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Who Stuck the Ball in the Arsenal Net?
Two years ago today a Nigerian striker by the name of Obafemi Martins set off the waterworks in thousands of Brummies by tucking the ball away into the Arsenal goal after a horrendous mixup between Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny to win the Carling Cup for Birmingham City.
I have no doubt that there will be lots of people talking about “St Obafemi’s Day” in the Blue half of Birmingham and whilst wallowing in the past is something we accuse our claret and baby blue brethren from up the expressway of, I don’t think there is much harm in recalling those special moments.
It had been one of those games – Lee Bowyer being flagged offside when a penalty should have been given; Keith Fahey hitting the post after breaking clear of the Arsenal backline. Blues showed such dogged determination in defence but one couldn’t help but wonder how much longer they could do it for – and then it happened, and well, the rest is history.
Looking back over the two years that have followed that Carling Cup win – relegation on the last day of the season, the European Tour, the arrest of Carson Yeung and the subsequent money worries I’ve often seen people ask the question was it all worth it – after all, staying in the Premier League would have enabled Blues to be much more financially stable and maybe we wouldn’t be going through some of the heartache that we are right now. I will be honest right now and say that in my opinion, if you’d have taken 17th spot over winning a major trophy, then football isn’t the sport for you.
Whilst the last two years have been somewhat traumatic they have also encapsulated what I love about football – that despite being the little guys, that despite sometimes not having the resources or the players there is always a possibility that on one special day, it can all be yours – and all those trials and tribulations make that special day even more special. It’s a bit cheesy, but seeing so many happy faces just enjoying the presence of being abroad following their team in Maribor, Brugge and Braga remind me why I’m proud to be a Blues fan. Being able to take my daughter to a magical European night at St Andrews – something I always dreamed of as a kid – and seeing my team win handsomely (3-0 over Nacional) will always live long in my memory.
I guess when I’ve got the syrup-coated rose-tinted nostalgia, what I’m trying to say is that despite everything, I wouldn’t change a thing. I know that there are a lot of people unhappy with the way things are at Blues – believe me, I’ve not been too cheerful about them myself of late – but it doesn’t stop me supporting my team and doing what I can to help them win. In a time of doom and gloom, when people are talking boycotts and protests I hope people cast their minds back to two years ago today and remind themselves that when we do all pull together, we are an amazing fanbase. I distinctly remember from watching the commentary on the game on dvd a few days later hearing the commentator say that he’d never heard such noise at Wembley as when Blues scored. Yes, it’s a bit happy-clappy but I’m a firm believer that we should back the shirt – and maybe, just maybe we’ll have another player to thank for another magical moment in the future.
Tags: Obafemi Martins, The Fans
86 Responses to “Who Stuck the Ball in the Arsenal Net?”
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Spot on. That day at Wembley showed the world just who Birmingham City are and, I think, opened a few people’s eyes about the potential of the club and passion of the fans. I know a West Ham fan who was at St Andrew’s for the semi final and he said that in terms of atmosphere he had never experienced anything like it. We’re seen by many neutrals as a big club but the trouble with Blues is there have been too many false dawns over the years (believe me, I’ve been seeing them since 1984). We desperately need to get the club back on track off the pitch – preferably with new owners who can put their money where there mouths are – get back in the Premier League and stabilise ourselves there. Then Blues can really kick on.
That’s the spirit Dan
The only downer on it is the disappearing Wembley/Europe fans who couldn’t give 2 about us now and just post crap on the net.
After all those years of waiting that simple tap in cemented total joy in our hearts til the day we draw our last breath. I still get tearful every time I watch it.
As Winston himself said: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts’
Nice one Paul
I am totally with you – I still get the same buzz and pre-match excitement for Hull City on Saturday as going to Old Trafford or to Macclesfield.
KRO
Just for today I am a happy Bluenose, Thank you for putting a smile on my face.
There were 9 of us who met up in London that day, and eventually we settled at the Carpenters Arms, Marylebone. Everything was normal, until around 30 mins before we were due to go to the stadium, the whole lot of us went silent. None of us could think of a word to say. What broke the ice was an Arsenal fan at the bar telling one of our party “Don’t know why you bothered turning up today”. Then I’m looking around at the Arsenal fans who were all relaxed, laughing and joking. That’s when I first thought we’ve got a chance here.
