Manchester City faced Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions in 2003 UEFA Cup tie

In 2003, Manchester City drew the tiny Welsh side Total Network Solutions (TNS) for a UEFA Cup qualifier, playing the first leg at the new Etihad and the return at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

When the 2003 UEFA Cup qualifying draw was made, Manchester City were paired with Total Network Solutions, a club from the Welsh border town of Oswestry that had adopted its sponsor’s name. The first leg was notable for being the first official match at Manchester’s new Etihad Stadium, though safety limits capped the crowd at 34,103. Because TNS’s Recreation Ground held only 2,000 seats, the return leg was moved to the 70,000-plus Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

City progressed with a 7-0 aggregate win, scoring through Trevor Sinclair, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Sun Jihai, David Sommeil and Nicolas Anelka, while TNS’s Gary Brabin later recalled being the first player booked at the Etihad. The anticipated 30,000 travelling fans never materialised; the Cardiff fixture attracted 10,123 spectators, including around 8,000 City supporters. Former City keeper David Seaman and manager Kevin Keegan reflected on the oddity of facing a non-league Welsh side, while Brabin now serves as sporting director for the rebranded New Saints.