Manchester City victory celebrations gallery

WITH footage of City goals on a huge screen, flags and trees swaying rhythmically to Oasis, Albert Square became one grand light blue spectacle yesterday. Manchester City took to the streets with 100,000 jubilant Blues fans to celebrate the end of their 35 year wait for a major trophy.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, summed up the parade: "This has been a momentous day for City fans and players alike. Once again we have demonstrated that Manchester is a place which knows how to celebrate."

Last week's FA Cup Final victory, coupled with Champions League qualification, became the first step under the Sheikh Mansour era to cast aside the cliché of being noisy neighbours and begin their quest to become genuine challengers in Manchester.

At the pre-parade press conference, assistant manager Brian Kidd was typically bullish alongside Vincent Kompany:saying; “It’s just the beginning, but it’s something visual for the fan’s to celebrate.”

He was supported by a deafening chorus of ‘Blue Moon’ echoing from the 10,000 fans outside the Town Hall.

It was rumoured that club captain Carlos Tevez would miss the event to fly home to see his family, instead it was talismanic halfwit Mario Balotelli who guaranteed himself another couple of miles worth of column inches by being the only no show. Curiously though, the announcer had already stated that the Italian would be attending with a puppy as “he doesn’t have a girlfriend”.

After Tevez and final match-winner Yaya Toure boarded the bus with the trophy, the squad began their parade through Princess Street, Portland Street and Newton Street as they headed to Eastlands for a firework-lit celebration which has been long overdue for City fans.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, summed up the parade: "This has been a momentous day for City fans and players alike. Once again we have demonstrated that Manchester is a place which knows how to celebrate.

“Whatever your allegiance, the success of either of the city's clubs is good for the city as a whole, and hopefully these sort of scenes will be repeated many times in the years ahead."