IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
By John Christie
June 3 2009
When Manchester United appointed Alex Ferguson as manager no one, not even the most ardent of Uniteds fans, could have foreseen the fantastic journey he would take them on. Having all the right credentials with Aberdeen’s smashing of the old firm dominance, and a Cup Winners Cup to boot, Sir Bobby Charlton’s confidence in him being the right man seemed justified.
After a sticky beginning he eventually gained his first title after seven years of trying. The floodgates opened as the first of a succession of great teams smashed Liverpool's dominence.
After 23 years he equalled Liverpool's 18 titles, but he knew his team's achievements could never be judged as greats until they were multi European Cup winners. Only then could they stand aside the greats of European Football. This quest of European greatness has driven him on .The thought of retirement is banished whist he is so tantalizingly close to his place in history.
So last week his journey took to the banks of the Tiber were his chance to join the immortals beckoned. In the place that witnessed Liverpool, his arch rivals, claim two of their five stars, surely now in Rome he was at his journeys end.
As we now know twas Barcelona's night, a night of total dominance over his United, and it is they who stride onwards to join the greats.
As for Sir Alex an opportunity has slipped through his fingers and he knows it might well be his last. After twenty three long years he continues to walk in the footsteps of giants, he's still in their shadow.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Mighty Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 10:57
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Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Oz (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 18:59
A lot of people may not like him or his style of management but no-one can deny his achievements as one of the greatest managers in british football.
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: cheerycherry (IP Logged)
Date: 04/06/2009 01:23
Certainly up there among the greats but still an @#$%& on a number of levels. If he is not planning to retire until having beaten Liverpool's number of European Cups then the United fans can take something from Rome and that is that they have him for at least another 3 years!
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: robbie67 (IP Logged)
Date: 04/06/2009 14:37
Barcelona stride onwards to join the greats?! Having won 1 Champions League, which is what United did last year! So, by that logic, didnt we join the greats last year?!
United lost to a great team in a one off match, and suddenly thats something to be ashamed off it seems! Ill take the league title and runners up in the European Cup every season thanks
United lost to a great team in a one off match, and suddenly thats something to be ashamed off it seems! Ill take the league title and runners up in the European Cup every season thanks
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: 4everinourshadow (IP Logged)
Date: 04/06/2009 17:23
Dementia will go on trying to equal Paisleys record. It won't happen.
If Paisley had been in the job as long as dementia imagine how many trophies he'd have won. The mind boggles at the thought.
Manure had by far the easiest run in the CL and once they came up against class they failed spectacularly. It was funny to see them lose anyway, but to lose in such a manner was a disgrace to the Champions League. Thank God in all our European finals, won or lost, we've put up a decent show.
If Paisley had been in the job as long as dementia imagine how many trophies he'd have won. The mind boggles at the thought.
Manure had by far the easiest run in the CL and once they came up against class they failed spectacularly. It was funny to see them lose anyway, but to lose in such a manner was a disgrace to the Champions League. Thank God in all our European finals, won or lost, we've put up a decent show.
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 04/06/2009 20:14
Good point 4ver about the lucky draw manure had ,and Robbie i totally agree about Barca like yourselves they simply dont have the stature of any of the great European teams yet
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: robbie67 (IP Logged)
Date: 05/06/2009 01:27
carra, it was John Christie who said Barca were one of the greats. Keep up
1 win and 1 final appearance in the last 2 years suggests we've got a chance of winning it again in my opinion. I remember the days when we never had a chance of reaching 18 titles either
Dont worrk youll turn that corner soon!
Yep the Italian champions in the last 16 was an easy draw! You scousers crack me up
1 win and 1 final appearance in the last 2 years suggests we've got a chance of winning it again in my opinion. I remember the days when we never had a chance of reaching 18 titles either
Dont worrk youll turn that corner soon!
Yep the Italian champions in the last 16 was an easy draw! You scousers crack me up
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 05/06/2009 17:29
Inter were the only top team you came up against and they were better than you as well.
3 appearances in 40 odd years is nothing to brag about, and you really should forget last weeks lily livered performance all together, you were the worst losers I've seen.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
3 appearances in 40 odd years is nothing to brag about, and you really should forget last weeks lily livered performance all together, you were the worst losers I've seen.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: robbie67 (IP Logged)
Date: 05/06/2009 18:33
Thats funny....because we dominated Inter on their own patch in the first leg. Then it was an even game in the 2nd leg. What game were you watching!?
Porto were the champions of Portugal, and as we all know........its harder to win the European Cup when you face the champions of a particular country, - thats the view of your typical scouser anyway. Apparently its "easier to win" these days, even though we played the 2nd best team from Spain in the final!
Its four appearances in 40 years, and it would surely have been more but for Munich. Quite an achievement considering. It doesnt matter how many appearances anyway. Weve won it 3 times youve won it 5. Well done, but we all know that when we clinch number 19 we will well and truly have knocked you off your perch!
Porto were the champions of Portugal, and as we all know........its harder to win the European Cup when you face the champions of a particular country, - thats the view of your typical scouser anyway. Apparently its "easier to win" these days, even though we played the 2nd best team from Spain in the final!
