United 3 West Ham 2 (28/03/1994)

[NE Blade]

This was my first ever game and I loved it.

I was just wondering what other people's memories of the game were? Was it the all time classic I remember it to be?! (I was only 7).

I remember Franz Carr having a great game! Was he actually any good, and if so, why did he play so few games for us?

Cheers

 

[Guesty]

I was only 6, and it was my first ever night match! I seem to remember we went 2-0 down very quickly. Then Whitehouse scored an absolute belter, Gayle equalised I think, then Rodgers got the winner. Everyone around me though it was Flo who had scored, indeed I think it was announced as him, too.

 

[Ollessendro]

I remember this game. Cracking experience. Was 11 at the time and had not been watching United long. Went early with my dad and sat on the kop. Dinsinctly remember watching Whitehouse during the warm up. He was chesting the ball and volleying back into the arms of one of the coaches. He spent 10 full minutes doing the same thing.

Remember being shell shocked as we went 2 nil down in the first half. Remember my dad saying to me 'if we score before half time we're right back in it ..... best time to score'. Sure enough United got a corner. Ball was headed out and Whitehouse was at the edge of the box. He chested it and volleyed the ball (in one motion like he'd been doing in the warm up) straight into the top corner. Miklosko (their keeper at the time I think?) no chance. Game on. My dad and I still talk about 'that goal' this day and it will always stick out in my mind.

Can't remember much else about the game, other than us going on to win 3-2. Remember it being a very enjoyable night.

 

[Large Mendonca]

The Whitehouse goal is featured on Sky's "Premier Years 1993-4" program, for when it's next shown. The rest of the goals from the game aren't on (and hardly any Blades games are) - but it's shown as "one of the goals of the season".

Still don't think i've seen a better one - maybe Brown's against Pigs 2003.

 

[JJ Sefton]

I have this match on video. Not great quality though.

 

[NE Blade]

So then - Franz Carr...was he actually any good?

 

[JohnDenver]

So then - Franz Carr...was he actually any good?

Occasionally brilliant.

 

[Silent Blade]

So then - Franz Carr...was he actually any good?

He would go past his man nearly everytime and at most times he doesnt know what to do next (either to shoot or cross/pass). I remember there was a Kop drummer that night. Kelly got injured near the end of the game and Tracey took his place (and played in every game for the rest of the season)

 

[Foxy]

So then - Franz Carr...was he actually any good?

For some reason I always used to remember his goal in the 6-0 mullering of Spurs the year before and thought at the time (as a young lad at the back of the Kop) that it was such an impossible angle and quality goal. Having recently watched the replay, sadly, it wasn't as good as my young brain remembered.

The other thing that stands out is that I heard after he left that he'd moved into music, delighted in telling everyone at the time, but I've never seen anything of it since... Half expect to find an article in a 90's match magazine in the attic or something.

 

[Northyorksblade]

I went to the Spurs game with my daughter, her boyfriend and his Dad, who was a Spurs fan. He was a total snob and a patronising bastard who thought his son was too good for my daughter. Obviously, I really enjoyed the game. He didn't talk much on the journey home.

 

[Revolution]

My abiding memory of that game is also the Whitehouse goal - what a shot. That was the first time I'd ever seen United win having gone 2-0 down.

As for Franz Carr, he was maddenly inconsistent - and Bassett was a "horses for courses" team selector and left him out a fair amount, but I saw him do some great things in those last 2 PL seasons despite limited opportunties:

- the Spurs goal Foxy mentions
- laying on Corky's goal at Wembley with a beautifully timed pass
- another good goal at home to Boro
- a tremendous goal to give us the lead at Old Trafford in 1992-3, picking up the ball on the halfway line and humiliating Gary Pallister before scoring
- a great strike in the 3-2 defeat at Ipswich in the snow in 1994
- the best I ever saw him play: our 2-1 win at Anfield in April 1994 where he ran rings around the Liverpool defence and laid on both of Flo's goals.

Not a bad highlight reel for someone playing 20 odd games.

