OASIS star Noel Gallagher has offered to play a gig for the prospective new owners of Manchester City.
The “staggered” Blues fan heard about the takeover while in Canada at the start of his band’s world tour.
And he says he’s stunned by the millions Arab businessman Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim is prepared to pay to bring players to the club.
“Well, can I just throw my hat in the ring here and tell him that I’m available for any after-show parties he wants me to play at, if he’s throwing that kind of money around,” said Noel.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: “It’ll be nice to know that every gallon of petrol a Man Utd fan buys will be going into City’s transfer kitty.”
Speaking from Ottawa, where Oasis play tomorrow, the lifelong City fan said he woke up earlier this week to discover some 19 text messages.
“That usually means that I’ve either offended somebody in an interview or something bad has happened at home.
“But it was like, ‘Put on the news now. We’ve been bought out by some Arab prince.’ And it was just one text after another.
“I was kind of laughing at first. I still really can’t believe it. And to top it all off last night, just before we went on stage, they signed Robinho, which is just staggering.
“It’s unbelievable. I can only assume they must have offered him a fortune.
“But I’m also quite made up that we managed to swindle United out of a few million as well by their having to pay over the odds for Berbatov.”
“Whoever these people are - they say he’s 10 times richer than Abramovich, which is staggering. But I guess the Americans who own Man United, all their kind of wealth is built on credit, whereas the people that have bought us out, it’s all built on oil.”
Asked about Dr Al Fahim’s plans to bid £120m for United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Noel replied: “I like him already because he’s obviously got a sick sense of humour – The one place in the world Ronaldo won’t be going is to our place. He’s going to Real Madrid.”
He added: “I just hope the people are serious. The only thing that will work against City is trying to get the players to go there.”
“Chelsea have always got London in their favour and Man Utd are one of the most famous clubs in the world. Arsenal and Liverpool, they’re both Champions’ League ... I just hope they can get the players to go there.
“The only worry is that the kids don’t get a chance anymore because we’ve got some promising youngsters there. But I can’t see any downside to this, to be honest.”
One of City’s top celebrity fans, Noel said he believed Mark Hughes would stay as manager.
“Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, they were thinking of getting rid of him, who would they get? There’s nobody available, for starters.
“I could see Mourinho ending up there in a few years, though, if the money keeps going in. But I think Mark Hughes has done a brilliant job. I think this will be the making of him. I think he’ll be a top, top, top manager.”
Did he believe City could now win the Premiership? “I wouldn’t have thought they’d win it this year. But who knows? You’d have to get all the new lads playing as a team. Stranger things have happened. Blackburn won it once, remember that?
“It’s too easy to just throw a load of money at it. Newcastle tried that, Leeds tried it, and look where they are. But it would be nice to win a trophy so United fans have to take down that divvy banner in the Stretford End.”
The Burnage-born singer celebrated news of the takeover by buying champagne all round.
"What a day. It was unbelievable, going from a cult football club that all black cab drivers in London, all like, they patronise you – to being the richest club in the world in a matter of hours. It’s staggering.”
“I always kind of knew that 40 years of loyalty would be repaid somehow and I always knew that a day like this would come where we would just stagger everybody in football. But I’ve got to say I didn’t think it would be like this.”
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I live in London now too and there's a chelsea fan at work. On Monday I told him we were trying to sign Berbatov, and thought since one of their rivals for the prem may be out done at the last minute, he would enjoy the fact. His response was 'yeah but you're batting above your weight there, you'll never get him.'
He left saying 'well sign Robinho tonight and you'll get no one!'
Can I just say ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Nice one son. A good few pops at the scum there methinks.
I still wonder where Oasis was on the day we all left Maine Road.
One of the best things to come out of this is that every time you see a photo of Abramovich in the paper or on tv,he always has a smug smirk on his face....well that smirk has been wiped off his face Big Time...Yipee !!
