1 00:00:02,148 --> 00:00:03,253 [no audible dialogue] 2 00:00:03,391 --> 00:00:05,013 [crowd cheering] 3 00:00:06,187 --> 00:00:07,498 It was about the fight. 4 00:00:08,672 --> 00:00:10,018 -[crowd roars] -[whistle blows] 5 00:00:10,156 --> 00:00:11,640 Your studs are your best friend. 6 00:00:15,644 --> 00:00:16,749 It's like a tug of war. 7 00:00:17,784 --> 00:00:18,716 [commentator] Parlour. 8 00:00:18,854 --> 00:00:20,304 [Ray Parlour] You can see the tension. 9 00:00:20,442 --> 00:00:23,169 Not just on the pitch, on the side of the pitch as well. 10 00:00:23,307 --> 00:00:25,413 [crowd cheering] 11 00:00:25,551 --> 00:00:27,518 Arsene Wenger brought something different, 12 00:00:28,416 --> 00:00:29,796 and I think that Sir Alex 13 00:00:29,934 --> 00:00:31,660 felt threatened a little bit. 14 00:00:31,798 --> 00:00:35,008 Being a United fan at that time was just fantastic. 15 00:00:35,147 --> 00:00:37,701 It was just about focusing on the game 16 00:00:37,839 --> 00:00:40,704 and not about all the shit that was going on off the pitch. 17 00:00:40,842 --> 00:00:42,982 The media tycoon Rupert Murdoch 18 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,572 wants to buy Britain's biggest football club, Manchester United. 19 00:00:47,849 --> 00:00:50,231 Rupert Murdoch needs Manchester United. 20 00:00:50,369 --> 00:00:52,716 Manchester United do not need Rupert Murdoch. 21 00:00:52,854 --> 00:00:55,650 We weren't just gonna have some corporate carpetbagger 22 00:00:55,788 --> 00:00:58,342 come in and take the club over. 23 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,966 It's like, "Okay. All right. You've got a fight on your hands then." 24 00:01:07,213 --> 00:01:10,009 The Football Association has approved controversial plans 25 00:01:10,147 --> 00:01:11,976 to set up a new super league. 26 00:01:21,883 --> 00:01:24,299 I would love it if we beat them. Love it. 27 00:01:24,437 --> 00:01:29,097 When the seagulls follow the trawler, they think sardines will be thrown. 28 00:01:34,102 --> 00:01:38,037 The most expensive player in the history of British football... 29 00:01:38,175 --> 00:01:41,420 To use a phrase "arms race" would be appropriate. 30 00:01:41,558 --> 00:01:44,181 [Les Ferdinand] Footballers became sort of like rock stars overnight. 31 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:45,769 [crowd roars] 32 00:01:48,565 --> 00:01:50,153 [Paul Merson] I've got a choice in life now. 33 00:01:50,291 --> 00:01:51,878 I either go back to the booze 34 00:01:52,016 --> 00:01:53,708 and the gambling and the drugs 35 00:01:53,846 --> 00:01:55,227 or I go the other way. 36 00:01:55,365 --> 00:01:59,817 It's like a religion. It's something to believe in. 37 00:02:10,966 --> 00:02:14,694 [sax solo from "Baker Street"] 38 00:02:20,286 --> 00:02:22,288 [person] The Premier League, when it first started, 39 00:02:22,426 --> 00:02:26,568 it was slightly uncertain about what it had to sell. 40 00:02:26,706 --> 00:02:29,226 And within five years, they realized they had a product 41 00:02:29,364 --> 00:02:30,745 that was worth a lot of money. 42 00:02:30,883 --> 00:02:33,541 [commentator] Goes to Warhurst... 43 00:02:33,679 --> 00:02:35,336 -Oh! -[crowd cheering] 44 00:02:37,614 --> 00:02:40,099 Giggs shoots. Goal! That has settled it! 45 00:02:42,032 --> 00:02:43,171 Gillespie! 46 00:02:44,310 --> 00:02:45,932 [reporter] The Premier League chairmen met 47 00:02:46,070 --> 00:02:47,865 to strike a new four-year deal with Sky 48 00:02:48,003 --> 00:02:51,110 worth more than ú600 million. 49 00:02:51,248 --> 00:02:54,355 Since we came along and put the Premier League on television 50 00:02:54,493 --> 00:02:56,288 and started paying a lot of money for it, 51 00:02:56,426 --> 00:02:59,636 we have seen a total transformation of British soccer. 52 00:02:59,774 --> 00:03:03,881 [narrator] In 1996, Rupert Murdoch's Sky agreed to double its offer 53 00:03:04,019 --> 00:03:06,919 to secure the TV rights for the Premier League 54 00:03:07,057 --> 00:03:10,785 and were now paying almost ú3 million per match. 55 00:03:13,788 --> 00:03:17,792 Arsenal's David Dein was one of the original architects of the breakaway league, 56 00:03:17,930 --> 00:03:22,003 but so far, his team had failed to mount a serious challenge. 57 00:03:22,141 --> 00:03:24,247 Now with more TV money being offered than ever, 58 00:03:24,385 --> 00:03:27,733 club bosses like Dein were under pressure to succeed. 59 00:03:27,871 --> 00:03:30,529 I had a knowledge and feel 60 00:03:30,667 --> 00:03:32,565 that the game was going more international 61 00:03:32,703 --> 00:03:34,740 and that we had to move with the times. 62 00:03:34,878 --> 00:03:38,675 [Arsene Wenger speaking Japanese] 63 00:03:41,367 --> 00:03:44,232 -Thank you very much. -[crowd applauding] 64 00:03:44,370 --> 00:03:49,133 And when I saw Arsene, I realized that here was one for the future. 65 00:03:49,272 --> 00:03:51,791 [narrator] Arsene Wenger was an unknown figure in the UK, 66 00:03:51,929 --> 00:03:55,623 but had enjoyed success as a manager with French club Monaco. 67 00:03:55,761 --> 00:03:58,488 After a move to Japan, he was gaining a reputation 68 00:03:58,626 --> 00:04:00,869 as something of a football visionary. 69 00:04:02,250 --> 00:04:03,976 [Dein] We were going to introduce Arsene, 70 00:04:04,114 --> 00:04:06,772 and I went to the training ground that morning, and I said, 71 00:04:06,910 --> 00:04:10,120 "Lads, we're gonna introduce our new manager today." 72 00:04:10,258 --> 00:04:14,987 And so their eyes opened, and I said, "Yeah, it's Arsene Wenger." 73 00:04:15,125 --> 00:04:18,439 And Ray Parlour said, "Who the fuck's that?" [chuckles] 74 00:04:18,577 --> 00:04:21,200 The look around the room was, "Arsene Wenger?" 75 00:04:21,338 --> 00:04:22,788 We'd never heard of Arsene Wenger. 76 00:04:22,926 --> 00:04:24,962 We was always expecting a British manager. 77 00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:29,450 We was like, "Wow. What? Don't even know him. 78 00:04:29,588 --> 00:04:31,314 Don't even know him. Don't even know him." 79 00:04:33,350 --> 00:04:35,145 [chattering] 80 00:04:40,184 --> 00:04:41,945 [scattered applause] 81 00:04:47,778 --> 00:04:48,710 Good afternoon. 82 00:04:49,987 --> 00:04:52,335 I know that you had to write a lot about me 83 00:04:52,473 --> 00:04:53,888 without knowing me 84 00:04:54,026 --> 00:04:56,546 or to speak about me without knowing me. 85 00:04:56,684 --> 00:05:02,137 That's why I've made such a long trip to come and answer all your questions. 86 00:05:04,036 --> 00:05:06,866 He's an unusual guy. He speaks about five languages, 87 00:05:07,004 --> 00:05:10,076 had a degree in economics, he understands medicine. 88 00:05:10,214 --> 00:05:13,701 I thought, "This is not your average footballer who's just become a manager. 89 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:15,599 This guy's a lot more than that." 90 00:05:19,569 --> 00:05:21,605 [reporter] You've certainly stuck your neck out for this man. 91 00:05:21,743 --> 00:05:25,402 Undoubtedly, but we focused our target on Arsene Wenger. 92 00:05:25,540 --> 00:05:29,061 Last one? Okay, last one. Really last one. 93 00:05:29,199 --> 00:05:31,408 [Dein] And we've now managed to get him here. 94 00:05:31,546 --> 00:05:34,446 [photographer] Arsene, this way, please. Just straight into this lens. Thank you. 95 00:05:35,723 --> 00:05:37,794 Have you got it? Okay, ready? 96 00:05:37,932 --> 00:05:41,211 And so to what's been the school for scandal in recent seasons, 97 00:05:41,349 --> 00:05:43,834 comes the scholar, Arsene Wenger-- 98 00:05:43,972 --> 00:05:47,493 What's he got? A master's degree? Master's degree. 99 00:05:47,631 --> 00:05:49,564 I think they were just fascinated. 100 00:05:49,702 --> 00:05:52,498 I mean, Arsene was a totally unknown quantity. 101 00:05:52,636 --> 00:05:53,603 Okay. 102 00:05:54,742 --> 00:05:57,192 Hi. How are you? Hello. Good to see you. 103 00:05:57,330 --> 00:06:00,368 You well? You tired? Jet lag. 104 00:06:00,506 --> 00:06:01,852 No, it's okay. 105 00:06:02,991 --> 00:06:04,821 We had a new train on the track 106 00:06:04,959 --> 00:06:06,788 and we wanted to know how fast it was gonna go. 107 00:06:09,377 --> 00:06:11,310 [Parlour] When he first come in and you looked at him, 108 00:06:11,448 --> 00:06:13,312 he looked like a bit of a school teacher. 109 00:06:13,450 --> 00:06:14,762 But he had so much focus. 110 00:06:14,900 --> 00:06:17,247 That training ground was so important to him, 111 00:06:17,385 --> 00:06:19,491 and the training methods were a different class. 112 00:06:19,629 --> 00:06:22,183 One goes outside. One goes outside. 113 00:06:22,321 --> 00:06:23,667 Yes! Yes! 114 00:06:24,461 --> 00:06:25,876 [Merson] It was football. 115 00:06:26,014 --> 00:06:28,051 It was all on the clock. It was-- Wow. 116 00:06:28,189 --> 00:06:29,984 I could see my abs. 117 00:06:31,606 --> 00:06:34,264 Every club in those days had a drinking culture. 118 00:06:34,402 --> 00:06:37,129 And we were probably top of the league at the time. 119 00:06:37,267 --> 00:06:38,510 [laughs] 120 00:06:38,648 --> 00:06:42,030 We had a Tuesday club. It was well known everywhere. 121 00:06:42,168 --> 00:06:45,033 Tuesday, we went out. It was like bang, we'd be in London. 122 00:06:45,171 --> 00:06:48,589 We'd be out all day, all night, and it got around all the other clubs. 123 00:06:48,727 --> 00:06:50,901 "Oh, Arsenal are out. They're out every Tuesday." 124 00:06:51,039 --> 00:06:55,665 We'd put a card behind the bar and just let it roll. 125 00:06:55,803 --> 00:06:59,358 And it would literally be till 6:00, 7:00 in the morning. 126 00:06:59,496 --> 00:07:02,637 Say hello to the milkman. That's if you did go home. 127 00:07:02,775 --> 00:07:05,537 We weren't in Wednesday, so go out again. 128 00:07:11,991 --> 00:07:15,374 Wenger took drinks straight out of the bar. Straight out. 129 00:07:15,512 --> 00:07:17,652 The players' lounge was stripped. 130 00:07:17,790 --> 00:07:19,205 See you later. No drink. 131 00:07:19,343 --> 00:07:21,276 -[phone rings] -Hello? 132 00:07:22,554 --> 00:07:23,727 Hi, Martin. 133 00:07:24,935 --> 00:07:26,661 [Martin Keown] He felt that alcohol was poison, 134 00:07:26,799 --> 00:07:30,147 that you were poisoning your body with alcohol. 