May 30 is a significant date in the history of Manchester City and one that has enabled the club to reach the dizzying heights it is currently occupying.
On this date 15 years ago the Blues were facing the prospect of a second season in the third tier of English football as they trailed 2-0 in stoppage time of the Division Two Play-off final against Gillingham at Wembley.
But goals from Kevin Horlock and Paul Dickov brought the game level before the Blues went onto win the game on penalties thanks to some incredible goalkeeping from Nicky Weaver.
City author, David J Mooney, has spoken to all 14 players from the squad that day as well as their manager, Joe Royle to produce a book, Looks Like Scunny Next Season, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the game.
“It felt like the right time to look back at that game. It’s one that City fans will always remember fondly, but I’m not sure other football fans will realise how close the club came to missing out on promotion that season,” he said.
“Without it they might never have achieved what they have in recent years.
“I was fortunate that I had spoken to a lot of the players before for Blue Moon Live, a radio show I do on Imagine FM in Stockport about City, so I had a lot of their contacts.
“Tracking some of the others down was difficult – but all part of the fun! I’ve been up and down the country and even as far as the Netherlands to speak to them all. That’s how important the game was in the club’s history.”
Mr Mooney has dedicated the book to his dad after the effort he made to make sure he could go to the game, after picking him up from a school trip in Anglesey and driving roughly 809 miles in three days.
“I’ve not told him yet, but the book’s dedicated to my dad for what he did,” he said.
“As someone who drives now, I can’t imagine how much damage it did to his wallet by driving all that way to pick me up from a school trip – most people would have just told me I had to pick between Anglesey or Wembley!”
To mark one of the most iconic moments in the club’s history City have asked fans to share their memories by using the hashtag #wembley99 here are some of best responses.
Just like a scene out of ‘Only Fools and Horses’ my dad said to me one day we will be Champions. 15 years later and we are #wembley99
— Andy Carney (@Carninski) May 30, 2014
@CityBoy65: @MCFC When Dickov scored I involuntarily bit my mate’s ear. He didn’t care less. #wembley99
— CityBoy65 (@CityBoy65) May 30, 2014
@MCFC 15 years on and still sort of fits! #wembley99 pic.twitter.com/Do5Peb2fx2
— Tom Nicholson (@Tomnico5) May 30, 2014
Never felt as low over a match, prior or since, as I did at 2-0 down. Polar opposites on the emotional spectrum visited in 1 hour #wembley99
— Andrew Leigh (@Leighzybones) May 30, 2014
@MCFC Got married on the 22nd,moved honeymoon till the 31st so I could go to Wembley, nearly divorced by penalties,airport by 2am #wembley99
— Darren Marshall (@dmmcfc) May 30, 2014
Main image courtesy of Alex Morton/Action Images, with thanks.
