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Here we are at the end of another fine year for Football. So-many things have happened; so-much has changed when you look-back at the game 10-years-ago...
What I'm interested in, though, is what has been the most-special for you.
Was it England qualifying for the European Championships in Portugal?
Perhaps it was how Leeds United narrowly-avoided the drop?
The chance to see David Beckham line-up with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Luis Figo and others, in an elite Real Madrid team?
Or has M.Abramovich really made a difference to you?
Whatever it may be, I'm interested to know. Infact, I'm after 5 of them, if you can. Or, yes, even more "Memorable Football Moments from 2003", if you can think of more.
Here are my top-5, if you're stuck for ideas:
1. Beating Arsénal to the Premier League Title - again.
As a Manchester United fan, how can I not put this one top-of-my-list?!
There were the "Gooners"... Top-of-the-league; practically un-beaten in months; playing some brilliant football; looking like nobody was going to stop them....
And yet, they go and throw-it-all-away - right at the very-last minute! :D
And it was thanks to the persistance of Ruud van Nistelrooy and co. that we we were able to take such a generous gift "handed" to us, without looking-back. :)
2. Celtic's UEFA Cup run
Now, I'm neither a Rangers of Celtic fan; and, to be quite honest, I cannot be bothered with the ever-predictable on-goings in the Scottish Premier League... But I have to admit, I enjoyed seeing Martin O'Neil's side march through the UEFA Cup.
They beat both Liverpool and Blackburn in 2 "Battle of Britain" encounters, and it looked as if they could well go all-the-way... But, despite what you may think about Celtic's lack of "fortune" in the Final, they didn't quite complete the dream.
Just getting that-far - further than some of the biggest names in "B-list" European Football - was a great achievement for "The Bhoys" in their own right. And I'm pleased to see O'Neil has now recieved an OBE for his services in Football - which was undoubtabley helped by the antics of last-year.
You can bet I'll have my eye on these "dark-horses", again, this season! :)
3. Jay-Jay Okocha.
"So-good, they named him twice", as the now-famous saying goes.
For a player of his calibure and stature to be signing for Bolton Wanderers... I think it came as a huge-surprise to us all. `There must be something wrong with him!´, I bet you thought. How wrong we were, though; as the Nigerian international emerged as one of the signings-of-the-season; single-handedly securing Bolton's Premiership survival, for one-more season, at least.
The real "Magic-Man" - forget about Paul Merson! With every touch of the ball Okocha took, we all sat-forward and prepared ourselves to be, quite simply, amazed.
Arsénal, Chelsea, United and others may have `skillful´ players in their own right -- but this guy was still `something-else´, altogether!
Out of all the gob-smacking tricks he plucked from under his hat, ``THAT ONE´´ against the Arsénal has to be my all-time favourite `Okocha Moment´.
There he was; seemingly "cornered" by Wenger's defensive marks-men, out by the corner flag... And all of a sudden, he's audaciously flicked the ball up from behind, over his own head, OVER Ray Parlour, too, and he's away again!! (Not even Cristiano can do that! :o )
Absolutely incredible! Breath-taking, infact. Made all the better because it was against the team who gifted "us" the Title, in their last-gasp attempt at reclaiming that top-spot. ...It's just a shame that half-volley at the end of it didn't quite bend the right way... :D
4. Eddie Gray taking-over at Leeds United
Terry Venables wasn't the right-man, and we all knew from day 1 that Peter Reid wouldn't be able to do much-better. And so, Eddie Gray - a "true Leeds" man - gets the chance to show us how it should be done.
`Out with foreign and in with the feeling´. "Only players who WANT to fight for this team's debt-threatened future will feature deserve a place in MY team!"
They may've lost Harry Kewell and a whole-host of others since the good old `O'Leary Days´, but Peter Reid was never gonna turn-things-around with a bunch of "heartless" foreigners who have not `Love´ for the club. Out-come the likes of Alan Smith, Dominic Matteo, Michael Dubbery and others who would give their lives to see this club stay-up, come May.
And how things have improved, since then (ignoring the recent set-back against Wolves, of course!). .Leeds United appear to have been "re-born" with that true fighting-spirit which had made them a threat to other sides, in the past.
