10 years ago today Thaksin Shinawatra took over City

[Ric]

Actually seems like even longer than a decade, given what's happened subsequently. Even by City's standards, that was a bizarre period in our history, starting with the street party (and free Thai food) in town. Obviously we can't (and shouldn't) gloss over the human rights abuses but he played a hugely significant role in the modern era of the club. Would the Abu Dhabi takeover have happened without him?

Still seems a bit surreal that he turned up in the South Stand for the crucial derby in the title winning season of 2011/12.

 

[Blue Smarties]

I just wish we were in the age of everyone having decent camera phones when he took to the stage to sing Bluemoon. I think there's footage on YouTube, but it's filmed with a naff phone.

 

[Blue Smarties]

Actually seems like even longer than a decade, given what's happened subsequently. Even by City's standards, that was a bizarre period in our history, starting with the street party (and free Thai food) in town. Obviously we can't (and shouldn't) gloss over the human rights abuses but he played a hugely significant role in the modern era of the club. Would the Abu Dhabi takeover have happened without him?

Still seems a bit surreal that he turned up in the South Stand for the crucial derby in the title winning season of 2011/12.

Also, didn't @Prestwich_Blue say that he almost scuppered the deal with the Sheikh? Main man was Cook?

 

[shevtheblue]

I remember when he bought us thinking 'fuck, we might actually become a decent mid table team now!'. Little did i know..

 

[ell]

Oi Thaksin, leave our Sven alone

 

[RACHACE]

We'd just endured the Pearce era and him taking over and installing Sven Goran Eriksen at least gave us something to talk about other than how shit we were. He spent money on players (although it was money that eventually could have messed us right up) but nonetheless good players came in and we looked a far better side than we did during Stuart Pearce's reign.

Whatever had or has gone on in Thailand was totally separate and had no bearing on my thoughts on him at the time and at the time I enjoyed his takeover.

I'm completely clueless as far as the politics are concerned though and whether he was pivotal with regard the takeover in 2008.

 

[TonyM]

I loved him.

 

[john@staustell]

Mr T was important to us in a big way, because if we hadn't gone down that rocky road we couldn't have had the Abu Dhabi takeover. Firstly he did all the donkeywork of buying up all those tiny shareholders, so that a deal could be done overnight. Secondly he moved in the sort of circles that meant he could deal with the Sheik and his people (wasn't it in China or something?). Other clubs have hawked themselves around the whole for years desperate for a buyer, because they don't move in the right circles - most notable Everton, who have just managed it a decade later.

 

[I'm Blue]

Cheers Frank.

 

[ancoats]

remember match of the day out side west ham on the first day of the season with blown up picture cards of city new signings and asking the fans do you know there names hahahahahahaha