135 00:07:30,285 --> 00:07:32,840 And he wanted us to visualise drinking water, 136 00:07:32,978 --> 00:07:37,810 to see it flushing through your body and cleansing all your muscles. 137 00:07:37,948 --> 00:07:41,745 We'd have chicken, we'd have steak, potatoes, raw vegetables. 138 00:07:41,883 --> 00:07:44,023 And he'd literally go around saying, "Chew to win." 139 00:07:44,161 --> 00:07:46,785 And you had to chew your food until it was like soup in your mouth. 140 00:07:47,682 --> 00:07:49,684 He was so far ahead of his time. 141 00:07:49,822 --> 00:07:52,825 Now I was going into games feeling like I was superhuman. 142 00:07:54,275 --> 00:07:56,484 [commentator] A new era has begun at Arsenal. 143 00:07:56,622 --> 00:08:00,695 Today, Frenchman Arsene Wenger takes charge of his first game in England. 144 00:08:00,833 --> 00:08:03,526 We'd play eight v eight. It would be one touch or two touch. 145 00:08:03,664 --> 00:08:05,113 Pass and move. Pass and move. 146 00:08:05,251 --> 00:08:06,770 Then when you got on the pitch on a Saturday, 147 00:08:06,908 --> 00:08:08,254 you passed and you moved. 148 00:08:11,395 --> 00:08:14,433 [commentator] Anything appears possible for the new boss Arsene Wenger, 149 00:08:14,571 --> 00:08:17,401 even the possibility of a championship bid. 150 00:08:17,540 --> 00:08:21,336 [narrator] Under Wenger, it was no longer "Boring, boring Arsenal". 151 00:08:21,474 --> 00:08:23,787 As his first season in England drew to a close, 152 00:08:23,925 --> 00:08:27,308 Wenger's style of football was winning over the fans. 153 00:08:27,446 --> 00:08:31,070 Arsene Wenger brought a kind of continental sophistication 154 00:08:31,208 --> 00:08:33,556 into English football in the way the players trained, 155 00:08:33,694 --> 00:08:36,593 in the way they looked after themselves, diet, everything. 156 00:08:36,731 --> 00:08:40,873 And I think that's partly what got Ferguson annoyed. 157 00:08:42,047 --> 00:08:43,807 [narrator] When Ferguson complained 158 00:08:43,945 --> 00:08:46,707 that United faced too many games in quick succession, 159 00:08:46,845 --> 00:08:49,261 Wenger dared to disagree. 160 00:08:50,365 --> 00:08:52,782 They say Arsene Wenger's had a swipe 161 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:54,611 at Manchester United again today. 162 00:08:54,749 --> 00:08:57,200 He's got plenty to say. 163 00:08:57,338 --> 00:08:59,651 He should maybe concentrate on Ian Wright's tackles maybe 164 00:08:59,789 --> 00:09:01,963 rather than talk about Manchester United. 165 00:09:02,101 --> 00:09:06,934 He's a fighter. I mean, there's two mentalities: fighter and victim. 166 00:09:07,072 --> 00:09:10,523 And most people sway between fighter and victim. 167 00:09:10,662 --> 00:09:13,734 Very few are completely fighter or completely victim. 168 00:09:13,872 --> 00:09:20,430 Alex was one of those people that was probably locked into fighter mentality. 169 00:09:20,568 --> 00:09:22,846 Arsene Wenger's been in Japan for a year. 170 00:09:22,984 --> 00:09:24,814 He doesn't know anything about English football. 171 00:09:24,952 --> 00:09:26,816 He's unaware of the demands of our game, 172 00:09:26,954 --> 00:09:29,197 and to play four games in eight days is crazy. 173 00:09:29,335 --> 00:09:33,305 He's putting his finger on the pulse and saying, 174 00:09:33,443 --> 00:09:34,858 "Don't mess with Manchester United." 175 00:09:34,996 --> 00:09:37,033 And his players would have loved that. 176 00:09:37,171 --> 00:09:40,588 He's come from Japan, and he's entered English football 177 00:09:40,726 --> 00:09:44,730 and he's now telling everybody in England how to organize their football. 178 00:09:44,868 --> 00:09:47,768 I think he should keep his mouth shut. Firmly shut. 179 00:09:47,906 --> 00:09:51,530 That interview there was Sir Alex at his absolute peak, 180 00:09:51,668 --> 00:09:53,774 where the eyes are ferocious. 181 00:09:53,912 --> 00:09:56,362 He's sending a message there, "Are you gonna take me on?" 182 00:09:56,500 --> 00:09:58,157 And Arsene Wenger did take us on. 183 00:09:58,295 --> 00:10:00,850 [reporter] Can you come across this way for us? 184 00:10:00,988 --> 00:10:04,336 [White] There was a real, genuine animus there. 185 00:10:04,474 --> 00:10:09,341 But also Ferguson was a very sophisticated user of the media, 186 00:10:09,479 --> 00:10:13,517 and it was a good way of deflecting attention away from a bad performance. 187 00:10:13,656 --> 00:10:15,934 He would give them another headline, 188 00:10:16,072 --> 00:10:19,903 and it was a headline he was in control of. And Wenger was much the same. 189 00:10:20,041 --> 00:10:25,668 These were two very sophisticated users of the media clashing horns. 190 00:10:28,498 --> 00:10:30,534 They felt attacked, 191 00:10:30,673 --> 00:10:34,953 but it was not for me a particular attack against Man United. 192 00:10:35,091 --> 00:10:38,750 It was more a fight for the regularity of the competition. 193 00:10:38,888 --> 00:10:42,374 It was... Yeah, an intense rivalry. 194 00:10:42,512 --> 00:10:45,032 It's great television, isn't it? [laughs] 195 00:10:49,933 --> 00:10:52,246 Arsenal have got to put up or shut up today. 196 00:10:52,384 --> 00:10:53,937 If they are serious title challengers, 197 00:10:54,075 --> 00:10:56,215 they've got to prove it here, simple as that. 198 00:10:56,353 --> 00:10:58,977 [narrator] When the two teams met at Highbury, 199 00:10:59,115 --> 00:11:01,980 United were still dominating in the league. 200 00:11:02,118 --> 00:11:05,052 But Wenger had been busy strengthening his squad, 201 00:11:05,190 --> 00:11:07,640 landing prodigious talents for bargain prices 202 00:11:07,779 --> 00:11:09,470 from his contacts in Europe, 203 00:11:09,608 --> 00:11:13,232 players that few other clubs had even heard of. 204 00:11:13,370 --> 00:11:15,579 He knew every single player around Europe at that time. 205 00:11:15,718 --> 00:11:17,547 Already had Dennis Bergkamp. 206 00:11:18,272 --> 00:11:20,792 [crowd cheering] 207 00:11:20,930 --> 00:11:25,037 He brought in Vieira, Overmars, Petit, Nicolas Anelka. 208 00:11:25,175 --> 00:11:26,798 When I look in that dressing room, 209 00:11:26,936 --> 00:11:29,041 there was nobody else I'd rather have gone in there with. 210 00:11:29,179 --> 00:11:31,078 I knew that we could upset the apple cart here. 211 00:11:37,084 --> 00:11:38,844 [commentator] Welcome to Highbury 212 00:11:38,982 --> 00:11:41,813 for one of the Premier League matches of the season. 213 00:11:41,951 --> 00:11:44,712 It's Arsenal against Manchester United. 214 00:11:44,850 --> 00:11:48,405 [Ferguson] For us, nobody comes to your door and hands you medals, by the way. 215 00:11:48,543 --> 00:11:50,649 You've got to go outside your door and work for it. 216 00:11:50,787 --> 00:11:54,204 Sir Alex was a really social manager. 217 00:11:54,342 --> 00:11:57,069 So before every single match that we played away, 218 00:11:57,207 --> 00:11:59,623 he'd go and sit and have a coffee with them 219 00:11:59,762 --> 00:12:01,315 in the manager's office. 220 00:12:01,453 --> 00:12:03,351 Apart from against Arsenal away at Highbury. 221 00:12:03,489 --> 00:12:05,940 He'd be sat in our changing room for the whole hour build-up. 222 00:12:06,078 --> 00:12:09,185 You weren't gonna sit with him. He wasn't having it. 223 00:12:11,359 --> 00:12:15,778 And this is where this run-in with Arsenal kind of begins. 224 00:12:15,916 --> 00:12:17,469 [whistle blows] 225 00:12:17,607 --> 00:12:19,851 [crowd cheering] 226 00:12:19,989 --> 00:12:24,407 That rivalry in that particular time wasn't just about the quality, 227 00:12:24,545 --> 00:12:26,685 it was about the fight. 228 00:12:26,823 --> 00:12:28,342 Who's gonna be up for it on the day? 229 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:29,757 Who's gonna want to win? 230 00:12:31,586 --> 00:12:33,312 [Parlour] Yeah, proper tackles flying in. 231 00:12:33,450 --> 00:12:37,247 I love to see that again. I get a buzz now watching that. 232 00:12:42,908 --> 00:12:48,914 It wasn't just one place on the pitch, it was 11 players against 11 players, 233 00:12:49,052 --> 00:12:50,951 and everyone had their own battle. 234 00:12:54,575 --> 00:12:57,302 [Neville] Players were mirrors of their manager on the pitch. 235 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:01,271 They had to win. It was win or nothing. 236 00:13:01,409 --> 00:13:05,379 [commentator] Here's Anelka, looking to work a shooting opportunity. 237 00:13:06,414 --> 00:13:08,554 Does well, and Nicolas Anelka 238 00:13:08,692 --> 00:13:11,695 with his first ever goal for Arsenal! 239 00:13:11,834 --> 00:13:13,939 And what a time to score it. 240 00:13:22,499 --> 00:13:25,502 Vieira, yes! 2-0! 241 00:13:29,472 --> 00:13:32,647 [Neville] Arsene Wenger was somebody who, at the time, 242 00:13:32,785 --> 00:13:35,064 was looking to take Sir Alex off the top spot, 243 00:13:35,202 --> 00:13:37,066 and Sir Alex knew they had a good team, 244 00:13:37,204 --> 00:13:39,723 and he knew full well that he had to win that battle. 245 00:13:39,862 --> 00:13:43,969 [commentator] Gary Neville, drifting behind Grimandi, 246 00:13:44,107 --> 00:13:46,385 has done and tarnished Arsenal. 247 00:13:49,457 --> 00:13:51,943 Nice little flick by Giggs, and it's Sheringham again! 248 00:13:52,081 --> 00:13:56,154 Oh, ho! 2-2! Terrific strike from Sheringham. 249 00:13:56,292 --> 00:13:58,777 [Keown] If you look back to that day, it was like a tug of war, 250 00:13:58,915 --> 00:14:01,884 that we had to keep pulling on that rope to get to where we wanted. 251 00:14:10,685 --> 00:14:13,412 [commentator] And the header is in by David Platt! 252 00:14:13,550 --> 00:14:16,346 And Arsenal go 3-2 ahead! 253 00:14:17,278 --> 00:14:19,591 -[whistle blows] -[crowd roars] 254 00:14:19,729 --> 00:14:23,595 And Manchester United are beaten, and Arsenal cut the gap. 255 00:14:25,908 --> 00:14:31,879 [Wenger] I don't think that it will be as easy as everybody thinks for Man United. 256 00:14:32,017 --> 00:14:34,709 I think, as well, it shows the spirit of the team 257 00:14:34,847 --> 00:14:36,780 and the strong spirit of the players, 258 00:14:36,919 --> 00:14:38,679 of all these experienced players. 259 00:14:38,817 --> 00:14:43,270 And once again, a typical Arsenal spirit made the difference. 260 00:14:43,408 --> 00:14:45,479 [Keown] Suddenly, there was this clever Frenchman coming along 261 00:14:45,617 --> 00:14:47,860 who wanted to put his team in a position 262 00:14:47,999 --> 00:14:51,105 where they could take away everything that United were owning at that point. 