davieG Posted 27 February 2006 Posted 27 February 2006 From a Tranmere perspective - I guess we've fallen a fair distance ourselves. Wembley 2000 six years on < Link By Richard Ault Date: 27/2/2006 Exactly six years ago to the day, nearly 30,000 Tranmere fans roared Rovers out onto the hallowed turf at Wembley amidst an explosion of fireworks. The Worthington Cup Final of 2000 against Leicester City summed up all that was about our club at the time, despite the result. The last ever League Cup Final to be held at the 'old Wembley' was played out between two of the countries less fashionable teams. On one hand you had one of the surprise packages in the Premiership in the form of Leicester City, moulded together brilliantly by the talented Martin O'Neill. For possibly the first time, The Foxes went into a major cup game as overwhelming favourites. Then there was Tranmere. Having already disposed of the likes of Middlesbrough and Bolton on the way to Wembley, all of a sudden legendary striker John Aldridge was set to now lead the side out beneath the twin towers as manager. Cup final flags in the Tranmere end of the stadium Rovers had an early goal ruled out whilst Leicester soon led 1-0 thanks to Matt Elliott's header. We were later reduced to ten men as Emile Heskey fell over his own shadow, Clint Hill getting shown a red card for it. In true Rovers fashion the team didn't once lie down. On 77 minutes came what probably remains one of the proudest moments of and Rovers fans lives. A free-kick just inside our own half was pumped long by Gareth Roberts, Jonah headed it down and Ned Kelly lashed the ball under Tim Flowers to send the place mental. The Brummie striker led a string of Tranmere players around the hoardings and into the vast space behind the goal, getting as close to the fans to celebrate as possible. For a few glorious minutes Rovers were back on terms in a major cup final. Unfortunately we all know what happens next; with the Super White Army in full voice that man Elliott scored again. Despite the result, seeing Rovers play out a showpiece final beneath the twin towers will stay with me forever. As always the odds were stacked against us. Clint sent off. Parky and Challinor not at full fitness. Yet still we had a go and very nearly did the unexpected, again. After that cup final and two back-to-back FA Cup Quarter Final appearances the club should surely have been set up to move forward, build themselves back into the force we were in the early-to-mid nineties. Unfortunately, we find ourselves with a team scrapping for survival in the third level of English football and playing what is probably some of the worst football seen in nearly 15 years. Gone is the passion, the unpredictability, the never-say-die attitude. Oh, and from 30,000 fans at Wembley to 438 at Oldham on Saturday. Looking back to great occasions may make our current position a little more depressing, but it sure makes you appreciate some of our fantastic achievements over the past 10 years or so. Wembley 2000 - Where are they now?
spirefox Posted 27 February 2006 Posted 27 February 2006 No disrespect to Tranmere ,but their fall from grace underlines the tinge of disappointment that we didn't beat a big club for our only Wembley Cup Final win ever.Losing to Spurs the year before was possibly the biggest sickener in all my years, they were there for the taking in injury time - Couldn't Martin have let Mad Frank off with a fine?
C-man Posted 27 February 2006 Posted 27 February 2006 From a Tranmere perspective - I guess we've fallen a fair distance ourselves.Wembley 2000 six years on < Link .... Despite the result, seeing Rovers play out a showpiece final beneath the twin towers will stay with me forever. As always the odds were stacked against us. Clint sent off. Parky and Challinor not at full fitness. Yet still we had a go and very nearly did the unexpected, again. .... I wasn't aware that i was playing in that game (Those that know me will get that )
Tommy Posted 27 February 2006 Posted 27 February 2006 I wasn't aware that i was playing in that game (Those that know me will get that ) Oh yes, massive throw on you if I remember rightly.
C-man Posted 27 February 2006 Posted 27 February 2006 Oh yes, massive throw on you if I remember rightly. Yeah, but ive fallen from grace now..... Theres a J Challinor playing for Exeter, and he's in the top goalscorer chart woooooooop
Bilko Posted 28 February 2006 Posted 28 February 2006 My son's first game, although he didn't know it as he was a 6-month foetus inside his mum's tum. Now he's 5, with the LCFC bedspread, pyjamas, t-shirt etc. Thankfully he does not understand that we are now crap. Still l've got the videos and the dream that one day in the future our saviour will arise and once more take us to the promised land...hallejuiah!
Shum Posted 1 March 2006 Posted 1 March 2006 No disrespect to Tranmere ,but their fall from grace underlines the tinge of disappointment that we didn't beat a big club for our only Wembley Cup Final win ever.Losing to Spurs the year before was possibly the biggest sickener in all my years, they were there for the taking in injury time - Couldn't Martin have let Mad Frank off with a fine? The spurs game was so gutting.
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