09-05-2006, the True Captain Fantastic, Mr. Roy Keane said he will remember this date for all his life, so will I! This is the day I set foot onto the Theatre of Dreams, home to Manchester United, the best football club in the world! What an occasion, to do it too....to say Thank you and Goodbye to the person who defines leadership like no one else has done so far, doing the right things right and getting his team to do the same.
Left my place in Swindon at half past eleven to drive my friend to his new workplace, then started from there at two heading towards Manchester. Reached at half past six, parked a couple of miles before the stadium, bought scallops with fries and curry for dinner. Since it was a fairly decent distance and we had to be seated half hour prior to the kick-off, we ate as we marched towards the stadium. The Celts proved their reputation as the party people by forming groups, singing their songs and as they walked past, others would join..........
It really does not look huge from where we were walking from, but as soon as I got to Sir Matt Busby way, there was no better sight for me. I like an Idiot forgot my camera and had to rely on my phone to take a snap of myself before the stadium, then we went through the famous turnstiles and climbed 4 levels to get to my seat which was on the East stand, opposite to the Stretford End. The players were warming up and I was shocked that even from where I was seated you can easily follow the match and view was simply brilliant. I assumed that one cannot see the players clearly, I was pleasantly surprised.
Even when I was seated it did not really sink in that I was at Old Trafford, watching my team being lead by my favourite player for the last time ever. Just before kick-off out came Keano with his kids to the guard of honour from both teams and it was nice to see Sir Alex line up alongside them. The whole stadium went - "There is only one Keano, Keano". It showed the love and respect he commands from every one associated with Manchester United, especially the fans.
The match by itself was just another Sunderland at home performance but during the second half it was easy to see why United of late cannot dominate central midfield anymore, because the central midfield partnership at display has come to their "closure". Scholes and Keane may not be the most talented individuals but I dont think there is any combination that matched these together. Beckham/Keane/Scholes/Giggs across row 2 of any team would most often than not be the winning side. I really miss those days and I think Yorke and Cole are the luckiest strikers ever to have had such an engine feeding them.
The game got over and as everyone else, I was surprised that Keane decided to address the crowd, he thanked the crowd and the team but significantly left out Sir Alex. One can only hope that no amount of money on offer will convince both to fling mud on each other, ever.
Left my place in Swindon at half past eleven to drive my friend to his new workplace, then started from there at two heading towards Manchester. Reached at half past six, parked a couple of miles before the stadium, bought scallops with fries and curry for dinner. Since it was a fairly decent distance and we had to be seated half hour prior to the kick-off, we ate as we marched towards the stadium. The Celts proved their reputation as the party people by forming groups, singing their songs and as they walked past, others would join..........
It really does not look huge from where we were walking from, but as soon as I got to Sir Matt Busby way, there was no better sight for me. I like an Idiot forgot my camera and had to rely on my phone to take a snap of myself before the stadium, then we went through the famous turnstiles and climbed 4 levels to get to my seat which was on the East stand, opposite to the Stretford End. The players were warming up and I was shocked that even from where I was seated you can easily follow the match and view was simply brilliant. I assumed that one cannot see the players clearly, I was pleasantly surprised.
Even when I was seated it did not really sink in that I was at Old Trafford, watching my team being lead by my favourite player for the last time ever. Just before kick-off out came Keano with his kids to the guard of honour from both teams and it was nice to see Sir Alex line up alongside them. The whole stadium went - "There is only one Keano, Keano". It showed the love and respect he commands from every one associated with Manchester United, especially the fans.
The match by itself was just another Sunderland at home performance but during the second half it was easy to see why United of late cannot dominate central midfield anymore, because the central midfield partnership at display has come to their "closure". Scholes and Keane may not be the most talented individuals but I dont think there is any combination that matched these together. Beckham/Keane/Scholes/Giggs across row 2 of any team would most often than not be the winning side. I really miss those days and I think Yorke and Cole are the luckiest strikers ever to have had such an engine feeding them.
The game got over and as everyone else, I was surprised that Keane decided to address the crowd, he thanked the crowd and the team but significantly left out Sir Alex. One can only hope that no amount of money on offer will convince both to fling mud on each other, ever.
