For this interview, I look back at Arsenal’s Title win in the 1988/89
League Season.
The Interviewee is:
Mr. Steve Pye
Mr.
Pye is a blogger (‘That 1980s Sports Blog’) and contributor to Guardian Sport
Network/The Gooner.
Mr. Pye’s
contact info:
twitter: @1980sSportsBlog
Blog: http://that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.com/
Soccernostalgia
Question: Let’s discuss the state of the affairs in the summer
of 1988. Arsenal had not won the title since winning the double in 1971. George
Graham had been appointed as Manager in 1986.
Liverpool had just been
champions for the 7th time in 10 seasons. what was the mood and
expectations with the fans going into the season.?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I can only speak
personally, but I had a feeling of cautious optimism. The early to mid 80s were
fairly depressing times for Arsenal fans, but when George Graham was appointed
in 1986 all of a sudden there was hope. Winning the Littlewoods Cup during his
first season was an unexpected bonus, and in both 1986/87 and 1987/88 the team
topped the table at various points. George knew though, and he constantly said
that the team wasn't ready in those first two seasons to win the title. I think
deep down that I didn't expect us to win the league in 1988/89, but I thought
we could push Liverpool hard and build on the progress made in the previous two
seasons.
Soccernostalgia
Question: Let’s look at the transfer activity. Steve Bould had
arrived from Stoke to bolster the defense. Graham Rix left to join Caen and Steve
Williams went to Luton, and Kenny Sansom would leave for Newcastle in November.
How do you view the transfer activity?
Mr. Steve Pye response: On the face of it,
bringing in just one centre back didn't sound that exciting. But the Steve
Bould purchase was the final part of the jigsaw George had been building over
the last few years. Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Kevin Richardson, Brian
Marwood and Alan Smith had been introduced to the team during George's reign,
and these combined with a fantastic crop of youth players - Tony Adams, David
Rocastle, Michael Thomas, Paul Merson - plus the likes of John Lukic, David
O'Leary, Paul Davis, Martin Hayes and Perry Groves, meant the squad looked
capable of a tilt at the title.
.jpg)
Photo From: France Football, Issue 2236, February
14, 1989
Soccernostalgia
Question: At this point, generally speaking were the fans behind
George Graham?
Mr. Steve Pye response: The fans were most
definitely behind George at the start of the 1988/89 season. I think there had
been frustration at various points of the previous two seasons that we didn't
strengthen the squad when we looked like we could win the title, but George
would never be rushed into panic buys, and he knew what he was doing.
Soccernostalgia
Question: As far as
rivals, Manchester United would have a
poor season, while Liverpool would have a poor start. In contrast Arsenal
started well and led the table for much of the season. What was Arsenal’s
improvement and consistency down to?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I would say that we
finally had the players in place that suited the system George wanted. It is no
coincidence that Alan Smith won the Golden Boot in both 1988/89 and 1990/91
when he had brilliant wingers in place to fire in crosses from the flanks -
Marwood in 88/89 and Anders Limpar in 90/91 - and now Smith also had a fine
strike partner in Merson. The midfield trio of Davis, Thomas and Rocastle were
full of energy, skill and power, and were superb both defensively and going
forwards.
The
famous back four was now fully established, and George had been training them
relentlessly, working on building that unit, and of course the famous offside
trap. This was the first full season Nigel Winterburn played at left back, and
Bould had obviously just joined in the summer, and once the back four started
to gel then the team knew that generally they wouldn't concede too many goals.
Soccernostalgia
Question: At what point during the season, did you feel Arsenal
had a realistic chance of winning the title?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I think I started to
believe around the beginning of 1989. There was a 3-1 win at Everton that made
me wonder if the team could go the distance. Everton had declined from their
title winning teams, yet Goodison Park was never an easy place to go to.
Obviously as soon as I started to believe then the team went through a rocky
patch in February/March, but Arsenal never like to do things the easy way.
Soccernostalgia
Question: What was the most memorable match from that season
that you remember (whether you attended or not)?