263 00:14:52,900 --> 00:14:54,557 [narrator] Wenger's sourcing of continental players 264 00:14:54,695 --> 00:14:56,939 was starting to yield results, 265 00:14:57,077 --> 00:15:00,597 and Arsenal were closing in on the reigning champions. 266 00:15:00,735 --> 00:15:04,567 Elsewhere, United's old foes, Blackburn Rovers, 267 00:15:04,705 --> 00:15:06,741 who'd won the Premier League two years earlier, 268 00:15:06,879 --> 00:15:10,262 were seeing their talent going in the wrong direction. 269 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,196 [reporter 1] It was the farewell that everyone in Blackburn had feared. 270 00:15:13,334 --> 00:15:17,235 Alan Shearer left the club's training ground for the final time this morning. 271 00:15:17,373 --> 00:15:19,927 [reporter 2] Hiya, Alan. Any chance for a quick word? Hello. 272 00:15:20,065 --> 00:15:21,653 I've got no comment to make at this stage. 273 00:15:21,791 --> 00:15:22,757 I'll make it later on. 274 00:15:22,895 --> 00:15:24,104 You must be pleased, though. 275 00:15:24,242 --> 00:15:25,795 Delighted. Thank you. 276 00:15:25,933 --> 00:15:27,590 Thank you. 277 00:15:27,728 --> 00:15:29,454 [Shearer] Newcastle were prepared to make me 278 00:15:29,592 --> 00:15:31,974 the world's most expensive footballer. 279 00:15:32,112 --> 00:15:33,768 It was a tough decision at the time, 280 00:15:33,906 --> 00:15:35,874 but it was without doubt the right one. 281 00:15:37,945 --> 00:15:41,673 I had to stop me van. I nearly crashed. I was shocked. Totally shocked. 282 00:15:41,811 --> 00:15:45,021 I can't believe it now. It's like everything's a dream, you know? 283 00:15:45,159 --> 00:15:47,713 It is unbelievable that's he's gone. 284 00:15:51,648 --> 00:15:55,894 I was absolutely gutted when Alan went. 285 00:15:56,999 --> 00:15:58,621 It was like 286 00:15:58,759 --> 00:16:01,762 there were pieces falling out of the jigsaw, 287 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:04,316 and that there was no way of putting them back 288 00:16:04,454 --> 00:16:09,011 'cause nothing would ever fit the way that the team fit at that time. 289 00:16:09,149 --> 00:16:10,529 [crowd cheering] 290 00:16:14,223 --> 00:16:16,708 [narrator] Blackburn's success had been built on the personal wealth 291 00:16:16,846 --> 00:16:19,297 of local steel magnate Jack Walker. 292 00:16:21,092 --> 00:16:24,992 Jack Walker had spent big, but it was temporary. It wasn't lasting. 293 00:16:25,130 --> 00:16:28,099 And to be a lasting, sustainable business, 294 00:16:28,237 --> 00:16:32,931 you had to be on the level of Manchester United or Arsenal or Liverpool. 295 00:16:33,069 --> 00:16:35,554 And just, you know, big business. 296 00:16:39,420 --> 00:16:41,905 [narrator] In their bid to remain championship contenders, 297 00:16:42,044 --> 00:16:44,598 Blackburn were unable to hold on to their star players 298 00:16:44,736 --> 00:16:46,910 or their title-winning manager. 299 00:16:47,049 --> 00:16:50,052 [reporter] Six weeks after guiding Blackburn to the championship, 300 00:16:50,190 --> 00:16:53,262 Kenny Dalglish has taken a surprise move upstairs. 301 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,574 His move into the background gives Ray Harford 302 00:16:55,712 --> 00:16:58,094 the return to management he's wanted. 303 00:16:58,232 --> 00:17:02,374 The club didn't have the experience to know how to handle that success. 304 00:17:02,512 --> 00:17:06,413 I remember chairman Robert Coar saying that we'd won the league a year too early. 305 00:17:06,551 --> 00:17:10,037 He was talking about it from a structural point of view and a planning point of view. 306 00:17:10,175 --> 00:17:14,421 The normal way would be you refresh your squad where you can. 307 00:17:14,559 --> 00:17:17,251 But Jack was a great believer in loyalty, 308 00:17:17,389 --> 00:17:22,360 and I think he thought these guys have won the Premier League, 309 00:17:22,498 --> 00:17:24,293 and I want to stick with them. 310 00:17:24,431 --> 00:17:27,572 [commentator] That was a poor clearance. Straight to Chris Powell. 311 00:17:27,710 --> 00:17:29,746 And there's his namesake Daryl, and here's Chris Powell 312 00:17:29,884 --> 00:17:31,886 in the first minute and the ball lobbed in. 313 00:17:32,024 --> 00:17:34,337 Did it cross the line? It has now surely! 314 00:17:34,475 --> 00:17:36,822 It's Blackburn 0, Derby County 1 315 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,446 in the very first minute of the match. 316 00:17:39,584 --> 00:17:43,864 It was frustrating to see it falling apart, and it fell apart really quickly. 317 00:17:44,002 --> 00:17:46,729 [commentator] He's still in there, tees it up here. 318 00:17:46,867 --> 00:17:48,800 Goal number two! 319 00:17:48,938 --> 00:17:52,390 Blackburn's disastrous start to the season continues. 320 00:17:52,528 --> 00:17:55,462 Since Alan Shearer left, it's just pathetic from everybody. 321 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,120 [reporter 1] Rovers lie bottom of the Premiership 322 00:17:58,258 --> 00:18:01,053 just 19 months after winning the title. 323 00:18:01,192 --> 00:18:03,918 Time must surely be running out for Ray Harford. 324 00:18:04,056 --> 00:18:05,955 [reporter 2] So there's no news to be made? Nope. 325 00:18:06,093 --> 00:18:07,543 Harford's safe? 326 00:18:07,681 --> 00:18:09,786 There's no news to be made. 327 00:18:09,924 --> 00:18:12,064 [reporter 1] A friendly handshake with chairman Robert Coar 328 00:18:12,203 --> 00:18:15,033 ends Ray Harford's reign at Blackburn Rovers. 329 00:18:15,171 --> 00:18:20,280 We identified Sven as the manager that we'd like to come and manage for us. 330 00:18:20,418 --> 00:18:23,006 He said that he'd like to come and join us. 331 00:18:23,145 --> 00:18:26,424 [reporter] Sven-Goran Eriksson will fill the manager's chair at Blackburn 332 00:18:26,562 --> 00:18:28,426 even if he couldn't make it to his own introduction. 333 00:18:28,564 --> 00:18:31,325 I'm very sorry about that. Thank you. 334 00:18:31,463 --> 00:18:33,293 It was a bizarre situation, that. 335 00:18:33,431 --> 00:18:35,985 To announce a manager and he not turn up. 336 00:18:36,123 --> 00:18:38,953 Blackburn Rovers chairman Robert Coar says reports in Italy 337 00:18:39,091 --> 00:18:42,888 that Sven-Goran Eriksson now doesn't want to come to Ewood Park are rubbish. 338 00:18:43,026 --> 00:18:47,065 Yeah. His assistant had been to the training ground and watched us train 339 00:18:47,203 --> 00:18:50,448 and said, "Sven, don't take this job. They're not good enough." 340 00:18:50,586 --> 00:18:54,417 [Walker] We have now received it officially from him 341 00:18:54,555 --> 00:18:58,041 that he won't be coming to Blackburn Rovers. 342 00:18:58,180 --> 00:19:00,112 Sven's agent came to see me, 343 00:19:00,251 --> 00:19:02,977 and he said Sven won't be coming to you in the summer. 344 00:19:03,115 --> 00:19:05,808 Sorry, but he doesn't want to come. 345 00:19:05,946 --> 00:19:08,500 [stadium announcer speaking, indistinct] 346 00:19:08,638 --> 00:19:10,882 [Wilcox] We were never gonna be as big as Man United. 347 00:19:11,020 --> 00:19:13,298 They invested properly. 348 00:19:13,436 --> 00:19:19,166 They had the consistent leadership, and we didn't. 349 00:19:21,168 --> 00:19:26,173 [narrator] By 1998, Blackburn's rivalry with Manchester United was a distant memory. 350 00:19:27,726 --> 00:19:30,833 A new feud had now gripped the nation's fans and media, 351 00:19:30,971 --> 00:19:35,182 one that would define a new era in the Premier League. 352 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:37,736 [commentator] What a start to the weekend here on Sky Sports. 353 00:19:37,874 --> 00:19:41,326 It's Old Trafford, Manchester United against Arsenal. 354 00:19:41,464 --> 00:19:45,537 [narrator] Despite Arsenal's resurgence, Old Trafford was a fortress, 355 00:19:45,675 --> 00:19:47,332 one that they'd been unable to breach 356 00:19:47,470 --> 00:19:49,369 since the formation of the Premier League. 357 00:19:49,507 --> 00:19:53,994 The mind games haven't started just yet, but of course there is time. 358 00:19:54,132 --> 00:19:57,169 If Arsenal win here today, then it really could all go off. 359 00:19:57,308 --> 00:20:01,208 The press loved the Arsenal-United rivalry. 360 00:20:01,346 --> 00:20:05,212 The fire was there, but they were chucking petrol on it all the time. 361 00:20:05,350 --> 00:20:08,457 The drama would be built up by the papers. 362 00:20:08,595 --> 00:20:11,874 What they did was made football the national soap opera. 363 00:20:13,772 --> 00:20:16,568 [commentator] Sir Alex Ferguson has been saying, 364 00:20:16,706 --> 00:20:19,985 "It's in our own hands". 365 00:20:20,123 --> 00:20:23,126 And a look at the league table would certainly confirm that. 366 00:20:23,265 --> 00:20:26,785 [narrator] United were above Arsenal in the table, 367 00:20:26,923 --> 00:20:28,580 but a win at Old Trafford would mean 368 00:20:28,718 --> 00:20:32,239 Wenger could regain momentum in the title race. 369 00:20:32,377 --> 00:20:34,448 [reporter] Arsenal haven't scored here in the Premiership. 370 00:20:34,586 --> 00:20:36,416 That's a nice record to keep going, isn't it? 371 00:20:37,727 --> 00:20:39,591 A good record, aye. 372 00:20:39,729 --> 00:20:41,455 All the very best today. Thank you. 373 00:20:47,358 --> 00:20:49,083 I used to say to Overmars before the game, 374 00:20:49,221 --> 00:20:51,500 "Look, Gary Neville hasn't slept last night." 375 00:20:51,638 --> 00:20:54,744 Overmars was absolutely on fire. 376 00:20:54,882 --> 00:20:58,161 There wasn't a player on the planet who could live with him that day. 377 00:20:58,300 --> 00:21:00,094 [commentator] Looking to pick up Overmars. 378 00:21:00,232 --> 00:21:02,545 And Schmeichel has come, but Overmars has beaten him! 379 00:21:02,683 --> 00:21:08,413 And Overmars just puts it a foot or so wide of that far post. 380 00:21:08,551 --> 00:21:13,004 -Yeah, this is it here. -[commentator] This time... Anelka off. 381 00:21:13,142 --> 00:21:16,732 Look at that first touch into his stride. 382 00:21:16,870 --> 00:21:18,250 Wasn't gonna miss that one. 383 00:21:24,049 --> 00:21:26,362 -[whistle blows] -[commentator] There it is now, though. 384 00:21:26,500 --> 00:21:28,778 What a win for Arsenal! 