Manchester City's first major scandal erupted in 1906 when star player Billy Meredith was heard offering a £10 bribe to Aston Villa's captain during a title-deciding match in 1905. This triggered an FA investigation that uncovered systematic illicit payments to players—including Meredith earning £6 per week when the maximum wage was £4—leading to the banning of 17 players from the club and two directors receiving lifetime bans. The scandal had lasting consequences, with City being relegated three years later and not winning the league title again until 1931.

Despite the ban, Meredith experienced a remarkable redemption. The wiry winger is now considered one of the greatest British footballers, ranked alongside Stanley Matthews in football history, and played for both Manchester City and Manchester United—appearing in United's hall of fame. The article suggests this historical case offers lessons for modern football, demonstrating that strong punishments can be effective and that rapidly rising clubs built on unstable foundations are prone to spectacular falls.