"Money cannot buy you everything, in Football!" - a lesson Mr.Abramovich at "Chelski" is learning, week-by-week. Leeds stumped the `hundred-million-pound dream-team´, 19-places above them (at the time) - and only a week-ago - less than that, infact - did Charlton beat them by 4-goals-to-1! :D
I hate this "Russian Empire" already... But everything that has so-far stood in the way all that is "Money" and ruining the beatiful game is, has made 2003 a very-special year for me, indeed. :)
5. Paulo Di Canio.
He couldn't quite save West Ham - the club he loved - from going-down to Division One, but he gave it his all; carried the team through some tough patches; and showed us all that some foreigners care more about football than we think. And, althought "The 'ammers" went-down, I'm delighted to see he's still the same man, after signing for Alan Curbishley's Charlton Athletic, on a free-transfer.
He has the passion. He has the determination and `drive´. He cares not about the money or `Celebrity´-lifestyle... Plus, he's got the skill. He was the main-man behind Charlton's `historic´ Boxing Day victory.
If ever there was only one-man who defined what top-flight European Football is really all-about, it is him; Paulo "D.I. CA-NI-O". But you cannot ignore players like Gianfranco Zola, also, who, although now-gone, still made a considerable difference. He will be missed, dearly... But I'm delighted to see Paulo's still around.
It's that constant reminder (again) about how football SHOULD be played; and what it's really all about. Instead of looking to the likes of Beckham, Owen and Henry; future-generations should be studying the works of Di Canio, Zola, Bergkamp and others who have come here to make our Football a better place, under the toughest of circumstances.
And so, there you have it. While they may not all be "moments", exactly, they are memories of events and people that have happened, throughout 2003, to make this one very-special year for me, as a football fan, when things appear to be sliding downhill, fast.
Can "Chelski" really go all-the-way this season, with all the money they've spent?
Or will Di Canio, Smith and others behind to extinguish their flames, once again??
It is for these questions, and more, that I look-forward to Football in 2004, for all the right reasons, and the truth.
So, what about you... What are your "Top 5" Footballing moments from 2003?
What I'm interested in, though, is what has been the most-special for you.
Was it England qualifying for the European Championships in Portugal?
Perhaps it was how Leeds United narrowly-avoided the drop?
The chance to see David Beckham line-up with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Luis Figo and others, in an elite Real Madrid team?
Or has M.Abramovich really made a difference to you?
Whatever it may be, I'm interested to know. Infact, I'm after 5 of them, if you can. Or, yes, even more "Memorable Football Moments from 2003", if you can think of more.
Here are my top-5, if you're stuck for ideas:
1. Beating Arsénal to the Premier League Title - again.
As a Manchester United fan, how can I not put this one top-of-my-list?!
There were the "Gooners"... Top-of-the-league; practically un-beaten in months; playing some brilliant football; looking like nobody was going to stop them....
And yet, they go and throw-it-all-away - right at the very-last minute! :D
And it was thanks to the persistance of Ruud van Nistelrooy and co. that we we were able to take such a generous gift "handed" to us, without looking-back. :)
2. Celtic's UEFA Cup run
Now, I'm neither a Rangers of Celtic fan; and, to be quite honest, I cannot be bothered with the ever-predictable on-goings in the Scottish Premier League... But I have to admit, I enjoyed seeing Martin O'Neil's side march through the UEFA Cup.
They beat both Liverpool and Blackburn in 2 "Battle of Britain" encounters, and it looked as if they could well go all-the-way... But, despite what you may think about Celtic's lack of "fortune" in the Final, they didn't quite complete the dream.
Just getting that-far - further than some of the biggest names in "B-list" European Football - was a great achievement for "The Bhoys" in their own right. And I'm pleased to see O'Neil has now recieved an OBE for his services in Football - which was undoubtabley helped by the antics of last-year.
You can bet I'll have my eye on these "dark-horses", again, this season! :)
3. Jay-Jay Okocha.
"So-good, they named him twice", as the now-famous saying goes.
For a player of his calibure and stature to be signing for Bolton Wanderers... I think it came as a huge-surprise to us all. `There must be something wrong with him!´, I bet you thought. How wrong we were, though; as the Nigerian international emerged as one of the signings-of-the-season; single-handedly securing Bolton's Premiership survival, for one-more season, at least.
The real "Magic-Man" - forget about Paul Merson! With every touch of the ball Okocha took, we all sat-forward and prepared ourselves to be, quite simply, amazed.
