Star signings to player mutiny - Man City takeover before the takeover

A year before the takeover that changed everything at Manchester City, there was the other takeover that changed everything.

It was June 21, 2007 when Thaksin Shinawatra's £81.6m offer for the club was accepted to give the controversial Thai politician the green light to bring drastic change. With City in debt to the tune of £60m and labouring on the pitch to the extent that fans had not seen a goal at home since New Year's Day, the new investment was welcomed even if Shinawatra had outstanding questions - June 21 was also the day he was charged with corruption in his home country.

"I am delighted that the board of Manchester City has recommended my bid for the club. I look forward to continuing the excellent work of John Wardle and his team," he said. "We share a determination to take the club back to its rightful place at the highest level of competition in both the Premier League and European football. I am in no doubt of the responsibility associated with leading Manchester City and pledge to the fans, players and staff my utmost commitment to the future success of this great club."

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City had been crying out for investment for some time as they struggled to stay afloat and competitive in the top division; it was only two years since they had been forced to sell homegrown talent Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea to stay in business, and the extravagant spending of Roman Abramovich at the West London club marked a trend in the league that would not be reversed. Nevertheless, there were concerns from the start.

"If we believe what we are reading