385 00:21:30,401 --> 00:21:32,748 And the title race that looked over 386 00:21:32,886 --> 00:21:34,612 is now wide open 387 00:21:34,750 --> 00:21:38,857 because Manchester United lead Arsenal now by only six points. 388 00:21:38,995 --> 00:21:42,447 But Arsenal still have those three games in hand. 389 00:21:42,585 --> 00:21:47,763 [Keown] I do remember sitting on the bus thinking, "Wow, what a great day that was." 390 00:21:47,901 --> 00:21:49,627 It felt like it was a change of power. 391 00:21:49,765 --> 00:21:51,801 You're gonna win fuck all! 392 00:21:51,939 --> 00:21:53,872 You're gonna win fuck all! 393 00:21:54,010 --> 00:21:57,082 You're gonna win fuck all! Fuck all! 394 00:21:57,220 --> 00:21:59,913 Well, Arsenal, now they're under pressure, you see. 395 00:22:00,051 --> 00:22:02,087 They've coasted along behind everyone. 396 00:22:02,225 --> 00:22:03,779 Now they've come with a run. 397 00:22:03,917 --> 00:22:05,712 And obviously, they're in that position now 398 00:22:05,850 --> 00:22:08,059 that every mistake they make will cost them. 399 00:22:08,197 --> 00:22:10,268 [reporter] They do have to win the games in hand. 400 00:22:10,406 --> 00:22:13,444 [Ferguson] Have to win the games in hand, and will find out how difficult it is. 401 00:22:13,582 --> 00:22:15,377 Okay. Leave it at that. Thanks, Alex. 402 00:22:17,379 --> 00:22:22,660 Sir Alex Ferguson is saying, "Oh, well, I don't think they'll be able to do it. 403 00:22:22,798 --> 00:22:24,800 They're gonna slip up. There'll be a mistake. 404 00:22:24,938 --> 00:22:27,250 They haven't necessarily got the experience." 405 00:22:27,389 --> 00:22:30,150 That was just adding fuel to us. That was just making us feel, 406 00:22:30,288 --> 00:22:32,497 "Thanks, Sir Alex. That's another thing to motivate us." 407 00:22:32,635 --> 00:22:35,155 I think of that Arsenal team in '98 to this day, 408 00:22:35,293 --> 00:22:38,434 was the best domestic football team that I ever played against. 409 00:22:48,548 --> 00:22:52,137 It had everything. The best of the sort of English spirit with that back four 410 00:22:52,275 --> 00:22:53,794 with David Seaman in goal, 411 00:22:53,932 --> 00:22:57,902 aligned with Petit, Vieira, Anelka, Overmars. 412 00:23:02,424 --> 00:23:04,495 Absolutely sensational team. 413 00:23:10,708 --> 00:23:13,642 [narrator] After an impressive winning streak of nine games, 414 00:23:13,780 --> 00:23:16,748 Arsenal were poised to win their first Premier League title 415 00:23:16,886 --> 00:23:19,130 with three matches still left to play. 416 00:23:22,340 --> 00:23:24,687 [commentator] Bould on to Adams. 417 00:23:24,825 --> 00:23:26,448 This would be a fairy story! 418 00:23:28,173 --> 00:23:30,244 Can there be a sweeter moment? 419 00:23:30,382 --> 00:23:34,490 Tony Adams clinches Arsenal's championship. 420 00:23:36,388 --> 00:23:38,045 [crowd roars] 421 00:23:38,183 --> 00:23:40,600 Arsenal champions in England. 422 00:23:42,602 --> 00:23:44,466 Nobody says "Arsene who?" now. 423 00:23:44,604 --> 00:23:46,778 David Dein knew what he could do, 424 00:23:46,916 --> 00:23:50,195 and he's done it in 18 months from start to finish. 425 00:23:51,507 --> 00:23:53,164 [reporter] He's done a tremendous job, hasn't he? 426 00:23:53,302 --> 00:23:54,752 I think so, and there's no doubt. 427 00:23:54,890 --> 00:23:57,168 I mean, in the end, the results talk for themselves, 428 00:23:57,306 --> 00:24:00,378 and well, nobody really knew who he was. 429 00:24:00,516 --> 00:24:02,587 But perhaps we knew a little bit more. 430 00:24:02,725 --> 00:24:07,040 [narrator] Arsenal confirmed their dominance by going on to win the FA Cup, 431 00:24:07,178 --> 00:24:09,421 securing the double. 432 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:13,909 When we won the league in '98, we won the double that year. 433 00:24:14,047 --> 00:24:16,567 In fact, I think I've got a picture here. You can see it. 434 00:24:16,705 --> 00:24:19,397 Let me show you that. I'm rather proud of that one. 435 00:24:19,535 --> 00:24:22,469 That's from the balcony at Islington Town Hall. 436 00:24:30,408 --> 00:24:33,756 [narrator] Arsenal were victorious on the pitch, but as a business, 437 00:24:33,894 --> 00:24:37,415 Manchester United were still the dominant force in British football. 438 00:24:37,553 --> 00:24:41,971 Over the past four years, their turnover had doubled. 439 00:24:42,109 --> 00:24:44,940 Marketing the club had become a key priority. 440 00:24:45,078 --> 00:24:47,494 [person] We were definitely ahead of the game in those days 441 00:24:47,632 --> 00:24:51,429 in terms of all the extra income that we were bringing in 442 00:24:51,567 --> 00:24:53,086 on the merchandising side, 443 00:24:53,224 --> 00:24:57,297 whether it be magazines, videos, clothing or whatever. 444 00:24:57,435 --> 00:25:00,576 [reporter] Fred the Red is the latest commercial development of a club 445 00:25:00,714 --> 00:25:03,406 where the balance sheet is as impressive as the team sheet. 446 00:25:03,545 --> 00:25:05,339 This is for the kiddies' market. 447 00:25:05,477 --> 00:25:09,171 This is a sort of red devil, a genial character. 448 00:25:09,309 --> 00:25:11,449 A bit like with Warner Brothers, 449 00:25:11,587 --> 00:25:14,625 you see Mickey Mouse and Mr Blobby and all these various characters. 450 00:25:17,282 --> 00:25:19,664 [narrator] More than 50% of Manchester United's revenue 451 00:25:19,802 --> 00:25:23,392 now came from TV, merchandise and sponsorship. 452 00:25:23,530 --> 00:25:27,741 [presenter] You can buy all manner of products from life insurance with Man U Life 453 00:25:27,879 --> 00:25:30,226 to Champions Cola to wallpaper. 454 00:25:30,364 --> 00:25:34,817 [narrator] They realized the value of their brand, and it was now going global. 455 00:25:34,955 --> 00:25:36,578 [cheering] 456 00:25:40,202 --> 00:25:41,893 Everyone's just Man U crazy. 457 00:25:42,031 --> 00:25:46,139 [Edwards] We even started opening up shops or franchises abroad 458 00:25:46,277 --> 00:25:49,867 to sell our merchandise in places like Singapore and things like that, 459 00:25:50,005 --> 00:25:52,248 so we were into it, yeah. 460 00:25:53,111 --> 00:25:54,941 We were really the pioneers 461 00:25:55,079 --> 00:25:59,393 in terms of turning a football club into a thriving business. 462 00:25:59,531 --> 00:26:01,775 The media tycoon Rupert Murdoch 463 00:26:01,913 --> 00:26:05,330 wants to buy Britain's biggest football club, Manchester United. 464 00:26:05,468 --> 00:26:08,851 The television company BSkyB, which is controlled by Mr Murdoch, 465 00:26:08,989 --> 00:26:13,615 said today it was in discussions which may or may not lead to an offer being made. 466 00:26:13,753 --> 00:26:16,238 [person] First time I met Rupert Murdoch, 467 00:26:16,376 --> 00:26:19,310 I remember I had an opportunity to talk about strategy 468 00:26:19,448 --> 00:26:22,278 and where the television business was going. 469 00:26:22,416 --> 00:26:27,076 The fact that football was so vital to the future of any platform 470 00:26:27,214 --> 00:26:30,183 made it obvious to look at what alternatives there were for us 471 00:26:30,321 --> 00:26:32,564 to be in the football business itself, 472 00:26:32,703 --> 00:26:34,774 and Manchester United was the best option. 473 00:26:34,912 --> 00:26:37,121 It had an international brand, 474 00:26:37,259 --> 00:26:40,503 it was a great team, it had great ownership. 475 00:26:40,642 --> 00:26:44,231 And so you look at that and go, "That would be nice to have a piece of that." 476 00:26:44,369 --> 00:26:48,373 Good evening. Bill Clinton on the verge of impeachment, 477 00:26:48,511 --> 00:26:50,652 Russia on the verge of collapse, 478 00:26:50,790 --> 00:26:54,034 but guess what was leading the news this week: football. 479 00:26:54,172 --> 00:26:58,452 The massive coverage of Sky Television's ú623 million bid 480 00:26:58,590 --> 00:27:02,042 to take over Manchester United reflected the position of football 481 00:27:02,180 --> 00:27:04,769 in the nation's consciousness. 482 00:27:04,907 --> 00:27:07,772 I was pretty unhappy about this. United were important to me. 483 00:27:07,910 --> 00:27:10,499 I was working for Newsnight at the time, 484 00:27:10,637 --> 00:27:14,227 and they said, uh, the editor said, "Can you do a film about it?" 485 00:27:14,365 --> 00:27:17,506 The club's critics will no doubt say, "Typical Manchester United." 486 00:27:17,644 --> 00:27:20,164 -Here's one of the most important meetings... -Oh, is this my piece? 487 00:27:20,302 --> 00:27:23,512 in the whole of the club's history, and where is it held? Not at Old Trafford, 488 00:27:23,650 --> 00:27:28,103 but almost 200 miles away at a bank here in the City of London. 489 00:27:28,241 --> 00:27:31,727 As the value of their shares and mine soared, 490 00:27:31,865 --> 00:27:34,799 this Manchester United fan learnt that the club directors 491 00:27:34,937 --> 00:27:37,353 had spent most of this afternoon and this evening 492 00:27:37,491 --> 00:27:39,977 locked away in a secret board meeting. 493 00:27:40,115 --> 00:27:42,151 As day turned to night, 494 00:27:42,289 --> 00:27:43,843 they were still thrashing things out 495 00:27:43,981 --> 00:27:46,224 in their riverside suite. 496 00:27:46,362 --> 00:27:49,469 And given the outcry their plans have caused back in Manchester, 497 00:27:49,607 --> 00:27:52,886 no wonder the directors were being so secretive. 498 00:27:53,024 --> 00:27:56,441 They want to win the league. We want to win the league. 499 00:27:56,579 --> 00:27:59,444 They want to win the cup. We want to win the cup. 500 00:28:02,862 --> 00:28:06,797 The most exciting aspect of this deal is that it forms, what I believe, 501 00:28:06,935 --> 00:28:09,731 will prove to be one of the great partnerships in sport. 502 00:28:09,869 --> 00:28:15,184 My concern was, was Manchester United as strong with BSkyB 503 00:28:15,322 --> 00:28:19,050 as a backing or as owners that it was as independently? 504 00:28:19,188 --> 00:28:21,121 And my answer to that was yes. 505 00:28:21,259 --> 00:28:25,229 [reporter] Martin Edwards is reported to have sold his stake in the company 506 00:28:25,367 --> 00:28:26,748 for a cool 80 million. 507 00:28:26,886 --> 00:28:28,301 You're already a rich man. 508 00:28:28,439 --> 00:28:30,717 So why do you need extra money, ú87 million? 