Last-day catastrophe that cost United the title

Suedesi · 8th May 2008, 04:57

Interesting read:

Quote:

Last-day catastrophe that cost United the title

When the title went down to the wire 40 years ago Matt Busby's team failed the test

Daniel Taylor
The Guardian,
Thursday May 8 2008
Article history

About this article

Close
This article appeared in the Guardian on Thursday May 08 2008 on p3 of the Sport news & features section. It was last updated at 00:08 on May 08 2008.

It is, as Sky keeps reminding us, the "most amazing weekend ever" since, well, the last time it told us that. But aside from the hype, this is not actually the first time two clubs have gone into the final weekend of the league season level on points at the top of the table and so evenly matched you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between them. And Manchester United supporters of a certain generation - or, at least, those who have chosen not to airbrush it from the club's history - could be forgiven for feeling an unnerving sense of deja vu.
On Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson's players will go to Wigan Athletic hoping to see off Chelsea in a title race which, more than anything, has become a feat of endurance. It is the first time for 40 years that the leading sides have been separated by nothing more than a simple formula with 90 minutes to play. Then, as now, United were one of the clubs involved, with a European Cup final also on the horizon, although then they were still a semi-final second leg away. But the similarities do not end there. In 1968 Sir Matt Busby was missing his star striker, Denis Law, through injury; now Ferguson is fretting about Wayne Rooney. It was to be a chastening experience - and, again, the last match of the domestic season fell on May 11.
"The situation was clear," recalled Wilf McGuinness, one of Sir Matt Busby's trainers of the time. "We had to win and hope that we got a better result than Manchester City, who were playing at Newcastle. We had a home match against Sunderland, who weren't doing well in the league, and it was expected that we would win. We expected to win and our supporters certainly expected it. So what happened next was, in football terms, a catastrophe for us - a really big shock."
United, Chelsea will be encouraged to remember, could not hold their nerve, going down 2-1 after what the Guardian, under the headline Anticlimax at Old Trafford, described as "a lot of inept, uninspired play" against a side who finished the season in 15th position, only four points clear of the relegation zone. "The hallmark of a truly great side is its ability to rise to the supreme test," the newspaper observed. "Sunderland should have been taken by the scruff of the neck and given a severe drubbing for having the misfortune to face United on such a crucial occasion."
At the same time City - "from the dark continent of Moss Side" - were on their way to a 4-3 victory at St James' Park. "That meant we finished the league as runners-up on 56 points, with City two points ahead and champions," said the then United midfielder Paddy Crerand, before recalling how Busby "was gracious in defeat and went straight to the television studios after the game to offer his congratulations to Joe Mercer in a live television link-up".
The 63,000 who had been shoehorned into Old Trafford also reacted with dignity. "Disappointment and chagrin there must have been," wrote James Holland, the Guardian correspondent of the time, "but the United supporters still had the good grace and enough breath and spirit left to give a rousing cheer when the result came through that City had won 4-3 and were the new champions, which meant, of course, the trophy would still be in Manchester for at least another 12 months."
On the pitch, things were not so cordial. George Best, the scorer of United's goal, is described as being involved in "a fierce and bitter duel with [Len] Ashurst and sadly tarnished his new distinction of becoming Footballer of the Year." Crerand, the type of man who would have Glory Glory Man United as his ringtone and whose character can be summed up by the title of autobiography Never Turn the Other Cheek, was "a most fortunate man that the referee did not see the kick he aimed at Ashurst".
Alex Stepney, United's goalkeeper at the time, remembers City being "in superlative form" and taking an "invasion force of 20,000 people up the Great North Road". Yet it is typical of City's luck that they should win the league in the same year that United trumped everyone by winning the European Cup. "After the Sunderland defeat," Crerard remembered. "I said to the
lads in the changing room, 'Well, that's it. City have won the title. Now we've got to win the European Cup. It's the biggest prize of the lot - and, anyway, it's all that is left'."
1968 and all that

