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Page last updated at 06:32 GMT, Friday, 20 August 2010 07:32 UK

Mickey Thomas hopes Man City plans fail

Craig Bellamy has joined Cardiff City
Mickey Thomas says Man City fans "loved" Cardiff loan signing Bellamy

Ex-Wales and Manchester United star Mickey Thomas hopes the £1 billion Manchester City project fails for the good of football.

Thomas believes most "real" City fans are disillusioned with the constant churning of players including Craig Bellamy's move to Cardiff City.

He said: "I hope it fails, I really do. People talk about Man Utd but they got their money through being successful."

City have spent £130m on six new players this summer.

And it has been estimated that total transfer and wage payments over the past two years has now exceeded £1 billion.

"They [City] are getting rich guys coming in and you can't even identify their players because there are so many changes in personnel at City," Thomas, who works as a media pundit in Manchester, has told Friday's Sport Wales programme.

If you're a real City fan - a proper City fan - then I think you're disillusioned

Mickey Thomas

"They are getting rich guys coming in and you can't even identify their players because there are so many changes in personnel at City.

"City fans are so devastated that Craig Bellamy has left the football club.

"They loved him and they are losing one of their best players because of these changing times in football.

"They just want to keep buying and buying until they get a trophy. If you're a real City fan - a proper City fan - then I think you're disillusioned with it because it's not good.

"At the end of the day, the majority in football - including myself - hope they fail."

Bellamy scored 12 goals in 40 appearances for City, including 10 in the Premiership last season in 32 games.

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He was also credited with eight assists and former City captain Richard Edghill believes the Wales skipper will be missed at Eastlands this season.

"Craig Bellamy put in a good shift last season," said Edghill, who now coaches youngsters at the Manchester City Soccer School.

"He weighed in with 12 goals and at least as many assists during his time here and I think he'll be a big miss to the team because there are now a lot of defensive players in the squad.

"To have someone like Craig, who can nick a goal and provide an all-round presence, was important. He'll be sadly missed."

Watch Sport Wales' full interview with Mickey Thomas from 1900 BST on BBC Two Wales on Friday, 20 August.



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see also
Johnson hits out at Bellamy deal
19 Aug 10 |  Peterborough
Motherwell collect Quinn payment
20 Aug 10 |  Motherwell
Bellamy to lead Cardiff on debut
20 Aug 10 |  Cardiff
Bellamy moves to Cardiff on loan
17 Aug 10 |  Cardiff
Sport Wales: The TV Programme
15 Mar 11 |  Wales
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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