And thanks to the Fair Play League, the Blues will now get the chance to recreate the magic of some of their great European nights of the 1970s.
Remember the night that Book, Bell, Lee and Young helped the Blues win the European Cup Winners' Cup in Vienna? Or the night Barnes, Kidd, Booth and Hartford tore AC Milan to shreds at Maine Road?
Those are the standards that the Blues of 2008 will hope to match when they begin their European journey in mid-July.
Owen played in two of City's UEFA Cup campaigns in the late 1970s.
Some will claim that they have made it through the back door.
"If the chance is there, you've got to grab it with both hands, however it comes," Owen said.
"UEFA offered that extra place in Europe through the Fair Play League, England got that place, and City finished in pole position to take it."
Kevin Keegan's City side did it in 2003, embarking on a disappointing UEFA Cup campaign.
After seeing off Welsh side TNS, there was an unconvincing victory over Lokeren of Belgium, before the Blues embarrassingly crashed out to Polish side Groclin Dyskobolia on away goals.
That was City's first European campaign since 1979, and you have to go to back to the 1970s to find the Blues' greatest performances in continental competition.
City were actually Manchester's dominant club in Europe during that period.
Adventure
While the Reds only managed two seasons in Europe during the 1970s, the Blues enjoyed six.
City first made it on to the continent qualifying for the European Cup in 1968 thanks to their last league title win.
But that adventure ended at the first hurdle, as they were beaten 2-1 in Turkey by Fenerbahce after a goalless draw at Maine Road.
It was a chastening experience for coach Malcolm Allison, who had claimed that his team would "terrorise" Europe.
But Colin Bell, who played in that side, reckons that the experience they got against the Turks proved invaluable.
Bell said: "We went into the European Cup before we played in the Cup Winners' Cup.
"In a way, I wish it had been the other way round. European football was a bit of a culture shock.
"We learned a lot from playing Fenerbahce, and that stood us in good stead when we got back into Europe the following season."
As FA Cup winners in 1969, City embarked on another European campaign - and this time it ended in success.
Spanish club Atletico Bilbao were memorably swatted aside at Maine Road in the first round. SK Lierse, Academica Coimbra and Schalke 04 went the same way, before the Blues beat Gornik Zabrze 2-1 in the final in Vienna with goals from Neil Young and Francis Lee.
Confident
Book recalled: "We were a good cup team; we always fancied ourselves in a cup tie against anyone. We were a confident side, we worked hard and we were never afraid to get stuck in. But we had good footballers too; players such as Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee."
Ironically, City's defence of the title was ended by Dave Sexton's Chelsea, who won both legs on their way to a final triumph.
City's next three European campaigns ended at the first hurdle, as they lost to Valencia in 1972, Juventus in 1976 and Polish side Widzew Lodz in 1977.
By 1978/79, captain Book had become the manager, and had attempted to follow the Mercer-Allison blueprint for success by blending homegrown youngsters with star signings.
Peter Barnes, one of the local lads in that side, recalled: "Tony was a very good manager, hard but fair. He inherited some very good players and he had homegrown youngsters coming through.
"What he did was bring through the youngsters - such as myself, Paul Power, Kenny Clements, Ged Keegan, Tony Henry, Ray Ranson and Gary Owen - and blended them together with the experience already there, then brought in a few new signings which made the team a success."
It worked. Holland's Twente Enschede and Belgian club Standard Liege were seen off in the first two rounds of the UEFA Cup, before City were paired with AC Milan.
Incredibly, City led 2-0 in the San Siro thanks to goals from Paul Power and Brian Kidd, before Milan pulled back to level.
In the second leg at Maine Road, the Italians got no such reprieve. City battered them 3-0.
"It was one of the great European nights at Maine Road," Barnes said. "I remember Asa Hartford scoring a cracking goal at the Platt Lane end."
It turned out to be the penultimate European night at Maine Road. Borussia Moenchen- gladbach ended City's UEFA Cup run.
Owen concluded: "It's great to see City back in Europe. I just hope we make the most of the chance."
How far do you think City will make it in Europe? Have your say.
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I remember the AC Milan match..... it was a great night under the old floodlights. I recall that the first leg match in Milan had to be postponed to the follwing day due to fog..... oh happy days...bring on Derry City or whoever!
When City got to the European Cup winners' cup final I got myself to Vienna (train and hitchhiking) in 3 days, got soaked, and got back just in time for university exams. I won't be making plans to see them this time as they won't get past the second round.
I remember Widzew Lodz. The beginning of the end.
Whilst it's nice to look back to those halcyon days we, the club and the fans have to look forward. A place in the UEFA Cup, regardless of how it came about, will count for nothing at all until the present uncertainty is resolved. This MEN article illustrates that they like everybody else, do not have a clue about Sven's position, the players' futures or even where the first home match will take place. Seems like deja vu all over again.
Quite right, Gary Owen. But if we want to progress, we had better sort out the current fiasco behind the scenes because otherwise we'll struggle to get in to the competition proper, never mind group phases and the latter knock out stages!
Getting away from the above lines , does anyone know when the '08/'09 fixture list is due....??? if you have any idea please let me know......asap....