Alan Mullery is the first England player sent off in an international, against Yugoslavia on June 5 1968
Hartlepool drop the 's' at the end of their name on gaining promotion
Dennis Clarke of West Bromwich Albion becomes the first substitute to be used in an FA Cup final. Albion beat Everton 1-0. Also the first final televised in colour.
Referee Ivan Robinson scores for Barrow against Plymouth Argyle with a wicked deflection in November
At Wembley England beat Sweden 3-1 in May, a feat they have not achieved in 12 games since then

Johnno · 8th May 2008, 05:19

I’d tend to disagree with the article, it is the most exciting, or nerve-wracking, finale to a season in recent history. I’m surprised the comparisons to 1995 haven’t been mentioned when we needed to beat West Ham, but the actual scenario around that match was Blackburn were ahead on points and actually surprisingly lost which meant even if we had won and they had won, they still would have finished as Champions although them drawing and us finding that elusive goal against a resilient West Ham would have crowned us Champions for the third year running.
None-the-less, the annuls of history state we didn’t score so it ended up in Lancashire with Dalglish’s side instead if us.
Another last game of the season was Liverpool v Arsenal in 1988-89 season when Liverpool were leading the league by three points and by ONE on goal difference over Arsenal meaning Arsenal would have to win by two clear goals. I remember having those Goals Galore every season and they showed right at the end Liverpool, despite being one goal down casually passing the ball around as time trickled away and then John Barnes even went on a solo run which was snapped up by the defence and John Lukic belted the ball down into the Scouse box where Michael Thomas, later a Liverpool player, scored an injury time second effectively handing the title to Arsenal on goal difference for a 2-0 win.
That to me was dramatic.

BahamaRed · 8th May 2008, 05:30

Football. Bloody hell.

Anyhow, we're gonna kill Wiggin. Different time. Team full of warriors.

Johnno · 8th May 2008, 05:31

Incidentally, just checking the TV guide for Sunday on Aussie Fox Sports, look at what the cunts are showing directly before the match starts;

11.00pm Football: EPL Classic Match 1994/95 West Ham v Man Utd
Soccer. Take a look back at some of the most exciting English Premier League matches. (-) (W/S)
11.30pm Live: Football: EPL Wigan v Man Utd Wigan v Man Utd
Soccer. PREMIERE FOX SPORTS' Viewer's Choice: Push the red button to select one of FIVE LIVE matches. Choose from Wigan v Man Utd; Chelsea v Bolton; Birmingham v Blackburn; Derby v Reading; and Portsmouth v Fulham. (-) (W/S)

Is this meant to fill me with confidence or something?

http://www.foxtel.com.au/TVGuide.aspx

Johnno · 8th May 2008, 05:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahamaRed

Football. Bloody hell.

Anyhow, we're gonna kill Wiggin. Different time. Team full of warriors.

I once woke up in Wigan after shaggin a bird I picked up in town. Why we went back to hers I don’t know, but me and my mate trekked out there in a cab which they paid for afterwards and had a mad one trying to get back to Victoria the next day.
I wouldn’t recommend going out that way, although the birds are incredibly filthy and willing…..

Suresh · 8th May 2008, 05:52

Sunday can't come soon enough. The days seems to pass SO slowly.

Johnno · 8th May 2008, 05:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suresh

Sunday can't come soon enough. The days seems to pass SO slowly.

Have another toss, Suresh, you love doing that. It will pass the time mate….
SPLODGE!

Suresh · 8th May 2008, 06:02

Love you too, Johnno.

Exciting times to be a United fan, isn't it. When was the last time you felt like this?

The Hairdryer · 8th May 2008, 06:05

finally a decent thread. Good article. I remember it like it was yesterday. Even though I was only nine months old.

Johnno · 8th May 2008, 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suresh

Love you too, Johnno.

Exciting times to be a United fan, isn't it. When was the last time you felt like this?

Probably 1999 to be completely honest when we needed a win versus Spurs with Arsenal right behind us, and it transpired we did need to win as we only won by a point or two in the end; then of course we had the Champions League Final to look forward to then too, a lot of similarities between that year and now.