Mr. Steve Pye response: It looks like I'm going
to talk about the obvious choice for most memorable match later, but if I had
to pick an alternative then I would opt for the 4-1 win at Nottingham Forest in
November, live on ITV. That Cloughie team was under rated, so to go to the City
Ground and win 4-1 (and Arsenal missed a penalty) was a result that made you
stand up and take notice. Stevie Bould scored a header from a near post
flick-on corner routine that would become so familiar, and the day was capped
off in fine fashion when Marwood got the better of Des Walker (not many did
that) to finish the scoring.
.jpg)
Photo From: France Football, Issue 2236, February
14, 1989
|
(Paul Davis) |
Soccernostalgia
Question: The biggest beneficiary of the season were the likes
of David Rocastle, Alan Smith and Brian Marwood who gained caps due to Arsenal’s
form. Though none of them were called up consistently by England (in case of Marwood
only once), was this due to Arsenal’s playing style?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I've always wondered why
some Arsenal players did not earn more England caps. Our back four was so good
that surely it must have been tempting for England managers to pick most of
them together, although Stuart Pearce and Des Walker were fine defenders. Smith
had a lot of competition up front, and perhaps the style Bobby Robson was
looking to play did not suit him. Marwood had a very short England career that
coincided with his fabulous start to the season, but one man who I felt should
have been capped more was David Rocastle. Such a talented player, so
passionate, and for him to only gain 14 England caps feels an inadequate return
for such a fine midfielder.
Soccernostalgia
Question: In Contrast, Tony Adams had lost his place in the
England set-up post Euros 1988, how was his club form judged that season?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I think TA suffered a
lot of abuse from the terraces from opposition fans after his Euro 88 disaster.
But he was always a firm favourite amongst the Arsenal faithful, someone who
always gave his all for the club. Being dropped by England at least allowed him
to throw himself into his role as captain at Arsenal. It should not be forgotten
that TA was only 21 when he went to Euro 88, and to go through that and to have
the donkey chants hurled at him every week must have been a nightmare.
Obviously we know now that he used alcohol as a way to get through this, but it
says a lot about him that he was so important to Arsenal throughout the 88/89
campaign and lifting the First Division trophy was a way to silence the
critics.
Soccernostalgia
Question: What other players that season do you feel were
overlooked internationally?
Mr. Steve Pye response: Immediately Paul Davis
springs to mind. A graceful midfielder, he could also look after himself, and
he must be one of the best uncapped England players of all time. He started the
88/89 season so well, and it was rumoured that Bobby Robson was going to select
him for England. But then came the Glenn Cockerill incident at Highbury, when
television cameras caught Davis punching the Southampton midfielder, breaking
his jaw. Receiving a nine-match ban, Davis would then miss the end of the season
due to injury, and perhaps his chance of playing for England disappeared with
that one punch.
.jpg)
Photo From: France Football, Issue 2252, June 6,
1989
|
(May 26, 1989, Liverpool 0-Arsenal 2) |
Soccernostalgia
Question: As a fan what was it like to go Highbury to watch Arsenal
in that season?
Mr. Steve Pye response: Sadly, I didn't make it
to Highbury that season. As a 13-year-old I was reliant on my dad taking me to
matches, and unfortunately his work commitments and a lack of desire on his
part meant we didn't attend any matches that season. Don't worry, I've forgiven
him.
Soccernostalgia
Question: We can’t discuss this season, without mentioning
Hillsbrough. How did that affect the atmosphere at the remaining matches at
Highbury?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I'm not sure I really
took in the full horror of Hillsborough at the time. As a teenager I remember
being shocked at the tragic events of that day, but it's only as you grow older
and develop emotionally that you watch documentaries/read articles about
Hillsborough and want to cry at what those Liverpool fans had to experience
that day. And of course, their nightmare was only just beginning due to the
despicable cover-up operation of those involved.