509 00:28:30,855 --> 00:28:32,650 I don't need extra money. It's nothing to do... 510 00:28:32,788 --> 00:28:34,790 What's in it for BSkyB? 511 00:28:34,928 --> 00:28:37,137 It's not a biscuit company you're buying, is it? 512 00:28:37,275 --> 00:28:40,865 It's a football club, and there must be a logic to that. 513 00:28:41,003 --> 00:28:43,143 Yeah, well, we think it's a natural combination. 514 00:28:43,281 --> 00:28:45,767 We invest a great deal of money in sports today. 515 00:28:45,905 --> 00:28:48,770 We invest a great deal of money in football today, 516 00:28:48,908 --> 00:28:52,152 and we believe in the intrinsic value of Manchester United. 517 00:28:54,741 --> 00:28:57,019 [Booth] The intensity and the amount of coverage it got 518 00:28:57,157 --> 00:29:00,989 was beyond what I was expecting, I have to say. 519 00:29:01,127 --> 00:29:03,785 Now that it's all out in the open, United fans, 520 00:29:03,923 --> 00:29:06,408 both here in Manchester and around the world, 521 00:29:06,546 --> 00:29:10,964 are busy speculating on what involvement with Rupert Murdoch might mean. 522 00:29:11,102 --> 00:29:15,486 It's just all money. Each club is one big theme park now. 523 00:29:15,624 --> 00:29:17,350 He's not a football person, 524 00:29:17,488 --> 00:29:19,352 and it's all to do with control and power and money. 525 00:29:19,490 --> 00:29:22,044 [reporter 1] But some fans are planning a protest. 526 00:29:22,182 --> 00:29:24,495 [reporter 2] They chose a typical working man's club 527 00:29:24,633 --> 00:29:26,980 to vent their anger at the men they believe 528 00:29:27,118 --> 00:29:31,088 have taken football away from the typical football fan. 529 00:29:31,226 --> 00:29:34,436 [reporter 3] Joining me now from Old Trafford, Andy Walsh of the supporter's club. 530 00:29:34,574 --> 00:29:37,749 Rupert Murdoch needs Manchester United. 531 00:29:37,888 --> 00:29:40,269 Manchester United do not need Rupert Murdoch. 532 00:29:40,407 --> 00:29:42,375 [reporter 1] While the supporters claim they helped make 533 00:29:42,513 --> 00:29:44,964 Manchester United one of the biggest clubs in the world. 534 00:29:45,102 --> 00:29:47,759 But the charge tonight is that it's now in the control 535 00:29:47,898 --> 00:29:52,040 of men who hold football dear to their wallets, not to their hearts. 536 00:29:52,178 --> 00:29:54,180 [Walsh] If this deal goes through, we will be part 537 00:29:54,318 --> 00:29:56,147 of News Corporation International. 538 00:29:56,285 --> 00:29:59,599 We will be subject to the pressures that a large conglomerate 539 00:29:59,737 --> 00:30:02,119 can bring to bear on its subsidiary companies. 540 00:30:02,878 --> 00:30:04,569 Me dad's a United fan, 541 00:30:04,707 --> 00:30:08,884 and I started going with him to games 542 00:30:09,022 --> 00:30:11,404 when I was about five or six. 543 00:30:11,542 --> 00:30:13,889 They'd be a part of Mr Murdoch's worldwide empire. 544 00:30:14,027 --> 00:30:18,963 It became clear that their strategy was about dominating the TV market. 545 00:30:19,101 --> 00:30:21,276 That they would be the broadcaster 546 00:30:21,414 --> 00:30:25,694 and they would also start to control the content. 547 00:30:25,832 --> 00:30:28,593 And then the argument then came out, "Well, what do they want?" 548 00:30:28,731 --> 00:30:31,493 They don't want Monday Night to dominate 'cause if Monday Nightdominates, 549 00:30:31,631 --> 00:30:33,840 that's not very good for the TV, is it? 550 00:30:33,978 --> 00:30:37,671 We are quite concerned that Manchester United would lose their independence. 551 00:30:37,809 --> 00:30:43,367 We weren't just gonna have some corporate carpetbagger come in and take the club over. 552 00:30:43,505 --> 00:30:47,026 It's like, "Okay. All right. You've got a fight on your hands then." 553 00:30:47,164 --> 00:30:49,649 We've called a public meeting next Tuesday evening 554 00:30:49,787 --> 00:30:51,513 in The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. 555 00:30:51,651 --> 00:30:54,240 It's gonna cost us about ú6,000 to put that on. 556 00:30:54,378 --> 00:30:57,899 We're calling for people to give money to us so the fans can have a chance to get... 557 00:30:58,037 --> 00:30:59,728 On that back of that Newsnightprogramme, 558 00:30:59,866 --> 00:31:03,628 I got a call from a guy who said that he had somebody 559 00:31:03,766 --> 00:31:07,149 who might be interested in paying for The Bridgewater Hall. 560 00:31:07,287 --> 00:31:09,151 Had seen the piece on the TV. 561 00:31:10,014 --> 00:31:11,913 Couldn't tell me who it was. 562 00:31:12,051 --> 00:31:14,674 But by that time, we needed to produce leaflets, 563 00:31:14,812 --> 00:31:18,712 we needed to produce materials for furthering the campaign. 564 00:31:18,850 --> 00:31:23,165 So I said to him, "Well, look, I don't know who you're in contact with, 565 00:31:23,303 --> 00:31:26,444 but we need ten grand." So he said, "Leave it with me." 566 00:31:26,582 --> 00:31:29,551 And then he phoned me back and said, "Okay, ten grand." 567 00:31:29,689 --> 00:31:33,865 And he told me that the person who was willing to put the money up 568 00:31:34,004 --> 00:31:36,558 was Roger Taylor, the drummer from Queen. 569 00:31:36,696 --> 00:31:38,801 [Taylor] It's like the music business, really. 570 00:31:38,940 --> 00:31:41,356 The fans are what make any big institution 571 00:31:41,494 --> 00:31:44,773 like a rock band or an artist or a football club, 572 00:31:44,911 --> 00:31:48,018 and I think it's just become such big business now. 573 00:31:48,156 --> 00:31:49,674 Football fans aren't stupid. 574 00:31:49,812 --> 00:31:53,057 Their football club matters more to them 575 00:31:53,195 --> 00:31:54,645 than many other things in their life. 576 00:31:54,783 --> 00:31:56,233 I was in a position to help. 577 00:31:56,371 --> 00:31:59,339 It's not that much amount of money. 578 00:31:59,477 --> 00:32:01,445 And I thought I would. Why not? 579 00:32:01,583 --> 00:32:04,379 [reporter] About 1,000 fans attended a protest meeting 580 00:32:04,517 --> 00:32:07,865 at The Bridgewater Hall to rally support against the takeover. 581 00:32:08,003 --> 00:32:11,765 The fans believe the deal is being sprung upon them unfairly. 582 00:32:11,903 --> 00:32:15,286 It's no good following the line of "let's wait and see." 583 00:32:15,424 --> 00:32:19,601 It's now we've got to stop it, not five years down the line. 584 00:32:19,739 --> 00:32:22,707 I remember that meeting. It was very passionate. 585 00:32:22,845 --> 00:32:27,057 A lot of fans in those days loathed what Sky TV were doing. 586 00:32:27,195 --> 00:32:29,438 They loathed the fact that you had to pay out 587 00:32:29,576 --> 00:32:31,647 large amounts of money to watch your TV. 588 00:32:31,785 --> 00:32:34,581 They loathed the fact that kick-off times 589 00:32:34,719 --> 00:32:37,067 became dependent on when Sky said so. 590 00:32:37,205 --> 00:32:40,898 The feeling was that football was being taken away 591 00:32:41,036 --> 00:32:44,143 from the people who should be owning it. 592 00:32:45,868 --> 00:32:48,802 He already had the newspapers backing him up. 593 00:32:48,940 --> 00:32:51,771 Now he had the TV, and he was gonna get the club as well. 594 00:32:51,909 --> 00:32:54,360 It was clear what the motive was, 595 00:32:54,498 --> 00:32:56,500 and I didn't want my club 596 00:32:56,638 --> 00:32:58,502 to end up as a tool 597 00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:01,022 in a worldwide media operation 598 00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:02,609 run by Rupert Murdoch. 599 00:33:02,747 --> 00:33:05,095 Judging by some of the reactions today, 600 00:33:05,233 --> 00:33:07,821 you would've thought Rupert Murdoch had lashed out with his feet, 601 00:33:07,959 --> 00:33:11,342 kicked an opposing defender and put England out of the World Cup. 602 00:33:11,480 --> 00:33:15,519 Rupert Murdoch has won bigger battles than this all around the world. 603 00:33:15,657 --> 00:33:17,521 Well, that just spurred us on. 604 00:33:17,659 --> 00:33:20,351 In fact, all he wants to do is buy England's biggest club, 605 00:33:20,489 --> 00:33:22,698 Manchester United. There's been a... 606 00:33:22,836 --> 00:33:25,046 [Walsh] Even the pomposity of that presenter there, 607 00:33:25,184 --> 00:33:27,703 it was... It's just dismissive. 608 00:33:27,841 --> 00:33:29,912 "What do you know, little people? 609 00:33:30,051 --> 00:33:31,845 This is big business." 610 00:33:40,026 --> 00:33:42,856 [narrator] As the fans rallied against Murdoch's takeover bid, 611 00:33:42,994 --> 00:33:46,170 Alex Ferguson's side were focusing on just one thing-- 612 00:33:46,308 --> 00:33:48,621 taking revenge on Arsenal. 613 00:33:48,759 --> 00:33:52,452 [commentator] Neville, back on for Barnsley. As Beckham gets the cross in... 614 00:33:52,590 --> 00:33:57,423 And Dwight Yorke is there to get his second of the game! 615 00:33:57,561 --> 00:34:01,634 [reporter] Will there still be a football club here regardless of what's gone on over here? 616 00:34:01,772 --> 00:34:04,947 It's important to be a football club 'cause that's what this club's been built on, 617 00:34:05,086 --> 00:34:06,363 the traditions of it. 618 00:34:06,501 --> 00:34:07,674 It'll always be that way, I hope. 619 00:34:10,850 --> 00:34:15,820 That season, they had to be better than they'd ever been before 620 00:34:15,958 --> 00:34:18,547 to beat this magnificent Arsenal team. 621 00:34:18,685 --> 00:34:21,861 [commentator] Here's Ray Parlour. Is this number five? 622 00:34:21,999 --> 00:34:24,588 [Beckham] To see Arsenal do the double hurt us. 623 00:34:24,726 --> 00:34:26,624 We wanted to try and top that. 624 00:34:26,762 --> 00:34:29,903 [commentator] Has to be a Beckham special. Can he dip it? 625 00:34:30,041 --> 00:34:33,183 Drops it in. Yes, it has! Beckham's back! 626 00:34:33,321 --> 00:34:36,013 [Keown] I think in '99, in defending that title, 627 00:34:36,151 --> 00:34:38,429 that we were a far better team and far more consistent. 628 00:34:48,853 --> 00:34:52,443 From the goalkeeper to the subs that were coming on, 629 00:34:52,581 --> 00:34:57,207 we had a squad of players that were all performing all at the right time. 630 00:34:57,345 --> 00:35:01,280 [commentator] And Beasant does well yet again. But there's more to do. 631 00:35:01,418 --> 00:35:04,317 -Oh, that's brilliant! -[Schmeichel] The stakes were so high. 632 00:35:04,455 --> 00:35:06,975 We obviously feel that we have to win every game 633 00:35:07,113 --> 00:35:08,977 to stay with them or stay ahead of them. 634 00:35:09,115 --> 00:35:10,910 [commentator] Anelka's alone. Can he score 635 00:35:11,048 --> 00:35:12,912 an individual goal? He's teasing the defenders! 