Sport is fantastic, it can infuriate, inspire, thrill, and every now and again, bring a tear to the eye. Sometimes it can get an old man out of his chair cheering when everything he wishes for comes together in a magical moment. These moments are few and far between and yesterday was one of those moments, it seems like destiny.
I know this is a football blog but bear with me – Alistair Cook’s hundred in his final Test innings was a truly magical moment. I, and millions of other cricket fans, spent a tense morning with crossed fingers as he approached his milestone.
Cook is the highest scoring English batsman of all-time. He deserved the wonderful ovation he received and it reminded me of another occasion when a Great Man fulfilled his destiny- it was when TH14 scored in an FA Cup game at The Emirates against Leeds. Those who were there will never forget it – neither will I
Football has given us some incredible emotional occasions, Other sports do the same, for example …
Mo Farah at the London Olympics
Or Tom Brady winning the Superbowl and MVP award at the age of 40.
Or Jack Nicklaus winning The Masters at 46 y.o.
Or Mohammed Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle
Or Boycott’s 100th 100 at Headingley.
Or Lester Piggott winning the Guineas at 57 (!)
Or Tony Adams scoring vs Everton to win the title (my favourite)
Great players create great moments.
What sticks in your mind?
written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Just saw this on twitter 🙂
https://twitter.com/Aggerscricket/status/1039266965536350208
Morning All,
May I recommend chas 6.44 video from this morning,
Nice post, BR, I’m going to have to have a think about my fave sporting memories.
Johnny Wilkinson’s drop goal to win the World Cup.
Micky did it 1989.
And on another topic. Never liked Roy Keane. Now my man, says “he doesnt like football or people”. Wish Patrick had nutted him in the tunnel on that famous occasion.
Every time Steve Redgrave, (my greatest ever Olympian), ever won a gold medal for rowing.
Great idea Erik, many thanks
As you say, it’s a sporting blog. The rain falls and there’s no Arsenal action, so why not
One of my brothers takes his now 11 yr old son to the Oval each year to watch one day of a test. They went for the Cook innings yesterday.
Day begins early, as they make their “Big Boys” aka giant sausage rolls. Then spend the day drinking beer (or pints of shandy) while scoffing the BB’s throughout the day.
I’ll have to think about my greatest moments, but my penchant for amateur sports naturally makes me think of the epic moment when the village team from Norton went to Poland and won the world tug-o-war championships by beating the might of Germany, Netherlands etc
Here’s one for Eddie – wherever she is…..
I am huge tennis fan so I would say Federer winning the AO in 2017, Murray winning the Olympics at home
In terms of football, France winning the Euro 2000 and for Arsenal, I would say the victories at Inter in Champions League and the draw against Tottenham (2004) and the win against them (4-5 also in 2004)
Olympics, I recall fondly the Long Jump contest in 1992 and of course, Usain Bolt’s 2008 Olympics in Beijing
RC78
I’m going to remove your comment and repost it tomorrow as it’s relevant to tomorrow’s post.
Hope you don’t mind 🙂
Apart from the 1971 FA Cup Final, this is probably the first sporting moment that made the most impact on me as a youngster.
Must have been getting in touch with my feminine side!
This was the first time I saw The Arse win something live and it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
May 6th, 1954, Roger Bannister runs the 1st sub four minute mile.
3:59.4
Chas – no pb on my side.
On another note – UEFA thinking about a 3rd European Cup. This will be decided at the next UEFA Executive Meeting but the principle has been agreed. This sucks.
Was ospina loan out to napoli
Takuma Asano
Off course, I had completely forgotten about him.
Chas 12.00
Love the way the commentator uses the phrase “Sweet skills from Brady”
Being left footed and playing in midfield I dreamed of being him, well, look at the two letters I chose for my blog name.
But there will always be just one small step above when it comes to special moments and the man’s name is Charlie George.
Born is a king……………………..
Still the most amazing race to watch, go aussie go
Relevant rumors for us:
Rumor of the day – Fenerbace keen on Ozil.