Absolute quality! It’s been a great roller-coaster, we’ve had many worse times than these and we’ll stay up easily this season, hopefully kick of the next with new owners who can put the sparkle back in to us and the team again.
the most magical weekend of my sporting life.
after watching my beloved blues for 50 years i never thought id see us win anything (excluding 63 )
when i set out on the saturday morning with my 2 sons we were just gratefull to be going to wembley.
we went to twickenham and sung the national anthem and saw england beat france in six nations.
we stopped at premier inn heathrow and didint sleep to well.i ask you how could we as we were so pumped up.
sunday came and we went through all the emotions of the day and was dreading extra time as we all know we were on our knees.
then the unthinkable happened and the tears of joy after will live forever in our memory,
i wouldnt swop being a bluenose for any money and i love em to bits win or lose.
im a brummie born and bred and so proud i could burst.
keep right on !
100% agree. Never seen my uncles. dad, brother all in floods of tears – at long last a major trophy.
It was my birthday weekend and would not have swapped it for anything else.
We had a lock in till 4 in the morning with several chants of KRO, sotv and laughing to the ” f all, we’ve never won f all” – The experience of winning something trumps anything else I’ve ever experienced as a blues fan
Being last on MOTD isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and as you as say, premiership survival comes no where near THAT day
Keep Right On
Best Blues day of my life.
For a fan of 35 years who is in no way as hard-core as many who post on this blog (I’ve never had a season ticket), it was a very special day even watching on telly. I have no idea how much it can have meant to those who have over the years spent thousands and thousands of pounds and thousands and thousands of hours going to games. They are the ones who really deserved it — I guess you know who you are.
Such a great day, the noise and the euphoria at Wembley will never be matched by any other club ever. I remember Roger Johnson and Martin Jiranek being immense at the back, Johnson more so as he played most of the second half with one of his legs hanging off. Look where he is now, warming the Dingles bench and looking forward to League One football. Hopefully Hull will play like they did last week on saturday and we’ll be clear of all that mess.
At the time I’d been following the club for 37 years, and it was the sheer elation at the final whistle that I’ll never forget. I never felt happier as a Blues fan, and as soon as I left the ground I had a “Did that happen” moment.On the train journey home, I could hear people celebrating in the distance, but I was staring out of the window. We got to the Anchor around 10.30, it was busy and suprisingly quiet. Then we realised we’ve got the whole of Europe in front of us. Where do you want to go? We’re all going Germany, Spain etc. One bloke said Rhyl. His auntie lives there…..
Great story & have to agree 100%. But just think of this scenario. IF we hadn’t won the cup & IF we had finished 17th, would we be any better off?, the one thing that wouldn’t of changed is the arrest of CY, so the answer for me would be a resounding NO, it could possibly be that we would of been a lot worse off if we hadn’t won the cup.
While agreeing with your feelings,,,,,nothing compares with hearing K.R.O ringing out in “56” for the first time,,,,,drowning out “Blaydon Races”,,,,from ALL four sides of the ground,,,,,55,000 at Wembley,,,belting it out against Tranmere and Carlise,,,,,,the Carling Cup you shared the stadium with “Gooners”,,,,,,and neutrals !,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I have stood on the “Tilton” and cried, simply because we beat “Norwich to avoid relegation with about 50 other grown men sobbing on each others shoulders,,,,,winning that cup was great for you younger fans,,,,,I admit I shed tears at the final whistle like so many other “Internet Warriors”,,,,,but its all in the past,,,,,remember while you can ,,,,,but dont dwell on past glory,,,,,,look forward to the future,,,,,we may be stuck with what we have for now,,,,,but tomorrow is a new day with better things ahead,,,,,,who knows one day we may even win,,,,,,,,,,”THE Cup” [ please before I pop me clogs ! ]
Even on a day of celebratory reflection The VOR can’t resist getting in another of his tedious and boring Wembley / Europe jibes. Give it a rest please.
