The Sky Blue decade: 2003

Year In Brief: A positive end to 2002 had been something of an illusion as Gary McAllister battled financial constraints to send out a decent side.

The loan and free transfer markets were raided constantly as players came and went with alarming regularity.

McAllister ended the year on compassionate leave to care for his ill wife with Eric Black taking over the reins.

High Point: Err…There wasn’t one with City winning just 8 leage games during the whole calendar year.

Johnnie Jackson’s late winner against West Brom in December at least saw 2003 end on a relative high.

Low Point: Take your pick. A 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Rochdale was probably the lowlight although a 5-1 hammering at Hillsborough was also pretty grim.

Brief Encounter: Juan Sara was one of the players who came through the revolving door.

On loan from Dundee he netted a late qualiser at Nottingham Forest, unveiling a t-shirt sporting the motto ‘Jesus Loves You’ and was gone just a couple of games later after the Rochdale fiasco.

Quote Unquote: ‘I am not a quitter, Gary is not a quitter and our aim is to restore this club to glory,’ was chairman Mike McGinnity’s rallying cry after announcing debts of £20m+.