Man United fans to revive 'years without a trophy' banner after City's 114-charge guilty verdict

A Manchester United fan group is set to resurrect a long-dormant banner mocking Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, when United host Tottenham Hotspur — days after City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial breach charges brought against them.

The so-called ‘ticker’ banner, which once hung in the Stretford End and counted the years since City had last won a major trophy, first appeared in 2000 displaying ‘24 years’. It was taken down after City lifted the FA Cup in 2011, ending a 35-year wait for silverware. According to The Athletic, a United supporter group has now paid to have the banner restored and plans to display it this weekend.

The timing is deliberate. Last week’s verdict from the independent commission found City guilty on 114 counts relating to financial rules, covering a period from 2009 to 2018. The charges included alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, details of player and manager payments, and breaches of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

City have firmly rejected the findings. The club confirmed last Friday that they have submitted a formal appeal, stating they possess “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” that they believe will clear them of any wrongdoing. The appeal process is expected to be lengthy.

United’s home match against Spurs on Saturday evening is the first Premier League fixture for both clubs since the international break, and the return of the banner is set to make it a charged occasion at Old Trafford regardless of what unfolds on the pitch.