What was so fantastic, was that Obefani’s goal came so late, that it was effectively a “Golden Goal”. Reminds me of that other fantastic Golden Goal scored by Paul Tait in the 1995 AutoWindscreens Final. Blues took 40,000+ fans to 2 minor cup finals, wander how many teams would do that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1nwfwvCi6c
KRO
Not to sound too much like our in house attendance policeman (although I probably can’t argue with what his response to this will be) but it was intersting that there were around 35k at Wembley two years ago yet when my cousin and I went up to Everton for a night game a few days later there were about 400 of us there that night.
Ali, 52,000 at Newcastle for a game against Southampton last Sunday dinner time. We may just have to accept that the proportion of TrueBlue to Fairweather supporters in our fan base is not where we need to be to be able to compete with some of the big clubs out there.
If ever there was a Rolls Royce of a day this was it. 7 of us met at Great Portland Street and had lunch and multiple beers before heading up to sample the atmosphere around Wembley. We couldn’t get in any boozers but stood outside a hotel with cans singing our lungs out. Still can’t believe it really happened. Got on the beers to celebrate after too and just in just in time for the highlights.
Loved sticking it to the cocky arrogant Arsenal fans too. Pure poetry.
Probably one of the best days of my life – Blues, family, beers and silverware.
what a sunday that was!!! literally, time stood still when Oba scored that goal. amazing!!!
Lots of comment about what is a true blue, so here is the acid test. I defy you to watch this and not shed a tear!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueI28Njz_Xk
KRO
This is the one that still makes me cry. The same as that day..
http://youtu.be/aKubu-ZU2Gs
An truly wonderful and unforgettable day. From the moment I got up (my wife who’s not into football made me an extra special breakfast as she knew what the day meant to me!), to the moment I arrived back home drunk and tired at 1.30am, memories of the whole day will remain with me forever. I’d been a fan for 36 years up to that point and I thought Darren Purse’s late penalty at Cardiff in 2001 would be as good as it ever got. The whole atmosphere was just fantastic, as was the old man next to me who’d been a fan since 1946 and burst into tears at the final whistle. If we do on to win something again will it be as good as the first time? On a slightly different point Al, I’m fed of the constant cup win v 17th in the prem debate. As far as I’m concerned there is NO debate. The two are not mutually exclusive (as I’m sure Swansea will prove) and everyone connected to Birmimgham City should be striving to ensure this. Until the “losing” mentality that surrounds the club is overcome, BCFC will never fulfill it’s potential!
Nice read Stevie. I share your sentiment regarding Purse’s penalty. Losing in Cardiff was (along with the 5-0 spanking at Od Trafford that January) probably my most miserable day ever at the Blues and I too never thought we would get past a cup final defeat in my lifetime. I think the players genuinley knew what it meant to the fans and that ‘all in it together mentality’ helped create a truely wonderful day.
50.000 for a second division match I have seen that
I seem to remember a 50,000 gate against Cardiff in the 70’s. I think it was during a Bank Holiday. Also at the 6th Round FA Cup game against Huddersfield 18th March 1972. Gate was 52,470 and Page, Hatton and Latchford scored in a 3-1 victory (I remember being there but had to rely on Wicki for the stats!!)
KRO
57,000 for a cup game v Everton ,,,,,I was there,,,,regular 40,000 plus for a normal game,,,,and the obvious one 55,000 v Vile every time,,,all in the days when it was still a working class game
A day I thought I would never see , Blues winning a major trophy , & your spot on if 17th spot is more important than winning a major trophy, then what is the point .
On the other side of the fence, below are Ben Foster’s recollections the most memorable footballing day his life, which says it all…
“Without a doubt, the Carling Cup final in 2011. Birmingham City beating Arsenal. I wanted to cry in the post-match interview, I was so happy. It was up there with the birth of my kids.
We were like 8-1 with the bookmakers to win in 90 minutes. Then, doing so in the 89th minute – with an assist – as soon as the whistle went, we all just sprinted down the other end of the pitch to start the party.
