The Moment 'The King' Changed Football

    As I reflect on making it to and past a half century, I feel it is apt to look at one man and one moment that changed my footballing life forever. In my life I have witnessed some great events. I have seen some spectacular moments, moments that have taken my breath away, and also some unexplainable and devastating moments. In just my lifetime we have seen the rise of technology that allows us to perform tasks and function at a level most never thought possible. We have seen the world change forever with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the rise of terrorism and the events of September 11th, 2001. The world has seen and lost some spectacular people, including the deaths of Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and Sir Bobby Robson.

Bringing Down The Berlin Wall

    Whilst all these events stick out in my mind for various reasons, most of my memories come back to football. I remember watching as both Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce missed their penalties at Italia 90 which would have sent England to their first final since 1966. Four years later I witnessed the greatest player at the time Roberto Baggio rocket his penalty over at USA 94. And in 1998, after been sent to my bedroom, I watched when an 18 year old Michael Owen scored one of the greatest World Cup goals against the Argentinians. I have watched 20 years of Premiership football, which has developed from a kick and run game into the greatest and most exciting league in the world. With all this said, there is still only one man and one moment that stands out above the rest, and I can see it like it happened only yesterday.

Roberto Baggio- Penalty Despair

    The year was 1997, and the standard of the Premier League was rapidly improving with the influx of foreign players coming to our shores. However, there was one enigmatic Frenchman that did more to change the English game than anyone who had been before, or anyone who has come after. That man is Eric ‘The King’ Cantona.

    The moment I remember so vividly is the goal he scored at Old Trafford after having somewhat of a goal drought. As Cantona picked the ball up just inside his own half and began to move forward with the ball it looked like the whole of Old Trafford had stopped and everyone knew what was about to happen. Cantona flowed across the turf with the ease and arrogance of a man who knew his destiny. Breaking through a couple of tackles he played a one-two on the edge of the box with Brian Mc Clair, and then it happened! Without thinking twice, ‘The King’ stabs at the ball and the ball rises and moves towards the goal as if in slow motion. The keeper is helpless as the ball floats over his head and arrives in the top corner of the goal. For many players this would be enough, but the game of football was Eric’s canvas and he was far from finished. Rather than run off and celebrate with the energy and exhilaration that comes with scoring a great goal, Cantona merely turned around, puffed out his chest and looked at his audience as if to say “give me what I deserve!”.

Eric Cantona- "Praise me!"

    There have been some great moments in the Premier League, but for me none come close to this goal. The pure defiance that Cantona had to attempt such things showed not just how talented of a man he was, but sums up just how talented Sir Alex Ferguson is for being able to deal with such a personality.  Before arriving on English soil with Leeds United Cantona had already retired and subsequently returned, showing just what a character he could be. He had ran into several problems in his native France, showing a lack of respect for authority, and was often disciplined subsequently. On one occasion he was called before a disciplinary committee after throwing a ball at a referee, and once there verdict had been returned he marched up to each one of them and called them an idiot. Needless to say, his ban was increased.

    After winning the title with Leeds United, Sir Alex was on the lookout for a player who could make a difference for him at Old Trafford. At first Cantona was not in contention but after Sir Alex found out that Leeds were willing to let him go cheaply he decided that Cantona was the man to change his and the clubs fortunes. It is needless to say that he was right. Eric Cantona more than any other Man United player changed the perception of the club. While United had began to rediscover success, it was ‘The King” that restored them to their dominance. His personal accolades speak for them self,  winning six titles in seven years at three different clubs, along with a host of individual honours.

    It could be said that unfortunately with all his genius King Cantona had a dark side. But to take this away would have taken away from charismatic player he was. I do not condone many of his antics, including his ‘kung-fu’ style kick on a fan after been sent of at Crystal Palace, but what I do say is that when he played, we watched, and we watched intently. There was never a moment when you didn't believe that you were about to witness something extraordinary.

    To put it simply, the man changed the game. He showed me what it was to have passion, and while this might have overflowed several times it was what I needed to see. Eric Cantona showed me what it was to play the game of football. It isn’t about exorbitant wages and driving flash cars, it’s about making the most of your time on the pitch, and about making it a spectacle for all us adoring fans. He made football a work of art, and he was the embodiment of this discipline. He was a man that beat to his own drum, who did not conform to the game, but made the game conform to him.

    Sadly, Cantona called time on his career long before he had fallen from his best. Then again, that is what he always did isn’t it. He always left us wanting more!