http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-madness-that-stunned-the-football-world.html
I Was too young then but I clearly remember that incident being played over and over on tv, for a few days after.
What are your memories of the match and your initial reaction after watching the incident unfold?
If I was honest, when I first saw the incident I was annoyed. I missed the game even though I had a ticket but worse I thought we might struggle without him. At the time there we a lot of plastic fans who complained about Eric while eating their prawn butties!! It was the first time I really saw their impact on modern football. We actually came second in the league and FA Cup.
BUT from my perspective it all started the very next day when everyone attacked him, literally everyone, including: other fans, players. Managers, pundits, newspapers and TV. Although from Manchester I was working in London and I remember a line of brokers all Arse fans going on about Kung Fu tactics and hooligans on the pitch. We were under siege but it's that old United fan thing of however bad a situation we defend our players against All outsiders. By the time of his return 'the magnificent seven' had achieved **** status like Lawman, Bestie and Robbo.
In some respects I think the incident kept him at the club, there had been mutterings he would go and many great players like Sparky did go. But Eric came back on a delirious Sunday afternoon and was pivotal in a truly great side. I think players like Giggs and Scholes modelled their personal training after Eric and his power as a leader changed brought qualities out in him that even he hadn't realised were there. I hope the fans today keep up a constant volley of Eric songs!!