But I had a feeling it could happen. We were in the tunnel before the game. At Wembley, the changing-room doors face each other. Just before you line-up, you can see into the opposition’s dressing-room
Our skipper, Steven Carr, is in front of me as we are waiting to go out. We can see Arsenal, not talking to each other. On the other hand, we are geeing up one another, shouting: ‘Come on,’ ‘This is it,’ or whatever and Carr just turned around and said: ‘Just take a look at them, will you?’ They might have got good players, but they ain’t got what we have in this dressing-room.’
It was class. It gives me goose-bumps now just thinking about it. He’s one of the best captains anyone could play for. Stevie Carr is a leader of men “
Thanks for posting that Blueboy. Sent a tingle down my spine. Hairs on back of neck etc.
When we all remember what a glorious day that was for all Bluenoses – surreal in many ways, it makes it all the more harder to accept where we are now. That Cup win was along time coming and nobody can argue that it was not deserved. To think of the teams we done over in the process and the electric nights at St Andrews, it will live forever in the memories of those of us that were there.
I remember how excited kids – including my own – started asking their dads about europe and trips to the continent and all the exoticness that would entail. We had been starved for so long that we were verifiably ravenous, and here was the opportunity for an eat as much as you can buffet!!!
Oh those balmy days…
But I would say that I would much rather have those “special nights” as rarities rather than a regular occurence because that way they retain their magical qualities. If we can sort ourselves out in the summer – on and off the pitch and mount a serious challenge for promotion next season, who is to say we will not experience them again in the next few years??
We should always live in rising spirits.
Nobody should ever accept the utter drudgery of simply ‘surviving’ in the EPL every year.
Here’s to the next time the Blue Army invade Wembley.
Yes in my dazed, surreal state I was bought back down to earht with a bump when my little lad asked Dad can we go to Europe. Couldn’t answer and just stood there full of love for him/us weeping like a baby.
There really was something special in the air on those wonderful nights.
The spontaneity of joy, relief, happiness, amazement against what is a cynical, sometimes merciless game nowadays, was a sight to behold and can only be borne from genuine feelings.
But there will come a time again when the hordes of Brum grace foreign shores and people will genuinely stop and stare in disbelief. Hopefully by then all the current issues will be but a distant memory….
Great post BB – might watch the final again tonight!
KRO
myself and my lad went on the national express that day with no idea how we would get home when we got back to Brum. We live 30 miles away in woodville Derbyshire. After a very expensive “but hey well worth it given what had gone before” taxi ride home we stopped at the curry house for food before taking the short walk home, where immediately 3 cars came past us scarves flailing horns blaring and people out the windows wallowing in the blues success of the day. Blues are far and wide these days and its nice not to be the “only Blue in the village”. For a change.
Your lad will love you forever and will never forget you for taking him
I have said this to many that have asked me. I would have taken the Cup win and relegation over an exit and survival. No question!!! We are Blues fans, we’ve been to the depths of darkness before AND we have experienced some exceptional highs in recent time. We know what is means to support a club like Birmingham and we have the credentials (do Villa fans?). So we do it again, we wait and we dream.
The Cup win was sweater than most teams in this country would enjoy, because of the journey we’ve all been on to see it happen. England is at it’s most beautiful and green on a scorching hot sunny day, but only because of the miserable rain it endures for the most part, but on that day, all is worth it. Do the Spanish feel what we feel when a glorious day arrives?
Enjoy St Obafemi day !!!!!!!!!!!! and your all spot on about cup win against 17th position but unfortunetlely therin lies the problem with our game – too many business men – foreign get rich quick merchants – an Australian scally ( Murdoch ) all got involved in the running of our game and to their detriment 17th position DOES rank higher than a glorious superb day and win at the Cathedral of our minds and vision – I for one will NEVER EVER forget that brilliant weekend Harrow on the Sat night with 200 / 300 very boistrous Blues who debated long into the wee hours who hated Villa more lol then the day of all days men – women – boys – girls all dressed in Royal Blue – hats – scarfes – gloves – shirts even saw a panto horse Brilliant and lest I am fullfilled thanks to Obafemi again ENJOY ST OBAFEMI DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im sure in years to come Alex Mcleish and his Cup winning team will get a warm welcome back onto the St Andrews pitch. It was a remarkable day and a remarkable achievement.