I'm not sure about how it affected the
atmosphere at Highbury, but looking back, how the Liverpool players managed to
get through the rest of the season is beyond me. I know it was their job, yet
they had been attending funerals on a daily basis and then had to try and flick
a switch and resume football. Maybe it helped them, I don't know, yet in
hindsight it is little wonder that Kenny Dalglish resigned in 1991. That
disaster understandably changed him forever.
One final thing on this - the determination of
people to get justice for those who died and suffered that day was exceptional.
To face so many setbacks, to be knocked down on numerous occasions, but to keep
coming back fighting says a lot about the character of them. They never gave
up, and to wait 32 years to finally get the verdict they wanted is astonishing.
They deserve so much respect.
.jpg)
Photo From: France Football, Issue 2252, June 6,
1989
|
(May 26, 1989, Liverpool 0-Arsenal 2) |
Soccernostalgia
Question: Describe the vibe ahead of the final day match at Anfield
vs Liverpool. Did you as an Arsenal fan believe it was realistic to win?
Mr. Steve Pye response: As a young fan I was
optimistic of our chances. I remember saying to a friend that we would win 3-1,
but that is the beauty of being young, you believe a lot more and you haven't
been through enough crushing disappointments to let realism enter your
thoughts. I know my dad was not optimistic that we would win by two clear goals
at Anfield, and to be fair to him, you can understand why. But George had his
plan that night and it worked a treat - keep it tight, 0-0 at half-time, grab a
goal, and then Liverpool won't know whether to stick or twist.
.jpg)
Photo From: Match, June 3, 1989
|
(May 26, 1989, Liverpool 0-Arsenal 2) |
Soccernostalgia
Question: Describe in your own words and experiences the
pandemonium afterwards?
Mr. Steve Pye response: It will always be the
greatest night of my life (excluding family stuff, of course). The events of
that evening are still so clear: the delayed kick off; Arsenal players handing
flowers to Liverpool supporters after Hillsborough; Steve Bould almost opening
the scoring; Smith's header to give us the lead, although we were sure that it
would be disallowed because it was at Anfield; Michael Thomas missing a glorious
chance; David Pleat annoying me; Steve McMahon and his "one minute"
signal.
And then the glorious conclusion. Waiting and
waiting for Mickey Thomas to flick the ball past Bruce Grobbelaar, fearing that
he would be tackled before he got the shot away. When the ball hit the net, I
flew from my chair and our cat was so alarmed that she ran out of the room! I
was then flooded with fear that Liverpool would score, but when the final
whistle went I was bouncing.
Watching the celebrations at Anfield and around
Highbury was special. It would have been great to have been there, but we had
our own party at home. My dad went to the pub immediately, and I think he had a
great night. He had been lucky enough to live through the 1970/71 double
winning season, but also unlucky in the regard that he had to wait 18 years for
our next Division One title, so he deserved a few drinks to celebrate.
.jpg)
Photo From: Match, June 3, 1989
|
(May 26, 1989, Liverpool 0-Arsenal 2) |
Soccernostalgia
Question: The film ‘Fever Pitch’ tells the story of that season,
how is this film looked upon by Arsenal fans?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I can't answer for all
Arsenal fans, but I love that film. It captures a lot of what it means to be a
devoted football supporter, the endless worrying about things that are beyond
your control and in truth the selfishness it takes to be so dedicated to a
club. I've been to over 400 Arsenal matches, and I know my girlfriend (now my
wife) probably found it very testing when trying to organise things around my
football calendar. There was a lot of the character Paul in Fever Pitch that rung
a few alarm bells in my head.
I love the fact that the film focusses on that
88/89 season though. The soundtrack brings back so many memories, and naturally
the conclusion to the film is epic. But the real-life story was epic, so the
film had a lot of material to work with as a starting point.
Soccernostalgia
Question: Those yellow/Black away kits have become classics. Do
you think it’s because it’s synonymous of the Drama of the final day at
Anfield?
