It is 1976 since City last won a major trophy - a League Cup win over Newcastle at Wembley.

Seventeen managers have spent time in charge of the Blues since then - and none of them have managed a repeat success.

Horton was number 10, registering 16th and 17th-placed Premier League finishes in the early 1990s before being replaced by Alan Ball, who promptly took City down.

Although his own career path has taken him elsewhere, currently Hull, where he is assistant to manager Phil Brown, Horton has retained a keen interest in events at City.

He was present to witness Sunday's derby defeat of Manchester United, which maintained the Blues' 100% record under Sven-Goran Eriksson and saw them rise to the top of the table.

And while Horton accepts the current campaign is at a very early stage, the signs under new owner Thaksin Shinawatra are encouraging.

"You don't have to be around Manchester City for long to recognise how desperate the supporters are for success," he said.

"They get over 40,000 for every home game and they are all just waiting for something to happen.

"The previous chairman, John Wardle, did a terrific job. He gave them money and they moved stadiums.

"But now it has all moved onto the next level. The Premier League is a billionaire's playground now and Dr Thaksin has given Sven bundles of money.

"It is only a couple of weeks ago that people were questioning his signings and laughing at the fact he only bought them from videos.

"Now they are saying what good players they are. It is very early yet of course, but the signs are good."

While Horton has been impressed with Eriksson's global recruitment policy, recognising Brazilian midfielder Elano to be a particularly astute purchase, he accepts it is a player who was at City long before the Swede arrived who has been the real star of the show so far.

In Micah Richards, the Blues academy has unearthed a genuine star.

After excelling in central defence for City so far this term, the 19-year-old is likely to find himself deployed at right-back for England against Germany tomorrow, with Horton thrilled at the emergence of such a fabulous young prospect.

"When Wayne Rooney came through he got a lot of attention because he was a forward," observed Horton.

"The spotlight has not been on Micah quite as much but I would say in their respective positions, he and Rooney are on a par.

"I have seen Micah play at right-back, when he was excellent, central midfield when he was excellent and now at centre-back, where he was exceptional.

"People connected with the club say he wants to listen and learn, which is good to hear because it suggests he has a good head on his shoulders.

"He is exceptionally strong and has pace to burn. Defending is an art - and he has got it.

"I will never forget seeing Bobby Moore play and I was fortunate enough to play alongside two outstanding defenders in Steve Foster and Mark Lawrenson. You are always reluctant to make comparisons but the signs are, in Micah Richards, we have an English defender of the very highest order."