It's OK Thinking back, but this may turn out to be a complete farce mirroring the last time City were in Europe in 2003, again through the back door. Let's just hope we get a nice sunny place to visit instead of freezing cold wales, belgium and poland! Just City's luck!
well said gary owen... it makes no difference how we got there the main thing is we try and do well in it !!
lets hope all city fans get behind the team, the who ever the boss is sven ect ect!! even the dopes who slag the club off on here every day !!! get behind the club for once!!! if you love the club like you say why slte it every day ???
I went up for the semi-final against Schalke. We beat them 5-1 and it was one of the most memorable matches I've ever seen. Boy, were City rampant that night. And oh, how I wish we still had a team as good as that one.
fixture list is normally around the last week in June
I remember being a young lad watching us play Borrusia Munchen Gladbach in the UEFA cup at the old Main Road ,cant remember if we won 2-0 or 2-1,great atmosphere, all the males would pass us kids down to the front of the kippax and we would sit on the wall with our feet through the railings best seat in the house, like one big happy family.
Remember being glued to the radio for the second leg remember them scoring 3, we lost. (gutted)
I also remember playing Juventus does anyone remember the date it was a night match?
Yeah and I never forgave Boniek.
Though it's good to reminisce
with old guys in the pub,
what happened in the 1970's has no bearing on the 2008/09 season.
I can bore you all to death with
"eh lad, I remember when...."
but lets look at the team today and how to improve it for tomorrow.
Tony Book was great though.
I remember when a young Newcastle whippersnapper was charging forward with the ball and the old man chased him down and retrieve the ball with a supreme tackle.
The Kippax erupted.
oops, sorry, boring you all.
CTID
Oh how you we yearn for those fabulous European nights. A truly stupendous, fantasic, amazing achievement winning the 'fair play league'. Lets face it Bangor would provide stiff opposition.
Lee Bradbury - it was a 1-1 draw. I think Asa Hartford scored for us. We should have scored 4/5 more but missed loads of chances and they thrashed us 3-1 in the second leg and went on to win the trophy which was not much consolation at the time because we were favourites. I think we drew 0-0 with Juve at home and lost 2-0 away.
The long winter of 78-79. Borussia in the quarters. Leading through Channon. Oh no - 1-1! Allison brings in 18 year old Nicky Reid for second leg. Panned 3-1. Great goal from Deyna. How long it seemed then - after the Allison takeover- from the sunlit uplands of the early season wins with Kidd, Barnes and Hartford against the likes of Enschede and Liege. The beginning of the end.
what are some sad rags doing supporting their team in russia,browsing the net, watching ssn, no they are on the men city website-sad
Andrew
20/05/2008 at 13:23...............thanks for that i could not remember,i was only a very young lad. (6)
David Allen:surprised you can afford a computer as you rags have to pay through the nose to subsidise all your expensive signings. Buying success doesn`t come cheap.
Distant memories, great ones though. Juve kicked anything that moved at Maine Rd as I recall.
Reading this item has suddenly made me sad though. I suppose its the contrast between then and the utter shambles that is now. Sigh.
Nefyn blue, Stockport
20/05/2008 at 15:33……………oh I don’t know about feeling sad?, they were great memories the 1970s,it is weird thinking back how little things spring to mind.
I suddenly started remembering the blanket of cigarette smoke that used to envelop Main Road people were not as health conscious then,
It was like fog in the winter
Made me think of all the Christmas parties for us junior blues at the social club at Main Road the players would be there to meet us kids, great days ensured I would be a city fan until the day I die. (Oh and the free football every year)
When we scored at main Road the roar of the crowd used to make all the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, an amazing feeling as a kid.
It is sad that COMS feels a bit aesthetic and has no personality like Main Road did, I suppose things move on at least we all have great memories.
I was chatting to and getting autographs from Tony Book, Francis Lee, Bert Trautman! Sir Tom Finney!! and many others last night at the Former Players' Dinner - legends all!!!
Tony Book gave a very rousing speech about the qualities required to make the Club successful. He was talking about what made the teams he played in and managed successful, but he might just as well have been offering a critique of the present team (the need for total commitment to go with talent).
Thanks for the memories guys and especially to Fred Eyre, whose one comment to me made me feel ten feet tall!
Lee Bradbury... I don't always agree with you , but I am enjoying the recent posts reminiscing about your Blue past. Keep posting and don't let the @#$*£@*'s grind you down!
I called the ticket office - as like you - I am aghast at whats going on...
I was informed by an arrogant 'telephonist' I must apply in writing for a refund.
To which a more than arrogant me replied; 'well i didn't have to apply in writing to buy it - put some measures in place, I won't be alone with this line of enquiry'.
He said we could get a refund if that was what we really wanted.
Head or heart, head or heart?
However, seeing Richard Dunne in the met, Didsbury on sunday - and rather jokily suggesting we needed him to stay.. and un-prompted him saying; 'I don't what the hell is going on, none of us do...' doesn't inspire me to keeping it...
What annoys me is reading this morning headlines on the MEN. JUST SORT IT OUT. pertaining to united's lack of city screens. They've all got sodding telly's right? Stop moaning.
Our plight is fundamentaly more pressing I'd have thought? Makes me sick.
Up the blues.
I am 38 my Dad took me to a charity match near Altrincham when I was young - it's the only time I saw Tony Book play he had retired then. I have seen my club win one major cup in my whole life (not including 1st Div Champs with KK) but you know what if we never win anything ever again I will always support this club.