Rumof ot the day 2 – Dybala keen to leave Juventus as playing time has reduced with CR7’s arrival
If we get 35 Mln for Ozil, why not?
If we can get Dybala for a cut price, why not either? Last year he was valued at 120 Mln but now not even 60 Mln. The guy can really be our new Bergkamp. He reminds me of Del Piero, Raul and Bergkamp – I think he would do well with us.
Imagine if all fit:
4-2-1-2-1
Cech – Lichten, Sok, Kos, Koli – Ouzi, LT – Rambo – Dybala, Auba – Laca
Concerns remaining: Full backs and Kos and still a question mark about Ouzi and LT defensive abilities
Haha, that was excellent, VP, looked like a giant against 4 midgets.
Chas
Love that Crisp/Red Rum National. Won money on Red Rum more than once.
I love the way in the VP clip that the guy tries to scramble for the line right at the end but realises all is lost. Great viewing.
How could I forget Johnny Wilkinson? That was special.
VP. Terrific and very funny
Thanks Raddy. Lots of my favourites all ready mentioned. I even love sports that I have little knowledge of if it becomes a classic. You can feel and buy into the tension and the once in a lifetime moment in any sport. The GB curling Gold and the recent netball gold go into that category just for the sheer knife edge, snatching victory at the last minute drama.
3 of my favourites not mentioned; For Arsenal Kanu leaping over Wiltord as we secured the title at OT. Seve Ballesteros sinking a birdie put on the final hole at St Andrews 1984 to clinch the open. Kris Akabusi in the final leg chasing down the strong USA 4x400m team to clinch gold at Tokyo 1991.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45483586
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-liverpool-among-shrewdest-movers-13225089.amp#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s
That Morgan guy beefs with everyone jeez
Cheers Raddy
Greatest sporting moments?
At Winchmore Hill overground were I locked eyes with Liam Brady and exchanged smiles that can only known and felt by star struck lovers or men suffering from concussion.
Approaching Garth Crooks in a petrol station and asking him were I could get some spliff? Only to be told by the man with eyes as red as Dantes Inferno “no no no, I don’t do that”? When i quipped “Leave it out Crooks, the way you missed that sitter last week against Bolton I thought you had either looked at Steve Archibald or were on acid”. Panicking, he left without paying for his petrol.
The day I realised when life may be a bit of a struggle, at school a whole bunch of us queued for John Contes autograph, everyone else got “best wishes John”, whilst I got a “F*uck you”.
From a watching perspective, all our title triumps under Arsene, beating Totnumb 5-0 at the Lane, beating the twats again in the League Cup 1987, and getting revenge on the dickheads in the 93 semi.
Really, it should be winning the league in 89, but despite my joy, I hadn’t attended the game? So it was a little bit like been deliriously happy for a man, who happened not to be me, having the greatest sex of his life.
Some great stuff
VP wins
Imagine him with his grandchildren
“so, gramps, whatd’ya do? Pace yourself and take ’em all on the final bend?”
“quick, look, isn’t that a three legged ‘roo out the window?”
I forgot to say – I spent about 20 minutes this morning watching Tug of War battles.
Weird the effect this site has sometimes. ☺
Couldn’t find any Norton footage.
Closest I got was footage of the Dutch 700kg team getting silver, then I found out that Norton were in the 640kg comp.
Apparently they weigh the whole team on 8-person scales!
Terry. John Conteh lived down the road from me. The man was a total front bottom.
Reasons to watch ,,, Welbz starting for England. The Swiss FB and Xhaka and Djourou are playing for them
Well, that was a rubbish first half. The washing up is looking attractive 😦
GB. The Akabusi moment was a fine call. Just watched the vid with the incomparable David Coleman commentating
Holy moly
https://twitter.com/garyevanspro/status/1019219019981783040
Chas 0647
Recognise the head as a real dog, but surely ( don’t call me Shirley), that body must be an old sock!
https://twitter.com/dogs/status/824281998353174530
Morning all
I’m rushing, so hope to read later that all our players came through battles unscathed
Chas
Fabulous sport T ‘o W isn’t it 🙂
Morning All,
6.47. LOL
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