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From The Archive - Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn & West Ham 1-1 Manchester United - May 14, 1995
Thursday 03 December 2009
Season 1994/1995 will be remembered for its many stand out incidents; The Eric Cantona kung-fu kick assault on an abusive Crystal palace fan, Arsenal manager George Graham's dismissal for receiving illegal payments from player’s agents, the gunners Paul Merson's drink, drug and gambling admissions and of course, Blackburn Rovers winning the Premier League.
In a return to the top flight of domestic football that coincided with the birth of the newly formed Premier League Division in 1992, Kenny Dalglish had taken Blackburn to the summit and beyond in what will go down as the most dramatic climax of the Premier League era.
During their 26 year absence from the old division one, Rovers were taken over by local steel industrialist Jack Walker who pumped millions into the Lancashire club, replacing coach Don Mackay with Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and overseeing several substantial signings that would become key to the 1995 success of the club; A 22 year old Alan Shearer joined from Southampton for £3.5 in 1992, whilst left-back Graham Le Saux and winger Stuart Ripley were signed from Chelsea and Middlesbrough respectively. With almost immediate impact Blackburn established themselves as a strong outfit, finishing fourth in 1993, before investing heavily again in Leeds United's combative midfielder David Batty, Southampton goalkeeper Tim Flowers (a then record £2million fee) and later on, Norwich City's Chris Sutton for an English transfer fee record. The 21-year old would go on to forge a prolific striking partnership with Shearer and in 1994, Rovers were pipped to first place by Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, who were champions once more, though Rover’s wait for glory would not be too long.
Off the back of their second place finish the 1994/1995 season looked promising. A solid unit of Flowers in goal, skipper Colin Hendry at centre back, Batty and Tim Sherwood in midfield and the free scoring SAS partnership of Shearer and Sutton. Blackburn found themselves playing European football in the form of the UEFA Cup but were eliminated early on, similarly frustratingly in the FA and League cup. With no cup competition to divide attentions, Dalglish managed to get his side in pole position for the penultimate game of the season, where a win would ensure the Premier League trophy's new residence in Lancashire, as opposed to Manchester. In what would be one of the greatest twists of fate, Rovers would be travelling to Anfield, where as a player and coach Dalglish was revered.
Liverpool themselves were a side struggling to re-establish themselves as the footballing power-house of the previous decade. Another Anfield and Scottish legend, Graeme Souness quit as Liverpool manager in the wake of a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Bristol City in January 1994. Roy Evans took over the reigns as manager of a side who were out of contention for any
major honours for that season but was quick to introduce fresh impetus to the reds for the 94/95campaign. Evans strengthened his side with the addition of defenders John Scales and Phil Babb as well as young striker Mark Kennedy. He also gave further first- team opportunities to youngsters Steve McManaman, Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler, whom at the time were among the hottest prospects in English football. Established players such as John Barnes, Mark Wright and Ian Rush also remained playing, to great effect.
Prior to May 14th 1995, United had been slowly reeling in Kenny Dalglish's faltering Blackburn for weeks, although Rovers' midweek win over Newcastle ensured they would go into the final weekend two points ahead of the Reds. As Shearer and Co went in search of the conclusive victory, United needed to win at Upton Park - while hoping that the leaders Blackburn Rovers imploded at Anfield to take the title.
After 20 minutes Shearer had stroked Blackburn into the lead from 12 yards out following some good wing play by Ripley. The title dream was well and truly on if Rovers could secure a win. United however, were experiencing less fortune and matters soon worsened for the Red Devils, who adopted a cautious 4-5-1 formation at Upton Park, with Michael Hughes volleying the Hammers ahead after half an hour. At half-time in both games, Blackburn were strolling to the title by five points. Shortly after the matches resumed, however, two minutes changed the face of the afternoon. Brian McClair thumped home a fine levelling header for United in the 54th minute, while almost immediately John Barnes equalised for Liverpool at Anfield.
Following that victory over Newcastle a jubilant Tim Flowers had claimed Blackburn " Have got bottle" - a reference to their belief that they could actually win the title. Their second half performance did little to echo the sentiment as the visitors now seemed too scared to lose the match. With Blackburn being held at Anfield and United level at Upton Park, a single goal - and win - for the red devils would see them pip Dalgish's men to the title by a superior goal difference. With the news reverberating around Anfield, Dalglish urged his men to pick it up. Shearer, so reliable in front of goal throughout the course of the season hastily blasted over from just eight yards as Rovers fans bit their nails in an eerily muted Anfield. With the clock ticking down in East London, Manchester United threw caution to the wind and pushed on in a bid to get the goal that would see them take their third consecutive Premier League title, but like Shearer, Andy Cole - a predator of the highest calibre around the box - was being thwarted by the Hammers’ keeper Ludek Miklosko. In what would be an unbelievable twist of fate, as the final whistle was blown on United's title aspirations, Jamie Redknapp curled home a stunning 25 yard free-kick for Liverpool. As Dalglish, his players and visiting fans looked on shell-shocked, word had now begun to filter through that United had failed to win and that their 1-1 would still see Blackburn, despite a defeat, crowned champions. The Merseysiders had done United an unlikely favour, but the Reds couldn't help themselves. As referee David Ellary contemplated blowing for time at Anfield, in what will be remembered as surreal scenes, Dalglish was informed that his men were in-fact going to be champions and just before the whistle was blown, jubilant Rovers players began their celebrations - cheered on by the Liverpool fans themselves. Cue pandemonium on the final whistle as Jack Walker, Kenny Dlaglish and the Blackburn players celebrated their Premier League crowning. The League title was back at Blackburn Rovers for the first time since 1914. Jack Walker's dream had come true: within five years of buying the club, he had taken them from strugglers in the old Second Division to champions of the Premier League.
Liverpool were to go on and finish fourth whilst also winning the Coca Cola (League) cup, whilst United's season ended in total despair as they lost out to Everton in the FA Cup final less than a week after surrendering the Premier League title.
Following his success in the dugout, Dalglish stepped aside at the end of season to become director of football and his right-hand man Ray Harford took over as manager. But under Harford, Blackburn couldn't retain their title as United regained their crown.
Their Champions League campaign, meanwhile, was a total disaster. They finished bottom of their group, with Graeme Le Saux and David Batty even coming to blows on the pitch during a 3-0 defeat at Spartak Moscow. Shearer missed much of the season with injury, and left for Newcastle at the end of it, shortly followed out of the Rovers exit door by Le Saux, Batty, Wilcox and Berg.
The team have failed to reach those heights since then and in 1999, Rovers became the first former Premier League champions to be relegated. Jack Walker died just after the start of the 2000–01, and the club dedicated its’ promotion challenge in memory of their benefactor. His statue now stands in the shadows of the Blackburn End, as a permanent tribute to Jack Walker.
Since returning to the Premier league the Lancashire men have established themselves as a top-ten side and count a Carling Cup triumph and UEFA cup qualification in their post-Walker era.
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