Ray Parlour - Talksport

[soothsayer]

Not sure anyone caught it this morning but Mick Quinn interviewed Ray Parlour on his show this morning. Whilst discussing his good and bad FA Cup memories he mentioned the two games Arsenal played against us - 0-0 at Highbury and 1-1 (aet) at VP. He was very complimentary about Vale and recalled how difficult those games were for the eventual winners that season. He even name checked Alan Tankard as being unlucky with his missed penalty.

[CambridgeDon]

I remember working late the night of that replay and driving home listening to the penos going in (or unfortunately not in the case of Tanks). It was a bad end to a bad day but overall we did our reputation no harm over the two legs. I bet Parlour's not the only one who remembers how good we were.

[smithie]

I was there with the other 20,000 sorry I mean 13,000 fans !!

[Birches Head Fred]

I recall Wenger being complimentary in an interview before the Cup Final, suggesting just how lucky the Guners were to have got to the final, without actually naming the Vale but it was obvious (to me at least) as to whom he was talking.

[Bea Smith]

I recall Wenger being complimentary in an interview before the Cup Final, suggesting just how lucky the Guners were to have got to the final, without actually naming the Vale but it was obvious (to me at least) as to whom he was talking.

 

Wasn't that the match that really took the biscuit - well, at least Bell thought so.

[ELDERBEZZA]

I was there with the other 20,000 sorry I mean 13,000 fans !!

 

I remember not seeing many empty seats too:laugh:

[Boslem Boy]

We were shouting "England's England's No1" at Seaman who immediately pointed up the pitch to Musselwhite. A nice gesture from a top keeper.

[Beza]

Remember Robbie Earle sitting in the stand above us at Highbury with Ian Wright and we starting singing the Robbie Earle song. Mega.

[Little_Al]

I believe we came closer to stopping Arsenal doing the double that year than any other club. I'm sure we made an impression on Arsenal and thought the matches were played in a good spirit.

[eh up nah]

Ray Parlour always mentions us when talksport cover the FA cup. Testament to us as it clearly left a big impression.

[andy jones]

Two truly memorable matches in a wonderful era for our great club.

[Tone]

Looking back, it was a privilege to go to Highbury (just a block of flats, now) and to see our lads against such a creditable team.

 

In my lifetime, I can recall our entertaining Aston Villa in 1960, visiting Anfield (the first time) in 1962, Spurs in 1988, Everton in 1996 and Arsenal in 1998. I was AWOL for the Spurs game in 2006 (would have loved to have been to White Hart Lane). Top that with 3 visits to Wembley (I also missed the win over Brentford in Cardiff) and I can say my life as a Vale fan has been fulfilled.

[Lornelounger]

I remember talking to the author Nick Hornby about football in general years later, and he when he asked who I supported, and I replied the Vale, he talked for a while about this fixture. He too was very complimentary about our performances over those two games, and said we gave them a real scare. He was impressed with how we played. Long time ago now, and talking about it again makes me realise how well respected that team was. Happy days.

[robf]

I recall Wenger being complimentary in an interview before the Cup Final, suggesting just how lucky the Guners were to have got to the final, without actually naming the Vale but it was obvious (to me at least) as to whom he was talking.

 

He was very nice immediately after the Vale game too. In the post-match interview he says - "It is surprising that they stand where they stand because for me they gave us very good games..."

 

For those wanting to relive the game (and see that post-match interview) try this OVF video:

 

[Jacko51]

Great stuff, Rob. Thanks for posting that. Doesn't Arsene look young!!