Carling Legends - The Brave Spice Boys of Wembley
Suits You Sir! The Brave Spice Boys Of Wembley
The year is 1996.
Manchester United are set to face Liverpool in the FA Cup final. Twister and Independence Day are lighting up the box-office. Beanie Babies are in. And the music charts are dominated by the Spice Girls.
Who then were the Spice Boys?
In one of the most infamous misadventures of sporting attire, Liverpool ditched the reliable and respected club blazers on FA Cup Final day for cream Armani suits.
Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, and Jamie Redknapp. And sometimes Jason McAteer and Stan Collymore.
These were the new, fresh faces at Anfield - famous for their talents on a football pitch, on the nightclub dancefloors, and in front of a camera. Add in to this potent mix, a complete lack of silverware, and the cream suits at Wembley were pitch perfect for Fleet Street's satirists.
On the field of play, Liverpool were destined for frustration. A bruising midfield battle ensued on the day involving Nicky Butt and Roy Keane on the United side, with Redknapp and an ageing but effective John Barnes on the Merseyside.
A replay loomed on the horizon until Eric Cantona produced a moment of patented FA Cup magic. David Beckham spotted the ball for a corner in the 85th minute. Gary Pallister called for the ball, David May rose for it. As the cross came in, high and swerving, it tempted David James from his goal. However the English keeper only managed to get a weak fist to the ball. It was spat out to the edge of the box where Cantona contorted his body to punch a volley past a forest of Liverpool players and in to the back of the net.
United held on to claim the FA Cup and with it a famous double-double league and cup triumph. Liverpool? They were left as nearly men on the day, and ultimately through the remainder of the decade. Nearly men they might have been, but their incredible sartorial choices will always be remembered and cherished.
Find out more about this story from the man that was there, Denis Irwin, with Carling at The Goalpost Pub Tullamore on Saturday 20th April to watch the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final⚽
Claim your FREE ticket and find out what it is like to play in an FA Cup Final by registering here 👉 https://bit.ly/Carling-Legends-Tickets
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