“Two and a half hours later all you can hear is ‘super Stevie Claridge’ echoing around Wembley

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-pillock-ex-leicester-city-4166958

 

'What a pillock' - Ex-Leicester City striker Steve Claridge reflects on that play-off winner
Claridge scored the winner in the final minute of extra time

ByThomas Smith
06:00, 27 MAY 2020

The feeling of scoring Leicester City ’s 1996 play-off final winner remains unparalleled for Steve Claridge nearly a quarter of a century on.

Claridge’s 120th-minute goal on this day 24 years ago ensured Leicester made an immediate return to the Premier League, having been relegated a year earlier along with Crystal Palace, who they beat 2-1 at Wembley.

Twelve months later he was named FourFourTwo’s ‘Cult Hero of 1997’ after again striking in extra-time as Leicester won the League Cup.

Although hero status was already secured when his Bank Holiday Monday goal ensured Leicester’s 1990s play-off romance ended gloriously.

 

“The high is not equal to anything,” the 54-year-old tells LeicestershireLive.

Just to reach their fourth play-off campaign of the decade Leicester had produced a remarkable turnaround, winning six of their last eight matches, after protests against Martin O’Neill followed March 30th’s defeat to Sheffield United.

However, Leicester’s recovery is scant in comparison to Claridge’s personal resurrection.

Signed with funds made available after Steve Corica’s sale to Wolves, which also facilitated Neil Lennon and Muzzy Izzet’s arrivals, Claridge’s £1.2m transfer ended a largely enjoyable spell at St. Andrews at the start of March 1996.

But further enjoyment was not instantly forthcoming, and Leicester lost 4-2 at Ipswich Town on Claridge’s debut. To add insult to underlying injury, his shorts were on the wrong way around.

Steve Claridge in action during the FA Cup fifth-round match at Filbert Street against Chelsea in 1997. Picture by Shaun Botterill/Allsport

Having switched West for East Midlands, he was unable to leave a goal drought in the second city.

In fact, more alarmingly his sense of touch had disappeared and the mystery illness that had ravaged his form came to the fore – it was astonishing he was able to play at all

“I got taken off after about 15 minutes,” says Claridge about his fifth City outing, against Millwall. “Pins and needles from my knees down were so extreme, I could not even feel the ball.”

A week later, amid fan fury during the defeat to Sheffield United, Claridge, who had been playing matches on sheer adrenaline, recognised this was the final straw.

What was diagnosed as a thyroid problem stems from a heart defect he suffered age 12, with the prescribed Amiodarone destroying his thyroid gland.

“The main energy provider of my body was no longer functioning,” explains Claridge.

Believing he was one of the game’s fittest players, attested to by then City coach Steve Walford, Claridge adds: “There was something drastically wrong.”

Administered thyroxine, a bed-bound Claridge was ruled out of City’s midweek trip to Charlton Athletic, until he pleaded with O’Neill to play him after an unbelievable rehabilitation.

“He [O’Neill] was never gonna play me, he realised how debilitating it was,” says Claridge. “But I begged him.”

His recovery kickstarted Leicester’s. Three points at the Valley courtesy of Claridge’s curling effort which broke his City duck and ended a lengthy run of games being absent from the scoresheet anywhere.

 

Steve Claridge celebrates scoring the winning goal in the Play-off Final between Leicester City and Crystal Palace at Wembley in 1996.

Re-energised, City beat Birmingham 3-0 in thier final home game, with Claridge opening the scoring after visiting supporters greeted him by waving pound notes.

A play-off place was secured with a fourth successive win on the final day at Watford – thanks to Izzet’s first City goal – setting up a meeting with Stoke City, who had completed a league double over Leicester.

Despite this, Claridge was adamant the Foxes would be promoted.

“We were gonna win it, there wasn’t a team to touch us”, says Claridge of a belief that remained even after City’s home leg against Stoke ended goalless.

Recalled for a first start since March, after a fall out with O’Neill which saw him stripped of the captaincy, Garry Parker’s volley was the difference in the Potteries to set up Leicester’s fourth Wembley trip in five years.

Having found their rhythm under O’Neill, City were the better team under the Twin Towers, despite favourites Palace leading through Andy Roberts’ 14th-minute goal.

