This Saturday the magic of the Emirates FA Cup rolls into town as City host Oxford United in the third round of the competition for the first time since the 20/21 season.
City have had some incredible memories in the FA Cup over the years and one match is heralded as being a key player in the club's survival back in mid-2000, and we will get to that shortly.
It's been 44 years since City booked a place in the fourth round of the prestigious competition back in 1981 - they even went all the way to the quarter-finals that year! A 4-2 win at Maidstone United secured a fourth round tie against Leicester City, and a Dave Pullar strike later and City came away with a 1-1 draw.
Four days later City legend Tony Kellow bagged a hat-trick to give City a 3-1 win at SJP and book a long trip to the other St James' Park. Lee Roberts scored in a 1-1 draw meaning Newcastle United had to make the long trip South. What would follow was one of the most historic nights in City's history. A thumping 4-0 win over a high-flying Newcastle side with goals scored by Peter Hatch (from a corner, sound familiar?) and Ian Pearson, Philip Roberts and Martyn Rogers.
The quarter-finals were where the historic run would end. The mighty Tottenham Hotspur, who included Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle a certain Steve Perryman, Steve Archibald and Garth Crooks in their starting line-up. Over 40,000 people would see Spurs triumph 2-0 at White Hart Lane and put an end to City's second most famous FA Cup campaign - 1931s run to round six being the most impressive, and the vehicle behind the 1931 fund!
Saturday's clash with Oxford United will be only the fifth time in the last twenty years that City have reached the fabled third round.
During the 20/21 season City were beaten 2-0 by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday with no fans in attendance due the Covid pandemic. In 2018 City were beaten 2-0 by Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in-front of 5638 fans at SJP.
In 2016 City fared better against Premier League opposition. The giants of Liverpool rocked up to the Park expecting a routine win, but goals from Tom Nichols and a stunner from a corner by Lee Holmes saw City pick up a 2-2 draw and book a date at Anfield. Two weeks later City would fall to a 3-0 defeat in-front of 43,292 at Anfield.
But, what we have been getting to is the most famous of those more recent runs to the third round came back in 2005...
January 8, 2005. A date that lives long in the memory of City fans.
The Grecians were in dire straits back in 2003. The fans took over with debts of over £4.5m and our future in real peril. Just two years later, and one football match would play a huge part in easing these worries.
Back then City were in the Football Conference and had to join at the fourth round of qualifying. Having beaten Braintree Town and then Grimsby Town in the first round, City – then in the Conference – had to do a bit of giant-killing by knocking out League 1 Doncaster Rovers in the second round. It took a special goal by Dean Moxey to secure the win.
And that meant that supporters clamoured to St James Park for the third round draw the following evening. Gary Pallister, on the home balls, pulled out number 23 – FA Cup holders Manchester United. Tony Cascarino, drawing the visiting clubs, replied with number 64 – Exeter City!
Exeter City certainly didn’t just make up the numbers at the Theatre of Dreams, with over 90 places separating the two sides. They pushed Fergie’s boys all the way, and had even opportunities to cause an even bigger upset – but a goalless draw was the result with 9000 fans making the trip up from Devon's capital.
Even though the Red Devils were weakened, City still delivered an outstanding display to keep them quiet in the first 45 minutes.
Former United apprentice Andy Taylor tested goalkeeper Tim Howard and fired a free-kick narrowly off target - many at Old Trafford thought it had gone in!
United responsded was a free-kick from David Bellion which was well saved by Paul Jones. At the other end Dean Moxey almost stunned his boyhood heroes just before half-time, but shot agonisingly wide after a penalty area scramble.
United tried to make their superiority pay in the second half, thankfully Scott Hiley was alert to clear a shot from Jones off the line after 48 minutes.
City could still see the dream, Dean Moxey giving United another scare with a long-range effort that flew just wide of the post.
City held out for over an hour and Sir Alex Ferguson signalled to the bench to bring on the big guns. Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo replaced Liam Miller and Chris Eagles.
But none of them could get past Paul Jones and the City defence and a famous 0-0 draw was claimed. City were disciplined, organised and fiercely committed and it was an exceptional performance from everyone in black and gold that day.
The gate receipts from a crowd totalling 67,000 at Old Trafford almost eliminated the club’s debts in one go.
And needless to say, the celebrations continued in the stand for long after the final whistle – the Red Devils were coming back to Devon for a replay!
Naturally enough, plenty of supporters were optimistic that the Grecians could finish the job on a return to the Park when the teams replayed the fixture 11 days later.
Unfortunately that wasn’t the case – United were 2-0 winners at St James Park on January 19 2005, thanks to goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney – what ever happened to them?
And while the Grecians couldn't make it past the eventual runners-up, the legacy of those games lives on and fills City supporters with pride to this day.
The teams at Old Trafford
Manchester United: Howard, Neville, Brown, Pique, Spector, Eagles, Jones (Ronaldo, 63), Djemba-Djemba, Miller (Scholes, 63) Richardson, Bellion (Smith, 75)
Exeter City: Jones, Hiley, Sawyer, Gaia, Jeannin, Taylor (Edwards, 88), Clay (Ampadu, 66), Martin, Moxey, Flack (Afful, 84), Devine
Why not watch the match in full?
City will be looking to make new memories on Saturday against Oxford United and make the fourth round for the first time since 1981.
The only way to watch the match is to be there, and with ticket prices reduced why not join us at SJP?
Click here to buy tickets.