Hey … did you feel that?

Hey … did you feel that?

Posted on May 16th, 2011 by Jeff McDonald

Is it me, or did the soccer world rumble this weekend? Aficionados of the beautiful game have confirmed, that something strange and extraordinary did, indeed, rock their world this week, and have pinpointed the trembler’s epicenter to a large urban/industrial community in northwest England.
To say that Manchester has some enthusiasm for soccer, would be like saying Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has some enthusiasm for football (the American, throwball variety). It is a passion, really, that expresses itself in many wonderful and positive ways … and, sadly, in some negative ways, as well. And while Mancunians are one in their love for the game, they are VERY divided in their love for those who play the game at its greatest professional level … one can draw a line as broad as the Inwell River, between the Blues of Manchester City, and the Red Devils of Manchester United.

But then came this weekend, and that rarest of occasions … a time in the Premier League season when BOTH teams emerged as winners – not just of games, but of titles … a time when fans of both teams could share a night of revelry in the city’s pubs and plazas, and the consequences of said revelry the following morning.

“Manchester united in glory – and sore heads” is the headline for a report by The Independent’s Tom Moseley, who goes on to write, “The city of Manchester awoke yesterday to a double football hangover after its bitter rivals secured league and FA Cup success on the same day.”

“Hours after Manchester United notched up a record 19th Premier League championship, Manchester City were celebrating the end of their 35-year wait for a trophy at Wembley.”

“It all made for a wild night in the pubs and bars of the city, with reports of rare camaraderie between the red and blue tribes, and sore heads for some of the 40,000 entrants to yesterday morning’s Great Manchester Run.”

You can read the rest of Mosely’s report HERE

As for me, I headed over to a local establishment that has Newcastle on tap, and hoisted one in honor of this latest ‘day the soccer world trembled.’ My first sip was for the Red Devils … after all, we ARE shareholders, with our one-share certificate framed on my son’s wall. But my next sip was for the Blues, God love ’em … this week, at least.

Sometimes, it IS the beautiful game.

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Jeff McDonald

There's a saying around here, something like, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!" That's me. I'm a 'dang Yankee from back-east' who settled in the Lone Star State after some extended stays in the eastern U.S., and New Mexico. I worked as an archaeologist for a few years before dusting off my second major in English, and embarking on a 25-year career in journalism. Since then, I've embraced the dark side of the force, and now work in PR for a community college in Midland, Texas.