Arsénal, Chelsea, United and others may have `skillful´ players in their own right -- but this guy was still `something-else´, altogether!
Out of all the gob-smacking tricks he plucked from under his hat, ``THAT ONE´´ against the Arsénal has to be my all-time favourite `Okocha Moment´.
There he was; seemingly "cornered" by Wenger's defensive marks-men, out by the corner flag... And all of a sudden, he's audaciously flicked the ball up from behind, over his own head, OVER Ray Parlour, too, and he's away again!! (Not even Cristiano can do that! :o )
Absolutely incredible! Breath-taking, infact. Made all the better because it was against the team who gifted "us" the Title, in their last-gasp attempt at reclaiming that top-spot. ...It's just a shame that half-volley at the end of it didn't quite bend the right way... :D
4. Eddie Gray taking-over at Leeds United
Terry Venables wasn't the right-man, and we all knew from day 1 that Peter Reid wouldn't be able to do much-better. And so, Eddie Gray - a "true Leeds" man - gets the chance to show us how it should be done.
`Out with foreign and in with the feeling´. "Only players who WANT to fight for this team's debt-threatened future will feature deserve a place in MY team!"
They may've lost Harry Kewell and a whole-host of others since the good old `O'Leary Days´, but Peter Reid was never gonna turn-things-around with a bunch of "heartless" foreigners who have not `Love´ for the club. Out-come the likes of Alan Smith, Dominic Matteo, Michael Dubbery and others who would give their lives to see this club stay-up, come May.
And how things have improved, since then (ignoring the recent set-back against Wolves, of course!). .Leeds United appear to have been "re-born" with that true fighting-spirit which had made them a threat to other sides, in the past.
"Money cannot buy you everything, in Football!" - a lesson Mr.Abramovich at "Chelski" is learning, week-by-week. Leeds stumped the `hundred-million-pound dream-team´, 19-places above them (at the time) - and only a week-ago - less than that, infact - did Charlton beat them by 4-goals-to-1! :D
I hate this "Russian Empire" already... But everything that has so-far stood in the way all that is "Money" and ruining the beatiful game is, has made 2003 a very-special year for me, indeed. :)
5. Paulo Di Canio.
He couldn't quite save West Ham - the club he loved - from going-down to Division One, but he gave it his all; carried the team through some tough patches; and showed us all that some foreigners care more about football than we think. And, althought "The 'ammers" went-down, I'm delighted to see he's still the same man, after signing for Alan Curbishley's Charlton Athletic, on a free-transfer.
He has the passion. He has the determination and `drive´. He cares not about the money or `Celebrity´-lifestyle... Plus, he's got the skill. He was the main-man behind Charlton's `historic´ Boxing Day victory.
If ever there was only one-man who defined what top-flight European Football is really all-about, it is him; Paulo "D.I. CA-NI-O". But you cannot ignore players like Gianfranco Zola, also, who, although now-gone, still made a considerable difference. He will be missed, dearly... But I'm delighted to see Paulo's still around.
It's that constant reminder (again) about how football SHOULD be played; and what it's really all about. Instead of looking to the likes of Beckham, Owen and Henry; future-generations should be studying the works of Di Canio, Zola, Bergkamp and others who have come here to make our Football a better place, under the toughest of circumstances.
And so, there you have it. While they may not all be "moments", exactly, they are memories of events and people that have happened, throughout 2003, to make this one very-special year for me, as a football fan, when things appear to be sliding downhill, fast.
Can "Chelski" really go all-the-way this season, with all the money they've spent?
Or will Di Canio, Smith and others behind to extinguish their flames, once again??
It is for these questions, and more, that I look-forward to Football in 2004, for all the right reasons, and the truth.
So, what about you... What are your "Top 5" Footballing moments from 2003?
Heh. I like the way your memory works, Ortega! ;D
I may be English and everything, but, I couldn't help but burst out with laughter when Beckham did his "Jonny Willkinson" against Turkey! :D
It's the kind of thing over-payed, over-rated, second-in-comand nonces like him deserve - humiliation infront of the idiotic public that loves him so-much! :)
You're not that-special! God doesn't like you any more than he does... Danny Mills!! Get over yourself, you woman! If you want people to love you, go and become to Pop-Star you are so-clearly trying to be! :P
Patrick Vieira - Arsénal's own "hardman" answer to Roy Keane; and Sol Campbell - the Ł80,000-a-week life-long Spurs fan who "ISN'T" in it for the money (if he really moved to Highbury because he wanted to win things, then, he'd have obviously come to Old Trafford, instead!).
