I'm a City fan born and bread in the Manchester/ Stockport area and can tell you we're not 'plastics', you're confusing us with Man United fans (or rags as we call them LOL

). The club makes it hard to get UCL tickets anyway as none members can't always buy them and the UCL matches are always night games which means those with kids and families can't always make it, it's called responsible parenting.
As for a joke of a club, nonsense!!!! Everywhere I travel when people see my replica shirt (proudly wear it lots of places) and my Man City stickers on my wheelchair, it's always a conversation starter. We're a world famous club and if you check your soccer history you'll see we were up there with the greatest in the 1970's at times.
Anyhow as for your Frank Lampard. IIt will benefit you greatly having him get more games with us. Being at a big club like ours he'll experience top level soccer and playing in front of 50 odd thousand passionate supporters each week which can only improve him for you.