Ex-Toon Player Furious At His Treatment

"I wasn't taken aback, shocked or angered by the board's decision. I am not naive or stupid. I felt we were going in the correct direction but needed some finance to drive the club forward.

"The previous manager had around £50million to spend and if the club is taken over the next manager may have £50million to spend, so in that sense I feel as though I have been a caretaker with no money to spend, getting the books balanced whilst keeping the club in the Premiership.

"But I do not regret taking the job.

"I feel City are not far away from becoming the top six side they want to be and nothing would give me greater pleasure than this time next year to see Richard Dunne climbing the steps at Wembley to lift a major domestic trophy or the side to qualify for Europe."

1997/99 S.Pearce 51/1 1
Didn't spend a lot of time at SJP but had a great affection for the crowd. He chose Newcastle Utd for his testimonial. Famous for missing the penalty against Germany that cost us a place in the World Cup final. An England institution. League Cup winner in 1989 and 1990, FA Cup finalist in 1991 (all with Nottm Forest). Went to West Ham.