Following the news that Manchester City have been found guilty of breaching the majority of the 115 financial charges brought against them, questions have been raised regarding the legitimacy of past results. Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis expressed his frustration, noting that he and the club’s supporters have been searching for answers since the verdict was delivered this past Friday. And I can still picture walking out before kick-off to see our end of the ground decked in red and white and hear the amazing rendition of Delilah from our supporters, think back now.
Reflecting on his 50-year career in football, Pulis described the 2011 FA Cup final as a definitive high point. At that time, Stoke City arrived at Wembley aiming for their first major trophy in a storied history. However, they were faced with a Manchester City side that had not won a major honor in 35 years but possessed significantly greater resources in terms of transfer spending and player wages than their opponents.
Pulis recalled the atmosphere at Wembley, where thousands of Stoke fans traveled from across the globe, some enduring financial strain just to witness the occasion. He noted the support of the Coates family, the club’s owners, who have dedicated decades to financing the local team and supporting the community. For everyone connected to the club, that day represented a rare and cherished opportunity to compete for a major title. And had spent or borrowed fortunes to make it, just to say: “I was there, many of those fans had come from all corners of the world. For Peter, Denise, John and all the family and friends who in good times and bad found the money and spirit to back the club, it was their one day in the sun.
Although Stoke City lost the 2011 final 1-0, the team delivered a committed performance against a formidable opponent. The deciding goal came from Yaya Toure, who had joined City from Barcelona in July 2010 for approximately £24 million. Reports at the time indicated that Toure earned 10 times the salary of any player in the Stoke squad, and his individual transfer fee exceeded the cost of Stoke’s entire starting eleven. Our players were fantastic and gave, as always, a fully committed performance against the odds, although we lost 1-0. Yaya Toure, who scored the winning goal, was reportedly earning 10 times what we were paying any of our players and, on his own, had cost more than our entire starting 11 when they had signed him from Barcelona in 2010.
While Pulis initially accepted the defeat as the result of playing against a team of elite stars managed by Roberto Mancini, his perspective has shifted. He noted that he feels a sense of being cheated, a sentiment he believes is shared by others associated with clubs affected by Manchester City’s successes between 2009 and 2018. During this period, the club not only defeated competitors on the pitch but also dominated English football for over a decade. My disappointment was buried in the fact we had played a team full of superstars, and faced an elite coach in Roberto Mancini, and had just fallen short, after the game. Today, I feel very differently, as I am sure people connected with the other clubs affected by City’s successes in the same period, between 2009 and 2018, do too.
Despite the verdict, Pulis acknowledged that he does not expect Manchester City to return the 2011 FA Cup or the associated winners’ medals, nor does he anticipate the reversal of other titles. He suggested that substantial financial penalties and points deductions are more realistic consequences. However, he emphasized that no administrative ruling can restore the experience that was lost to the Stoke City faithful, who were denied the chance to celebrate a hard-fought victory at the time.
As the legal process continues, Manchester City are expected to appeal the findings. Meanwhile, clubs affected by the alleged financial misconduct are evaluating their own potential legal responses, as the football community waits to see the final scale of the sanctions imposed. While the process is far from over because Manchester City are expected to appeal, I have to say this verdict and the whole situation has left a very sour taste in my mouth.
