When my team, Manchester City face Stoke City at Wembley on Saturday, as many of my loved ones would say, is the largest city in the game that I had. Most of the cities biggest opponent in the race for the title that I had I think it was also the game against Stoke. Many of you probably already correctly assumed that I am referring to the last game of the season 97-98 Division One (now the Championship, formerly Division Two, etc.) between the two sides, which led to a decline in third-level as well. But what is the "greatest" game? And what makes it so?
Many games are described as "great." Play against rivals in the championship, promotion or relegation described as derby matches and grudge, or even decide that Sky Sports show. Some years ago I was at Falkirk v Hearts for a mid-table unit SPL, where I heard a guy in the pub beforehand claim what a great match it was taking in up / down six cracks. He did not want what I believe to be a great game, but then again I'm sure I've talked to Stalybridge v Hyde similar in the past, as I imagine it would not.
In most cases, it appears that one of the two factors must be guaranteed. The first is the profile of the confrontation. If you rely entirely on the columns of newspapers and viewers that generates it is difficult to argue that a set of second level leads to (or both teams) on a descent is comparable to that end, the most famous competitions World Cup ™. My first impression, however, is that the second factor, the consequences or ramifications of the game, is the predominant factor in the form of its importance should be judged.
This is what gives weight to the extraordinary importance of this match against the supporters of my club. At that time, seemed to fall to a level that for the first time in our history, could lead to terminal decline, that will never return to the top division again. However, I also wrote an FA Cup final between the theory to shoot down. The happiness of both clubs has improved significantly since 1998, and the demotion was not the death knell, many felt that it was at that time. Maybe it was not the greatest game I've often thought.
But a loss Saturday would be a significant impact on the future of either of these two clubs in the way that day could have? Based on past seasons, I'd still expect Stoke City to a comfortable Premier League club for the coming years or more, and Manchester City to give a realistic title challenge in the foreseeable future. In addition, the two clubs play in Europe next season, whoever wins on Saturday, Earle events this week. But - and this is a big but - should Manchester City win, I can say that this will be the happiest day of my life and it does not seem unreasonable to suggest that the same result would have the same effect on Stoke supporters, can be especially for those who were at Britannia Stadium that day in May 1998.
Even if we had that day, the results elsewhere meant that we were still on the back of what is now called League One. Huddersfield Town and Bradford City had to tolerate the fight against Portsmouth and Port Vale had saved us that day was to be provided for the same joy as well as any profit is to Wembley? Not really. Relief? Yes, but the unbridled happiness Cup final victory (I suppose) leads appears highly unlikely. On the other hand, although I would upset if you beat us on Saturday (much more than it should be no doubt that a man of thirty years), it seems, offers no real concern for the future of the Club is not relegation . I can not imagine that many on both sides, should have beaten on Saturday, saying he "had enough", "does not care / not take it anymore" As I recall, many say, that day.
