Manchester City’s journey from the depths of Division Two to Premier League dominance is a saga unlike any in football. In Glory Days for the Waifs and Strays, Dom Farrell explores how a club, once dismissed as hapless, found itself at the heart of a global sporting phenomenon. The story begins with ignominy and obscurity: City’s loyal but longsuffering supporters watched their team tumble to the third tier of English football, a place no one expected the club to reach, let alone escape from in such dramatic fashion.
Yet, within a single generation, Manchester City was transformed by forces few could have predicted. The 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group didn’t just change the club’s finances; it redefined what was possible for the team and its fans. Success arrived with breathtaking speed, but so did uncomfortable questions—about identity, authenticity, and the true cost of glory. Farrell doesn’t shy away from the controversies: the accusations of “sports washing,” the Premier League’s financial charges, and the uneasy sense that something essential might have been lost amidst the silverware.
Through it all, the heartbeat of the story remains the people who followed City through thick and thin. Farrell, writing both as a journalist and a lifelong supporter, captures the atmosphere in the stands and the emotional rollercoaster of following a club that seemed cursed, then suddenly blessed. He traces the moments that defined the modern era—Sergio Agüero’s legendary goal, the improbable winning runs, and the collective euphoria that swept through Manchester.
This is not just a tale of trophies and billion-pound takeovers. It’s a meditation on what it means to belong, to hope, and to find meaning in the unpredictable drama of sport. Glory Days for the Waifs and Strays unpacks how Manchester City’s highs and lows have shaped a new kind of football identity—one that’s as much about memory and community as it is about success on the pitch. Farrell’s account is both affectionate and unsparing, reminding readers that the story of Manchester City is, at its core, the story of football itself. ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48Delivered to You 1st Week, August 2025 Some publishers release new titles early, so our ETA above could change. Publisher: Great Book Selection – Visit Biteback Publishing Published: July 29, 2025 Price: £22.00 Paperback: 400 pages ISBN-10: 1785909681 ISBN-13: 9781785909689 Dimensions: 234 x 156 (mm) Why Pre-order? Since 2022, we've observed that publishers often opt for smaller print runs to manage costs effectively. This process has occasionally resulted in stock shortages. We strongly recommend pre-ordering to secure your copy and avoid disappointment.
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