 

[Cool Clint]

It would be nice to see the Whitehous goal, any links anybody?

 

[Darren]

The West Ham win was our first win since New Year's Day and started a run that made us think we could avoid relegation - P7 W4 D2 L1 going into the last game of the season at Chelsea. Chelsea were in the cup final and we all knew they would take it easy and we would get the point that was probably all we needed....

 

[Kenilworth]

The West Ham win was our first win since New Year's Day and started a run that made us think we could avoid relegation - P7 W4 D2 L1 going into the last game of the season at Chelsea. Chelsea were in the cup final and we all knew they would take it easy and we would get the point that was probably all we needed....

...... and Mark Stein thought otherwise

 

[Revolution]

I seem to recall that Stein was unsure of a place in the team for the Cup Final, hence he was one of the few Chelsea players with an interest in doing more than go through the motions.

 

[Ollessendro]

Yep, it is coming back to me now. Things were looking ominmous before the West Ham game and at 2 nowt down we were buried. Cue Super Dane and we're back in it. Remember the fantastic run we went on afterwards and that we were favourites to stay up on the last day. I distinctly remember the game vs Newcastle when we won 2 nowt. Blake double. One of those games were he (actually put some effort in and) tore the other team apart. Lovely sunny day at BDTBL. I was absolutely sure we were staying up. What were the chances that we'd lose at Chelsea, Blackburn would not beat Ipswich and Everton would win against Wimbledon? Very slim. At half time we were sure to stay up. Blackburn dominating (and sure to score?), Everton 2 nowt down and us winning. But thanks to the woodwork (Shearer), Hans Seger taking a bung and Mark Stein we somehow ended up getting relegated

 

[Cool Clint]

Yep, it is coming back to me now. Things were looking ominmous before the West Ham game and at 2 nowt down we were buried. Cue Super Dane and we're back in it. Remember the fantastic run we went on afterwards and that we were favourites to stay up on the last day. I distinctly remember the game vs Newcastle when we won 2 nowt. Blake double. One of those games were he (actually put some effort in and) tore the other team apart. Lovely sunny day at BDTBL. I was absolutely sure we were staying up. What were the chances that we'd lose at Chelsea, Blackburn would not beat Ipswich and Everton would win against Wimbledon? Very slim. At half time we were sure to stay up. Blackburn dominating (and sure to score?), Everton 2 nowt down and us winning. But thanks to the woodwork (Shearer), Hans Seger taking a bung and Mark Stein we somehow ended up getting relegated

You forget the dive by Anders Limpar for an Everton penalty I think.

 

[Selly]

You forget the dive by Anders Limpar for an Everton penalty I think.

Which was actually before half time...

...had we won at Oldham in between the Newcastle and Chelsea games we would have stayed up as well. We didn`t, we drew 1-1...

 

[SESKU Blade]

Anyone remember the game against West Ham where Pembo tried the somersault throw and made a complete balls up of it? Nearly ended up with the teams in a mass brawl.

Think that may have been a season or two before.

 

[Darren]

Anyone remember the game against West Ham where Pembo tried the somersault throw and made a complete balls up of it? Nearly ended up with the teams in a mass brawl.

Think that may have been a season or two before.

20th August 1991 1-1 draw (Beesley).

---------- Post added at 02:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

Which was actually before half time...

...had we won at Oldham in between the Newcastle and Chelsea games we would have stayed up as well. We didn`t, we drew 1-1...

That was seen as a good result at the time, as Tracey had been sent off for handball outside the area about halfway through the 2nd half when it was 1-1 and Oldham threw everything at our 10 men to keep their slim survival hopes alive. At the end of the game, the United fans cheerfully regaled Oldham fans with "you're going down, we're not".

Karma is a bitch etc etc

 

[Selly]

20th August 1991 1-1 draw (Beesley).

---------- Post added at 02:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------



That was seen as a good result at the time, as Tracey had been sent off for handball outside the area about halfway through the 2nd half when it was 1-1 and Oldham threw everything at our 10 men to keep their slim survival hopes alive. At the end of the game, the United fans cheerfully regaled Oldham fans with "you're going down, we're not".