DevilsOwn · 8th May 2008, 06:36

this all is so nerve wracking.. ever site/ paper is drumming it up.
surprisigly, and its good this way too, none of our players are coming out to talk of it whereas those jerks at chelsea cant stop talking about our game..

Denis' cuff · 8th May 2008, 07:48

yeah that was a real pisser losing at home to fuckin Sunderland. We just went to pieces after winning the semi vs Real. Never forget getting beat at OT by the Berties. I'd hardly ever seen a Citeh scarf without going to Maine Rd and at school the following day they al crawled out of the wood work. Sickening. We threw that title away. Still, we had the last laugh in the EC final.

fjred · 8th May 2008, 08:38

These 'journalists' can sacrafice as many lambs as they like and read as many bowels as they like, it won't alter a thing. Sure, we could lose or draw against Brucy as much as Chelsea can lose or draw against Bolton but common sense and reality dictates that neither will happen. Both winning is the favourite. Tough shit, Chelsea.

SmashedHombre · 8th May 2008, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suresh

Love you too, Johnno.

Exciting times to be a United fan, isn't it. When was the last time you felt like this?

Yesterday. And then the day before that...seriously though agree that the weekend is taking forever to arrive. It's only been a 4 day week as well and yet it seems to have taken twice as long as any others. Thats the worst thing about football, the time in between games seems to slow down dramatically, yet as soon as the ref blows for kick off it all goes in fast forward and the 90minutes are over before they even started.

The Hairdryer · 8th May 2008, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmashedHombre

Yesterday. And then the day before that...seriously though agree that the weekend is taking forever to arrive. It's only been a 4 day week as well and yet it seems to have taken twice as long as any others. Thats the worst thing about football, the time in between games seems to slow down dramatically, yet as soon as the ref blows for kick off it all goes in fast forward and the 90minutes are over before they even started.

We're lucky Chelsea didn't play till Monday. If they played on Saturday the week would seem a whole lot longer IMHO.

SmashedHombre · 8th May 2008, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hairdryer

We're lucky Chelsea didn't play till Monday. If they played on Saturday the week would seem a whole lot longer IMHO.

Well I turned the Chelsea game off the second Ballack scored as Newcastle were missing more shots than the Soviets in Rambo 3, so the result was pretty inevitable. Spent the rest of the afternoon watching Rooney's debut against Fenerbache instead. Him and Ruud really did show so much potential in his debut season

Ixion · 8th May 2008, 10:12

Lets not forget 96 & 99 when we won the League on the last day of the season.

UnitedRoadRed · 8th May 2008, 10:40

Good job we've got two star strikers now as well as Ronaldo.

Julian Denny · 8th May 2008, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnno

I’d tend to disagree with the article, it is the most exciting, or nerve-wracking, finale to a season in recent history. I’m surprised the comparisons to 1995 haven’t been mentioned when we needed to beat West Ham, but the actual scenario around that match was Blackburn were ahead on points and actually surprisingly lost which meant even if we had won and they had won, they still would have finished as Champions although them drawing and us finding that elusive goal against a resilient West Ham would have crowned us Champions for the third year running.
.

I think the difference with 1968 was that few expected Liverpool to beat Blackburn, because it was thought they wouldn't be doing us any favours, had nothing really to play for and Blackburn were virtually the champs elect and would play as such. All wrong as it turned out. Our visit to WH was always going to be difficult. Therefore the odds on Blackburn winning the league were very good.

This time its on more of a knife edge although the odds are on us taking it. We cannot expect any favours from Wigan though - it should be a tough game. Chelsea don't necessarily have a straightforward game against Bolton either.

