My second day in the UK and life goal number one already achieved. Before my arrival in the UK I organised to see the Manchester United v Blackpool game at Old Trafford, a game in which United would be presented their record-breaking 19th League Trophy. Tickets were scarce, but I was able to secure one through a local Supporters Group.
I woke up at 5am, mainly due to jetlag, but I would be wrong if I said I did not have an ounce of adrenalin running through my veins. I arrived at London Euston around 45 mins before train departure (9.20am). Here I met my friend (I will constantly refer to him as 'friend'). We had something to eat and got to know eachother. He was a bloke I had never met before, but we are all 'United' at Manchester, hence the friend reference. The last call for Manchester Piccadilly projected over the PA speaker and we made a run for the Park Ji Sung platform, platform 13.
My reserved seat 43A was occupied, so I took it as a free-for-all, taking any seat I can. Of course, two minutes before departure and a group of young English women approached me and advised that I was sitting in their seat. Being the gentleman I am, I offered my seat to the young lady who looked like she had really enjoyed her Saturday night in London. With the Stretford End at the forefront of my mind, I did not come to the realisation that I would be standing for the next two and a half hours. If somebody told me I could only go to Old Trafford to watch United lift the title for the 19th time under the condition that I had to stand, I would have done it with one leg (maybe not).
The train was saturated with red. It was still early and nobody was in any mood for banter, except for Steven and friend. For the first hour and a half, my friend and I (who was also Melburnian) reminisced about football in Australia, lifestyle, club scene and stereotype. We received blank stares from some (those British girls) and chuckles from others (United supporters). Clearly I am more fancied by a United supporter than a British girl. In the rare break of conversation, I was able to spare a moment and gaze out the window at the English country-side. For what it is worth, I could not really care about the English country-side, I just wanted to get to Old Trafford. I have plenty of time to sit back and watch Catriona Rowtree give a 'comprehensive' three-minute 'Getaway' speel about the English Country-side.
So we reached Manchester Piccadilly, walked to the square, dumped our luggage and headed back to the station to catch the train to Old Trafford. We missed the first train, and in the wait for the second, a flock of Manchester City supporters arrived on the platform to set on their short trip to the Reebok Stadium at Bolton. One 'Citeh' supporter tried to mark his territory by advising me I was on the wrong platform. It was my first experience of distaste between rival Football Clubs in the UK.
We ended up on the 3:01pm train, just under an hour away from kick-off. We arrived at Old Trafford soon after to be greeted by the stadium's perimetre. I was immediately subsided by the colossal presence of this wonderful stadium. We wasted no time in heading towards the Stretford End (left of screen) where we were met by an insurmountable stairwell to the upper tier, well so it seemed anyway. After a vigorous climb, I rushed through the concourse to get the first momentous view of the surface that has been graced by so many of my idols. I soaked up the moment, took my seat and really thought about where I was. Around 20 minutes before kick off, I pressed record on the voice memo application on my phone to ensure I get every sound that was churned out of the Stretford End this afternoon. The stadium was still half full, although the Western Wing started to populate as the seats that spelled 'Manchester United' started to become occupied. Music was played over the PA, atmosphere building and fans started to find their voice.
3:55pm and the greatest English Club made their way on to Old Trafford from the tunnel below me. A guard of honour was set up by the Blackpool players to commend title number 19. I really could not believe what I was witnessing as the chant 'Campeones' exploded in a sudden instant. Players shook hand and took their position. The ball was played back to Paul Scholes, yes Paul Scholes, as he characteristically looked to play to the wide spaces of Old Trafford. I took a stance like many others and started singing at full voice. The chants rolled on; From 'Are you watching Merseyside?' to 'Viva Ronaldo'. My involvement was not at capacity as I still wanted to ensure I was getting all the photos and videos to prove my existence in this stadium.
Not long in and Park made it 1-0 after a clever Berbatov headed pass. There was no exclamation about the cheer. It was comparable to the cheer Park Ji Sung receives when his name is announced in the starting line up. Not long after and Charlie Adam made it 1-1. A sublime free kick which left Edwin Van Der Sar rooted to the spot. The goal was greeted by an applause from the Old Trafford faithful, who were more than happy to concede a draw if it meant Blackpool stayed up. Half time arrived and after 45 minutes of standing and singing I took my seat for a respite.I took a moment to reflect before I went through my phone and camera to ensure I had taken all the necessary footage of this great day.
Blackpool started the second half well and were rewarded with the lead thanks to Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who with this goal had put Blackpool safe from relegation. Not long after and Anderson levelled, and when Smalling's low cross was turned in by a Blackpool defender, the hopes of the Blackpool faithful in the opposite corner of the stadium slowly faded. The Stretford End were enjoying themselves and went through 10 minutes of 'old skool', starting with 'Ooh ahh Cantona', moving on to 'Keano' and fittingly ending with 'Gary Neville is a red', only days before playing his testimonial against Juventus. Michael Owen made his entrance into the arena and in typical Owen fashion he scored United's fourth as the chant 'You Scouse Bastard' went up in the Stretford End.
It was a day of celebration and no matter what the result was, the mood could not be killed on this historic day. Blackpool were to be relegated back to the Championship. On their way out, a standing ovation from United supporters was further escalated to a roar in praise of Ian Holloway, who not too dissimilar to Sir Alex Ferguson would always speak his mind in the media. Holloway acknowledged the ovation he received and headed down the tunnel. 'Campeones' and 'Que Sera Sera' rang around the stadium once again in anticipation of the United team re-appearing to collect their medals.
The team re-appeared in unison as they hopped, skipped and jumped their way to the stage. One-by-one they were announced to their cheers of the crowd. The two loudest roars came three from the end. Firstly Paul Scholes (10th title) and a quick rendition of 'He scores goals galore', then Ryan Giggs, whose 12th Premier League title had the Stretford End singing 'Giggs will tear you apart, again'. Captain Nemanja Vidic rounded off the celebrations by being the last presented, then proceeding to lift the historic 19th title, effectively knocking Liverpool 'off their perch'. 'Are you watching Merseyside?' erupted again to remind Liverpool supporters of the proceedings taking place. To add further insult, the Scousers went down 1-0 to Aston Villa.
A slow lap of honour took place as players were greeted by their family, and the Streford End gave it their all one last time for season 2010/11. Wayne Rooney provided one more highlight as he urged his son towards goal at the Stretford End with his miniature football. Kai took the ball from 6 yards and made his way to the goal line only to over-run the ball at the last attempt, which was ruthfully finished by on-coming father Wayne, much to the jubilation of the Stretford End.
The stadium emptied and I remained to get my last glimpses of the Theatre, just incase I never made it back there again. On exit I ensured I took a photo with all 19 Championship-winning teams as displayed on the walls outside Old Trafford, as well as capturing the memorials and tributes to the Munich Air Disaster of 1958. I waited outside for the players to leave, capturing glimpses of all the players, including Rooney, Rio, Fletcher, Smalling, Park, Anderson and Edwin Van Der Sar. Rio took off in his Jaguar not long after Anderson pulled the scissor doors down of his SLR McLaren. The Megastore was closed, and thankfully so as I could have remained there for quite a while. I managed to purchase three scarves, one in memory of the Munich Air Disaster, another in protest of Glazer, and the final one, the 19th Championship edition.
I promised myself to go back there again next season, and if all goes to plan, my dream of watching a Manchester United v Liverpool fixture could well be within reach.