It WAS fantastic to see these 2 "stars" sent-off against us; but I still don't like how the rest of those Thugs got-away with all they did wrong in that end-of-match brawl...! The way the FA handled that - and the Rio Ferdinand affair, of course - makes up part of the bad-side to 2003.
I may be English and everything, but, I couldn't help but burst out with laughter when Beckham did his "Jonny Willkinson" against Turkey! :D
It's the kind of thing over-payed, over-rated, second-in-comand nonces like him deserve - humiliation infront of the idiotic public that loves him so-much! :)
You're not that-special! God doesn't like you any more than he does... Danny Mills!! Get over yourself, you woman! If you want people to love you, go and become to Pop-Star you are so-clearly trying to be! :P
Patrick Vieira - Arsénal's own "hardman" answer to Roy Keane; and Sol Campbell - the Ł80,000-a-week life-long Spurs fan who "ISN'T" in it for the money (if he really moved to Highbury because he wanted to win things, then, he'd have obviously come to Old Trafford, instead!).
It WAS fantastic to see these 2 "stars" sent-off against us; but I still don't like how the rest of those Thugs got-away with all they did wrong in that end-of-match brawl...! The way the FA handled that - and the Rio Ferdinand affair, of course - makes up part of the bad-side to 2003.
Your choices are slightly red :¬D
5) Beckham missing the penalty agaisnt Turkey. Hadnt laughed so hard in ages!
4) Seeing the video of the tunnel brawl between england and turkey. These guys are professionals earning thousands per week!
3) Vieira getting sent off at OT. Nothing better than seeing gooner scum getting sent off. Regardless of whether Van over reacted.
2) Campbell getting sent off at highbury. Superb.
1) Van Nistelrooy scoring a wonder goal at Highbury. Screamed loudest over this goal in 2003 (even louder than that gooner behind the goal!) Genius from the legend.
4) Seeing the video of the tunnel brawl between england and turkey. These guys are professionals earning thousands per week!
3) Vieira getting sent off at OT. Nothing better than seeing gooner scum getting sent off. Regardless of whether Van over reacted.
2) Campbell getting sent off at highbury. Superb.
1) Van Nistelrooy scoring a wonder goal at Highbury. Screamed loudest over this goal in 2003 (even louder than that gooner behind the goal!) Genius from the legend.
I also look on in worry as the genius youth team of 94/95 that are Scholes, Giggs, Butt and Neville near the end of their prime and into that uncomfortable age.
5) Manchester United Vs Arsenal. Sunday 21st September 2003
Its looks stupid I know, considering we didin't win. But as a Manchester United fan, I haven't felt as emotional over a game for many many Moons. Since Barcelona perhaps. And as frustrating As RVN's penalty miss was, you just couldn't write the script for it.
4) Communist Take-over.
Roman Abramovich and his bottomless pit of a pocket kept us enthralled during the extremely hot summer whilst anticipating the 03/04 season. Seeing Mutu and Veron go was a really big suprise to many people. And the sudden onslaught of big name transfers ruffled many Premiership feathers.
3) Beating the Turks.
Constant surroundings of security issues and hostal crowds and a "very hard game" keep this game to memory. Little did the pundits know that they were to meet their fate against Latvia (LOL). Beating them and qualifying was a very satifying moment.
2) Championship winning streak.
The back end of last season when Man U pulled out some terrific results and really did put on the highest gear. Despite getting whipped by Real...Twice. *Gutted*. Beating Liverpool 4-0, Newcastle 6-2, Drawing 2-2 with the gunners and beating the pre-evolved chelsea 2-1. It was really exciting to watch them play.
1) Winning the Championship.
Aaaaahhhh but of course. With Champions Arsenal playing some real good football and breaking records constantly it was a perpetual dark corridor with locked doors all round. But with DB7 on the bench and Solskjaer playing ever so well coupled with the unbelievable link between Giggs, Scholes and Van Nistelrooy the deed was done. Although Bolton and Leeds helped us out allot.
