Exclusive: 'Manchester City are ready to rule – we're going to live our dreams', claims ex-Blues keeper Eric Nixon
As Manchester City's stadium erupted on Sunday, it was difficult for some to hold back the emotion locked inside for 44 years – and none more so than former Blues keeper, Eric Nixon.
The Mancunian and lifelong City fan watched from the stands as his team completed the most unlikely of come backs to lift the title for the first time since 1968 – and he's only just regaining his voice.
The former shot-stopper said: “It was an emotional roller-coaster. I'm an man and boy supporter of the club. With two minutes to go, being 2-1 down, we all thought the dream had fallen of deaf ears and it wasn't going to happen.
“But then Dzeko scored and there was hope. My voice is just coming back now.
“I think the players did fantastically well not to panic in that position, and Balotelli and Aguero did really well to find that goal from nowhere.
“It was absolute elation. Considering we've waited 44 years, it was unbelievable.”
Nixon spent five years at his boy-hood club, and for the gentle giant, the passing of the old guard to the new, capped an incredible day in the Blues' history.
“The more emotional thing for me was seeing Sumberbee, Lee and Book bring the cup out and sit it on the pedestal. It was like the old generation handing over the glory to the next.
“I had a tear in my eye and lump in my throat – it was amazing.”
So what for the future for Nixon? It's the beginning of the road insists the man who made over 500 league appearances for thirteen different clubs in his career.
“It's onwards and upwards from here on in for City. All we've got to do now is add to the squad. We've got some fantastic players there, but I do believe we've got a lot of driftwood that has to go to bring some money back in.
“There are a lot of quality players who want to come to us as championship winning club now.
“Winning the FA Cup and the league in two seasons can convince anyone in the world.”
Nixon insists that although the team he loves may have an unlimited bank balance, its heart remains in the same place as it ever did,” he said.
“Man City is Man City. The fans are loyal, the players are loyal – at the end of the day, you can never take anything away from them.
“All you have to look at is the badge and the atmosphere on Sunday – it truly was City 'til we die.
“Mancini has worked absolute wonders. To turn it around from five points, to go and win it speaks volumes about the squad we have.”
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And what to those who say City have bought the league?
“Isn't it a league to be bought? Everybody buys the league, everybody buys the cup. To be successful, you have to have the best players and gel them as a manager. That's what we did.
“Mancini and his staff should be commended – this really is the beginning of City's future.
“Man United have bought the league for the last 20 years.
“It's a fantastic rivalry with United. They have their own dynasty and history – but with all due respect to them – it's all about City now.
“We are ready to rule. We're going to live our dreams.”
Nixon's book, Big Hands, Big Heart, is on sale now.
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Is it though?
It's no longer the era of Bell, Lee Sumerbee and Marsh,
There is no Maine Road Club anymore.
It's just a fantasy club run, owned and paid for by very wealthy outsiders.
Fair do's and congrats for squeaking past the post just by a hairs breadth but thanks really mean to go to the Argentine don't they?
Football isn't about kicking or heading the ball into the net, it's about who passed that ball to the scorer.
I applaud Carlos Tevez for his hard work at the end of the season that revived City.
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