Anfield '89 stories?

[rich212]

I'm (And I'm sure lots of others) are interested to hear if anyone on this forum went to Anfield in 1989 and could give a story?

What was it like? How many Gooners went etc.

[StuartL]

Think we have a few on here who went and have told their stories before...

The original match was due to take place in April but due to Hillsborough was postponed and probably due to Liveprool's FA cup commitments rescheduled as the final game of the season.

Of course we should have had it seen up well before then but lost 1-2, at home to Derby and drew 2-2 with Wimbledon to leave us with little chance, at least according to the mirror "You don't have a prayer Arsenal"

Anyway, got on the travel club coach outside Highbury with an optimistic badge seller trying to flog "championship badges", was waved at through Islington as we made our way North.

Coach journey up was loud, with plenty of banter, drink (banned though) and blind optimism until road works delayed us all horribly and a police escort up the hard shoulder ensured we got into the ground albeit late (kick off was delayed by 10 mins I think) a little after Bouldy nearly opened the scoring with a header cleared off the line .

Row 2 of the seats at the Anfield Road end, the away section was in full flow all game and as half time came with a respectable 0-0 to build on the Gooners gave the best rendition of "maybe its because I'm a Londoner" I have ever witnessed.

Smith's goal brought us joy ( and some to the pitch) but while the scousers tried to get it overturned it was a very tense minute or two, then with time ticking by Mickey missed a glorious chance.

Still the Gooner faithful didn't give up (also had K Campbell, P Davis and Quinn among us dressed in club ties and suits) and our faith was rewarded with that epic "up for grabs now" moment we all know and love. Bedlam ensued as a title was coming to us for the first time in 18 years.

Then the final whistle unconfined joy, hugging aplenty, the celebrations and tears from a few including O'Leary.

The coach journey back was actually quieter than going up as to a man the fans had given there all as well as the players but we got cheered and waved at by Evertonians as we passed through Merseyside en route home.

Our coach (16) was the first one back at Highbury and there were still a few hundred fans celebrating at approx 2am to greet us like conquering hero's- handshakes, backslaps and an impromptu 200 strong conga through our coach and out of the emergency exit.

Best night of my life.

As a side note it also won me nearly 500 quid thanks to a pre season each way accumulator on us, Chelsea, Wolves and Orient to win their respective divisions 3 out of 4 ain't bad eh ?

[rich212]

Great story, wish I'd have been alive to have gone

How many away fans were there?

[StuartL]

I would guess in the region of 2,500 - 3,000 max

We had half the Anfield Road end seats (single tier) and the terrace section in the corner.

[blocknineteen]

It certainly was the best night ever. I was 16 at the time and thought after beating the scum in the league cup replay in 87, it would have to take something very special to see our fans celebrate like that again. If my memory serves me right, we officially had five thousand there that night. However, there were small pockets of gooners everywhere.
Also got on TV that night and on the club DVD, previously in video form obviously ; )

[goonertux]

For those of us that couldn't get a ticket, was anyone else in The Gunner's Arms that night? Seem to remember the old telly falling off the wall when TA lifted the trophy and getting absolutely soaked in beer! You had to be at Highbury if you couldn't get to Anfield just to soak up the atmosphere and comradery. Remember the queues in all the little supermarkets for any sort of alcohol. Ending up with special brew, red stripe whatever you could get your hands on. Then the partying outside the marble halls till the early hours when coaches started to get back. Just an amazing night that I don't think will ever be repeated!

[goonersid]

Missed the entire second half, I was living in Swindon at the time and we moved from our local at half time, to go into the town center, not a single fucking pub was showing the game. By the time we'd tried everywhere, the match was almost over.
We were in a hotel bar and a guy was listening to the game on a small transistor radio, he told me it was 1-0 to Arsenal, then disappeared out to his car as the fucking battery had run out on his radio. He came back in about 5 mins later and he was fucking sheet white and mumbling Michael Thomas, Michael Thomas, I couldn't get any sense out of him and realised he was a pool fan.
It wasn't until I was going home later that night that the cabbie was able to confirm that we'd done it.
So when I got home, having set the video recorder I was able to watch the second half. I still have the original VHS tape from that night.

[Wazza97]

Been lurking for ages but 26 May 89 is etched into my memory so had to post. Here's my story from that day.
Due to a lack of Arsenal news thought I'd give you something a little different. A look back at my favourite moment as a gooner.

The 26 May will always be our day. The Mancs would later try and claim it following winning some cheap European bauble but the 26 May 1989 will live forever in Arsenal folklore. The day George Graham's young Arsenal came of age in the most exciting finish to a season ever despite later claims from Sky.

The day started with a trip to the high street (Waltham Cross if you're interested) to stock up on newspapers for the coach trip. Now I had my Arsenal shirt on so expected some banter so was not surprised to recive abuse from a Spurs supporter. The fact he stopped his job of bin emptying to do it gave me a chuckle.

Papers in hand it was off to the bus station to get the 279 bus to Manor House. Severe traffic (was to be a theme of the day) meant I had to jump off at Seven Sisters and get the underground. I arrived at Highbury with 10 minutes to spare and found an empty seat on coach number 5. It's at this point I should mention I was travelling alone. The rest of my usual gang had decided to give it miss following the postponement of the original game. But I was soon chatting to those around me. There was a distinct camaraderie amongst those making the trip.

