Manchester City will play in the UEFA Cup next season after claiming a place through the Premier League Fair Play table.
City finished sixth in the Fair Play league and qualify because they were the highest placed team that haven't already qualified for Europe.
It means City will enter the competition at the first qualifying round stage in July on what they hope will be the start of a long run to the final in Istanbul next May.
main stages
Having gained entry into the competition, one year ahead of schedule according to the blueprint of owner Thaksin Shinawatra, City will be fancied to reach the main stages in September.
While the draw for the first qualifying round is not due to be made until 30th June, City already know they have been placed in the Northern section.
This puts them in line to face opposition from Estonia, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Lithuania or Luxembourg, plus opposition closer to home in the form of two Northern Irish representatives Glentoran and Cliftonville, two from the Republic in Cork City and current league leaders St Patrick's Athletic, as well as Bangor from Wales.
There is also the possibility of a rematch with Wales' other representatives The New Saints who, as Total Network Solutions, faced City when they last got into the UEFA Cup by the same route in 2003.
To view the Fair Play table, click here.
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