- Feb 1, 2005
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Part 1 is here
Part 2 is here
Part 3 is here
On 30th March we hosted Aston Villa at WHL, there we were, level on points with Everton at the top of the league and only 27,000 turned up. Pathetic. The apathy must have spread to the team who were also pathetic as we lost 2-0 to hand Everton a 3pt advantage with a game in hand. A few days later 48,000 packed into the ground for what was being billed as the title decider against Everton. We played pretty well in spells, Mark Falco forced an absolutely brilliant save from Neville Southall, Graham Roberts scored for us and the ground erupted. I can't remember who scored Everton's goals but I can still see Gary O'Reilly fucking up for their winner and despite our pushing for another goal that was that. We lost 2-1 to go 6pts behind Everton with them retaining their game in hand. Man United slipped into second place 4pts behind Everton.
On 6th April we travelled to Upton Park, the game ended 1-1 with Ardiles scoring our goal and as usual, there was trouble outside the ground, inside the ground before, during and after the game. The result put us 8 points behind Everton and 4 behind United, the rails were well and truly coming off now. Every game was now a must win. A week later we travelled to Filbert Street and did what was required, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Falco and Hoddle. This put us 5pts behind Everton who had two games in hand, I think we all knew it was over and the disappointment only increased when we lost our next game at WHL to Arsenal by two goals to nil. Disappointment and bitterness were the emotions on the way home from that one. More taunting from the Gooners.
A few days later we played Ipswich at home and lost again despite a goal from our new striking sensation David Leworthy. Who? I hear you ask. Meh. On 27th April we travelled to Stamford Bridge and got a point. Trouble again, inside and outside the ground and the result kept us in third place, 2pts behind United and 13 behind Everton. Our first game in May was at home to Coventry and a shameful 16,000 turned up to watch us actually win a home game by 4 goals to 2 and even Chris 'Clipboard' Houghton chipped in with a goal......The result was meaningless with regard the title and the league placing remained unaltered. Two days later it was up to St James Park where we beat Newcastle 3-2, Leworthy, Hoddle and Ian Crook scoring the goals. Again the league placings remained the same.
We had three games left now to snatch second place and joy of joys, all were at home. Imagine we'd stayed in the race, three games at home. But we didn't and it didn't matter anyway as Watford absolutely slaughtered us 5-1 in the first of them. You'll all know the type of performance we turned in for that one. We've all seen it many times. I think my daughter grew up thinking Spurs proper name was 'fucking hell Tottenham'.....
Our last two games were on 14th and 17th May making 5 games we'd played in 13 days and we won both, against Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest to finish in third on goal difference behind Liverpool, who sneaked up on the rails to snatch second, with Manchester United a point away in fourth.
Looking back, some might say the terrible winter weather which caused so many matches to be called off was why we struggled, having to play a quarter of our fixtures in April and the first two weeks of May but it was the same for other teams. Personally I think it was a combination of two things. Firstly, losing 7 games at home with 5 of those 'when it mattered', in fact during this spell we contrived to lose 5 out of 6 home games. Secondly, credit were credit is due, Everton were so bloody relentless.
Where does this season stand in the grand scheme of our history? Probably nowhere, but it was a bloody good ride while it lasted with some fantastic memories along the way. Despite how it ended (and the league table would tell you otherwise), I think we came close. Closer than for a very long time. I'll never forget winning at Anfield for the first time in 70-odd years, winning at Highbury was always fun and most of the payers in that team remain my heroes to this day......
Next up. 1987 Clive Allen scoring 49 goals as we chase the treble. Maybe. If I can be arsed.
Part 2 is here
Part 3 is here
On 30th March we hosted Aston Villa at WHL, there we were, level on points with Everton at the top of the league and only 27,000 turned up. Pathetic. The apathy must have spread to the team who were also pathetic as we lost 2-0 to hand Everton a 3pt advantage with a game in hand. A few days later 48,000 packed into the ground for what was being billed as the title decider against Everton. We played pretty well in spells, Mark Falco forced an absolutely brilliant save from Neville Southall, Graham Roberts scored for us and the ground erupted. I can't remember who scored Everton's goals but I can still see Gary O'Reilly fucking up for their winner and despite our pushing for another goal that was that. We lost 2-1 to go 6pts behind Everton with them retaining their game in hand. Man United slipped into second place 4pts behind Everton.
On 6th April we travelled to Upton Park, the game ended 1-1 with Ardiles scoring our goal and as usual, there was trouble outside the ground, inside the ground before, during and after the game. The result put us 8 points behind Everton and 4 behind United, the rails were well and truly coming off now. Every game was now a must win. A week later we travelled to Filbert Street and did what was required, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Falco and Hoddle. This put us 5pts behind Everton who had two games in hand, I think we all knew it was over and the disappointment only increased when we lost our next game at WHL to Arsenal by two goals to nil. Disappointment and bitterness were the emotions on the way home from that one. More taunting from the Gooners.
A few days later we played Ipswich at home and lost again despite a goal from our new striking sensation David Leworthy. Who? I hear you ask. Meh. On 27th April we travelled to Stamford Bridge and got a point. Trouble again, inside and outside the ground and the result kept us in third place, 2pts behind United and 13 behind Everton. Our first game in May was at home to Coventry and a shameful 16,000 turned up to watch us actually win a home game by 4 goals to 2 and even Chris 'Clipboard' Houghton chipped in with a goal......The result was meaningless with regard the title and the league placing remained unaltered. Two days later it was up to St James Park where we beat Newcastle 3-2, Leworthy, Hoddle and Ian Crook scoring the goals. Again the league placings remained the same.
We had three games left now to snatch second place and joy of joys, all were at home. Imagine we'd stayed in the race, three games at home. But we didn't and it didn't matter anyway as Watford absolutely slaughtered us 5-1 in the first of them. You'll all know the type of performance we turned in for that one. We've all seen it many times. I think my daughter grew up thinking Spurs proper name was 'fucking hell Tottenham'.....
Our last two games were on 14th and 17th May making 5 games we'd played in 13 days and we won both, against Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest to finish in third on goal difference behind Liverpool, who sneaked up on the rails to snatch second, with Manchester United a point away in fourth.
Looking back, some might say the terrible winter weather which caused so many matches to be called off was why we struggled, having to play a quarter of our fixtures in April and the first two weeks of May but it was the same for other teams. Personally I think it was a combination of two things. Firstly, losing 7 games at home with 5 of those 'when it mattered', in fact during this spell we contrived to lose 5 out of 6 home games. Secondly, credit were credit is due, Everton were so bloody relentless.
Where does this season stand in the grand scheme of our history? Probably nowhere, but it was a bloody good ride while it lasted with some fantastic memories along the way. Despite how it ended (and the league table would tell you otherwise), I think we came close. Closer than for a very long time. I'll never forget winning at Anfield for the first time in 70-odd years, winning at Highbury was always fun and most of the payers in that team remain my heroes to this day......
Next up. 1987 Clive Allen scoring 49 goals as we chase the treble. Maybe. If I can be arsed.
