“Sod it, let’s go”: Lucky Sheffield United legend lost for words revisiting iconic derby moment v Sheffield Wednesday
“Sod it, let’s go”: Lucky Sheffield United legend lost for words revisiting iconic derby moment v Sheffield Wednesday
It’s early afternoon at Bramall Lane and as he sits down with The Star to watch back his own highlights reel from a remarkable 2002/03 season, both for him and Sheffield United, Michael Brown is suddenly lost for words.
The tape is showing repeated footage of his unbelievable volleyed strike in victory against city rivals Wednesday that season, a stand-out moment of a famous 3-1 Blades victory. Brown was so good that season that there is some debate whether, technically, that goal was his best of 22 that term as United reached the semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions and the play-off final.
Not many were tap-ins, either. A similar volley, against Ipswich Town, is right up there in terms of quality. But all things considered, Brown’s derby-day volley is in a league of its own; in 2014, at a glittering dinner to celebrate 125 years of the Blades, it was crowned the club’s greatest goal.
It’s not hard to see why, either; the ball pinging off Brown’s right boot with such satisfying connection and real venom, flying past Kevin Pressman in the Wednesday net before he could react. Right in front of the visiting Owls fans, who had the best view in the house.
Asked to remember his thoughts, feelings and emotions in those 30 seconds or so after scoring, Brown is momentarily lost for words. “I wish I could do it again,” he eventually offers. “I wish I could be there in that moment again, to be honest.
“But I am lucky to have had it once, I guess. It was a great assist by Del Geary [the former United man and current academy boss who was playing for Wednesday at the time and headed the ball out, but only as far as Brown] as well, so whenever I see him I like to remind him.
Michael Brown remembers iconic Sheffield United moment after “lucky” Sheffield Wednesday admission
“But it was a special goal, for sure. I remember what I was thinking as the ball came out. I thought: ‘I’m going to go for it.’ Then I realised: ‘Oh, this is higher than I thought. Sod it, let’s go.’
“I had to jump to hit it but I caught it so sweet. I just knew. I hardly felt it coming off my boot. Like when you nail a golf shot and it just feels so nice. And what it’s brought since then... the awards, greatest goal at the awards night.
“That was special, to be actually remembered. Obviously it helped that it was against Sheffield Wednesday, and to do it here at Bramall Lane. I just wish I could do it again.”
Brown, now in the midst of another successful career in the media after hanging up his boots, will be an interested observer this weekend when the Blades and the Owls do battle again at Hillsborough.
His returns to Bramall Lane have not been as frequent as he would have liked, owing to his Manchester roots and the nomadic nature of life in the media. But his impact will never be forgotten.
“Wherever I go, I can't tell you how nice Sheffield United fans are to me,” Brown added. “Other clubs' fans are good. Obviously I spend a lot of time at Man City doing their stuff because I live there. I'd spend more time here if I was closer.
“But it's nice to be appreciated by supporters and I think I am by most Unitedites, because of the way I give 100 per cent commitment to their team. I’d I'd tackle, I'd run back, I'd give a fight. So at that point, you're halfway there, aren't you?
“Because that’s how the supporters would play, wouldn’t they, if they had the chance. But when I go anywhere and bump into them, that's the first thing that comes up; the goal against Wednesday. Do you know, it means everything.
“So I'm lucky, aren't I? I'm lucky that I've got such an iconic moment. I suppose if I'm ever down I should just come to a game, meet some supporters who realise what it was like that day when we beat them.
“And it was them. It was them and we stuffed them, didn’t we, really? I really think I am lucky. If I ever start thinking: ‘Oh, what am doing? I've got nothing, I’m not playing football anymore.’ But you show me that video, I come back here and it all comes back.
“I’ve got to say how lucky I am, because I can be a bit of a pessimist inside. Thinking: ‘Oh, why has that happened? What's that? Why are we doing this?’ But then sometimes you've got to go: ‘Come on, it it could have been a lot worse. You went and played for some great clubs. You’re lucky.’”