We lost again at Hillsborough, 2-1 in the Premier League season. After going behind to a Dejan Stefanovic goal, Redders scored in off the post from a free kick to level at 1-1. I well remember the Paulo Di Canio histrionics throughout the game but in particular during the last half an hour when despite already having a yellow card he somehow avoided being sent off and then scored the winner after 88 minutes. One of the cruelest defeats at the Sty. What I didn't realise was that the referee that night was none other than our friend Gary Willard!
Remember it well. Di Canio continually abused the officials through the second half and if I remember right poked Darren Barnard in the eye off the ball. How he stopped on was a mystery. Then up he pops to get the late winner. Another of the many sickeners we’ve had at the sty and why I’ve stopped going when we play there lol.
Watched this on a huge screen in the White Lion in East Grinstead. So big that when we won that free kick you could read Redders’ lips as he grabbed the ball. “Leave it to me…” You just knew he was going to score!
I remember a lad at work coming to me on the Friday before to book a day's holiday. I asked "Why such short notice?". He replied "It's Wednesday on Monday so I'd like Tuesday off".
Watched this in the Black Rock pub in wakey, some Celtic fan was trying to defend di-canio, proper wound me up.
M My first ever away match. We were sat in the home end because we couldn't get tickets in our end, but my uncle and cousin who support that lot couldn't go, so we used their season tickets. My dad jumped up when redders scored, I was 8 years old and scared shirtless.
Wounded to lose it in the last min simple error from Aidy Moses stood in the open corner on leppings Lane got absolutely drenched.
Derby away. Blackburn Away, Coventry away, Newcastle away, Sheff Wed away, Leeds away. Liverpool, Leeds and Tottenham at home. For all our spankings. Those thrown away points would have seen us comfortable in mid table. Massive opportunity wasted.
He'd be worth a fortune these days and we'd have never kept him as long as we did. Incredible player and captain.
Could tackle, could score, could pass, could motivate. And he was at the heart of our greatest avhievement as a club. For his all-round abilities he has to be our GOAT for me.
