Scarlet Ribbon

'ABIDE WITH ME' Scarlet Ribbon: If you're properly cursed everyone's relationship with their football team has moments that will live with you forever. They don't have to be fantastic wins or great goals. It could be one almighty fine day out with friends or a memory of watching a match with your dad when you got absolutely hammered 5-0. But he might have said something that made you laugh and forever more will be there when you think of your team's colours. And your dad. Football is an addiction, don't let anyone kid you. Whether it be Morecambe, Mansfield or Manchester United. I became a red through family, late seventies, I picked my games! The first, West Bromwich Albion at home when we got beat 5-3. However, at the time in complete young anorak mode just to score three goals under Dave Sexton was today akin to winning the Champion's league. So, began a lifetime love affair. The 1979 FA Cup semi-final replay at Goodison Park against Liverpool. Listening with my mum and gran whilst my dad was at the match. The crackling tones emerging through the transistor radio and then Jimmy scored! My gran one of the great United fans and I miss her so. A first trophy in 1983, Big Ron's team, Robbo, Whiteside and the lads, a thirteen-year-old watching United running round Wembley with the FA Cup. The eighties though, my season ticket should have been issued with a health warning stamped Liverpool. Come the nineties and Ferguson. Night turned to day. The Anfield mob were not just put in their place but evicted. I experienced United winning the league after twenty-six years. I saw the European cup ripped from Bayern Munich in Barcelona like a thief in the night. Under Moscow red skies in a Mancunian downpour we drank and danced till dawn and more as my team took on and beat Abramovich's Chelsea in his own back yard. This as he watched on a throne. Priceless. Life, kids, work, spark and shine, they break your heart and can make you cry, smile, laugh and scream at the moon, but one thing remains constant. Through love and despair Manchester United football club have always been there. My favourite moment as a red? Listening to 'Abide with Me' before kick-off at the 1994 FA Cup final against Chelsea and soaked to the skin as the rain came down. Then, with twenty minutes to go and 4-0 up the double won, United fans broke into a rendition of 'She wore a scarlet ribbon.' Hope you enjoy the read. A selection of articles, stage plays and books. You get one team, and Manchester United were mine.

Author: John Ludden

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Nov 10, 2017

Number of Pages: 564 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: 1979600880

ISBN-13: 9781979600880