Mr. Steve Pye response: That yellow and navy
blue kit remains my favourite Arsenal kit. I loved it when it was introduced at
the start of the season, and for it to be associated with that evening at
Anfield is fitting. There was something about the way that kit looked under the
floodlights that made it even more special in my eyes, but I'm probably getting
a bit over sentimental now.
Soccernostalgia
Question: How did you view this title compared to subsequent
titles especially compared to those of the Premier League era?
Mr. Steve Pye response: There is no doubt in my
mind that Anfield 89 is the greatest conclusion to a title race. For the top
two to go head-to-head on the final day of the season, and for the away team
requiring a win by two clear goals, is something that may possibly not be
repeated again.
It makes me laugh when Sky try to say the Aguero
goal against QPR was the greatest ending ever. Don't get me wrong, it was a
stunning sporting moment, and it is rightfully celebrated by City fans. But
there is simply no comparison. City scored a late winner against a relegation
threatened QPR, who were down to ten men. And don't get me started on the
commentary. Brian Moore's "It's up for grabs now" line is a stunning
demonstration of just how good a commentator he was. Screaming
"Agueroooooo" just doesn't compare.
I was present the night Arsenal won the league
at Old Trafford in 2002, which I would have to say is my most enjoyable match
that I attended. But there wasn't the jeopardy that night; if we lost then we
still had a chance to clinch the title against Everton. Winning the league in
Manchester was fantastic, but nothing can compare to Anfield 89.
.jpg)
Photo From: Match, June 3, 1989
|
(May 26, 1989, Liverpool 0-Arsenal 2) |
Soccernostalgia
Question: For a new Generation of fans, born in the Premier
League era, is this title forgotten or is it referenced by the Arsenal
faithful?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I can only speak
personally, but as soon as my son was old enough to understand then I started
telling him about the 88/89 season, and the dramatic ending. It's definitely
something that will be passed down the generations. Quite simply, it's the
greatest night in our history. I'd argue that even if we do go on to win the
Champions League one day that Anfield 89 will never be surpassed. But maybe
that's because I grew up in that era.
There are reminders of that night when you go
the current stadium. The banners around the ground, Michael Thomas' goal shown
on the big screen in montages before the kick off. I'd say the 90/91 title is
almost forgotten in relation to 88/89. That was a remarkable season in which we
only lost one league match and had to cope with a two point deduction and our
captain going to jail. It probably lived in the shadow slightly of 88/89
though, as it didn't have that memorable conclusion.
Soccernostalgia
Question: In closing,
after the title win, as a knowledgeable
fan, did you feel it was a one-off thing, or did you think it could be the
start of a new era?
Mr. Steve Pye response: I'm not sure I was all
that knowledgeable due to my age. But I could see no reason why we wouldn't go
on to compete for more silverware. The team was young and hungry, but George
probably failed to strengthen the squad after 88/89, and the hangover of
Anfield meant we couldn't defend our title. But he learned his lesson. In 1990,
he brought in David Seaman, Andy Linighan and Anders Limpar, and there was no
stopping us.
That was when I thought we were on the brink of
a new era. That 1990/91 team was immense, but maybe in hindsight George had got
as much as he could out of most of the squad. Before too long, Thomas and
Rocastle had left, Limpar was in and out of the team, and Ian Wright was
purchased, which changed the style of the team. A big turning point for me was
the European Cup defeat to Benfica in 1991. Losing 3-1 at home hurt George, and
he definitely shifted his tactics after that. We became a dangerous cup team,
difficult to break down, but really not consistent enough for a title bid.
I would like to conclude by getting this off my
chest, though - a lot of people say it was Alex Ferguson who knocked Liverpool
off their perch. For me, it was George Graham and Arsenal that really deserve
the credit. Sadly, Hillsborough was a huge factor too in that Dalglish
eventually resigned due to the strain of that horrendous day, but on the pitch
it was Arsenal that competed consistently with the powerful Merseysiders, and
won championships either side of Liverpool's 1989/90 title. A lot of football
that took place before 1992 is often forgotten, but us Arsenal fans of a
certain vintage know the score.
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