ICP Networks MD Matt Archer secured a moment of Manchester City history – by beating off rival bidders at the CITC Golf Day for the last of the four Premiership winning corner flags.
The IT chief paid a staggering £2,000 for the historic momento signed by City’s goalscorers Edin Dzeko, sensational match winner Sergio Aguero and skipper Vincent Kompany.
It marked City’s first title triumph for 44 years and sparked scenes of bedlam with the majority of even the most die hard City fans convinced the title was on it’s way to Old Trafford.
Trailing to a Djibril Cisse goals the impossible dream looked over for City until Dzeko equalised in the second of five minutes stoppage time before Aguero popped up to score the winner, a fitting conclusion one of the most dramatic conclusions to a Premier League season.
Unfortunately for City’s charity causes one of the four corner flags was stolen but the other three were signed by the triumphant trio and have been auctioned to raise a substantial sum for City causes.
History
ICP Networks MD Matt Archer, said: “It is an incredible piece of history for Manchester City but football fans in general, it was a heart stopping finish to a truly incredible season.
“The fact that they are able to use such a moment as a way to raise funds for an incredible cause such as the CITC project was a double incentive for me and I’m delighted we were able to secure the piece.
“ICP Networks are very proud of our South Manchester roots and we have collected a number of wonderful moments which we are proud to showcase at our fabulous new Head Office.
“It certainly creates a talking point with our customers and re-enforces our view in that Manchester is most certainly the place to be. Manchester is the power base of British football, whether you support red or blue, it is rapidly becoming the hub for the media and entertainment industry and it is has fantastic business opportunities.
“Once again I would like to thank Manchester City FC and the CITC team for their kind hospitality and we are delighted to play a small part in supporting their ongoing success.”
The bidding for the corner flag was almost as heart stopping as City’s Premiership success. Whether nerves took hold or maybe there was an element of poker playing from some in the room the bids started slowly.
Former City legend Gary Owen hosted the impromptu auction and he quickly grasped the fact that Matt Archer was determined to land the prize for ICP Networks.
Jaw Dropping
Matt lead the way from start to finish, as bids crept up from £200 to £300 to £500 before increasing to £1,000, then £1,500 before delivering a jaw dropping £2,000 bid which drew huge applause from the room.
Owen, former City legends Franny Lee, Mike Summerbee and Patrick Vieira led the cheers for ICP Networks winning bid before joining Matt Archer for the presentation.
ICP Networks MD Matt Archer added: “It was a great day day and the auction was a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for the CITC project and let’s face it, there was an opportunity to own a part of footballing history and we were delighted to secure the winning bid.
“It is a truly special way to remember an incredible achievement that was truly well deserved and I am delighted that we were successful despite some pretty fierce opposition. It was a fitting end to a fabulous day and evening that followed.”
ICP Networks are proud to have secured the last of the four corner flags from that incredible day that City secured the Premiership title against QPR. It will be given pride of place.