Gillingham v Manchester City 1999

[mcfcdjr]

Dad,grandad and me were all watching this at home on the box and had the game taped until stopping it in 90th minute out of frustration. How we regret not carrying on the recording now haha

 

[whp.blue]

Made sure I went to every game home and away that season real roller coaster of a year.

But I have never been so confident about City as I was when we started the penalty shoot out. Everyone around me was bricking it but I just kept saying we will piss this never doubted it for a second.

 

[CAPTAINKIPPAX]

Don't need to remember that day it's tattooed into my brain and heart greatest comeback of all time I'm not a spiritual believer but somebody was watching over us that day for sure ! it's a must buy for any blue ................. I loved big Joe.

 

[blueste41]

The Bury game, the York game, and the Gillingham game.

Three opponents, who City have played more than once, but who will always be associated with one particular fixture.

Harry Dowd once scored against Bury and I remember losing at Gigg Lane in the 70s, and playing them at Old Trafford in the mid 80s. However, “The” Bury game will always be remembered for the repercussions, both on and off the pitch.

City beat York on the way to Wembley in 74, but “The” York game has gone down in City folklore, in the same way as “The” Swindon game for the previous generation.

City played Gillingham seven times under Royle and Keegan, but “The Gillingham game will forever be remembered for the emotion of Dickov’s last gasp equalizer.

Not to mention the QPR game!

 

[Alty_Blue]

Just watched the 15 minute match highlights on Sky (I'm "working" from home today). In the context of what's happened this week (CFA, Champions League etc), the ramifications of those last few minutes of normal time really are quite remarkable. The "phoenix from the flames" and "them reds are finished" quotes from fans after the game weren't just hyperbole in the excitment of the moment - turned out to be true. Can you imagine what would have happened had Dickov's 95th minute shot hit the post?

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Just watched the 15 minute match highlights on Sky (I'm "working" from home today). In the context of what's happened this week (CFA, Champions League etc), the ramifications of those last few minutes of normal time really are quite remarkable. The "phoenix from the flames" and "them reds are finished" quotes from fans after the game weren't just hyperbole in the excitment of the moment - turned out to be true. Can you imagine what would have happened had Dickov's 95th minute shot hit the post?

There's a wonderful book about that season called "Down Amongst the Dead Men". The epilogue of the book had a selection of fan's quotes from MCITVA, the internet newsletter of the time. For months these comments moved me to tears about that special day.

I still remember one of those quotes says something like "When Man City lift the Champions Leaguie trophy in 20 years time, I will remember this day and say to my children 'I was there'."

How prophetic that could be. And let's be honest...not one Manchester City supporter truly believed, even that day, that would be the case.

 

[OB1]

Just watched the 15 minute match highlights on Sky (I'm "working" from home today). In the context of what's happened this week (CFA, Champions League etc), the ramifications of those last few minutes of normal time really are quite remarkable. The "phoenix from the flames" and "them reds are finished" quotes from fans after the game weren't just hyperbole in the excitment of the moment - turned out to be true. Can you imagine what would have happened had Dickov's 95th minute shot hit the post?

There's a wonderful book about that season called "Down Amongst the Dead Men". The epilogue of the book had a selection of fan's quotes from MCITVA, the internet newsletter of the time. For months these comments moved me to tears about that special day.

I still remember one of those quotes says something like "When Man City lift the Champions Leaguie trophy in 20 years time, I will remember this day and say to my children 'I was there'."

How prophetic that could be. And let's be honest...not one Manchester City supporter truly believed, even that day, that would be the case.

It wasn't top of my thoughts that day. However, the only time my optimism for where City could go really waned was just before Thaksin came on the scene: at that point I was beginning to think that the amazing loyalty of our support was in danger of crumbling. I was also very concerned just before Mansour took over that we would go bust. TBH, I was truly surprised that we had not been taken over earlier because I felt we offered such an opportunity.

What is undeniable is the immense importance of that hugely emotional day. I am sure that those late goals and the win felt significant at the time in the context of the future but no one could have foretold quite what was to come. Those of us that have been following City for awhile have had some journey and one that really makes you appreciate the success we have now.

 

[BLUEMATT23]

I watched the brief highlights of the game on football gold at lunch time. Certainly brought back memories.

Is it to simplistic to sum it up as if it wasn't for the come back and the penalty shoot out win the last 6 years of our history (2008-now) may not have happened?.

 

[Alty_Blue]

I watched the brief highlights of the game on football gold at lunch time. Certainly brought back memories.

Is it to simplistic to sum it up as if it wasn't for the come back and the penalty shoot out win the last 6 years of our history (2008-now) may not have happened?.

Possibly. I think the 2002 Commonwealth Games was just as important as the '99 comeback because however much we loved Maine Road (and Moss Side?) I'm not too sure the Sheikh would have shown such an interest if we were still there in 2008 because land expansion was (as we can now see) very much in the master plan. As for the Gillingham match, it goes to prove that football is indeed a game of very fine margins - even this week if Nasri's shot had hit the outside rather than the inside of the post, and Hart didn't pull of the fingertip saves, people might have been calling for MP's head.

 

[Bentheblue]

It was really strange coming out of Wembley. Walking down Wembley Way to the tube there was no chanting and little celebrating. Fans were very quiet, emotionally drained.
I remember walking past a couple of coppers and heard one of them remark to the other "are you sure this lot won".
I also remember saying to my son you will never see an ending like that again!