For years they have been the butt of jokes, but now Manchester City fans are laughing all the way to the bank with the billions coming in to their beloved club.

The Arab investment into City came as an almighty shock to the supporters, not least to those based in Northern Ireland.

Over the last 15 years, members of the First Belfast Manchester City Supporters Club have had to put up with wisecracks from Manchester United followers who have enjoyed success after success.

Now though the City boys can tell their United counterparts: “We’re coming to get you”.

The incredible investment into the blue half of Manchester has of course already riled Chelsea with their transfer target Robinho moving from Real Madrid to Eastlands in a record breaking £32 million move.

Ironically City and Chelsea meet tomorrow in the Premier League in what promises to be a cracking encounter.

The atmosphere is sure to be electric with City supporters no doubt enjoying the opportunity to taunt Chelsea about their new found wealth which dwarfs that of Roman Abramovic.

City fans are still trying to come to terms with what happened.

Honorary life member of the Belfast club, Davy McLean, says; “A week is supposed to be a long time in politics. Well, it’s even longer in football. What has happened recently is incredible. We are now the richest club in the world. All this came out of the blue and into the blue. We are delighted.

“For years we have taken stick, now we have the finances to go out and buy the best players in the world and hopefully in turn wins lots of silverware. I’d fancy Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo coming to the club. That would be fun.”

Chairman of the Belfast City Supporters Club Johnny Wright adds: “I wouldn’t mind Kaka but I don’t want Ronaldo or any United players.

“I’m more than happy with having Mark Hughes as manager. That will be do me with the United connections.

“I actually think our squad is pretty strong at the moment and our aim this season must be to break into the top four. I’m sure if we are there or thereabouts in January when the transfer window opens we’ll make a few buys.

“Anything is possible with City now. I must admit when I heard about the takeover I thought it was a wind up. I was shellshocked. This will put us back at the top where we belong.”

You can sense the City supporters are enjoying making these comments that would have been laughed out of town a few weeks ago.

Secretary of the Belfast City club Aaron Hill states: “It’s been a fantastic time for all City fans. We’re loving it. As for the transfer targets, I’d like Fernando Torres or maybe even Deco from Chelsea!”