Manchester Derby 2006/2007

On Saturday 9th December 2006 (yesterday), we went to Old Trafford, Manchester, to see the Manchester derby – Utd vs City.

Now, I’ve been a Man Utd fan since I was a little boy. My earliest recollection of being a fan is from when I was 7 years old. And I’ve been going up to watch them play since I was a school boy. And when you live on the south coast, that aint no trip down the road.

When Utd first started their trophy haul of the 90’s, noone would believe me when I told them that I’d been a Utd fan since the Liverpool era of the 80’s, all because my Dad had been a fan (since he was a kid, too).

But, hey. Call me a glory hunter if you want. I’d like to see you travel for 6 hours up the country, watch your team get beat in the pouring rain, and then travel for 6 hours back in traffic. Enough said.

Anyway, strangely enough, in all the years Dad, Dan and I have been going up to see them play, we’ve never been lucky enough to get tickets for the derby. And the Manchester derby has got to be one of the most famous domestic fixtures in world football.

So when our tickets came through, needless to say, we couldn’t wait. Especially because of the way we’ve been playing this year. Being the Manchester derby, it was being broadcast on TV, so it was an unusual kick-off – 12:45. So we had to leave at 6:30 in the morning.

The boys started off fast and powerful, made a few mistakes along the way (no doubt because of a hectic week) but we won the game 3-1, to go 9 points clear of champions, Chelsea.

Incidentally, as I write this, it’s Sunday and Chelsea have just lost 2 potential points from one of their games in hand. Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal was the result in the London derby, meaning Chelsea are 8 points behind us with 1 game in hand.

It’s festive stuff.

Check-out the snaps…

The first sighting of the stadium from the main road.

Pilgrims make their way down Sir Matt Busby Way.

This is the outside, on the East Stand side. We were actually sat on the East Stand, a few rows from the back of the stand. High up!

The front of the stadium, including the Sir Matt Busby statue.

Commerorative paving stones containing the names of past and present Utd players, managers and staff.

The best player I never got to see.

The best I player I was lucky enough to see on the green grass of Old Trafford.

About 30 minutes before kick-off, the crowd is taking shape.

The players take to the field of battle.

Ronaldo accepts his Barclays Player Of The Month Award.

Kick Off.

Rooney opens the scoring after a neat cross by Ronaldo. 1-0.

Saha makes it 2-0.

Kick-off for the 2nd half.

City pull 1 back, then we do as we’ve done all season, and bounce back to seal it with another goal, making the final result 3-1.

Full time.

Neville comes over to applaud the fans.

The players leave the field.

The ground empties.

To freedom,

Scotty Stevens
The Humanpreneur
"mecum et incipio et finio"

Disclaimer: As per my Terms And Conditions, this post reflects my philosophy at the time of writing, and may not necessarily correlate with my life's outlook as you read it, now.

Attention Ezine Editors & Site Owners...
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine, blog or on your site as long as you do not modify the content AT ALL, leave all links in place AND include the resource box as listed above.

What Next? Well, You Can... - Leave a comment about this post (if enabled for this post) - Discuss this post in The Scotty Stevens Show FORUM - Help feed me by kindly making a donation - it's much appreciated! - (allows you to email, add or send this post) -   Click here for this article feed - Hire me for speaking or coaching - Go to the shop - Become a member (free)