A sad tale of no charity (FA Charity Shield)

Member Name: Chandler

Product:	FA Charity Shield
Date:	08/08/01 (786 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some great games, Nice way to start the season

Disadvantages: Why does there have to be a winner ?

So the Charity Shield is here again. the traditional curtain raiser for the season, and this years match in question (Man U vs Liverpool) bought back a fond memory for me.

It was the 1990 Shield game between the same 2 teams, United as cup holders and Liverpool as League Champions. Liverpool were of course a great, great team then whilst United were just about to start their decade of glory. I managed to get a ticket to go see the game, and i must say it was very entertaining. Obviously the fans were hassling each other as there is no love lost between the 2 sets of supporters, but on the pitch it was quite a friendly affair. I know United scored first, but I can’t remember who got it for the life of me, and Liverpool equalised via a penalty before half time.

At full time it was still 1-1, and so we prepared for extra time. But wait a minute, what was this...? The teams were getting jackets on, swapping shirts and the like, and then it was announced, the shield was to be shared between the clubs. Seeing as how it was called the CHARITY shield this seemed like a very appropriate gesture, and one that I thought went a long way in showing that football can still be a friendly affair.

I returned to Wembley for the 1993 Shield game, with my beloved United there as Champions at last and facing Arsenal as cup winners. Again United scored first, a mark Hughes volley bettered by a later Ian Wright wonder goal.

Again we had a 1-1 draw, and I awaited to see the 2 captains go up together and receive the shield, then it was announced...penalties!!!

There was to be a winner, and my heart sank. Although we won, and there was the usual celebrations I felt the shield should have been shared, surely this was the Charitable thing to do in the event. I couldn’t believe that there had to be a winner, and I wonder how much of that was down to SKY TV covering the shield live for the first time.

Since that day we have been
involved in another Shield shoot-out, again after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and again I wish they’d shared it, again even though we won.

With people questioning the friendliness in football, even in “friendly” games, it seems like the Shield provides a chance, in the event of a draw, to show that winning isn’t everything. I’d be more than happy on Sunday to see the 2 captains share the Shield should a draw occur, but the fan and TV mentality of getting a dramatic winner will overshadow the event.

As for the game itself I do think it will be good, Liverpool will probably win it, and be declared Champions before the League starts and then watch United go! Just as in the last 3 years, lose the Shield and win the league. I’d settle for that.

Summary: