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发帖数: 29 | 1 http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ycn-7802760
There was a news story this week that saddened me as I read it. Gary Neville
is retiring from playing soccer at the age of 35. Gary Neville, although
not one of the most technically gifted players in the world, was still one
of the best, if not the best full back over the last 20 years for both
Manchester United and England . What he lacked in skill, he made up for it
with commitment, passion and a love of the game. Probably the biggest thing
that made me sad though was the realization that the amazing class of '92
was coming to an end.
Who was in the class of 1992?
When Sir Alex Ferguson took the reigns at Manchester United in 1986, they
were in a sorry state, with aging players and little money, Ferguson knew he
had to build from within, and he quickly set about building, and developing
the youth academy at the club.
By the early 90's there were rumors that there were a crop of youngsters at
the club that could possibly be better than the Busby Babes, and before long
, the world saw the amazing amount of talent that Alex Ferguson had at his
finger tips, and it was all because of the excellent youth system he had
developed.
After winning the youth version of the F.A Cup, Sir Alex unleashed the
youngsters on the Premier League. Nobody had ever heard the names of the
young guns, but they would soon become household names. Gary Neville, David
Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, were all
part of the class of 92, as were Keith Gillespie and Robbie Savage, both of
whom went on to play for different Premier League teams other than United,
but they only left because they played in the same positions as the others.
"You can't win anything with kids"
After fielding his young guns, Sir Alex was hit with a barrage of criticism
from fellow professionals and the media. Alan Hansen Who was a footballing
legend himself, was working as a football reporter when he said "You can't
win anything with kids", those words will never be forgotten and he still
has egg on his face to this day. The amount of success that those youngsters
brought to Manchester United has never been repeated.
With Sir Alex guiding the ship and having all the faith in the world in his
young guns, United went on to win many trophies and competitions. In 1992
they won the league cup, and then the following year United won the league
for the first time since 1967. In 1994 the club completed the double by
winning both the Premier League and the F.A Cup for the first time since
1957.
The future was very bright for the club, and they went on to win many more
trophies. 1999 was the most successful year in the clubs history as they
went on to win the League, the F.A Cup and the UEFA Champions League, a feat
that had never been performed before by any other English club. That same
season they also won the Intercontinental cup. After so much success, Sir
Alex was knighted for his services to football.
The end of an era
While most of the class of 92 still play today, they are coming to the end
of their careers, with Gary Neville being the first to retire due to injury.
Paul Scholes is still a regular for United at 36 years of age, as is Ryan
Giggs who is now the most decorated player in English footballing history.
David Beckham was sold by United after a falling out with Ferguson , and now
is seeing out his playing days in America with the L.A Galaxy, while Phil
Neville turns out for Everton these days.
Back in 1992 I am sure that nobody other than Sir Alex knew what he had on
his hands. He worked hard and created the most successful youth system in
England . All of these players went on to become the biggest stars in world
football, and they are still household names around the world today.
It is shame that we are coming to the end of an era. I will never forget
watching these players playing their first games for the club, and I will
never forget the many amazing memories they gave me and countless others
through the years playing for both club, and countries.
The class of 92 was the best ever for Manchester United and English football
in general. While United have some excellent young players on their books
now, I do not think the class of 92 will ever be beaten, by United
themselves or any other club. The players that were the class of 92 will
always remain the best in the hearts of many. |
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