A very good year all in all. I believed so much we were going to win the CL...so much. Watching Beckham sending his come-and-get-me plea to Real when he scored those two goals after coming of the bench. And the season that started off after a dissapointing exit from the World Cup in the far east.........it was all Scholes and Beckhams fault, not Seamans...*sobs intensly*
Its looks stupid I know, considering we didin't win. But as a Manchester United fan, I haven't felt as emotional over a game for many many Moons. Since Barcelona perhaps. And as frustrating As RVN's penalty miss was, you just couldn't write the script for it.
4) Communist Take-over.
Roman Abramovich and his bottomless pit of a pocket kept us enthralled during the extremely hot summer whilst anticipating the 03/04 season. Seeing Mutu and Veron go was a really big suprise to many people. And the sudden onslaught of big name transfers ruffled many Premiership feathers.
3) Beating the Turks.
Constant surroundings of security issues and hostal crowds and a "very hard game" keep this game to memory. Little did the pundits know that they were to meet their fate against Latvia (LOL). Beating them and qualifying was a very satifying moment.
2) Championship winning streak.
The back end of last season when Man U pulled out some terrific results and really did put on the highest gear. Despite getting whipped by Real...Twice. *Gutted*. Beating Liverpool 4-0, Newcastle 6-2, Drawing 2-2 with the gunners and beating the pre-evolved chelsea 2-1. It was really exciting to watch them play.
1) Winning the Championship.
Aaaaahhhh but of course. With Champions Arsenal playing some real good football and breaking records constantly it was a perpetual dark corridor with locked doors all round. But with DB7 on the bench and Solskjaer playing ever so well coupled with the unbelievable link between Giggs, Scholes and Van Nistelrooy the deed was done. Although Bolton and Leeds helped us out allot.
A very good year all in all. I believed so much we were going to win the CL...so much. Watching Beckham sending his come-and-get-me plea to Real when he scored those two goals after coming of the bench. And the season that started off after a dissapointing exit from the World Cup in the far east.........it was all Scholes and Beckhams fault, not Seamans...*sobs intensly*
1. Finishing above Turkey
How great did it feel to beat the Turks to 1st spot and qualify to the championships, and then see Latvia knock them out. That was pure quality.
It was good to see Beckham not get wound (SP) up and instead blew a kiss at one of the players.
2. Villa's first away win
We were looking for our first away win of the season and were up against Middlesbrough, full of ex Villa players. We went 2-0 and looked as though we were about to cruise to victory, until Middlesbrough hit back with 2 before half-time.
It looked as though Villa were going to fall to pieces again, but that wasn't the case when we walloped another 3 in to make the final score Middlesbrough 2 Aston Villa 5.
3. Seeing Wolves get promoted
My Dad's a big Wolves fan, and with me being a Villa fan I wanted them to come up for another Midlands Derby. I was out playing football and heard that Wolves were 2-0 up against Sheffield United. I decided to go hom to watch the rest of the match to see Wolves score a third and clinch promootion.
4. Watching Beckham at Real Madrid
After hearing Beckham had moved to Real Madrid, many predicted he would not make the first team and would sit on the bench. But after watching his performanes, he has shown that he could well be the best player in the world.
5. Taylor getting sacked from Aston Villa
After seeing him getting rid of our best players for nothing, I was glad to see the back of him. He promised us exciting football and instead made us one of the boring teams in the Premiership.
It looked like we were heading for Division 1 at one stage, but that wasn't the case luckily. Now we have O'Leary who could well get us into Europe through the Carling Cup or finishing 6th in the Premiership.
How great did it feel to beat the Turks to 1st spot and qualify to the championships, and then see Latvia knock them out. That was pure quality.
It was good to see Beckham not get wound (SP) up and instead blew a kiss at one of the players.
2. Villa's first away win
We were looking for our first away win of the season and were up against Middlesbrough, full of ex Villa players. We went 2-0 and looked as though we were about to cruise to victory, until Middlesbrough hit back with 2 before half-time.
It looked as though Villa were going to fall to pieces again, but that wasn't the case when we walloped another 3 in to make the final score Middlesbrough 2 Aston Villa 5.
3. Seeing Wolves get promoted
My Dad's a big Wolves fan, and with me being a Villa fan I wanted them to come up for another Midlands Derby. I was out playing football and heard that Wolves were 2-0 up against Sheffield United. I decided to go hom to watch the rest of the match to see Wolves score a third and clinch promootion.
