Twenty Years On, Bouldy Tastes Anfield Triumph Afresh
May 26th, 2009 by 'holic
I just knew I wasn’t going to escape today tear-free. It was a certainty, but thanks to ITV4 and their 6pm showing of Anfield ’89 I managed to do it while the management was busy elsewhere. Watching the events of 26th May, 1989, unfolding again it seemed like it was just yesterday.
The goals obviously hog the first memories of that evening, and as John Lukic propelled the ball to Lee Dixon in injury time the tell-tale waterworks started again. No point in fighting them. There remains also the outstanding memory of the first-half. Every time I see it now I think Stevie Bould is going to head us in front. Nobody would have been more deserving.
A bolognese and a few pints of Guinness later I tune in to see Bouldy repeat his triumph at Anfield with the class of 2009. The build-up is less fraught, thanks to the 4-1 lead from last week’s home leg. Like two decades ago we need a disciplined performance, although for entirely different reasons.
I count myself fortunate to have watched this side quite a bit over the course of the season, including an unforgettable morning at Shenley. (Thanks, you-know-who!) The composed performance from the start is therefore not a surprise. This clutch of youngsters appears the best group we have produced since George Graham decided to blood so many who ended up tasting that delicious title triumph in front of the Kop.
With 24 minutes on the clock Sanchez Watt outstrips three defenders and slots a cool left foot finish beyond the keeper. 5-1 on aggregate sparks a chant of ‘You might as well go home’ from the vociferous travelling Gooners. It’s enough of an advantage to hold until the half-time whistle.
The start of the second-half sees Liverpool resurgent, and six minutes in Dalla Valle takes advantage of some hesitant defending to equalise on the night. Twenty minutes remain when that resistance is finally overcome, and Arsenal fans can be forgiven for smiling when the clumsy Ayala puts through his own net.
Skipper Jay Emmanuel Thomas echoed George Graham’s thoughts from ’89 at the final whistle. Asked when he thought the game was won he replied ‘after the second goal went in’. For the second time those words provoked a huge grin from this old boy.
So the FA Youth Cup has been added to the Premier Academy League title, a remarkable double for a very tight group of players, most of whom have been together for a number of years now. I have a feeling a few will soon be making that next big step up. Let’s hope so.
11 Responses to “Twenty Years On, Bouldy Tastes Anfield Triumph Afresh”
well done old bean, 20 years, how quick did that go
Well done Stevie & boys, what an anniversary!
and the best thing is that next year’s crop are as good or even better!
Great post again ‘Holic! Been misty-eyed this whole day.
Very happy for Bouldy, he must be very proud to make a winning return to Anfield 20 years to the day.
Well done to ALL BOYS, including the travelling Gooners who made a classy gesture of putting up the banner to remember the 96.
It’s a day like today that tells me why I love this club!!
Just had 5 pints and a Jägermeister to celebrate the double. I’ll have one more. please! 🙂
Great stuff ‘holic. When they asked Bould how he felt about the events of 20 years past, the look on his face…I don’t think I can do it justice with words, but even though I wasn’t even one then, I shed a tear of joy for him.
Thought they played really well. The thing that impressed me as the maturity shown. Some good prospects. It will be interesting to see how many make it all the way. Here’s hoping a few do.
Well done to TH14 Sylvinhio for picking up their winners medal tonight. Nice to hear Th!$’s commenst at the end.
Keep the faith….
HA! barcelona are pretty darn good.
if only henry scored and evra got embarassed.
also i was looking foward to cristiano crying…
G’day. I’m looking for Bruce. Anyone seen him?? He has trouble speaking as his false teeth do not fit very well.
I’ll have a Fosters pls ‘holic 😉
Nobody here answering that description, I’m afraid 😉
Fucket I’ll post again in a minute