636 00:35:13,050 --> 00:35:15,466 And the goalkeeper, and he's back in scoring form. 637 00:35:20,333 --> 00:35:23,509 Every little thing you did carried an impact. 638 00:35:27,340 --> 00:35:28,997 [crowd groans] 639 00:35:29,135 --> 00:35:32,380 Being a United fan at that time was just fantastic. 640 00:35:32,518 --> 00:35:37,557 It was just part of the atmosphere, singing, bouncing, jumping around. 641 00:35:38,765 --> 00:35:40,250 [commentator] Here goes Beckham... brilliant! 642 00:35:40,388 --> 00:35:42,183 [crowd cheering] 643 00:35:42,321 --> 00:35:44,426 [Walsh] It was just about focusing on the game 644 00:35:44,564 --> 00:35:47,878 and not about all the shit that was going on off the pitch. 645 00:35:49,328 --> 00:35:51,571 [Crick] We fans have no love for the current directors, 646 00:35:51,709 --> 00:35:55,575 but the idea of Murdoch owning the club fills us with horror. 647 00:35:55,713 --> 00:35:58,578 It's inevitable. We'd like to think it wasn't. 648 00:35:58,716 --> 00:36:02,410 We all have a romantic view of soccer in this country. It's changed. 649 00:36:02,548 --> 00:36:04,653 [reporter] This is a ball that's landed firmly at the feet 650 00:36:04,791 --> 00:36:07,035 of a new trade and industry secretary, Peter Mandelson. 651 00:36:07,173 --> 00:36:09,348 He's the man who'll have to refer the deal 652 00:36:09,486 --> 00:36:12,074 to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the first place. 653 00:36:12,213 --> 00:36:14,525 Some people said it was unfair 654 00:36:14,663 --> 00:36:18,736 that the Premier League had a television deal 655 00:36:18,874 --> 00:36:23,569 with a company who owned one of the clubs involved. 656 00:36:23,707 --> 00:36:30,092 And that was inherently unfair in terms of competition law and so on. 657 00:36:30,231 --> 00:36:33,579 [narrator] In order to put political pressure on the government, 658 00:36:33,717 --> 00:36:38,411 the fans needed to galvanize wider support for their grassroots campaign. 659 00:36:38,549 --> 00:36:41,794 We had a team that were lobbying different football clubs 660 00:36:41,932 --> 00:36:44,383 and trying to persuade football club executives 661 00:36:44,521 --> 00:36:46,523 to say why this was bad for football. 662 00:36:46,661 --> 00:36:49,042 We went and bought a block of shares, 663 00:36:49,180 --> 00:36:51,735 and that meant that we were in shareholders meetings 664 00:36:51,873 --> 00:36:53,150 and we couldn't be ignored anymore. 665 00:36:53,288 --> 00:36:54,703 Where I think we underestimated 666 00:36:54,841 --> 00:36:58,880 was the voracity of the shareholders. 667 00:36:59,018 --> 00:37:02,401 The person who had one share, not the controlling shareholders, 668 00:37:02,539 --> 00:37:05,473 but the average bloke out there and what he thought. 669 00:37:05,611 --> 00:37:12,169 What they didn't realize was that football fans represent such a diverse part of society. 670 00:37:12,307 --> 00:37:16,932 So, you had some of the best lawyers in the country against it. 671 00:37:17,070 --> 00:37:21,282 Brilliant marketing people who were running companies in Soho 672 00:37:21,420 --> 00:37:24,561 who were Mancs who wanted to get this stopped. 673 00:37:24,699 --> 00:37:28,323 You had fantastic people like Andy Walsh organizing it all. 674 00:37:28,461 --> 00:37:31,878 Michael Crick who knew exactly how to communicate it. 675 00:37:32,016 --> 00:37:36,745 There were 30-odd-thousand small shareholders at United. 676 00:37:36,883 --> 00:37:39,852 Then Michael said, "We need to find a way of getting letters out. 677 00:37:39,990 --> 00:37:42,061 I just don't know how we're gonna do it." 678 00:37:42,199 --> 00:37:46,065 So I said, "Well, we've got hundreds of people who would help." 679 00:37:46,203 --> 00:37:49,275 So we set it up in the upstairs room of O'Brien's 680 00:37:49,413 --> 00:37:52,554 where we used to have our meetings, and we just worked through the night. 681 00:37:52,692 --> 00:37:56,109 People came and took envelopes and took letters and took them home. 682 00:37:56,247 --> 00:37:59,078 Those activities bring people together. 683 00:37:59,216 --> 00:38:03,979 Within a couple of days, we'd stuffed 30-odd-thousand envelopes 684 00:38:04,117 --> 00:38:06,948 and every single shareholder got a letter. 685 00:38:12,471 --> 00:38:16,406 Now this is inside the annual general meeting. 686 00:38:16,544 --> 00:38:19,167 The fact that the pictures are so crooked suggests 687 00:38:19,305 --> 00:38:23,067 that this was surreptitious filming on our part. 688 00:38:23,205 --> 00:38:25,691 But we planned it very thoroughly for this meeting, 689 00:38:25,829 --> 00:38:29,591 and we would work out the questions we were gonna ask 690 00:38:29,729 --> 00:38:34,803 um, and distribute the questions amongst all the shareholders that we had there. 691 00:38:34,941 --> 00:38:37,806 And we made sure not to sit together 692 00:38:37,944 --> 00:38:40,913 'cause if we sat together, then we would just be dismissed as a bloc 693 00:38:41,051 --> 00:38:43,156 and nobody would be asked from that part of the room. 694 00:38:43,294 --> 00:38:45,918 We made sure that we sat in different parts of the room 695 00:38:46,056 --> 00:38:51,026 so that it wasn't obvious that we were part of the campaign opposed to the bid. 696 00:38:51,164 --> 00:38:54,064 [shareholder] 697 00:39:02,072 --> 00:39:04,695 [applause] 698 00:39:04,833 --> 00:39:08,734 Once they started having these meetings at the time of the BSkyB bid, 699 00:39:08,872 --> 00:39:12,185 then we obviously were gonna use this opportunity to go along and ask questions. 700 00:39:12,323 --> 00:39:15,568 This was all part of publicising the story. 701 00:39:15,706 --> 00:39:18,226 Uh, you know, if you did this surreptitious filming 702 00:39:18,364 --> 00:39:21,471 and then you took it along to television companies and said, 703 00:39:21,609 --> 00:39:23,990 "Look, we've got secret filming from inside the AGM," 704 00:39:24,128 --> 00:39:25,406 of course they're gonna run it. 705 00:39:25,544 --> 00:39:28,029 [spokesperson] 706 00:39:32,033 --> 00:39:33,206 [Crick] 707 00:39:33,344 --> 00:39:34,587 Oh, that's me. 708 00:39:48,118 --> 00:39:49,533 [chairman] 709 00:39:49,671 --> 00:39:51,293 [shareholders disagreeing] 710 00:39:51,432 --> 00:39:53,710 [chairman] 711 00:39:53,848 --> 00:39:55,539 [shareholders disagreeing] 712 00:39:55,677 --> 00:39:57,610 [Crick] 713 00:39:59,888 --> 00:40:01,580 [applause] 714 00:40:01,718 --> 00:40:03,340 Quite strong stuff by me. 715 00:40:03,478 --> 00:40:04,790 ...or any other company. 716 00:40:09,829 --> 00:40:12,487 I think we were all pretty sceptical that it would work, 717 00:40:12,625 --> 00:40:16,111 but we all thought we had a duty to give it a go. 718 00:40:16,249 --> 00:40:20,391 I sort of thought there was a 10, 20% chance of success. 719 00:40:20,530 --> 00:40:22,255 [reporter] Mr Mandelson is one of the strategists 720 00:40:22,393 --> 00:40:24,706 behind Labour's wooing of the Murdoch empire, 721 00:40:24,844 --> 00:40:29,573 and as "Dome Secretary", he's well aware that BSkyB has put ú12 million 722 00:40:29,711 --> 00:40:31,541 into his grand Millennium project. 723 00:40:31,679 --> 00:40:35,234 Doesn't all this add up to a pretty terrible conflict of interests? 724 00:40:35,372 --> 00:40:39,031 You know how lawyers never give you a percentage chance of winning? 725 00:40:39,169 --> 00:40:42,655 They did in this one, and it was like 90 or 100% chance, 726 00:40:42,793 --> 00:40:45,451 so our confidence level was high. 727 00:40:45,589 --> 00:40:47,695 From a shareholder value point of view, 728 00:40:47,833 --> 00:40:49,904 we think the game is gonna grow in popularity... 729 00:40:50,042 --> 00:40:53,045 [Crick] And somebody at one point actually tested Mr Booth and said, 730 00:40:53,183 --> 00:40:55,461 "Can you tell us the name of United's left back?" 731 00:40:55,599 --> 00:40:57,877 And of course he hadn't got a clue. [laughs] 732 00:40:58,015 --> 00:40:59,672 That's right, Dennis Irwin. 733 00:40:59,810 --> 00:41:03,020 I didn't... It's seared into my consciousness. 734 00:41:03,158 --> 00:41:06,368 Um... I had not gone to a game. 735 00:41:06,507 --> 00:41:09,682 [Walsh] Booth was just sharp suits, 736 00:41:09,820 --> 00:41:11,615 smooch his way through a press conference, 737 00:41:12,720 --> 00:41:14,894 but didn't have a clue. 738 00:41:15,032 --> 00:41:16,655 [interviewer] So it must have been about business. 739 00:41:16,793 --> 00:41:19,347 It wasn't just about business. This was about Monday Night. 740 00:41:22,523 --> 00:41:28,218 [commentator] It's Manchester United and Arsenal, both in stupendous form. 741 00:41:31,221 --> 00:41:33,326 [reporter] Because of that win last season 742 00:41:33,464 --> 00:41:36,329 and the fact that you've beaten them on the last four occasions, 743 00:41:36,467 --> 00:41:38,469 do you feel you have the psychological advantage 744 00:41:38,608 --> 00:41:40,230 going into this game? 745 00:41:40,368 --> 00:41:43,440 I think at least we know we can do it. 746 00:41:43,578 --> 00:41:45,891 In our minds, we know we can beat them. 747 00:41:46,029 --> 00:41:50,481 [commentator] A colossal contest in the Premiership power game. 748 00:41:50,620 --> 00:41:52,829 [reporter] I suppose it suits Arsenal. 749 00:41:52,967 --> 00:41:55,141 Would you settle for that, Alex, tonight? 750 00:41:55,279 --> 00:41:57,661 I don't think we would settle for a draw any time. 751 00:41:57,799 --> 00:42:00,319 You're going for the win. Thanks, Alex. Thank you. 752 00:42:00,457 --> 00:42:04,185 [commentator] The champions who took the title from Old Trafford 753 00:42:04,323 --> 00:42:07,015 are back at Old Trafford tonight. 754 00:42:07,153 --> 00:42:10,605 I think we were wounded by them winning the double the year before, 755 00:42:10,743 --> 00:42:11,813 knowing how good they were. 756 00:42:11,951 --> 00:42:13,332 [whistle blows] 757 00:42:18,199 --> 00:42:20,442 -[whistle blows] -[crowd shouting angrily] 758 00:42:20,581 --> 00:42:24,032 There was nothing between us, and Sir Alex was up against it. 759 00:42:24,170 --> 00:42:27,588 You know, he reacted to '98 in a big way. 760 00:42:31,108 --> 00:42:32,696 [whistle blowing] 761 00:42:45,088 --> 00:42:48,781 [commentator] This is taken on the turn by Parlour. Positive work from him. 762 00:42:48,919 --> 00:42:52,440 Kanu... That's brilliantly played by the Nigerian! 