On 28 February 1976, Manchester City beat Newcastle United by 2 goals to 1 thanks to one of THE iconic Wembley goals.
As a Manchester City fan on the way home from Wembley in 1976, anything seemed possible. League titles, European Cups – you name it and it suddenly seemed briefly possible.
In my defence I was just 9 years old and enjoying what was my second trip to Wembley ( I had been to an International fixture the year before so was something of a veteran). Little was I to know that what would follow this victory would not be the world domination I had hoped for, but sparing a 1999 Play Off Final, was going to be some 35 years of trophy drought.
There are things I remember from Wembley that day. I recall my knitted rosette bought from a seller on Wembley Way as we walked with the throng of the crowd. I recall a shiny ‘silk’ scarf bearing the Manchester City emblem but curiously in what I recollect as a different hue of blue.
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I remember being behind the goal and having a bad view of the action. This was a combination of being just 9 and being buffeted by adults, and the sheer distance between the running track which circled the pitch and the action.
Other than that my specific memories congeal and it is the roar of the crowd and the pushing and shoving, like being in a mosh pit, rather than any particular action that lingers.
This was the Wembley before the Scotland v England trouble which caused the installation of the oppressive fences. So this was a simpler time all round.
Over the years I have watched the match many times on dvd and Youtube so cannot exactly be sure what I recall from the day and what is a memory from tv.
I have no real recollection of the goals because I did not see them. But I do remember being taken up in the swell of the crowd and that moment of ecstacy.
Dennis Tueart was my favourite player of the period and he scored the winner with a scissor kick – like Roy of the Rovers! The crowd was still celebrating when the final whistle went.
Along the way Peter Barnes had scored a tap in and Joe Royle had a goal disallowed. Not that I knew much of that at the time.
The walk back to Wembley tube station was a joy as the crowd celebrated and sang songs loudly into the night.
I am 53 and have seen City win the League Cup 5 times so far at Wembley. Those victories have not been spread out evenly over that period though, in between there have been many fallow years!
So, the League Cup has held a special spot in my life as a Manchester City fan. Next up we look at 2014, our next visit to Wembley in the League Cup.