“I knew if we equalised in that game we’d win it," says Claridge. “It wouldn’t have mattered if we were 2-0 down, we’d have won 3-2. It was a team that just kept going.”

Belief in Claridge’s fitness was less universal and in the 70th minute ITV commentator Alan Parry questioned whether he “can last the pace."

“Martin knew better than that”, says Claridge who was visibly sharper than the tiring defenders. “He knew as the game went on I would just get stronger.”

He was not alone, and Leicester deservedly equalised with 14-minutes remaining when Parker converted a penalty after Izzet was felled by future City defender Marc Edworthy.

Leicester still seemed the likely winners in a frenzied extra-time period, before 6’7” goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac was infamously brought on with penalties looming.

But when awarded a free kick on halfway, man of the match Parker took it quickly, incidentally not allowing Claridge to push up.

 

Leicester City goal scorers Garry Parker and Steve Claridge celebrate after winning the Division One play-off final against Crystal Palace at Wembley
“I was still making my way forward,” says Claridge. “As the ball goes over my head I’m thinking where’s it gonna drop.”

Falling into Claridge’s path, his shot kisses the stanchion with Palace goalkeeper Nigel Martyn motionless.

“The crowd is just really stunned in disbelief, I don’t know if that was because I’d hit it,” laughs Claridge. “It was so far out, and everybody was used to me scoring goals inside the six-yard box.”

Post-match Claridge infamously played down the quality of his strike, although this does not detract from the magnitude of the moment which he ranks above the following year’s League Cup glory.

“I said it had hit my shin, what a pillock – I hit it really well,” says Claridge. “To finish off after the lows I went through, the absolute lows where you’re thinking, ‘my career is over I can’t see a way out of this,’ to doing that and taking you to the ultimate high – winning that game of football.”

“It’s unparalleled”, he says, before recalling the 38,000 City fans in attendance, 5,000 more than Palace. “Two and a half hours later all you can hear is ‘super Stevie Claridge’ echoing around Wembley when you’re coming out – it’s unbelievable.”

[davieG]

 

[Footballwipe]

 

[Guest Electric Yetis]

Super Stevie Claridge.

Was here for such a short period of time but scores 2 of the most important goals in our history. 

[Spiritwalker]

47 minutes ago, davieG said:

 

I was behind the goal and in all my time watching football this was one of the strangest goals. Time seemed to momentarily 

stand still as the ball travelled in slow motion straight in the top corner just brilliant.

 

 

[stripeyfox]

what a day that was! Happy memories!
 

[Livid]

I was looking past Parker at Kalic thinking "I hope he's up to this"

 

Turned my head back just as Claridge hit it, I still think time stood still for everyone in the stands for around 2 seconds then all hell broke loose.

 

There's been some great times in the last five years but that moment is up there with the very best.

 

 

[Izzy]

1 hour ago, Spiritwalker said:

I was behind the goal and in all my time watching football this was one of the strangest goals. Time seemed to momentarily 

stand still as the ball travelled in slow motion straight in the top corner just brilliant.

 

I was behind the goal too but bloody missed it.

 

I was distracted with the GK substitution and was watching all the activity on the bench then suddenly I was in a heap about four rows in front 

[Countryfox]

What a game !! ..  will never forget it ..  even though I was a bit worse for wear ...  

 

The card on my pic says to my number one fan ...  blub blub blub ...  

 

 

[whetstonefox]

Best day out ever! Best seats at Wembley in all those trips in the 90s. Those play off trips seemed to follow the same pattern , glorious sunshine, early start on a coach, to the Green Man pub I think it was called, sat outside with tinnies , Blackburn and Swindon games were tough to take but Derby & Palace, wow!

[Spudulike]

Not sure which of the finals it was but we got stuck in the traffic outside of Wembley and the car in front had been hand painted (badly!) in City colours with appropriate slogans. Not sure if it had machanical problems or if they were trying to conserve petrol but 3 of the lads pushed it as the traffic edged forward. After each push they broke into when you're smiling "the whole world smiles with youoooo". 

[Lesta2014]

Was 6 at the time, still remember the silence before absolute chaos of it hitting the back of the net! Unreal feeling 

[Fox92]

When people speak of legends here they always miss him out. Cup final goal and a play off final goal is legendary status for me.