The coaches pulled out and all went well until the mother of all traffic jams on the M1. It was a perfect storm, bank holiday, rail strike, Friday and me desperate to get to a game.

Despite the best efforts our coach driver we pulled into the outskirts of the Liverpool five minutes before the 8:00pm kick off. It was at this point we were joined by a member of the local constabulary. He assured us that due to the traffic problems the kick off had been delayed.

As we got off the coach at about ten past eight the noises coming from inside Anfield made it obvious the game was in full flow. Cue mass rush to get through the turnstiles. Now given the reason this game had been postponed the fact kick off was not delayed was criminal. The plod who lied on the coach showed the disdain football supporters were held in at the time. We arrived on our corner of the terrace just in time see Uncle Bouldy's first half header cleared off the line.

You all know how the game panned out so I won't go over the details again but just give you a few memories that are still strong today.

The chorus of 'we're proud of you' that continued throughout half time. We out sung the Kop all night.
Smudger's header to put us one up.
Liverpool players protesting. Thankfully David Hutchinson was calm and strong enough to make the correct decision.
Steve McMahon and his one minute shenanigans.
Time seemingly suspended as Mickey Thomas clipped the ball over Grobbelaar.
The explosion of joy and relief amongst the travelling Gooners.
The relief at the final whistle.
Liverpool supporters generously staying behind to acknowledge the new champions.

Now this is the point the night went a bit wrong for me. Thomas scored, I leapt in the air and my glasses launched themselves high into the night sky never to be seen again. Without my glasses (I now wear contacts) I can barely see my hand at the end my arm.

So after watching some blurry objects cavort around the pitch with the league trophy, or so I'm told, I made my way back to coach 5. The trip back was long but happy. I'm told the players coach passed us at one point, but I couldn't see.

After getting off the coach I made my way to Manor House to get the bus home. At this point I realised I had a problem. Yes I could see the busses but I really couldn't see the numbers on the front. So a call to Dad at 3:00 in the morning. Fortunately I have a great dad who is a gooner to boot. Once he finished laughing at my predicament he was more than happy to come and get me. And thus ended my greatest day as a Gooner.

[REB]

great story wazza

[Herd]

Ive done one on here i think b4 ,cant be arsend to do it again ,it was on the IASA at one stage

[Wazza97]

great story wazza

Cheers for that. Had been waiting since my first game ion 74 to see us lift the title and still didn't actually see it. Was just glad it happened then and not after Smudgers goal

[Top Londoner]

Wazza, "Steve McMahon and his one minute shenanigans."

The sweetest of memories.

Welcome to the forum.

Wenger out.

[vini1969]

Ahhh Anfield 89 my top moment as a Gooner too.
That season me and my mate Sharpey went to every game home and away (including FA Cup,League Cup and friendlies) to end it like that is the stuff of dreams.
My memories have faded a bit but I remember we were on Coach 13 (unlucky for some not us) and we had the whole Coppers getting on saying game was delayed for us routine on the motorway hard shoulder.
I also got into the ground just as Bouldy came close and took my place quite high up on the terracing
Memories of the game are few and far between however I distinctly remember thinking we had blown it after Mickey T prodded the ball harmlessly at Grobbelar.
People speak of moments in time seeming like they go past in slow motion well that is what it felt like when Mickey burst through.
When the ball hit the net I remember being hugged and jumping around with a thousand faces in the space of seconds and finding myself quite close to the front after toppling down the terracing with a sea of smiling Gooners.
Quite simply a mind blowing moment that still brings a tear !
To their credit the scousers were in general great that night...getting on our coach and congratulating us staying to applaud the team etc
The journey home went by in a blur I do remember seeing the team come past with the Trophy gleaming at the front of the Coach..
Upon returning to Highbury I expected it to be quiet due to the early hour return how wrong I was thousands clapped us off the coaches like returning heroes and beer was thrust into our hands....first drink of the day !
Days like that don't come around very often I am just glad that I was one of the lucky ones to have experienced it first hand..
My ticket stubb and programme are in a frame and everytime I glance at them I am transported back to that May night in Liverpool.

[StuartL]

Wazza, "Steve McMahon and his one minute shenanigans."

The sweetest of memories.

Welcome to the forum.

Wenger out.

To be fair he was only trying to tell his teammates "c'mon 1 more min to go" and got loads of clog of us for years whereas that **** Alrdridge got off scott free for his appalling sportsmanship to fellow countyman O' Leary

[Perryashburtongroves]

Wazza, "Steve McMahon and his one minute shenanigans."

The sweetest of memories.

Welcome to the forum.

Wenger out.

To be fair he was only trying to tell his teammates "c'mon 1 more min to go" and got loads of clog of us for years whereas that **** Alrdridge got off scott free for his appalling sportsmanship to fellow countyman O' Leary

I've always thought they are both wankers if that helps. Mcmoan because he was and always will be a shit, talentless, mouser prick and Aldrige for being a total *word censored* and taunting that Forest bloke when he scored an own goal in that year's rearranged semi-final.