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

Saturday 5th September 1927

Future City coach and manager Malcolm Allison is born. Eight years after a bout of tuberculosis had brought a premature end to his playing career with West Ham in 1957, Allison joined club legend Joe Mercer at Maine Road in 1965. The two combined to create the most successful managerial duo in the club’s rich history and left behind a legacy that City now seek to match.

Wednesday 5^th September 1979

Steve Daley joins City from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £1,437,500 to become the most expensive British player ever. Malcolm Allison believes the industrious Daley would be the perfect player to build his young side around, but it soon became clear that Daley is out of his depth. Whether it was the weight of such a huge fee hanging around his neck or the weight of expectation that affected him, Daley never looked any better than a run-of-the-mill footballer at best. He soon became the focus of displeasure from fans who saw him as a waste of precious funds sending his career spiralling into reverse – of course, that wasn’t his fault. After 15 months of disappointment for all concerned, he signed for US club Seattle Sounders for a fraction of the fee paid for his services.

Saturday 5th September 1981

More than 10,000 City fans travel to Stoke’s Victoria Ground to watch Trevor Francis make his debut for the Blues after the much-coveted striker joined the club in 1981 for £1.2m. The England man didn’t disappoint, either, as he scores twice in a 3-1 win. Francis positively oozed class and he was graceful and electrifying to watch. His stay at Maine Road, however, was blighted by injury, though he inspired City to top the table over Christmas ’81 following a 3–1 Boxing Day victory at Liverpool and a 2–1 win against Wolves, two days later. He only managed 29 appearances for the Blues before joining Sampdoria, but scored 14 goals including several fantastic individual efforts. A class act and well worth the money spent and wages paid.