Man City has a long and eventful history, stretching back 144 years from its founding at St Mark’s Church to becoming one of the most successful clubs in the world over recent years.

Here, we take a deeper look into Man City history, going into greater detail about how the club was founded, as well as explaining the numerous name changes that the Cityzens have had.

St Mark’s Church: the story of how Man City was founded

As part of Rector Arthur Connell’s push to improve the lives of people in Manchester, two of his wardens at St Mark’s Church decided to start a football team.

There was a lot of social disorder in the local area where the church was based in West Gorton, with a lot of drinking and violence centred around gangs.

The two church wardens William Beastow and Thomas Goodbehere felt that a football team would help create a community spirit. All men were welcomed, regardless of religion and the goal was to give people a new activity to partake in.

A cricket club had already been formed, but Beastow and Goodbehere believed that another sport was required during the winter.

When did the club change its name?

St Mark’s (West Gorton) was Man City’s original name when it was founded in 1880. They played their first match on 13th November 1880 against another church team from Macclesfield.

The club would only keep that name for seven years, though, with it changing to Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887, having moved grounds to a pitch close to a railway viaduct near Ardwick. The team would become founding members of the Football League Division Two in 1892.

City only took on its current moniker in 1894. The main reason for the name change was due to financial problems, with the reorganisation leading to a company being formed called Manchester City Football Club Limited.

How old is Man City compared to other English clubs?

Rivals Manchester United were actually founded two years before the Sky Blues, although they were originally called Newton Heath LYR FC before changing their name in 1902.

In terms of other Premier League teams, Crystal Palace were founded almost 20 years before City in 1861, but the Eagles only turned professional in 1905.

Nottingham Forest are the second oldest team currently playing in the English top flight, having formed in 1865. The oldest club in English football is Sheffield FC who were established all the way back in 1857.