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The Final Countdown: Following Manchester United in the 80’s and 90’s from Sexton to The Nou Camp
With a couple of minutes to go, me and my Brother Shay gave each other ‘the nod’. This non verbal communication meant that as soon as the final whistle went we were offskis. It was also conceding defeat, but there was always hope for one more chance. They say its the hope that kills you but this is Manchester United and they never lost, they just ran out of time. The Third Official held up a board saying 3. Michael Jordan had his Last Dance, this was The Final Countdown.
When Teddy equalised it was an incredible feeling of relief, not just that we were still in the Champions League Final but because this whole adventure that we had dared to dream about wasn’t going to end with a damp squib. We hugged wildly as our shins were battered on the seats in front of us, the bag I had hold of almost went flying into the tier above us and Shay was now wearing a baseball cap that he wasn’t wearing before.
When we finally came up for air we had another corner. We all know what happened next but as I turned to my big Brother in disbelief, he wasn’t there! I somehow knew to look down and he was lay across the floor, having fainted when Solskjaer scored. I knelt to be at his level and for those few moments, despite the pandemonium going on around us, we felt like we were the only two people in The Nou Camp. Limbs were everywhere, flares were being set off and Big Pete was cartwheeling but we noticed none of that. Just a simple conversation as if we were back on Ascot Drive.
“Is that another goal?” He asked as he quickly came round.
“Yes, yes it is” I answered smiling.
“It can’t be another goal?” he spluttered, tears and snot going everywhere.
“It is! It’s 2-1!”
“Well get me up then you daft c**t!”
His power of recovery was remarkable and we partied like it was 1999….but how did we get here? How did we finally get to see The Promised Land of winning the European Cup? Well for that we have to go a very long way back to a cold night in F Stand and Widzew Łódź.
A funny, honest and often moving story of following Manchester United in the 1980’s and 1990’s. If you remember E Stand, Tarzan Boy, The Dog and Partridge, Red Issue and The Miracle of The Nou Camp then this is the book for you.
”Full of emotion and passion. A red life lived….brought back so many memories” - John Ludden (Author of ‘Once Upon a Time in Naples’ and many Manchester United books.)
”A great read. Flows really well and very honest. Love my mention too!” - Pete Boyle (United singing legend and writer of the “Songs from the Bathtub” series)
When Teddy equalised it was an incredible feeling of relief, not just that we were still in the Champions League Final but because this whole adventure that we had dared to dream about wasn’t going to end with a damp squib. We hugged wildly as our shins were battered on the seats in front of us, the bag I had hold of almost went flying into the tier above us and Shay was now wearing a baseball cap that he wasn’t wearing before.
When we finally came up for air we had another corner. We all know what happened next but as I turned to my big Brother in disbelief, he wasn’t there! I somehow knew to look down and he was lay across the floor, having fainted when Solskjaer scored. I knelt to be at his level and for those few moments, despite the pandemonium going on around us, we felt like we were the only two people in The Nou Camp. Limbs were everywhere, flares were being set off and Big Pete was cartwheeling but we noticed none of that. Just a simple conversation as if we were back on Ascot Drive.
“Is that another goal?” He asked as he quickly came round.
“Yes, yes it is” I answered smiling.
“It can’t be another goal?” he spluttered, tears and snot going everywhere.
“It is! It’s 2-1!”
“Well get me up then you daft c**t!”
His power of recovery was remarkable and we partied like it was 1999….but how did we get here? How did we finally get to see The Promised Land of winning the European Cup? Well for that we have to go a very long way back to a cold night in F Stand and Widzew Łódź.
A funny, honest and often moving story of following Manchester United in the 1980’s and 1990’s. If you remember E Stand, Tarzan Boy, The Dog and Partridge, Red Issue and The Miracle of The Nou Camp then this is the book for you.
”Full of emotion and passion. A red life lived….brought back so many memories” - John Ludden (Author of ‘Once Upon a Time in Naples’ and many Manchester United books.)
”A great read. Flows really well and very honest. Love my mention too!” - Pete Boyle (United singing legend and writer of the “Songs from the Bathtub” series)
175 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2022
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July 2, 2023
A must read for any Red who has any knowledge of the 70s, 80s or 90s and any familiarity with Manchester. It made me laugh out loud; made me well up at times; gave me goosebumps; and made me say “oh yeah, I remember…” more times than I recall.
Thanks to the author for his openness, his honesty and his willingness to share all his memories - a great read!
Thanks to the author for his openness, his honesty and his willingness to share all his memories - a great read!
Displaying 1 of 1 review