Karma is a bitch etc etc

I was at that game and have no memory whatsoever of Tracey being sent off...I do remember singing "Going down, with the Swindon Town" to the tune of "Go West" by the Pet Shop Boys.

I remember Cork scoring (9 mins??) and them equalizing, but not much else...

 

[Darren]

I was at that game and have no memory whatsoever of Tracey being sent off...I do remember singing "Going down, with the Swindon Town" to the tune of "Go West" by the Pet Shop Boys.

I remember Cork scoring (9 mins??) and them equalizing, but not much else...

I could be wrong, but I thought they scored first and Cork equalised.

 

[Selly]

I could be wrong, but I thought they scored first and Cork equalised.

There is every chance to be fair...my memory of that night appears hazy at best. I suspect one too many Ales in the pub beforehand may be to blame...not that I was drinking, being 17 and all...

 

[Silent Blade]

I could be wrong, but I thought they scored first and Cork equalised.

Cork gave us the lead before Darren Beckford equalised. Before the game a friend was telling me that a fan in front of me was loudly criticising the decision to start Cork and that was during the warm up (Cork will have heard him). After he nodded in our goal he ran to our fans and seemed to be pointing his finger at the fan below me

 

[Guesty]

The Whitehouse goal is featured on Sky's "Premier Years 1993-4" program, for when it's next shown. The rest of the goals from the game aren't on (and hardly any Blades games are) - but it's shown as "one of the goals of the season".

Still don't think i've seen a better one - maybe Brown's against Pigs 2003.

It would be nice to see the Whitehous goal, any links anybody?

No links, but I can add that the "Premier Years" programme Mendoca mentions is on V+, the Virgin catch-up service. I imagine it'll be on Sky+, too. There's another programme on there, Sky Sports Yers or something, and the 1993 edition has us relegating Forest.

Cheers for the heads up by the way, Mendonca.

 

[essexblade87]

I have fond memories of this game as well, first game I ever saw on Sky Sports, with there fit inducing replays. I only remember two other games from that season, the dour 0-0 draw to Southampton and a sensational win over Newcastle provided by the once 'Great' Nathan Blake. Ah those were the days

 

[Russ]

I remember this game. Cracking experience. Was 11 at the time and had not been watching United long. Went early with my dad and sat on the kop. Dinsinctly remember watching Whitehouse during the warm up. He was chesting the ball and volleying back into the arms of one of the coaches. He spent 10 full minutes doing the same thing.

Remember being shell shocked as we went 2 nil down in the first half. Remember my dad saying to me 'if we score before half time we're right back in it ..... best time to score'. Sure enough United got a corner. Ball was headed out and Whitehouse was at the edge of the box. He chested it and volleyed the ball (in one motion like he'd been doing in the warm up) straight into the top corner. Miklosko (their keeper at the time I think?) no chance. Game on. My dad and I still talk about 'that goal' this day and it will always stick out in my mind.

Can't remember much else about the game, other than us going on to win 3-2. Remember it being a very enjoyable night.

Report of the game here

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-rogers-rescues-worried-blades-1432469.html

but I prefer your story mate

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

So then - Franz Carr...was he actually any good?

I always thought he was a decent player that got a bit of raw deal out of Bassett, as did one or two other natural wingers under DB. He much preferred wide midfield players that could put in a shift defensively.

Remember talking to Franz Carr at Don Valley gym in the late 90s, I'm sure he was on about taking up a coaching job in America.

 

[Ollessendro]

Report of the game here

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-rogers-rescues-worried-blades-1432469.html

but I prefer your story mate

Thanks for that. Jogged my memory a little bit.

Great time for Dane to score. We went into half time with a bit of belief. Then when Gayle knocked in the header the result was never in doubt. Can't remember the winning goal, though Rogers was a bit of a hero of mine. Had his name on the back of my shirt. Surprising really, to say how limited he was. But I was young.

Funny that someone else raised this, as it is one of my favourite nights at the Lane. Definately in my top 10 Blades experiences