763 00:42:54,718 --> 00:42:56,755 A goal for Nicolas Anelka! 764 00:42:58,826 --> 00:43:01,345 It was two teams right at the top of the game 765 00:43:01,483 --> 00:43:05,591 as good as you could get... just not giving an inch. 766 00:43:05,729 --> 00:43:07,386 [commentator] Phillip Neville to the left. 767 00:43:11,114 --> 00:43:14,738 Oh, it's Andy Cole with a header! Must go, it does go! 1-1. 768 00:43:14,876 --> 00:43:16,222 [crowd roaring] 769 00:43:18,052 --> 00:43:19,847 Arsenal have cracked. 770 00:43:19,985 --> 00:43:24,092 It was a finely contested match between two sides 771 00:43:24,230 --> 00:43:26,094 who are gonna swipe punches right through 772 00:43:26,232 --> 00:43:28,441 until the end of the season, that's for sure. 773 00:43:28,579 --> 00:43:30,996 [Parlour] When you look back at the footage, it was a really tough game, 774 00:43:31,134 --> 00:43:33,654 but it's always harder to retain your title. 775 00:43:35,276 --> 00:43:37,347 [narrator] Nothing could separate the two sides. 776 00:43:37,485 --> 00:43:41,558 They were neck and neck going into the last two games of the season. 777 00:43:41,696 --> 00:43:44,665 [Keown] The Leeds game was hugely significant. 778 00:43:44,803 --> 00:43:46,839 We were same points as Manchester United. 779 00:43:53,881 --> 00:43:56,918 [commentator] Here come Leeds again pouring forward. Alan Smith. 780 00:43:57,747 --> 00:43:59,334 Kewell to his left. 781 00:44:00,473 --> 00:44:02,752 Dixon is the defender. 782 00:44:02,890 --> 00:44:05,651 Kewell with a cross, Hasselbaink! 783 00:44:05,789 --> 00:44:10,587 And Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink could have headed Arsenal out of the championship! 784 00:44:10,725 --> 00:44:15,178 We had chances in that game, it just wasn't to be. 785 00:44:15,316 --> 00:44:19,009 Losing to Leeds United in the 87th minute really cost us that season, 786 00:44:19,147 --> 00:44:23,220 which was very disappointing as a club and as a player and as a team. 787 00:44:26,499 --> 00:44:30,158 [narrator] As Manchester United charged towards yet another title, 788 00:44:30,296 --> 00:44:32,264 one-time champions Blackburn Rovers 789 00:44:32,402 --> 00:44:35,060 found themselves in a desperate fight of their own-- 790 00:44:35,198 --> 00:44:37,821 to avoid relegation from the Premier League. 791 00:44:41,100 --> 00:44:44,966 As the season entered its final stages, the two clubs would meet. 792 00:44:45,104 --> 00:44:47,728 Only a victory would keep Blackburn up. 793 00:44:54,838 --> 00:44:57,151 [commentator] The Blackburn Rovers fans here are asking tonight 794 00:44:57,289 --> 00:45:00,602 how is it that they've spent ú52 million over six years 795 00:45:00,741 --> 00:45:02,501 and are on the brink of relegation. 796 00:45:03,226 --> 00:45:05,435 [chanting] Rovers! 797 00:45:05,573 --> 00:45:08,093 [Preugschat] Oh, I were nervous. Part of you thinking... 798 00:45:10,267 --> 00:45:11,613 this can't happen. 799 00:45:11,752 --> 00:45:13,029 It can't happen. 800 00:45:13,926 --> 00:45:15,100 But it might happen. 801 00:45:20,726 --> 00:45:22,901 On that particular night, I think we played really well. 802 00:45:25,627 --> 00:45:29,183 Well, they were out of our league, the big teams. 803 00:45:29,321 --> 00:45:31,012 They were definitely out of our league. 804 00:45:31,150 --> 00:45:34,602 They had more supporters, they had bigger stadiums, 805 00:45:34,740 --> 00:45:37,639 they had more money to spend on players, 806 00:45:37,778 --> 00:45:39,469 they had bigger managers. 807 00:45:44,025 --> 00:45:46,372 [crowd groaning] 808 00:45:46,510 --> 00:45:49,341 [reporter] Sport now, and a sad night at Ewood Park 809 00:45:49,479 --> 00:45:51,170 as Blackburn Rovers were relegated. 810 00:45:53,379 --> 00:45:56,520 The clips are quite poignant. Quite, you know... 811 00:45:57,487 --> 00:45:59,869 It was an emotional time, that. 812 00:46:10,983 --> 00:46:13,675 When you get relegated, it's just... 813 00:46:14,815 --> 00:46:16,333 it's just the worst feeling. 814 00:46:17,300 --> 00:46:18,853 You feel it for the town. 815 00:46:18,991 --> 00:46:20,544 You feel it for everybody. 816 00:46:23,720 --> 00:46:26,999 I feel so sad. I've been in tears and I'm gutted for them. 817 00:46:29,346 --> 00:46:35,525 [Preugschat] The knock-on effect of being relegated is quite striking. 818 00:46:35,663 --> 00:46:39,563 People lose their jobs. There's redundancies. 819 00:46:42,359 --> 00:46:44,361 Morale drops. 820 00:46:46,018 --> 00:46:47,192 [reporter] Jack Walker's millions 821 00:46:47,330 --> 00:46:49,125 have helped to put Blackburn on the map. 822 00:46:49,263 --> 00:46:51,644 There are fears the local economy could now suffer. 823 00:46:51,782 --> 00:46:54,924 Likes of the chippy, the cafe, the local pubs and stuff, 824 00:46:55,062 --> 00:46:57,719 they rely a lot on supporters coming, 825 00:46:57,858 --> 00:47:00,274 and that's what creates a lot of their business. 826 00:47:00,412 --> 00:47:04,002 Upsetting for Jack. Really upsetting. 827 00:47:04,140 --> 00:47:09,593 I felt for him, 'cause he'd done everything he possibly could. 828 00:47:09,731 --> 00:47:12,838 [reporter 1] The expression on the Blackburn chairman's face said it all. 829 00:47:12,976 --> 00:47:15,496 The team that Jack Walker built had lost its place... 830 00:47:15,634 --> 00:47:19,086 [reporter 2] He spent a hundred million pounds on the stadium and the players 831 00:47:19,224 --> 00:47:21,571 only to see the club right back where they were 832 00:47:21,709 --> 00:47:23,953 before he started writing the big cheques. 833 00:47:28,302 --> 00:47:30,097 [commentator] As for Manchester United, 834 00:47:30,235 --> 00:47:33,272 if they beat Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday, 835 00:47:33,410 --> 00:47:37,621 they will be the champions no matter what Arsenal do. 836 00:47:37,759 --> 00:47:41,832 1999 is the most bizarre season because, on the one hand, 837 00:47:41,971 --> 00:47:46,251 you've got a team absolutely firing on the pitch, 838 00:47:46,389 --> 00:47:50,393 and yet what they have delivered has made them vulnerable to a takeover 839 00:47:50,531 --> 00:47:54,121 by the last person on earth that you want to take over the club. 840 00:47:54,259 --> 00:47:56,123 [Walsh] One of our committee members said 841 00:47:56,261 --> 00:47:58,228 that he'd just had a row with his partner. 842 00:47:58,366 --> 00:48:00,506 She said, "You're not gonna beat Murdoch." 843 00:48:00,644 --> 00:48:03,337 She says, "What chance have you lot got of beating Murdoch? 844 00:48:03,475 --> 00:48:08,169 You haven't got any grip on reality. You think Eric Cantona's a living god." 845 00:48:08,307 --> 00:48:10,033 And then we got a phone call, 846 00:48:10,171 --> 00:48:12,001 anonymous tip-off from a woman within the civil service. 847 00:48:12,139 --> 00:48:13,588 Don't know who it was. 848 00:48:13,726 --> 00:48:16,695 But she just phoned us up and said, "You've won." 849 00:48:16,833 --> 00:48:20,009 The proposed takeover of Manchester United by BSkyB 850 00:48:20,147 --> 00:48:21,803 has been blocked by the government. 851 00:48:21,942 --> 00:48:24,323 -Come on! -[reporter] The trade secretary said 852 00:48:24,461 --> 00:48:28,672 the merger would adversely affect competition between broadcasters 853 00:48:28,810 --> 00:48:31,089 and would damage the quality of British football. 854 00:48:31,227 --> 00:48:33,505 It was David v Goliath. No one thought we'd win, 855 00:48:33,643 --> 00:48:36,887 but we see the result of the fans' voice, the fans' power and the fans united. 856 00:48:37,026 --> 00:48:41,030 Well, some people still think that Cantona's a living god, and we did beat Murdoch. 857 00:48:41,168 --> 00:48:45,413 [reporter] At a stroke, the government has destroyed a key business strategy 858 00:48:45,551 --> 00:48:47,864 of Rupert Murdoch and BSkyB. 859 00:48:48,002 --> 00:48:53,283 This is a bold, unequivocal rejection of a close and a powerful ally. 860 00:48:53,421 --> 00:48:55,906 Sure, it was disappointing. 861 00:48:56,045 --> 00:48:59,255 Ah, it wasn't a very long conversation with Mr Murdoch, though. 862 00:48:59,393 --> 00:49:02,603 He doesn't like to lose at anything, right? None of us do. 863 00:49:02,741 --> 00:49:04,363 [interviewer] After the deal fell through then, 864 00:49:04,501 --> 00:49:06,987 did you continue to follow Manchester United at all? 865 00:49:07,125 --> 00:49:09,161 Not much. [chuckles] 866 00:49:09,299 --> 00:49:11,301 I've been more of a Chelsea fan. 867 00:49:12,682 --> 00:49:14,511 You have to stand up for what you believe in, 868 00:49:14,649 --> 00:49:16,168 and not a lot of people can say 869 00:49:16,306 --> 00:49:18,239 that they beat Rupert Murdoch, but we did. 870 00:49:18,377 --> 00:49:20,379 [crowd singing] 871 00:49:22,830 --> 00:49:25,971 [commentator] It's Andy Cole. Can he get it over Walker? 872 00:49:26,109 --> 00:49:29,733 [crowd roaring] Cole! Within three minutes... 873 00:49:29,871 --> 00:49:34,152 [narrator] In the final match of the season, United clinched the title. 874 00:49:34,290 --> 00:49:37,983 Then went on to match Arsenal's double by winning the FA Cup. 875 00:49:38,121 --> 00:49:39,950 [commentator] He's got his teammates in trouble. 876 00:49:40,089 --> 00:49:42,988 That's Sheringham to score! [crowd roars] 877 00:49:43,126 --> 00:49:46,785 [narrator] But they still had an opportunity to go one better. 878 00:49:46,923 --> 00:49:50,375 [commentator] It's another marvellous day for Alex Ferguson's team 879 00:49:50,513 --> 00:49:54,206 for whom the success story simply goes rolling on. 880 00:49:54,344 --> 00:49:56,519 [Schmeichel] We had the FA Cup final on a Saturday. 881 00:49:56,657 --> 00:49:59,625 We had a party after the game in the hotel, 882 00:49:59,763 --> 00:50:03,112 and then on Sunday, we left for Barcelona. 883 00:50:12,949 --> 00:50:16,332 [commentator] It's the chance of a lifetime, a treble chance, 884 00:50:16,470 --> 00:50:19,438 the likes of which no English team has had before 885 00:50:19,576 --> 00:50:22,027 or may ever get again. 886 00:50:22,165 --> 00:50:23,891 [narrator] United would face 887 00:50:24,029 --> 00:50:27,205 German champions Bayern Munich in Barcelona. 