Can you recall precisely where you were and what you were doing 25 years ago today?
It was City’s JFK moment, with 3,300 euphoric and astonished fans celebrating in the Molineux stand, knowing they were truly Premier League.
Many, many more will have watched every second of the unfolding drama on TV, as a thrilling 3-2 victory against Wolves sealed something unprecedented in living memory.
On the anniversary of May 9, 1999, let us happily indulge in memories of that day – and not simply Stuart McCall sliding from the automobile without spilling a drop of beer!
Going 1-0 down
ROBBIE BLAKE: “We were a confident team, but when Wolves scored first, Jagger absolutely nailed me to liven things up.” I was wondering, “Why is he picking on me?”But in retrospect, I see he did it because I was one of the guys who could make a difference and turn the game around.”
PAUL JEWELL: “That game really summed up our season. Whatever somebody put in front of us, we simply accepted it.
“They scored a goal that was a foul on Walshy but we played absolutely brilliant football to get 3-1 up.”
The Bantams fight back.
PETER BEAGRIE: “Their full-back (Robbie) Muscat had put his knee in my back early on, and I’d given him some verbal. ‘Be terribly terrified’.
“Then the ball landed between us, and he briefly lost sight of it. I robbed him, and Keith Curle was there in front of me
“I used to play with Keith at Manchester City, and before the game, he made sure we had all of the bar tickets for the wives and everyone.
“Funny enough, he never came in after that, and he didn’t call me until the next day to apologize. He was really disappointed for purchasing the dummy!
“We just surged in strength after scoring the equalizer. We always had the belief, but that really reinforced everything we did that season.”
Paul Simpson’s free-kick hits the post.
PAUL JEWELL: “There’s a picture of Beags and Blakey on the bench when Wolves hit the post.” They’re like two kids cowering under the sofa during a scary movie.
“The last 10 minutes seemed to go on forever.”
PETER BEAGRIE: “Miss, miss, the cat is pXss!
“Whenever we used to play cards and I was in the final versus anyone, I’d repeat that – and I continued saying it when they got a free kick.
“I managed to put the curse on Simpson – I’m sure some of my family are gypsies and that’s where it comes from.”
DEAN WINDASS: “I was at the end of the wall, and neither of us could do anything about it.
“Walshy (Gary Walsh) had remained motionless. He hadn’t even attempted to dive because there was no hope of reaching it.
“We were fXXXXd – but somehow the ball smacked against the inside of the post and bounced straight back into his arms.”
ROBBIE BLAKE: “The game seemed like basketball because it was so open. Even at 3-1, you were convinced we weren’t home and hosed.
“They obviously came back and scored again, and Simpson hit the inside of the post with that free kick.”
“Once that came out and ran along the line, I really thought that Lady Luck was with us and we would be all right.”
GEOFFREY RICHMOND: “None of us could handle the tremendous stress.
“My watch had stopped, time was standing still – and then the whistle finally blew.”
