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Wembley return for hometown boy Barmby
WHEN Nicky Barmby trudged off the Wembley turf in the pouring rain after the final game at one of world football's most iconic venues, he cut a disconsolate figure.
Not only had the curtain come down on 77 years of history with such a damp squib that Kevin Keegan would quit as England manager just minutes after the 1-0 defeat to Germany, but the chances of the Hull-born Barmby playing at the re-built national stadium seemed slim.
At the age of 26 and then playing for Everton, he clearly had plenty of football left in him but the Three Lions were about to embark on what would eventually be a near seven-year travelling odyssey around the country.
Four years later and with Wembley still resembling a building site, those slim hopes of a return seemed to have been crushed completely when Barmby opted to swap the car-crash existence that was newly-relegated Leeds United for the relative calm of life in what used to be known as the Third Division with Hull City.
The lure of playing for his hometown club was behind the drop down the league less than two years after winning the last of his 23 England caps but, even so, it seemed a decision that had ended any hopes of a return to a stadium he first graced as a schoolboy international.
However, at the end of this craziest of Championship seasons, Barmby is once again Wembley-bound as the Tigers prepare to face Bristol City tomorrow in club football's most lucrative game when a 60m cash booty is on offer along with a place among the Premier League elite.
The 34-year-old recalls: "I must admit I thought my chances of playing at Wembley again had gone, but that is the beauty of football and sport in general. Things can change and opportunities can keep popping up when you don't expect them to.
"I have some great memories of Wembley, I first played there as a schoolboy for England. It is very special to walk out there and not too many get the chance to do so.
"Even the defeats are memorable, I played there against Arsenal (for Tottenham) in an FA Cup semi-final that we lost 1-0 when Tony Adams scored.
"I was also there for the last ever game (against Germany in October 2000), which was an emotional day for everyone. It was good to be involved even though the result was not the greatest.
"Actually, losing that game to Germany was probably my worst memory of Wembley – even though we turned it round a few months later (winning 5-1 in Munich).
"I was on the bench in Euro 96 when we lost to Germany in the semi-finals. I did not get on that night even though me and Robbie Fowler were supposed to come on for penalties. That was the plan anyway.
"The old Wembley was superb but football moves on and now everyone is getting used to the new stadium. I went down to watch the Brazil game (last year) with my two lads and the atmosphere was great.
"But I think it will be even better when we play Bristol City. I scored for the schoolboys at Wembley but not for England because all my goals came away from home. I did not score for a club side either. That may change."
Should Hull go on and claim a first ever promotion to the top flight tomorrow, it will cap an amazing few years for not only Barmby but also his hometown club.
It is less than seven years since City were locked out of their old Boothferry Park home by the bailiffs and just four since they were playing in the basement division.
Barmby, who joined the Tigers just a few weeks after Peter Taylor's side had finished as Third Division runners-up behind Doncaster Rovers, said: "The great thing about football is you can realise your dreams. Ever since moving to the KC Stadium, we have had a plan to try and get into the Premier League.
"(Previous chairman) Adam Pearson deserves a lot of credit because he bought the club (in 2001) when no-one else wanted to. The new owners have also been fantastic to put in the money."
The increased finance provided by Paul Duffen's board has seen the wage bill almost double to around 8.5m a year and the likes of record signing Caleb Folan arrive at the KC Stadium.
Barmby may have won a host of silverware with Liverpool and reached two FA Cup semi-finals with Spurs, but the former England international admits victory tomorrow would match anything he has achieved in club football.
He said: "Domestically, it will rank right up there. I have been fortunate to win in the game with some great clubs but my hometown club getting to the Premier League would mean everything.
"It would also help the kids of Hull. If they want to aspire to be Premier League footballers, they will be able to see the likes of Ronaldo at the KC. We would also be able to go to Anfield and it would have a massive positive effect on the city.
"It is the richest game in the world and to be involved with your hometown club is fantastic. I can't wait to see our fans at Wembley. But I have to say we are not just going down there for the occasion. It will be a difficult game against a good side.
"It is a great opportunity for us both to get into the Premier League. We have to grasp it."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
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