No chance
Some great posts on here brings it all back WHAT A DAY,i was working in london at the time,funny not many arsenal tops about after we,d beat them, dont think i took my blues top off for the rest of my time working down there,and met quite a few happy spurs fans haha.
Just to update the Obafemi Martins story. According to the Spanish media he is unhappy at Levante and is trying to push through a move to Seattle Sounders in the MLS.
…still feel really cheated at not having a official parade…..what a shame!
Well said. Thanks for reminding us. KRO
I have a many fond memories of that Carling night. Obviously seeing the trophy lifted very closely followed by what happened as I left the ground. Surrounded by Arsenal fans walking to the tube (as I was in the end they were) all I could hear was Cockney accents banging on about “How unbelievable it has been that they as such a talented side (Arsenal) could be beaten by a second rate team whose only strategy was route one!”
I really felt like saying “Yeah but we won, and your still going to be playing pretty football for the next few years and still not winning anything.” However I didn’t as I was opposed to spending that night in A&E. Great, great night and one I am sure we all hope can be repeated in the not too distant. . . . .
What will never leave me is the hundreds of Arsenal fans who left with minutes of stoppage time left. Honestly, who the ‘kin ell leaves a cup final 3 minutes before the end when there is potentially the chance to equalise. Unbelievable scenes. Made me very proud to be a Blue while piss poor fans in red and white disgraced their club and showed what plastic, glory supporting, idiot consumer “fans” they are.
I am reading all these posts with tears rolling down my cheeks! Thanks for bring back all the happy memories. A fantastic day that no one can ever take away.
What a great blog, cheered me up no end.
Wouldn’t change that day for anything, never thought as a blues fan we would ever top John Gayles winner against tranny rivers, still the best goal ever scored at wembly.
I will never forget the semi final against the hammers, the last game my father was to see at Stans before his demise, what makes it special was the first game he took me too was against West Ham in 1980 finished 0-0 Gemmil,Towers,Gallagher,Curbishley all on show.
God bless him
Thanks for rekindling the memories AJ
Tranny Rovers that should be,
Tell you what, reading some of these comments take you back and almost makes you well up a bit. Living in Daventry I got on at Northampton and every stop on the way to Wembley a hand full of Blues got on. I remember getting off the train at Wembley and going in to a Wetherspoons around the corner and it was getting packed out at 11.30 am. The noise was something else but no one could ever write the script at Wembley. We were even herded on to a train on the way back and no one knew where it was heading.We found out half way back it was changing at Milton Keynes and it was packed to the rafters of joyful (chose the words carefully) of Blue noses. A magical day, let’s hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel and maybe just maybe we get to re live that experience once again. KRO
Tranny Rivers, I know him well!!! LOL
Marky Mark that has really cheered me up. . .
I still have the sore neck where the navvy in the row in front grabbed my neck and hung on….. worth it though.
Arsenal had the talent, we had the team…
It was a warm Sunday afternoon in sunny Cyprus.My friend Glen a devoted Arsenal supporter,.sat next to me in the comfort of my home as we watched the game live on satelite TV.The Lounge was littered with beer cans (Efes) and a bottle of White Rum was calling to be opened .Nerves set in early doors and to my surprise Glen being full of cockney provardo offered me a bet ,£100 to a local Cancer Charity to be paid by the loser.Full of White Rum and the excitement of the day I said “right you’re on mate” not thinking for a moment he would have to put his hand in his very deep pocket.
The rest is history.,I woke up the following morning with the mother of all hangovers,the charity is £100 better off and Glen is still calling me a Brummie B…..d.
Did I cry on the day-you bet I did.!
Oh the joys of sweet victory.
Please god another one soon-hey!
Cant see why Mcleish and side should not get a warm welcome back to Stans
Prewar hits the nail on the head it was a working class game, way before the prawn sarnie glory hunters got in to it. If you were born in Small Heath or Sparkbrook, Bordesley green, you were born to follow the blue, not Arsenal, Leeds Man utd, as now
when i’m feeling down i just watch that goal !! truly the greatest day ever as a blues fan !!