Its four appearances in 40 years, and it would surely have been more but for Munich. Quite an achievement considering. It doesnt matter how many appearances anyway. Weve won it 3 times youve won it 5. Well done, but we all know that when we clinch number 19 we will well and truly have knocked you off your perch!
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 05/06/2009 21:59
For the time being robbie mate theres no need for sunglasses you
still being in our shade mate ,and i will av a word with that christie bloke
still being in our shade mate ,and i will av a word with that christie blokeRe: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 05/06/2009 23:25
Munich was a terrible accident that at the time devastated your club, but, in the long run it was the making of it. You would never have been so big if it hadn't been for Munich and there is just no way you can say you'd have won anything.
Sorry, 4 times in 40 years. Ours is 7 in 30 odd years, a far better achievement. Plus, 3 UEFA Cups, 2 of them won when it was full of nearly champions or ex champions.
Inter were better than you and as I said, a very easy run to the final.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Sorry, 4 times in 40 years. Ours is 7 in 30 odd years, a far better achievement. Plus, 3 UEFA Cups, 2 of them won when it was full of nearly champions or ex champions.
Inter were better than you and as I said, a very easy run to the final.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: grand master ram rod (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 12:41
As we now know twas Barcelona's night, a night of total dominance over his United, and it is they who stride onwards to join the greats.
Barca - 3 european cups
Man Utd - 3 european cups
...
Barca - 3 european cups
Man Utd - 3 european cups
...
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 12:54
The have the team ,potential ,the force is with them to move foreward and join the greats
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: grand master ram rod (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 14:39
...and Man Utd don't? we have some excellent young prospects comin through, we have a realtively young squad and are main attacking threat has an average age of 25
our midfield is currently a mix of talent, experience and class and will get better when our youngsters progress, the likes of Gibson, Possebon and Anderson all have massive futures ahead of them
your basically just using the barca win to poke fun because of your lack of considerable silverware or dominance over the past 20 years
You call us bitter
our midfield is currently a mix of talent, experience and class and will get better when our youngsters progress, the likes of Gibson, Possebon and Anderson all have massive futures ahead of them
your basically just using the barca win to poke fun because of your lack of considerable silverware or dominance over the past 20 years
You call us bitter
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 15:42
I see, so now if you find something hilariously funny, it's bitter
If you see an opposing team in a less favourable light than their fans, you're bitter.
If said team have never surpassed you in decades, and still haven't, you're bitter
Do we need a reason to poke fun at you? Barca are the dream team of the moment and if ever the words Champs and chumps applied, it was to that final. Your team were found out good style, put up the lamest account of themselves that I've ever seen in a EC final, and piiissy pants was outthought by a younger better manager. Poking fun? Behave your stupid self, you deserve every bit of it for such a stonkingly poor show.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
If you see an opposing team in a less favourable light than their fans, you're bitter.
If said team have never surpassed you in decades, and still haven't, you're bitter
Do we need a reason to poke fun at you? Barca are the dream team of the moment and if ever the words Champs and chumps applied, it was to that final. Your team were found out good style, put up the lamest account of themselves that I've ever seen in a EC final, and piiissy pants was outthought by a younger better manager. Poking fun? Behave your stupid self, you deserve every bit of it for such a stonkingly poor show.
---------------------------------
“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: robbie67 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 02:29
Munich was a terrible accident that at the time devastated your club, but, in the long run it was the making of it. You would never have been so big if it hadn't been for Munich and there is just no way you can say you'd have won anything.
No, Sir Matt and the "Busby Babes" were the making of it. Thats why there was so much sympathy etc.....BECAUSE they had so much potential. Theyd have created history there's little doubt about that. And it was only the "making" of the club as you so nicely put it, because the club and Sir Matt especially found the strength to re-build the club. It could quite easily have gone the other way
Sorry, 4 times in 40 years. Ours is 7 in 30 odd years, a far better achievement. Plus, 3 UEFA Cups, 2 of them won when it was full of nearly champions or ex champions. Sorry, - didnt realise you werent eligible for the European Cup in the 50s and 60s! If we're gonna count Uefa Cups we might as well include Division 2 titles etc - they have little relevance, - they just mean you werent good enough to play in the main event
Inter were better than you and as I said, a very easy run to the final. Ignore my point then! You cant say on the one hand that it was harder to win the old EC because it included only champions, and then say that facing Inter and Porto this season was an "easy run"
No, Sir Matt and the "Busby Babes" were the making of it. Thats why there was so much sympathy etc.....BECAUSE they had so much potential. Theyd have created history there's little doubt about that. And it was only the "making" of the club as you so nicely put it, because the club and Sir Matt especially found the strength to re-build the club. It could quite easily have gone the other way
Sorry, 4 times in 40 years. Ours is 7 in 30 odd years, a far better achievement. Plus, 3 UEFA Cups, 2 of them won when it was full of nearly champions or ex champions. Sorry, - didnt realise you werent eligible for the European Cup in the 50s and 60s! If we're gonna count Uefa Cups we might as well include Division 2 titles etc - they have little relevance, - they just mean you werent good enough to play in the main event
Inter were better than you and as I said, a very easy run to the final. Ignore my point then! You cant say on the one hand that it was harder to win the old EC because it included only champions, and then say that facing Inter and Porto this season was an "easy run"
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 12:12
No, Sir Matt and the "Busby Babes" were the making of it. Thats why there was so much sympathy etc.....BECAUSE they had so much potential. Theyd have created history there's little doubt about that. And it was only the "making" of the club as you so nicely put it, because the club and Sir Matt especially found the strength to re-build the club. It could quite easily have gone the other way
Sir Matt Busby, who incidently was one of our finest players and captains, did all you say, no arguement with that. United had so much sympathy because so many young players were killed, potential or no potential. The air crash lead to world wide exposure which in turn created a market which United exploited magnificently. However, you cannot say what any team would or wouldn't have won trophies because there are too many if's, and's but's and maybe's.