4. Watching Beckham at Real Madrid
After hearing Beckham had moved to Real Madrid, many predicted he would not make the first team and would sit on the bench. But after watching his performanes, he has shown that he could well be the best player in the world.
5. Taylor getting sacked from Aston Villa
After seeing him getting rid of our best players for nothing, I was glad to see the back of him. He promised us exciting football and instead made us one of the boring teams in the Premiership.
It looked like we were heading for Division 1 at one stage, but that wasn't the case luckily. Now we have O'Leary who could well get us into Europe through the Carling Cup or finishing 6th in the Premiership.
Here we are at the end of another fine year for Football. So-many things have happened; so-much has changed when you look-back at the game 10-years-ago...
What I'm interested in, though, is what has been the most-special for you.
Was it England qualifying for the European Championships in Portugal?
Perhaps it was how Leeds United narrowly-avoided the drop?
The chance to see David Beckham line-up with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Luis Figo and others, in an elite Real Madrid team?
Or has M.Abramovich really made a difference to you?
Whatever it may be, I'm interested to know. Infact, I'm after 5 of them, if you can. Or, yes, even more "Memorable Football Moments from 2003", if you can think of more.
Here are my top-5, if you're stuck for ideas:
1. Beating Arsénal to the Premier League Title - again.
As a Manchester United fan, how can I not put this one top-of-my-list?!
There were the "Gooners"... Top-of-the-league; practically un-beaten in months; playing some brilliant football; looking like nobody was going to stop them....
And yet, they go and throw-it-all-away - right at the very-last minute! :D
And it was thanks to the persistance of Ruud van Nistelrooy and co. that we we were able to take such a generous gift "handed" to us, without looking-back. :)
2. Celtic's UEFA Cup run
Now, I'm neither a Rangers of Celtic fan; and, to be quite honest, I cannot be bothered with the ever-predictable on-goings in the Scottish Premier League... But I have to admit, I enjoyed seeing Martin O'Neil's side march through the UEFA Cup.
They beat both Liverpool and Blackburn in 2 "Battle of Britain" encounters, and it looked as if they could well go all-the-way... But, despite what you may think about Celtic's lack of "fortune" in the Final, they didn't quite complete the dream.
Just getting that-far - further than some of the biggest names in "B-list" European Football - was a great achievement for "The Bhoys" in their own right. And I'm pleased to see O'Neil has now recieved an OBE for his services in Football - which was undoubtabley helped by the antics of last-year.
You can bet I'll have my eye on these "dark-horses", again, this season! :)
3. Jay-Jay Okocha.
"So-good, they named him twice", as the now-famous saying goes.
For a player of his calibure and stature to be signing for Bolton Wanderers... I think it came as a huge-surprise to us all. `There must be something wrong with him!´, I bet you thought. How wrong we were, though; as the Nigerian international emerged as one of the signings-of-the-season; single-handedly securing Bolton's Premiership survival, for one-more season, at least.
The real "Magic-Man" - forget about Paul Merson! With every touch of the ball Okocha took, we all sat-forward and prepared ourselves to be, quite simply, amazed.
Arsénal, Chelsea, United and others may have `skillful´ players in their own right -- but this guy was still `something-else´, altogether!
Out of all the gob-smacking tricks he plucked from under his hat, ``THAT ONE´´ against the Arsénal has to be my all-time favourite `Okocha Moment´.
There he was; seemingly "cornered" by Wenger's defensive marks-men, out by the corner flag... And all of a sudden, he's audaciously flicked the ball up from behind, over his own head, OVER Ray Parlour, too, and he's away again!! (Not even Cristiano can do that! :o )
Absolutely incredible! Breath-taking, infact. Made all the better because it was against the team who gifted "us" the Title, in their last-gasp attempt at reclaiming that top-spot. ...It's just a shame that half-volley at the end of it didn't quite bend the right way... :D
4. Eddie Gray taking-over at Leeds United
Terry Venables wasn't the right-man, and we all knew from day 1 that Peter Reid wouldn't be able to do much-better. And so, Eddie Gray - a "true Leeds" man - gets the chance to show us how it should be done.
`Out with foreign and in with the feeling´. "Only players who WANT to fight for this team's debt-threatened future will feature deserve a place in MY team!"