Oi What about Sheldon?!
Dont Knock the prawn sarnie brigade Tony mate,,,,thank to them my kid brother went to Cardiff for the “Liverpool” game,,,,,,,all curtesey of “Mitchells and Butlers,,,,,met all the team [ not that he remembers much about it as all drinks were free on the coach [there and back],,,,,also caused a family mystery,,,,got greeted by T.F,s wife Helen,,,,,she knew him but he,s damned if he knows from where,,,,,all drinks at the party were free as well,,,,,thanks to a prawn sarnie type the coach was diverted to pick him up at his local pub
Got a tweet from Oba today, he hasn’t forgotten and sends all his love to his ‘Birmingham family’
Read somewhere that Oba’s full amount of playing time for Blues comes to around 4 full games.
Not bad,if true, leaving with a medal and legendary status
4 games, 2 goals, one cup winners medal. Not a bad career record for a Blues player!!!
Irrespective of the circumstances of the ginger ones departure, the fact remains he was the best manager we have had in over 30 years, he won us a cup and assembled a very good side, I for one am eternally gratefull for his achievements and dont mind admitting Wishing he was back here now.
Alex McLeish – now there’s an entirely different subject. Don’t you think though the Carling Cup Success highlighted his deficiencies in the Premier? What I mean is the Carling Cup games were the only games he threw caution to the wind, was positive, and went out to WIN. Premier league was 4-5-1 with Jerome alone up-front, trying to “nick” games 1-0??
What a day , ! no one expected us to do the mighty arsenal. Me and a pal run coaches to most away games. We sorted out our pub 10 minutes away from wembley , then called and texted pals etc as we knew the 2 main boozers were going to be rammed. After the game we celebrated and travelled back at around 9pm. Odd thing was I had 50 on my coach going and 76 coming back. We bounced all the back up the m40. great day.
Folks, whilst we are all cherishing our memories of that great day, lets take the opportunity to get a great crowd down for the next game. Whilst on the subject, saw this offer for the Derby game. Match, pie, drink and program for £20! KRO
http://www.viagogo.co.uk/sky/offer2?affiliateID=100022337&PCID=HAFFGBSKYPILBCVDE5D837280F-SSEM1
Well said (although it’s 25.60 including booking and handling fee)
Now you’re just being silly Sol
My first experience of watching us get beaten in the latter stages of a cup was by QPR in 67. I then watched us lose to West Brom in 68 and over time including losing in 75 in a semi against Fulham I started to resign myself to the belief that winning cups was something I was unlikely to see my BCFC team achieve. The pattern of course continued for another 36 years and although i was always there watching in hope it could surely never happen for the Blues to beat Arsenal.
The fact it did happen was worth every minute of the wait. The pride I filled up with that day will stay with me forever.
It made standing outside St Andrews for 8 hours queuing in the cold for a ticket for the Bruges match a pleasure !!
That “Cup ” run in “67” ended by Q.P.R was a 2 leged semi final for the then “League Cup [the original name for the “Carling Cup” ,Denis Mate,,,,they stuffed us 1-3 and 4-1, thanks to a player named “Rodney Marsh” [ and the “Baggies” in the final as well],,,it was supposed to be a walk over,,,,,they were only a 3rd Division side,,,,didnt have a chance,,,,they turned up for the game ,,,,we didnt !.
68 semi final only “John Osborne” saved the “Baggies” from being hammered out of sight,,,,,oh and our “NZ” of the day bottling [ Barry Bridges}.
75 semi,,,,,Fulham won morally the first game,,,,,we never turned up [nothing unusual there],the replay we murdered them but the ball just wouldnt go in
oh, and quequing for 8 hours for a ticket,,,,,try 12hours for a semi final ticket in 68 in pouring rain,,,,,and being sedated in Germany when we beat Chelsea 1-0 due to the celebrations when “Fred Pickering” scored !
p.s I was in a military hospital recovering from injury, listening to the radio, sharing a room with a bloke with severe frostbite of both feet who was not allowed out of bed,,,,,he legged it to get a nurse rapid,,,,,,i was still celebrating,,,,buggers knocked me out with an injection, didnt come round for 2 days,,,,,AND they stopped me beer ration for the week as punishment !!
