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"All of the final
18 were a pleasure to research, but the one most interesting
and indeed the hardest to write involved the first chapter.
''The greatest story never told.'' The tale of a
Dinamo Kiev captured en masse by the Germans in the Ukraine
in 1942, and forced to partake in a series of ''friendlies''
for propaganda purposes. Ordered to lose they stand defiant
and under threat of death they play to win. Sadly it all
ends tragically when the Nazis lose patience and execute
8 of them. Based on a true incident, the facts are remarkably
sketchy. I chose to write of the legend. Once my manuscript
had gone in with the publishers, a book appeared in the
shops pertaining to tell the ''defining'' story of what
happened. Thus almost driving me nuts as this guy had gone
over to the Ukraine and appeared to have cracked it. But
who knows the truth ?. After reading his version I am still
not sure.
On a lighter note United
versus Bayern in 1999
was an absolute delight to write about. What better way
to end, from the tragedy of Kiev, to the almost surreal
happenings in Barcelona. Still don't know how we won that."
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1984,European cup winners
cup, quarter final. Manchester
United v Barcelona. What a game! United
were 2-0 down from the
Nou Camp and all the critics were saying we had no chance
of pulling back the deficit. The atmosphere inside Old Trafford
that night was unlike anything I have ever experienced.
The air was electric, people sat in the aisles, how they
got in God knows. My all time favourite player, Maradona
was playing for Barca, I do not think he stepped out of
the center circle all evening.
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Anyway,
2 goals from Robson and one from Stapleton almost lifted the
roof off the stadium. United went three up with still half
an hour left to play. Barca had a left full back called Alberto
who played as a winger and repeatedly flew down the wing below
me, giving out collective heart attacks every time he crossed
the half way line. United
held on to win and Bryan
Robson was carried off the pitch shoulder high by supporters.
A great night. Sadly in the semi finals we met Juventus who
put us out. What a team they were, Platini, Boniek, Rossi,
A last minute goal from Rossi in Turin proved a killer. |
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"Basically I am
a footballing anorak!,And my huge selection of books and
videos was sufficient for any research required. Also in
later phases the internet helped, but basically books and
videos was the main source."
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"I wish! Unfortunately
no, I still work full time at Lloyd Worralls in Castlefields
Hulme. But who knows, if thinks go well and I can convince
my wife (easier said than done) it may well be an option
in the near future. I hope so, but, as ever it comes down
to the aged old problem of money. But im working on it!"
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"Without
a doubt, Hugh Mcllvanney. In my opinion no other writer
comes close to matching this guy. An absolute genius, and
of course a big mate of Fergie, and the man who wrote his
infamous book. Mcllvanney, like no other captures in print
the words to describe games and players of which mere mortals
can only dream of aspiring too. I should be so bloody lucky."
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"''All
played out'' by Pete Davies. This is the inside story of
the 1990 world cup. Davies travelled all over Italy with
unlimited access to the England team. The result is an absolute
masterpiece. Davies managed to upset every journalist who
was there covering England. To this day his name is spat
out with venom as he blew the lid on the English press pack
and all that involved. Brilliant book, and I can read over
and over."
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"My Dad took me
to see United
v Fc Porto, late seventies.
United
won 5-2 after going
down 4-0 in the first leg. I remember they had a Brazilian
centre forward called Duda. I can still hear the song ''Who
put the ball in United's net , Duda Duda!'' In typical
United
fashion we almost pulled
off a great comeback, only to score a couple of own goals.
Jimmy Nicholl I think it was. That was Dave Sexton's team,
I also remember one of my first games was against QPR. Stan
Bowles took time off from the bookies to play, and while
taking a corner down at the Stretford End, he started making
faces at the crowd. When they started booing him Bowles
put his fingers in his ears. Strange what you remember."
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[back
to page one] [click
here to read the rest of our interview with John Ludden]
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