 

Plus I once met him outside Filbert Street pre match and he was a top bloke.

[Voll Blau]

3 hours ago, davieG said:

 

The line "I am the king when it comes to penalty shoot-outs" still makes me laugh.

 

My first trip to Leicester South. What a day.

[Blue ROI]

Was the last playoff game on ITV. Sky took over from that point on.

 

Managed to get home for extra time after school finished that day.

 

Until the great escape would probably have had this as my favourite City moment with the cup final in 97 a close second.

 

Not sure I would have predicted silverware but you knew we were onto something good with that playoff win.

 

Claridge. Hero.

[Chicago Foxile]

Brilliant moment, brilliant day! Behind the goal amongst the bleacher style seating- the place just erupted. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as we saw the ball leave his foot (shin)- knew where it was heading! Very special 

[Guest lcfc80]

I wrote this the other day about O'Neill's early days and the run in to the play offs. http://leicestercitynews.co.uk/the-beginnings-of-the-martin-oneill-era-1995-96/

 

It was a real incredible time that I honestly think only those that went all the time back then can truly understand and loved thinking back to those times

[Guest lcfc80]

2 hours ago, Chicago Foxile said:

Brilliant moment, brilliant day! Behind the goal amongst the bleacher style seating- the place just erupted. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as we saw the ball leave his foot (shin)- knew where it was heading! Very special 

 

I was right behind it and everyone says the same thing, took forever to go in after he hit it

[TheSomersetFox]

Was far too young to remember this but I love how everyone says the same thing about time almost slowing down when Claridge hit it. 

 

Had the exact same feeling when Hazard bent his effort into the top corner against Spurs. 

[Paninistickers]

Was on the same side as camera. Similar view. 

 

It was Nigel Martyn's fault!  He never moved. I acutely remember about to look away, expecting the ball to pitter patter on all that gravel/sand behind the goal on the basis of Martyn's apparent casualness.

 

Then, the weird clink of the post/stanchion and the net seemed to catch the ball out of nowhere. Fukk, it's gone in!

[Webbo]

It's impossible to know for sure but without that goal, we might not have been promoted, no league cups, no Thai owners and no PL win. We might have be stuck in the championship for decades.

[Corky]

1 minute ago, Webbo said:

It's impossible to know for sure but without that goal, we might not have been promoted, no league cups, no Thai owners and no PL win. We might have be stuck in the championship for decades.

And if Norwich had been able to sign Dean Windass, we'd have had Mike Walker in charge, many sliding doors moments over the past 25 years.

[stripeyfox]

6 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

Was on the same side as camera. Similar view. 

 

It was Nigel Martyn's fault!  He never moved. I acutely remember about to look away, expecting the ball to pitter patter on all that gravel/sand behind the goal on the basis of Martyn's apparent casualness.

 

Then, the weird clink of the post/stanchion and the net seemed to catch the ball out of nowhere. Fukk, it's gone in!

I think Martyn's lack of movement contributed to our collective "confusion" about the goal, if that's the right word. You normally expect to see a keeper sprawling for the ball and his failure to get it "validates" to goal in your head. The fact that Martyn didn't move kind of planted a seed of doubt in mind, like he'd seen the linesman flag or ref signal something. That might account for the delay people talk about.

 

I wasn't actually there but watching on TV in a village pub near Melton who had an annual beer festival that weekend. Capped the night off with a memorable romantic encounter with a young lady (well memorable for me at least, I doubt she tells her mates about it!)

[Guest lcfc80]

2 minutes ago, Webbo said:

It's impossible to know for sure but without that goal, we might not have been promoted, no league cups, no Thai owners and no PL win. We might have be stuck in the championship for decades.

 

In the thing I wrote, I said about actually the Wolves away win may have been the 'massive one' after a terrible start for MON, obviously we'll never know

[Guest lcfc80]

2 minutes ago, Corky said:

And if Norwich had been able to sign Dean Windass, we'd have had Mike Walker in charge, many sliding doors moments over the past 25 years.

Martin George overruled the board as well if I remember after that, Walker was almost dead cert at 1 point