This just looks wrong...

We have to make sure that at the Manchester City v Aston Villa clash on 3 October, we give him a rousing Sydney Blues reception.

All the best for the future, Richard.

Transfer window slams shut

Deadline Day last season will be remembered as one of the most significant moments in the club's history. The ADUG takeover, the Berbatov saga, and then finally, the purchase of Robinho. It was a surreal day. This year though, it was a far more understated affair.

There was early speculation that we would move for David Bentley from Spurs, with Martin Petrov going the other way in a cash-plus-player deal. However, City were quick to refute this, and both players remain (on the outer) at their current clubs.

The only deal that was absolutely certain by the close was that of Tal Ben Haim to Portsmouth. It has been significantly clear for some time that he has not in Hughes' plans, loaned out last season to Sunderland and then being "shop-windowed" on the pre-season tour to South Africa.

The Richard Dunne move to Aston Villa was still up in the air, with nothing official by window's close. However, it looks like this transfer will go ahead after the deadline.

City were fortunate that they conducted their business early in the window, so there were no late panic buys like in previous years (Benjani). It would have been nice to pick up an extra player on the deadline, but any one who has any complaints about our business this transfer period should take a good hard look at themselves...

So in sum:

2009 Arrivals
Gareth Barry (£12m, Aston Villa)
Roque Santa Cruz (£18m, Blackburn Rovers)
Stuart Taylor (free, Aston Villa)
Carlos Tevez (£25.5m, MSI via Manchester United)
Emmanuel Adebayor (£25m, Arsenal)
Kolo Toure (£15m, Arsenal)
Sylvinho (free, Barcelona)
Joleon Lescott (£22m, Everton)

2009 Departures
Kasper Schmeichel (Notts County)
Gelson Fernandes (St. Etienne)
Ched Evans (Sheffield United)
Elano (Galatasaray)
Tal Ben Haim (Portsmouth)
Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)

2009 Loans
Joe Hart (Birmingham City)
Jo (Everton)
Felipe Caicedo (Sporting Lisbon)
Shaleum Logan (Tranmere Rovers)
Valeri Bojinov (Parma)
Donal McDermott (Chesterfield)
Kelvin Etuhu (Cardiff)
Ryan McGivern (Leicester)
Clayton McDonald (Walsall)

2009 Expired Contracts
Danny Mills, Daniel Sturridge, Darius Vassell, Glauber Berti, Didi Hamann, Michael Ball, Richard Martin, Matthew Brown, Ian Daly, Gregor Hartley, Ben Morris, Curtis Obeng, Chris Ramsey, Angelos Tsiaklis.

Third Kit details released — order through Sydney Blues

It was confirmed earlier in the week that this Sunday's clash with Portsmouth will see the debut of this seasons' third kit. City have today released a clearer photo of the new shirt and details about how to get it. You can view that story here.

The kit will be available to pre-order from Friday, 4 September and will go on general sale from Saturday, 26 September.

I think I cracked a semi looking at that photo, and believe me, it wasn't because of Robi's alluring gaze... That shirt is absolutely breath-taking.

Just like the home kit before it, I will be taking orders for the third kit, as well as any orders for the home or away kits. All shirts will be priced at $80 each, not inclusive of postage or PayPal fees if you choose to pay in this way.

I've had to increase the postage cost to $8 per lot this time, as I will be using registered post only. Australia Post managed to lose of the kits from the last order, and point blank refused to help locate it. So if you see a Postie wearing the home shirt, ask him where he got it from... This meant I had pay for a replacement shirt out of my own pocket, and I don't think that's entirely fair, considering I'm trying to do everyone a favour.

Paypal also attracts a $2 fee, due to the fact they are rip-off merchants. Alternatively, I accept electronic fund transfers and cold-hard cash.

When contacting me, I will need the following from you:

Name
Address
Home, Away, or Third kit
Shirt Size
Short or long sleeves (remember $11 will be added for long sleeves)
Posted or not ($8 for postage of up to three shirts)

For those that placed an order for the away kit or exchanged sizes... I'm still waiting for those to arrive. The club has dispatched them though, so you should receive them by next Friday at the latest.

I will most likely pre-order a couple of days before it actually goes on sale, so I'm going to set the deadlines at Thursday, 17 September for expressions of interest, and I must have the money in my account by Tuesday, 22 September.

As you can see I've had enough trouble with Australia Post and the Club shop as it is... please make it easier on me by ordering and paying sooner, rather than later.

Crystal Palace v Manchester City LIVE on Fox Sports

I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a City cup-tie on television, but our Carling Cup Second Round match against Crystal Palace will be televised. Tune into Fox Sports 2 at 4:30am Friday for all the action.

Or if you are really keen, a few brave souls will be watching the match at Star City Casino, before tucking into a bacon and egg roll before heading off to work.

We have been knocked out of the last three domestic cups in traumatic circumstances (Brighton and Forest last year, and Sheffield United in the FA Cup the season before). Surely, this is year we can at least get past the first hurdle?

Reports: Richard Dunne to Aston Villa?

In the Joleon Lescott post, I mentioned that there was doubt about the future of Richard Dunne, and it appears that after nine years at City he may be on his way out. There are strong reports that our longest-serving player and club captain is about to move to Aston Villa in a £6million deal.

It would definitely be a bittersweet moment for the club. He has seen the club rise from the darkest depths of the lower divisions, and even stuck around when we were about to go back down there after the 2006-07 season. Although it may sound harsh, he is not the player he once was, and not probably not good enough for the level we hope to achieve — especially with the additions of Toure and Lescott.

So, if he does leave, it is with the very best wishes. Hopefully it's just speculation at this stage. But I'm more concerned about the long-term future of Nedum Onuoha more than anything...

UPDATE 28/08: According to the Official Site, Dunne is discussing personal terms. Bloody hell.