8th May 2008, 05:19	#2 (permalink)
Johnno Destroyer of bullies Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 5,766	I’d tend to disagree with the article, it is the most exciting, or nerve-wracking, finale to a season in recent history. I’m surprised the comparisons to 1995 haven’t been mentioned when we needed to beat West Ham, but the actual scenario around that match was Blackburn were ahead on points and actually surprisingly lost which meant even if we had won and they had won, they still would have finished as Champions although them drawing and us finding that elusive goal against a resilient West Ham would have crowned us Champions for the third year running. None-the-less, the annuls of history state we didn’t score so it ended up in Lancashire with Dalglish’s side instead if us. Another last game of the season was Liverpool v Arsenal in 1988-89 season when Liverpool were leading the league by three points and by ONE on goal difference over Arsenal meaning Arsenal would have to win by two clear goals. I remember having those Goals Galore every season and they showed right at the end Liverpool, despite being one goal down casually passing the ball around as time trickled away and then John Barnes even went on a solo run which was snapped up by the defence and John Lukic belted the ball down into the Scouse box where Michael Thomas, later a Liverpool player, scored an injury time second effectively handing the title to Arsenal on goal difference for a 2-0 win. That to me was dramatic.

8th May 2008, 05:30	#3 (permalink)
BahamaRed Legend Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Location: Location: Posts: 8,859	Football. Bloody hell. Anyhow, we're gonna kill Wiggin. Different time. Team full of warriors.

8th May 2008, 05:31	#4 (permalink)
Johnno Destroyer of bullies Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 5,766	Incidentally, just checking the TV guide for Sunday on Aussie Fox Sports, look at what the cunts are showing directly before the match starts; 11.00pm Football: EPL Classic Match 1994/95 West Ham v Man Utd Soccer. Take a look back at some of the most exciting English Premier League matches. (-) (W/S) 11.30pm Live: Football: EPL Wigan v Man Utd Wigan v Man Utd Soccer. PREMIERE FOX SPORTS' Viewer's Choice: Push the red button to select one of FIVE LIVE matches. Choose from Wigan v Man Utd; Chelsea v Bolton; Birmingham v Blackburn; Derby v Reading; and Portsmouth v Fulham. (-) (W/S) Is this meant to fill me with confidence or something? http://www.foxtel.com.au/TVGuide.aspx

8th May 2008, 05:52	#6 (permalink)
Suresh nice guy but workshy bum Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ankh-Morpork Posts: 18,677	Sunday can't come soon enough. The days seems to pass SO slowly.

8th May 2008, 06:02	#8 (permalink)
Suresh nice guy but workshy bum Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ankh-Morpork Posts: 18,677	Love you too, Johnno. Exciting times to be a United fan, isn't it. When was the last time you felt like this?

8th May 2008, 06:05	#9 (permalink)
The Hairdryer Crikey that stung Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hello Posts: 10,782	finally a decent thread. Good article. I remember it like it was yesterday. Even though I was only nine months old.

8th May 2008, 06:36	#11 (permalink)
DevilsOwn Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: FM Live Beta tester Posts: 665	this all is so nerve wracking.. ever site/ paper is drumming it up. surprisigly, and its good this way too, none of our players are coming out to talk of it whereas those jerks at chelsea cant stop talking about our game..

8th May 2008, 07:48	#12 (permalink)
Denis' cuff Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,018	yeah that was a real pisser losing at home to fuckin Sunderland. We just went to pieces after winning the semi vs Real. Never forget getting beat at OT by the Berties. I'd hardly ever seen a Citeh scarf without going to Maine Rd and at school the following day they al crawled out of the wood work. Sickening. We threw that title away. Still, we had the last laugh in the EC final.

8th May 2008, 08:38	#13 (permalink)
fjred Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: UK Posts: 1,483	These 'journalists' can sacrafice as many lambs as they like and read as many bowels as they like, it won't alter a thing. Sure, we could lose or draw against Brucy as much as Chelsea can lose or draw against Bolton but common sense and reality dictates that neither will happen. Both winning is the favourite. Tough shit, Chelsea.

8th May 2008, 10:12	#17 (permalink)
Ixion Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 2,893	Lets not forget 96 & 99 when we won the League on the last day of the season.

8th May 2008, 10:40	#18 (permalink)
UnitedRoadRed Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,970	Good job we've got two star strikers now as well as Ronaldo.