Sorry, - didnt realise you werent eligible for the European Cup in the 50s and 60s! If we're gonna count Uefa Cups we might as well include Division 2 titles etc - they have little relevance, - they just mean you werent good enough to play in the main event
I counted from each teams first win, in your case 40 years between first and last, with only 4 appearances and 3 wins. In our case, 30 years between first and last, which contained 5 wins and two losses.
The UEFA Cup is in no way like a second division title win. It might be now but those first two we won were against up and coming teams, runners up or previous title winners. I'll say again, your EC cup run was easy last season, whether you played two champions or not. Inter were better than you and Porto are just Porto.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Sir Matt Busby, who incidently was one of our finest players and captains, did all you say, no arguement with that. United had so much sympathy because so many young players were killed, potential or no potential. The air crash lead to world wide exposure which in turn created a market which United exploited magnificently. However, you cannot say what any team would or wouldn't have won trophies because there are too many if's, and's but's and maybe's.
Sorry, - didnt realise you werent eligible for the European Cup in the 50s and 60s! If we're gonna count Uefa Cups we might as well include Division 2 titles etc - they have little relevance, - they just mean you werent good enough to play in the main event
I counted from each teams first win, in your case 40 years between first and last, with only 4 appearances and 3 wins. In our case, 30 years between first and last, which contained 5 wins and two losses.
The UEFA Cup is in no way like a second division title win. It might be now but those first two we won were against up and coming teams, runners up or previous title winners. I'll say again, your EC cup run was easy last season, whether you played two champions or not. Inter were better than you and Porto are just Porto.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: robbie67 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 12:20
However, you cannot say what any team would or wouldn't have won trophies because there are too many if's, and's but's and maybe's. So you cant say that Paisley would have won more European Cups/league titles if he'd stayed on for longer?
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 12:36
No, of course I can't. I can debate it with like minded fans but I couldn't say ' Theyd have created history there's little doubt about that.' or
'and it would surely have been more but for Munich.'
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
'and it would surely have been more but for Munich.'
---------------------------------
“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: robbie67 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 13:12
Ok theres a good chance that the Babes would have won at least one European Cup. I think thats fair to say.
And you have consistantly "suggested" that Paisley would have more ECs and league titles than Ferguson if he'd stayed for 23 years. I dont see the difference to be honest
And you have consistantly "suggested" that Paisley would have more ECs and league titles than Ferguson if he'd stayed for 23 years. I dont see the difference to be honest
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 13:18
I disagree with your extra EC.
I hail Bob Paisley for what he achieved in 9 years. I say imagine what he might have won in 23 years.
All fans have ifs, ands, buts, and maybe stories about their clubs. The only ones that matter are those in the record books.
We lost the title on goal difference in '89. It was the last kick of the last game of the season, If Ray Houghton had of brought Thomas down we would be on 19. See? It's easy peasy......
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
I hail Bob Paisley for what he achieved in 9 years. I say imagine what he might have won in 23 years.
All fans have ifs, ands, buts, and maybe stories about their clubs. The only ones that matter are those in the record books.
We lost the title on goal difference in '89. It was the last kick of the last game of the season, If Ray Houghton had of brought Thomas down we would be on 19. See? It's easy peasy......
---------------------------------
“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: robbie67 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 13:46
I hail Bob Paisley for what he achieved in 9 years. I say imagine what he might have won in 23 years.
But he didnt stay for 23 years, so we can only look at the history books and say that Ferguson has been more successful domestically by winning more league titles and fa cups, and so - he is the better manager. Easy peasy....
But he didnt stay for 23 years, so we can only look at the history books and say that Ferguson has been more successful domestically by winning more league titles and fa cups, and so - he is the better manager. Easy peasy....
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 15:35
Both our clubs have been blessed with great managers and players . We wouldnt change anything or anyone over the past decades . If you believe your clubs achievments are better ,fine good luck to you . We will stick with our records of which we are immensly proud.
Re: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
Posted by: grand master ram rod (IP Logged)
Date: 08/06/2009 20:58
Inter were better than us . . . 