakes was happy to let others take the limelight yet was vital to the glorious all-conquering Mercer side of the late 1960s and the management showed their faith in Oakes by naming him captain for the 1968–69 season. 

Consistent right up until the end of his days at Maine Road, he was named City’s Player of the Year in 1975.

Sunday 17^th July 2005

Shaun Wright-Phillips completed his £21m move to Chelsea, a record fee received by the club. The popular winger was the first Academy graduate and his sale brought in much-needed funds to the cash-strapped Blues. The crowd-favourite returned to City three years later for less than half the fee he left for.

Thursday 17^th July 2008

Goals from Martin Petrov and Dietmar Hamann gave City a 2-0 UEFA Cup First Qualifying round, first leg lead over Faroe Islands outfit EB Streymur in Torshavn.  It was Mark Hughes’ first game in charge and a game City rarely have to break sweat in.

Coming up on 18 July: City sign a former brickie who goes on to become a City manager.

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