888 00:50:27,343 --> 00:50:29,621 Victory would see them become the first English club 889 00:50:29,759 --> 00:50:33,211 to be crowned European champions in the Premier League era. 890 00:50:33,349 --> 00:50:35,178 [commentator] McClair is breaking down the centre. 891 00:50:35,316 --> 00:50:37,353 Johnson has got some catching up to do. 892 00:50:37,491 --> 00:50:39,389 Stops Carsten Jancker on the edge of the box 893 00:50:39,527 --> 00:50:40,942 and concedes a free kick. 894 00:50:42,634 --> 00:50:46,776 The feeling in the game was that we were absolutely terrible 895 00:50:46,914 --> 00:50:48,950 and we never created anything. 896 00:50:49,089 --> 00:50:51,643 [commentator] It's Basler. Oh, it's deflected and in! 897 00:50:51,781 --> 00:50:53,265 [crowd cheering] 898 00:50:53,403 --> 00:50:55,233 First blood to Bayern Munich! 899 00:50:58,477 --> 00:51:00,514 [Beckham] I remember us not actually playing that well. 900 00:51:00,652 --> 00:51:03,379 Um, and then, obviously, they get the early goal. 901 00:51:03,517 --> 00:51:06,313 And then they get a couple of other chances 902 00:51:06,451 --> 00:51:08,349 where they should have scored. 903 00:51:08,487 --> 00:51:10,593 They hit the bar, hit the post. 904 00:51:11,801 --> 00:51:14,044 But the one thing the manager said was, 905 00:51:14,183 --> 00:51:17,324 "Don't put yourself in a situation where you have to walk past that trophy 906 00:51:17,462 --> 00:51:19,498 and you can't touch it at the end of the game." 907 00:51:20,775 --> 00:51:22,432 [Schmeichel] When we moved into risk mode, 908 00:51:22,570 --> 00:51:24,745 when we threw caution to the wind, 909 00:51:24,883 --> 00:51:26,850 when we gambled everything, 910 00:51:26,988 --> 00:51:30,854 we understood instinctively, on the pitch, 911 00:51:30,992 --> 00:51:33,823 that it doesn't matter if we lose this game 1-0 or 2-0. 912 00:51:33,961 --> 00:51:37,896 Doesn't matter. It doesn't change the outcome of that game. 913 00:51:38,034 --> 00:51:41,451 The fact of the matter is, if you lose the game, you don't win that trophy. 914 00:51:41,589 --> 00:51:43,143 That's what we're there for. 915 00:51:46,353 --> 00:51:47,940 [commentator] Three added minutes. 916 00:51:49,218 --> 00:51:52,186 It was take risks, play attacking football, 917 00:51:52,324 --> 00:51:54,015 play with wide players. 918 00:51:54,154 --> 00:51:57,295 Throw everything in the box in the final five minutes. 919 00:51:57,433 --> 00:51:59,228 You must do everything you can to win games, 920 00:51:59,366 --> 00:52:01,885 and that's why I'm on the left wing 921 00:52:02,023 --> 00:52:03,542 with two minutes to go. 922 00:52:05,337 --> 00:52:07,028 The first corner, I get the corner, 923 00:52:07,167 --> 00:52:09,548 just basically thinking I'm just gonna go for it. 924 00:52:09,686 --> 00:52:11,412 [crowd groans] 925 00:52:11,550 --> 00:52:13,449 [Beckham] I remember getting that first corner, 926 00:52:13,587 --> 00:52:17,280 and just something all of a sudden clicked for us. 927 00:52:17,418 --> 00:52:20,041 [Neville] Sir Alex wasn't gonna accept us not winning 928 00:52:20,180 --> 00:52:23,010 'cause someone was quicker than us or someone was taller than us, 929 00:52:23,148 --> 00:52:25,564 or someone was tactically better than us, 930 00:52:25,702 --> 00:52:30,155 or someone was more skilled than us. Don't care. Find a way to win. 931 00:52:30,293 --> 00:52:31,950 [commentator 1] The big goalie's coming up. 932 00:52:32,088 --> 00:52:33,986 [commentator 2] Peter Schmeichel is forward. 933 00:52:34,124 --> 00:52:36,299 Can he score another in Europe? He's got one in Europe already. 934 00:52:36,437 --> 00:52:38,128 [commentator 1] Beckham. It's towards Schmeichel! 935 00:52:38,267 --> 00:52:41,684 Find a way. Don't matter how, find a way. 936 00:52:41,822 --> 00:52:43,858 [commentator 1] Giggs with a shot! Sheringham! 937 00:52:43,996 --> 00:52:45,791 [crowd roaring] 938 00:52:57,976 --> 00:53:02,739 Then, of course, we win the next corner and... 939 00:53:04,189 --> 00:53:05,880 Now I can't talk about it anymore. 940 00:53:07,227 --> 00:53:09,677 [commentator 1] Beckham... in to Sheringham! 941 00:53:13,025 --> 00:53:14,441 [crowd roars] 942 00:53:14,579 --> 00:53:15,925 [laughs] 943 00:53:21,931 --> 00:53:23,691 [commentator 1] History is made. 944 00:53:23,829 --> 00:53:27,385 Manchester United are the champions of Europe again, 945 00:53:27,523 --> 00:53:30,250 and nobody will ever win a European Cup final 946 00:53:30,388 --> 00:53:32,148 more dramatically than this. 947 00:53:39,604 --> 00:53:43,263 That drama played out around the world. 948 00:53:43,401 --> 00:53:48,958 That was the moment that a lot of people suddenly thought, 949 00:53:49,096 --> 00:53:52,617 "This is significant. This is huge." 950 00:53:52,755 --> 00:53:55,516 [all cheering] 951 00:53:55,654 --> 00:53:58,139 This is drama on another scale. 952 00:53:58,278 --> 00:54:03,697 And I think, in terms of the next stage of development of the Premier League, 953 00:54:03,835 --> 00:54:07,908 that was the moment that enabled it to say, "Right. 954 00:54:08,046 --> 00:54:13,085 Every territory in the world will buy this." 955 00:54:13,223 --> 00:54:16,606 I don't think that would have happened without '99. 956 00:54:16,744 --> 00:54:21,197 [reporter] The moment every Manchester United fan had been waiting for. 957 00:54:21,335 --> 00:54:25,028 Less than 24 hours after their triumph in Barcelona, 958 00:54:25,166 --> 00:54:28,584 the champions of Europe were back on home soil. 959 00:54:28,722 --> 00:54:31,449 Waiting for them, a crowd of some half a million people 960 00:54:31,587 --> 00:54:34,210 lining the victory route into the city's centre. 961 00:54:35,384 --> 00:54:38,076 It was crazy. That was absolutely crazy. 962 00:54:41,838 --> 00:54:43,219 Bloody nice. 963 00:54:49,881 --> 00:54:53,988 [Beckham] It was so emotional and it was such a moment. 964 00:54:54,126 --> 00:55:00,132 The hundreds of thousands of fans that had turned up to see us return was just... 965 00:55:01,548 --> 00:55:05,275 There's nothing that could ever top that. Nothing. 966 00:55:08,658 --> 00:55:11,178 That moment, that specific moment, going down Deansgate, 967 00:55:11,316 --> 00:55:13,456 I always say it was probably the one moment in my life, 968 00:55:13,594 --> 00:55:15,734 if I could ever go back, it would be then. 969 00:55:15,872 --> 00:55:20,083 Seeing those fans off the scaffolding, grown men and women crying, 970 00:55:20,221 --> 00:55:22,189 just so much emotion. 971 00:55:23,397 --> 00:55:25,468 The romantic image of Manchester United 972 00:55:25,606 --> 00:55:27,332 was the one formed by Matt Busby, 973 00:55:27,470 --> 00:55:30,818 which was telling his players before they went out, 974 00:55:30,956 --> 00:55:35,582 "Those guys on the terraces, you're playing for them. 975 00:55:36,583 --> 00:55:38,412 They're paying your wages. 976 00:55:38,550 --> 00:55:40,794 You give them a chance to dream. 977 00:55:40,932 --> 00:55:42,623 That's the most important thing." 978 00:55:44,867 --> 00:55:48,457 [Walsh] I've got two boys who are both in their mid to late 20s now. 979 00:55:48,595 --> 00:55:50,873 It was a big thing for me that they both went 980 00:55:51,011 --> 00:55:52,909 to their first away games when they were five. 981 00:55:53,047 --> 00:55:54,635 It's not just a central part of my life, 982 00:55:54,773 --> 00:55:56,119 it's an essential part of my life. 983 00:55:58,225 --> 00:56:00,745 [narrator] With a Premier League club triumphant in Europe, 984 00:56:00,883 --> 00:56:04,542 it was a springboard for creating new fans all over the world. 985 00:56:06,578 --> 00:56:10,893 You were catapulting this sort of brand of the Premier League around the world. 986 00:56:11,031 --> 00:56:13,447 And I think that's the point where the Premier League stole a march 987 00:56:13,585 --> 00:56:15,345 on the rest of Europe. 988 00:56:15,484 --> 00:56:18,763 [White] I think there has been an unintended consequence 989 00:56:18,901 --> 00:56:21,524 of the Premier League's great success. 990 00:56:21,662 --> 00:56:24,285 Basically, to take the football club 991 00:56:24,424 --> 00:56:28,773 away from the community that gave birth to it. 992 00:56:28,911 --> 00:56:32,086 What this was was content for universal broadcasting, 993 00:56:32,224 --> 00:56:33,985 and it was becoming worldwide. 994 00:56:34,123 --> 00:56:39,024 And the pound in the pocket of a guy in Yeovil or Yangon 995 00:56:39,162 --> 00:56:42,752 was as important as the guy living in Stretford. 996 00:56:43,891 --> 00:56:45,168 [Dein] All of a sudden, 997 00:56:45,306 --> 00:56:47,239 the television revenue went through the roof 998 00:56:47,377 --> 00:56:50,898 and on the back of that, always you have sponsors coming on board. 999 00:56:51,036 --> 00:56:52,728 Everybody wants to be your friend. 1000 00:56:52,866 --> 00:56:55,903 [Edwards] When I took over in 1980, 1001 00:56:56,041 --> 00:56:57,974 Manchester United was worth two million. 1002 00:56:58,112 --> 00:57:02,116 When I stepped down, we'd been over a billion. 1003 00:57:02,254 --> 00:57:05,154 [reporter] The die-hards thought nothing of queuing since before dawn 1004 00:57:05,292 --> 00:57:07,501 to see their hero in the flesh. 1005 00:57:07,639 --> 00:57:10,849 People queue all over the world like this to watch Beckham play football, 1006 00:57:10,987 --> 00:57:14,197 but this-- this is for Beckham on public speaking. 1007 00:57:18,512 --> 00:57:20,065 [narrator] The Premier League's reach 1008 00:57:20,203 --> 00:57:22,689 had begun to extend across the world. 1009 00:57:22,827 --> 00:57:26,693 And yet, this was still just the beginning of the story. 1010 00:57:26,831 --> 00:57:29,523 [Crick] Ten years after the Premier League started, 1011 00:57:29,661 --> 00:57:32,526 the whole finances of football were transformed. 1012 00:57:32,664 --> 00:57:37,600 We had a temporary success in fighting off BSkyB, 1013 00:57:37,738 --> 00:57:39,671 but of course around the corner, 1014 00:57:39,809 --> 00:57:41,708 there would be takeovers galore 1015 00:57:41,846 --> 00:57:43,848 of top football clubs in this country. 1016 00:57:44,711 --> 00:57:46,609 So, it's 20 years ago now. 1017 00:57:46,747 --> 00:57:49,785 It seems like a sort of rather naive, innocent period, that, 1018 00:57:49,923 --> 00:57:52,512 compared with what we've got today.