NOTE FROM IAIN: The Predictor League for Manchester City on Saturday is now open HERE. Entries can be submitted until 10am on Saturday.*
Couple of, car related, emergencies today so apologies for the late post.
One of my, more magnanimous, Spud supporting mates sent a whatsapp message to a group of friends suggesting that my wife ‘peel me off the ceiling’ after Lanzini’s goal on Sunday. He wasn’t far wrong in fairness to him.
After the match had finished and the Euphoria subsided (slightly) I reflected on similar moments in matches from the past. The first that sprung to mind was the ‘Barthez’ hand in the air goal that saw DiCanio knock Manyoo out of the cup that season. I was in the local, at the end of the bar where the regulars took up residence. At the other end were a dozen of their lot making a decent amount of noise. When the goal went in I was sitting at a square table with a couple of drinks on. The ‘Jump in the air’ moment, as you’ve no doubt deduced, didn’t just involve myself. The table shot up along with the pints, during my celebration, much to the amusement of those gathered. Despite the laughter the other end of the bar went very quiet.
The following season I had the pleasure of watching us win at Old Trafford again. Amidst the, amusing, chants of “Barthez! Give Us A Wave!” and “Let’s All Do The Barthez!” Jermaine Defoe grabbed the only goal of the game. As I, and two West Ham supporting mates, were sat with the Manyoo fans we had to temper our celebrations, which was no easy feat, however the jumping did commence when we were in the car coming away from the Trafford Centre. Next to us in the queue a blacked out Merc was ‘bouncing’ to ‘Night Boat To Cairo’ before the rear windows opened and the bouncing continued while the lads sat on the open window of the door. Needless to say we joined in the celebrations although I was driving so, on that occasion, I was the more subdued one.
At home on the occasion of the 2006 cup final the euphoria was on a similar level. The celebration for the third goal, however, did require a level of self-control. For Spit the Dog’s own goal I shouted so loud that my youngest, who was 18 months old at the time, curled his bottom lip and burst in to tears. When Deano hit the second I was, once again, unable to contain myself and brought on a second wave of sobbing from the toddler. For Konch’s cross/lob/shot I simply bit my fist and made a b-line for the patio doors before the release. Not sure what the effect was on the other small children in the neighbourhood but that time, thankfully, number two son seemed much happier.
One snowy Tuesday night, while at darts, another famous victory warranted some jumping. This time with a slight twist in that I jumped on one of my, Manyoo supporting, team-mate’s back following Jonathan Spector’s inspired performance in the league cup. When the fourth, and Cole’s second, went in I couldn’t hold back and so the fist waving victory salutes were conducted in piggyback position. Jase is a decent lad and took it well.
Most likely the highest point of all was the cup win in 1980. During some fairly dark times for me that was a massive high point. As an eleven year old, and living up north, I can remember dancing around the living room at the final whistle. I can remember as much the relief as the celebration as the latter stages were a nail-biting affair. The phone didn’t stop ringing with calls of congratulations from friends and family members. Many neutrals at school wanted a West Ham win so I walked tall through the school gates the following week. Happy days.
There have certainly been others. Thankfully I’ve managed to avoid injury during them all down the years. No doubt you’ll all have similar tales and I’d love to hear them so please do share.
Not a great weekend for the ladies again. Although I haven’t had time to watch any of the match, or highlights, it sounded like another case of missed opportunities. I did have SSN on in the latter stages of the game as the reports of the last two goals from the Manchester United Women came in. It’s a very difficult thing to stay positive and confident when the results are simply not going your way however you do get the feeling that their first win of the season isn’t far off. Hopefully a good showing at Birmingham City in a couple of weeks will see us climb the table.
Have a great week all.
COYI!