On 3rd May 1998, Manchester City were relegated to the third tier of football for the first time in their history. A 5-2 away win against Stoke City was not enough to save them, and their demotion to Division Two was confirmed. We take a look to see what happened to the players from that match.
Martyn Margetson
The Welshman left City in the close season, heading to Southend United on a free transfer. He spent a season there before signing for Huddersfield Town for a nominal fee. He joined Cardiff City on a free transfer in 2002, spending five years there before retiring. Now aged 47, he is a goalkeeping coach for Swansea City and England.
The full-back, who came through the City academy, left the club in 2001, signing for Wigan on a free transfer. He signed for Sheffield United in the summer of 2003, spending two years there before joining QPR. In summer 2005 he joined Bradford City, signing for Macclesfield Town two years later. Edghill retired in July 2008, and published his autobiography ‘Once a Blue, Always a Blue’ in 2014.
Kevin Horlock
Gerard Wiekens
Currently the VV Noordster manager, the centre-half had moved to City from Veendam in July 1997 – and returned there in July 2005, staying there until he retired.
Centre-half Symons joined City from Portsmouth for a sum of £1.35 million in July 1995, and left City shortly after their relegation, moving to Fulham on a free transfer. He finished his playing career with Crystal Palace in May 2005. Now Chris Coleman’s second-in-command, he has been his assistant at Wales, Sunderland, and most recently Hebei China Fortune. Symons also spent time as Fulham manager after Rene Meulensteen’s departure, in charge from September 2014 to November 2015.
Shaun Goater
The cult hero striker moved on to Reading in 2003, then to Southend United before joining Bermuda Hogges for the final years of his playing career. He now coaches the youth sides at Macclesfield Town.