Prewar , Dont forget the 1972 FA Cup semi v a top Leeds side at Hillsborough,
In the Red Away Penguin Kit..
Rejoice. Rejoice. I watched the game again on DVD on Sunday and re-lived every moment. What struck me watching it again was how every one of our players had the game of their lives that day. Ferguson, Carr and Bowyer played like they were 21 again. Immense. Fahey grew some balls. Zigic put in a shift. Foster saved with his arms, his legs, his arse. Larsson was like a gazelle. Ridgewell went on one mazy, Messi like run into the box. As someone already said, Johnson played with his leg falling off. Lol. Jiranek was like the Berlin Wall before it came down. Gardner was still a blue nose. And then…..some Nigerian gold-digger swaggered onto the pitch, went down like a sack of potatoes in his own half to buy a free kick and…… the rest is history! After that goal with Arsenal swarming forward Martins had two further chances as the ball was hoofed down the left wing. He was on fire. We were delirious. Weirdest thing was that it was dead quiet on the way back on the train. Everyone emotionally spent and coming to terms with the fact that we had dreamt the impossible dream.
38 years of mostly misery – all worth it for that one wonderful day. Does anyone remember that fractiona moment of silence after the ball went in?
I heard Trevor Francis interviewed on the radio a few weeks later saying “the minute the ball hit the net my first reaction was to look at the ref to see why he was not going to give it – then rubbed my eyes in disbeief when I saw him pointing to the centre-circle for the re-start”” My thoughts exactly, followed by two blurred minutes when I completey lost my voice and hugged manically anyone within an arms length of me!!!
Gold. I had not heard that quote. Love it.
After my family I love no-one more than TF
Agreed if for no better reason that just the mention of his name makes each & every vilers piss boil..
Sheldon was a leafy suberb back in the 50s bluenose
Alum Rock working class or leafy 50’s suburb Tony ?
Great day, great memories forever.
I guess that’s why people get so upset on here at our current plight….cos we’ve all seen what we CAN do.
Lets keep the dream alive one game at a time.
KRO
What a day that was. I flew over from Oz, more in hope than belief, travelled from Brum on one of the 90 odd coaches and wow – an experience, an excitement, a memory like no other.
I really don’t think I will ever experience such a special sporting moment again, even if we win bigger trophies, that day and being part of it was the most special of experiences and provokes extreme emotion.
Unlike yourself aussiebrun i couldn’t get there so watched it here live at some ungodly hour. I can remember dancing around the lounge room after the martins goal- unbelievable! The only other time i felt so proud & happy to be a bluenose was the play-off v Norwich with the penalty shoot out & Darren Carter’s final penalty. Great times. KRO
K R O. Love the article…won’t change it
As by some spurs fans on their train to Lyon if I would swap the cup for staying up…. They just dont understand the happiness of that day and Europe. Bruges was possible the greatest night in my life ever!!!
From where I live in Cricklewood I can see across Gladstone Park to Wembley Stadium from our kitchen window. Every time I look out there I think about that day. Going to get the papers on Sunday morning I saw Bradford City fans making the same journey I did with my brother, down from Rubery, two years ago. Wished the Bradford fans well but couldn’t help feeling envious, knowing the kind of experience they were going to have (in the end ours turned out a lot better!).
I remember after we won, when we were both drunkenly trying to explain to the missus why it meant so much, my brother pointed out, as many on here have done, how it make up for all the bad times and heartbreaks of being a season ticket holder in the seventies, travelling all over the country to see us lose from freezing terraces and just about avoiding relegation most years. Particularly it made up for Maine Road 1975, when Fulham’s John Mitchell blatantly hand balled into the net in the last minute, stopping us from going to the F.A Cup final… it was all worth it when Martins pounced…
Couldn’t have been written any better, this article and that weekend KRO
Akum rock always workingt class blue
Great article brought back happy memories. Shame our council is villa loving scumbags that refused us a proper reception. Look at the way Swansea were allowed by their council.