They may've lost Harry Kewell and a whole-host of others since the good old `O'Leary Days´, but Peter Reid was never gonna turn-things-around with a bunch of "heartless" foreigners who have not `Love´ for the club. Out-come the likes of Alan Smith, Dominic Matteo, Michael Dubbery and others who would give their lives to see this club stay-up, come May.
And how things have improved, since then (ignoring the recent set-back against Wolves, of course!). .Leeds United appear to have been "re-born" with that true fighting-spirit which had made them a threat to other sides, in the past.
"Money cannot buy you everything, in Football!" - a lesson Mr.Abramovich at "Chelski" is learning, week-by-week. Leeds stumped the `hundred-million-pound dream-team´, 19-places above them (at the time) - and only a week-ago - less than that, infact - did Charlton beat them by 4-goals-to-1! :D
I hate this "Russian Empire" already... But everything that has so-far stood in the way all that is "Money" and ruining the beatiful game is, has made 2003 a very-special year for me, indeed. :)
5. Paulo Di Canio.
He couldn't quite save West Ham - the club he loved - from going-down to Division One, but he gave it his all; carried the team through some tough patches; and showed us all that some foreigners care more about football than we think. And, althought "The 'ammers" went-down, I'm delighted to see he's still the same man, after signing for Alan Curbishley's Charlton Athletic, on a free-transfer.
He has the passion. He has the determination and `drive´. He cares not about the money or `Celebrity´-lifestyle... Plus, he's got the skill. He was the main-man behind Charlton's `historic´ Boxing Day victory.
If ever there was only one-man who defined what top-flight European Football is really all-about, it is him; Paulo "D.I. CA-NI-O". But you cannot ignore players like Gianfranco Zola, also, who, although now-gone, still made a considerable difference. He will be missed, dearly... But I'm delighted to see Paulo's still around.
It's that constant reminder (again) about how football SHOULD be played; and what it's really all about. Instead of looking to the likes of Beckham, Owen and Henry; future-generations should be studying the works of Di Canio, Zola, Bergkamp and others who have come here to make our Football a better place, under the toughest of circumstances.
And so, there you have it. While they may not all be "moments", exactly, they are memories of events and people that have happened, throughout 2003, to make this one very-special year for me, as a football fan, when things appear to be sliding downhill, fast.
Can "Chelski" really go all-the-way this season, with all the money they've spent?
Or will Di Canio, Smith and others behind to extinguish their flames, once again??
It is for these questions, and more, that I look-forward to Football in 2004, for all the right reasons, and the truth.
So, what about you... What are your "Top 5" Footballing moments from 2003?
What I'm interested in, though, is what has been the most-special for you.
Was it England qualifying for the European Championships in Portugal?
Perhaps it was how Leeds United narrowly-avoided the drop?
The chance to see David Beckham line-up with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Luis Figo and others, in an elite Real Madrid team?
Or has M.Abramovich really made a difference to you?
Whatever it may be, I'm interested to know. Infact, I'm after 5 of them, if you can. Or, yes, even more "Memorable Football Moments from 2003", if you can think of more.
Here are my top-5, if you're stuck for ideas:
1. Beating Arsénal to the Premier League Title - again.
As a Manchester United fan, how can I not put this one top-of-my-list?!
There were the "Gooners"... Top-of-the-league; practically un-beaten in months; playing some brilliant football; looking like nobody was going to stop them....
And yet, they go and throw-it-all-away - right at the very-last minute! :D
And it was thanks to the persistance of Ruud van Nistelrooy and co. that we we were able to take such a generous gift "handed" to us, without looking-back. :)
2. Celtic's UEFA Cup run
Now, I'm neither a Rangers of Celtic fan; and, to be quite honest, I cannot be bothered with the ever-predictable on-goings in the Scottish Premier League... But I have to admit, I enjoyed seeing Martin O'Neil's side march through the UEFA Cup.
They beat both Liverpool and Blackburn in 2 "Battle of Britain" encounters, and it looked as if they could well go all-the-way... But, despite what you may think about Celtic's lack of "fortune" in the Final, they didn't quite complete the dream.
Just getting that-far - further than some of the biggest names in "B-list" European Football - was a great achievement for "The Bhoys" in their own right. And I'm pleased to see O'Neil has now recieved an OBE for his services in Football - which was undoubtabley helped by the antics of last-year.
