The Premiership. The very mention of the name is enough to stir thoughts of City competing with the very best English football has to offer.

When the Premier League was formed in the summer of 1992 there were sceptics who felt that the new league would be no different from the old First Division.

However as history has proved that could not be further from the truth. The influx of Sky Television money has changed the face of football in this country forever, and as the Millennium approaches many consider the Premiership to be the best league in the world.

In terms of quality this is certainly open to debate, but one thing cannot be disputed - it is definitely the most exciting in the world.

That is why around 450 million people around the world tune in to watch live Premiership action every week. Some of the biggest names in the sport play in the Premiership and the fact is that City will be rubbing shoulders with every one of those 'big' names.

Any look at the Premiership has to start with Manchester United. Since the advent of the Premiership, United have managed to win four titles while never finishing outside the top two - a remarkable record which illustrates just what a force Alex Ferguson's club have been.

Later this month they may well lift the European Cup for the first time in more than 30 years, but they have already proved themselves to be one of the best two club sides in Europe.

David Beckham, Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke et al will, however, be plying their trade at Valley Parade next season no matter what happens in Barcelona on May 26. And if that is not reason alone for City fans to look forward to the new season, then I don't know what is.

A visit to Old Trafford is also something to saviour because the recent building work has made it comfortably the best club ground in England.

However, it does have good competition with Anfield, Elland Road and Villa Park all having staged international games as recently as Euro '96. These mouth-watering trips certainly mean an enjoyable season on the road for City's travelling fans.

Arsenal and Chelsea are two other clubs who can realistically claim to have some of the biggest names in European football, and lining up against these players will be the ultimate test for Paul Jewell's side.

Having taken that into account, City will certainly not start next season in awe of their opponents. The Bantams have earned their current success over a long and tiring First Division season and I certainly do not subscribe to the theory that they will be coming down with the Christmas decorations.

At the time of writing, Blackburn look certainties for the drop which will ensure that either Charlton or Southampton will be in the Premiership next season.

That, coupled with one of Ipswich, Birmingham, Bolton or Watford also coming up, means that there will be plenty of competition in the battle to avoid the drop.

Add to that sides such as Coventry, Leicester, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Wimbledon and Everton and it is clear that City, providing the squad is markedly strengthened, have as good a chance as anyone of staying up.

What is for sure is that next season promises to be a classic - no matter what happens.

The prospect of so many world-renowned players visiting Valley Parade is enough to ensure the summer flies by for many supporters in a flash.

I know I cannot wait to see City pitting their wits against the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Nicolas Anelka, Dennis Bergkamp, Kevin Phillips and Brian Deane (sorry about the last one!) on a weekly basis.

It promises to be a season to saviour for everyone at Valley Parade and hopefully Paul Jewell can again work his magic and maintain Premiership football at Valley Parade in the new Millennium.

Richard Sutcliffe

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.