Another 'fan' who hasn't been to a game for a few years jumping on the bandwagon.
If I want a jumped up, past it guitar player's I'll ask for it.
As you can tell there is a bit of history here.
Quality noel just for those comments alone i say we get you in to sing blue moon at the next home gane after we win the uefa cup.
esp like the comment about petrol paying for city transfers
its all part of the masterplan ...
Brilliant comments Noel can you sign my Man City electric guitar?
Would a man with all that cash really want to listen to a Status Quo tribute band?
Dont think so Blue Nose!
Although I've gone off Oasis's music in recent years, Noel to me has always been the best interview around. Talks sense about everything and deliver's it all in a way that matches the best stand up comics.
Top guy.
Another 'fan' who hasn't been to a game for a few years jumping on the bandwagon.
If I want a jumped up, past it guitar player's I'll ask for it.
As you can tell there is a bit of history here.
Giles, Voice of City Fans
3/09/2008 at 11:32
Agree!
Eric Dutch,
The reason Oasis did not play at the last game at Maine Rd was because they wanted to be the only band and play a proper set as opposed to being one of 4 bands. The Blues Brother tribute act The Oasis tribute act Doves and Badly Drawn Boy were the 4.
Giles,
I don't know how many games Noel went to last season but he was certainly sat a few feet from me at Watford away at the end of 2006/07 season.
Gallagher shouldnt have said that. T
Gallagher should have kept quiet. The arabs will pull out now if they know the countries own beatles tribute band support them!
I tell you what Gallagher, you only ever seem to show your face when things are going good for MCFC. Take a page out of Hatton's book and become the fans' fan by parading your love for the blues wherever you are!
ALL HAIL THE BLUE REVOLUTION!!!
In other words Ryan you mean his ego is too big to accomodate anyone else? He is also the same person who said he wouldn't put a penny into MCFC as he wouldn't want 'a load of scallys putting my windows in'
Noel, nobody could be mithered travelling 'down dat london' to do it mate!
Everyone should email everybody in their contact list with Noel's fantastic comment (slightly altered to suit everyone).
"It'll be nice to know that every gallon of petrol you buy will be going into Manchester City's transfer kitty."
even better if they are a red then you can leave his comments unaltered
Oh Happy Days
I sold my soul to an Arab Sheik, he said son this is a great club.
Go on Noel sing it!!!!!
We shall just have to roll with it!!
Eric-Dutch - have you not considered Noel and his band OASIS may not have been invited for the last game at Maine Rd? stop aiming negative comments towards Noel or his band afterall he is a blue through and through and the reason he hasn't been at the games for sometime (allegedly) is because of his profession....
OB1, he openly admits he only goes to games in London. I hada drink with him at the Emirates. He doesn't go to CoMS.
It's like these scousers who harp on about Liverpool yet they moved away once they got the money and half a chance. They become professional scousers.
Cilla Black, the Beatles, Tarbuck, etc. Only Dodd can consider himself off the hook in this matter.
I live mostly in LA but don't go on and on about Manchester.
Oasis have cleverly tapped into the City brand have ensured that they have a ready made fan base. Would we like them as much if they were always enthusing about Middlesboro'?
No.
Typical plastic manc? they didnt have a date to play the stadium in their tour,then all of a sudden they come out of the woodwork when it gets taken over by a wealthy family.PLASTIC MANCS.....
Giles, voice of city...the only history you have with Noel Gallagher is likely to be that you once bought one of his cd's at asda. The only other bit of history here, is your comments trying to show that you are rich and well connected when you are quite obviously neither. However, your comments are often quite amusing, although i'm never sure if it is really you as there are so many "copy cat posters" posing in your name, with or without commas, capitals etc. Also how do YOU know how many matches anyone has been to, when it is highly unlikely that you have ever been yourself.
ryan. oasis were never asked. and listen out for a very special doves surprise against chelsea... you'll love it. all of you.