You can bet I'll have my eye on these "dark-horses", again, this season! :)
3. Jay-Jay Okocha.
"So-good, they named him twice", as the now-famous saying goes.
For a player of his calibure and stature to be signing for Bolton Wanderers... I think it came as a huge-surprise to us all. `There must be something wrong with him!´, I bet you thought. How wrong we were, though; as the Nigerian international emerged as one of the signings-of-the-season; single-handedly securing Bolton's Premiership survival, for one-more season, at least.
The real "Magic-Man" - forget about Paul Merson! With every touch of the ball Okocha took, we all sat-forward and prepared ourselves to be, quite simply, amazed.
Arsénal, Chelsea, United and others may have `skillful´ players in their own right -- but this guy was still `something-else´, altogether!
Out of all the gob-smacking tricks he plucked from under his hat, ``THAT ONE´´ against the Arsénal has to be my all-time favourite `Okocha Moment´.
There he was; seemingly "cornered" by Wenger's defensive marks-men, out by the corner flag... And all of a sudden, he's audaciously flicked the ball up from behind, over his own head, OVER Ray Parlour, too, and he's away again!! (Not even Cristiano can do that! :o )
Absolutely incredible! Breath-taking, infact. Made all the better because it was against the team who gifted "us" the Title, in their last-gasp attempt at reclaiming that top-spot. ...It's just a shame that half-volley at the end of it didn't quite bend the right way... :D
4. Eddie Gray taking-over at Leeds United
Terry Venables wasn't the right-man, and we all knew from day 1 that Peter Reid wouldn't be able to do much-better. And so, Eddie Gray - a "true Leeds" man - gets the chance to show us how it should be done.
`Out with foreign and in with the feeling´. "Only players who WANT to fight for this team's debt-threatened future will feature deserve a place in MY team!"
They may've lost Harry Kewell and a whole-host of others since the good old `O'Leary Days´, but Peter Reid was never gonna turn-things-around with a bunch of "heartless" foreigners who have not `Love´ for the club. Out-come the likes of Alan Smith, Dominic Matteo, Michael Dubbery and others who would give their lives to see this club stay-up, come May.
And how things have improved, since then (ignoring the recent set-back against Wolves, of course!). .Leeds United appear to have been "re-born" with that true fighting-spirit which had made them a threat to other sides, in the past.
"Money cannot buy you everything, in Football!" - a lesson Mr.Abramovich at "Chelski" is learning, week-by-week. Leeds stumped the `hundred-million-pound dream-team´, 19-places above them (at the time) - and only a week-ago - less than that, infact - did Charlton beat them by 4-goals-to-1! :D
I hate this "Russian Empire" already... But everything that has so-far stood in the way all that is "Money" and ruining the beatiful game is, has made 2003 a very-special year for me, indeed. :)
5. Paulo Di Canio.
He couldn't quite save West Ham - the club he loved - from going-down to Division One, but he gave it his all; carried the team through some tough patches; and showed us all that some foreigners care more about football than we think. And, althought "The 'ammers" went-down, I'm delighted to see he's still the same man, after signing for Alan Curbishley's Charlton Athletic, on a free-transfer.
He has the passion. He has the determination and `drive´. He cares not about the money or `Celebrity´-lifestyle... Plus, he's got the skill. He was the main-man behind Charlton's `historic´ Boxing Day victory.
If ever there was only one-man who defined what top-flight European Football is really all-about, it is him; Paulo "D.I. CA-NI-O". But you cannot ignore players like Gianfranco Zola, also, who, although now-gone, still made a considerable difference. He will be missed, dearly... But I'm delighted to see Paulo's still around.
It's that constant reminder (again) about how football SHOULD be played; and what it's really all about. Instead of looking to the likes of Beckham, Owen and Henry; future-generations should be studying the works of Di Canio, Zola, Bergkamp and others who have come here to make our Football a better place, under the toughest of circumstances.
And so, there you have it. While they may not all be "moments", exactly, they are memories of events and people that have happened, throughout 2003, to make this one very-special year for me, as a football fan, when things appear to be sliding downhill, fast.
Can "Chelski" really go all-the-way this season, with all the money they've spent?
Or will Di Canio, Smith and others behind to extinguish their flames, once again??
It is for these questions, and more, that I look-forward to Football in 2004, for all the right reasons, and the truth.
So, what about you... What are your "Top 5" Footballing moments from 2003?