Back With A Bang | The story of West Ham United’s return to the Premier League in 2005/06 | Part 3
West Ham United supporter, author, and nostalgia Sid Lambert revisits our Premier League comeback and pursuit of FA Cup victory in 2005–06 in a brand-new piece for the next season.
“I sensed that the Newcastle supporters were laughing because they were still in shock over his dismissal.”
Alan Pardew, the manager, was not amused by Paul Konchesky’s red card at St. James’ Park. And with good reason. It was shameful. A heist. An insult to association football’s regulations.
The Irons were controlling the game with 55 minutes remaining. There was silence among the home crowd. They had been surprised by the effort and vigor of the visitors, who were expecting an easy victory over a recently promoted team. In midfield, Nigel Reo-Coker was unrelenting. Teddy Sheringham was unmatched in attack, playing as if he were twenty years younger. For once, the Geordies, who are so accustomed to watching a West Ham club collapse on the North East’s weekends, appeared completely lifeless. Pards’ strategy had been a complete success. Even the legendary Alan Shearer was useless and could only watch the game from Danny Gabbidon’s luxurious home.
The referee then arrived.
From midfield, Jermaine Jenas rushed in an attempt to catch a through pass. He had failed to notice Paul Konchesky’s fast-moving locomotive hurtling toward him. Both that and the most well-timed slide tackle, which was likely a tribute to the legendary Bobby Moore, caught him off guard. The ball was subsequently swept to safety. A masterclass was held. This is the kind of challenge that all competent coaches ought to present to kids today. A classic case of last-ditch defense.
You wouldn’t be Dermot Gallagher, though. One of this nation’s most illustrious officials responded to the Toon supporters’ pathetic pleas by showing them a red card. It was a monstrosity. It was the kind of decision that left you wondering whether the Premier League needed video assisted referees to step in. This was the kind of judgment that infuriated the Italian. Paolo Di Canio famously quipped that you had to be covered in machine gun bullets to get a penalty at Old Trafford, which is so uncommon for West Ham that you had a better chance of hitching a trip on Halley’s Comet.
The glee of the home crowd was almost unbearable. The most lavish gifts had been offered to their team. Playing with an additional man for thirty-five minutes against a team two games into their comeback to the Premier League. In anticipation, they moistened their lips.
They were unaware, however, that West Ham would clench their teeth, roll up their sleeves, and direct their rage into a valiant attempt. Ball after ball was belted to safety after entering the box. They sacrificed bodies. In Claret and Blue, a human stronghold materialized before the goalmouth. Roy Carroll was also there to deflect a bullet that might have penetrated the protective armor.
For the traveling crowd, who applauded the Hammers’ efforts from the higher echelons of St. James’ Park, a goalless draw felt like a victory. When the FA reversed Gallagher’s horrifying ruling two days later, justice was served.
It’s nearly impossible to determine whether VAR would have changed anything in retrospect. They most likely would have made an on-pitch judgment in the same 48 hours.
In any case, away teams adore those kinds of outcomes. An area soaked with sweat. It instills faith in athletes and supporters. It gave Pardew’s Irons the confidence boost we needed to know we belonged at this level.
With a bounce in our stride, we bowled into the next match against Bolton. Except for Teddy Sheringham, we were young. We acted carelessly. We were enjoying our Premier League lifestyle.
Until Sam Allardyce showed up.
Big Sam had established Wanderers as a staple in the top division. They had begun by striking the ball hard and high, nicking goals from set pieces, and being proudly difficult to defeat. Then an odd thing occurred. Some of the biggest stars in football made Bolton their unusual retirement home. All of a sudden, Iván Campo, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Big Kevin Davies were on the same pitch. It was like going to your neighborhood chippy and getting your battered fish slathered with goat’s cheese.
Regardless of its logic, it was unquestionably successful. And we were given a severe lesson on a bright September afternoon in 2005. Beautiful football was played by us. piercing the opposition’s defense whenever necessary. Gabbidon came closer than Yossi Benayoun. Then, during a moment of insecurity, Marlon Harewood missed two gilt-edged opportunities. In the meantime, the opposing side advanced as little as a snail attempting to cross the Channel.
In our happy ignorance, we were unaware that all of these near-misses were a component of Big Sam’s grand scheme. Kevin Nolan, in what would become a very familiar position in the six-yard box, was the recipient of a goalmouth scramble and pushed Wanderers forward. We were then caught on the break as we charged forward in an attempt to equalize. A through ball from Okocha. A Campo finish. A blow with a hammer.
We continued, to our credit. Sheringham, who had once again been outstanding, set up a wild finish with a penalty kick. But it was not meant to be. We were introduced to one of football’s most agonizing realities three games into the season: Allardyce-ball is unavoidable.
*The comments and viewpoints presented in this article are those of the author and may not represent those of West Ham United.
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