The Premiership Years

1999-2001

Almost as soon as City were promoted to the Premier League the media dismissed them as relegation certainties.

New signing Dean Saunders scored City's first goal in the top flight, when he thumped home a dramatic late winner on the opening day at Middlesbrough.

For those who'd endured decades of Third and Fourth Division football, league fixtures against the likes of Manchester United were a dream come true.

Despite some memorable performances, relegation seemed a certainty as the side suffered a slump in form as the season drew to a close. The turning point came on Easter Monday at Sunderland. A back post header from the unlikely source of centre half John Dreyer gave City victory and a glimmer of hope.

The relegation battle turned into a straight fight between City and those great survivors Wimbledon. The Dons' visit to Valley Parade was billed as the relegation decider. On a highly charged afternoon Wimbledon striker John Hartson was sent off and, as the visitors lost their heads, City ran out 3-0 winners. However, the following week Hartson scored an injury time equaliser as City lost tamely at Leicester. Once again City's fate would be decided on the last day of the season.

Wimbledon were at Southampton, City faced the daunting challenge of Champions League-chasing Liverpool.

It was to be an unforgettable afternoon. With barely ten minutes on the clock David Wetherall headed City into an unbelievable lead.

Liverpool put City's goal under a sustained siege. Dogged defending kept the visitors at bay. Keeper Matt Clarke was inspired, as again and again England striker Michael Owen was denied. City needed a respite. It came with news that Southampton had scored; when the Saints grabbed a second, City were tantalisingly close to survival.

When the final whistle came, it was met by arguably the biggest party since City's FA Cup triumph in 1911. Against all the odds and expectations City had survived. As manager Paul Jewell punched the air in triumph, he would have had every right to enjoy a wry smile at those who doubted him back in 1998.

Barely had the celebrations died down when Paul Jewell suddenly left the club amid rumours of a rift with chairman Geoffrey Richmond. Fans were left stunned when it was then announced that City would make their European debut in the Inter-Toto Cup! Coach Chris Hutchings was promoted to manager and signings came thick and fast. Ashley Ward, David Hopkin, Peter Atherton, Dan Petrescu and most astonishingly Benito Carbone arrived at Valley Parade.

In Europe, City defeated Lithuania's Atlantas and Holland's Waalwijck, before succumbing to Russia's Zenit St Petersburg. The new season started with a narrow defeat at Liverpool before Chelsea were defeated 2-0 in spectacular fashion at Valley Parade.

Wayne Jacobs leads City out at FK Atlantas in Lithuania on the historic occasion of City's European debut.

Sadly, it was a false dawn. Hutchings was sacked in November as City failed to add to the victory over Chelsea. Jim Jefferies arrived with a remit to purge the squad - out went many of the high earners, but City were doomed, this time there was to be no last minute heroics. For the time being City's Premiership sojourn was over.

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