Football: A nerve-racking 1999 - the year the action went down to the wire: Pessimistic City fans miss drama
Second Division play-off final at Wembley Gillingham v Manchester City
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MANCHESTER CITY fans didn't have a lot in common with George Best until this play-off final. Four days earlier the Manchester United legend had left the Nou Camp before the final whistle and so didn't see his old teams late, late European Cup-winning goals against Bayern Munich.
After 86 minutes of this Second Division play-off final City were losing 2-0 and seemingly beaten by the underdogs from Kent, while their fans were making like Best and streaming out of Wembley. Sadly for them, they were to miss an unlikely and unforgettable finish that was to eventually lead to promotion to the First Division.
Gillingham had scored their goals after 81 and 86 minutes and City were looking down the barrel of another season in the Second Division, but the game was transformed in the 89th minute - as good a time as any to score, as all United fans will agree - when Kevin Horlock drove in a low shot from 18 yards to make it 2-1. It just seemed like a consolation goal and the supporters continued to leave but would come to regret it. To give City further heart, the fourth official then held up his board indicating there would be four minutes of stoppage time.
Much like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winning effort in Barcelona, the goal that Paul Dickov scored to make it 2-2 was no classic but was priceless in the circumstances that surrounded it. In the final minute of added time, and with pandemonium in the Gillingham penalty area, Dickov stabbed the ball in from close range, forcing extra-time and causing understandably wild scenes on the pitch and in the City dug-out. After such drama two drained teams played out a goalless extra half-hour, but when it came to the penalty shoot-out Gillingham crumbled.
The relieved City manager, Joe Royle, found the breath to comment: "My team never gives up. United did the same in Barcelona and now we have shown there's another team in Manchester that won't give in."
When the City goalkeeper, Nicky Weaver, saved Guy Butters' penalty it sealed promotion, a feat that had seemed impossible barely 30 minutes earlier. Just ask those City fans who left early.
CONRAD LEACH
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments