Yes, it is one whole year since I launched tomtalksfootball and this very post will be my 20th on this blog! My first, which was published a year tomorrow, concerned Fernando Torres and winning the golden boot at Euro 2012. If you haven’t read it, or would like to read it again, follow this link:

https://tomtalksfootball.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/the-golden-boot-award/

With no expectations from the start I thought I would see where this blog takes me, and despite having long periods without publishing a post have thoroughly enjoyed writing every single piece. I recommend it to anyone who is passionate about something and likes discussing it. Don’t be put off if you are not a natural writer, a blog is not an English essay for your GCSE’s, it is a blank canvas where you can do whatever you desire. I see it as like having a friend to chat to, only they are as interested as you are and agree with everything you are saying. At the moment it is rare I get to have a proper, in depth discussion about football (I know I’m mixing with the wrong crowds) so this blog is a way for me to channel my footballing thoughts and make some solid conclusions on whatever is going on at the time.

I was very close to leaving this post as it is now, but as it is a whole year since the inception of this blog I wanted to do something to mark the occasion. After much deliberation, I decided I would share with you my all time favourite football match. The reason for this being; it is the perfect example for why I watch, breath and live football. Nothing else makes me feel the way football does. It has a unique quality that time to time creates something a bit special that sends shivers down your spine as history is made in front of your eyes.

Having been born and raised in Jersey, going to see a Premier League game was a one off treat for me as a child as it included flights and accommodation, as well as the tickets. No jumping on the train for an hour, watching the game and being back home in time for tea! However, in March 2003 I visited Old Trafford for the first (and so far only) time with my Dad. The Red Devils faced Fulham in a Premier League encounter that saw Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy score a hat trick, including a stunning run from his own half that was later voted ‘goal of the month’. As long weekends go, nothing before or since has even come close to how amazing I felt during those three days, and how awful I felt the day I returned home. However, whilst this is my favourite game that I have seen live and in the flesh, my all time favourite game came in April 2007.

Manchester United V AS Roma – Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg.

Now, in order to portray the emotions that caused me to enjoy this game so much, I have to go back a week to the first leg in Rome. A 2-1 defeat for United was overshadow by scenes of violence that saw numerous United fans in hospital over night. I remember watching and thinking the Italian Police were treating our fans as if they were all convicted criminals. Some of the fans were out of order and I can justify the way they were treated, but many more got caught up in the violence and what should have been a memorable trip to Italy ended in such ugly circumstances and left a bitter taste in my mouth. It is one thing wanting revenge over a side who beat you via an offside goal, or a dodgy penalty decision, but when it comes to violence and the safety of the fans, the game takes on a whole new meaning. And this was exactly what the second leg was set to offer.

I didn’t just want United to win the game, I wanted United to humiliate Roma so I could watch their fans cry as they got dumped out of the Champions League in what would be the perfect response to the disgusting scenes the week before. Add that to a place in the Champions League semi-finals at stake and you are on to a winner.

Here is what happened at Old Trafford on that sunny spring evening…

Bubbling with excitement I could not believe my eyes when Michael Carrick, as cool as you like, poked the ball home for an early lead. What the video doesn’t show is the way United reacted to scoring that first goal. There were seven minutes separating the first three goals, and when that third goal went in off the boot of Wayne Rooney I was in football heaven. The commentary also played its part for that third goal, firstly when Clive Tyldsley screams ‘ROONEY!’ with an almost inevitable tone underlying his excitement and astonishment, followed up by one of my favourite sayings ‘Magical Manchester United’, which was my MSN screen name for many months after. It wasn’t just the fact that United were scoring at will, it was the way they were playing and literally running riot. The crowd were as up for it as I have ever known them to be and with every goal, but especially the first three, they made sure even City on the other side of Manchester could hear them.

Cristiano Ronaldo finished the half with United’s fourth, and started the second with number five! Michael Carrick scored the perfect top corner curler on the hour mark before De Rossi scored an equally impressive consolation for the Italians. However, by this point United were playing party football and Patrice Evra took the final score to 7-1. When I look back and watch those highlights it always makes me chuckle when I hear “One nil will do!”. No it will not! If there is one thing that United stand for, it definitely is not that!

Unfortunately United went out in the semi-finals to a very strong AC Milan side who went on the win the competition. However, this doesn’t take anything away from what a memorable night that was and still stands out as my favourite game.

So that is my number 1, but what is yours? Please leave a comment!