What was the best football match I saw live from the 142 games I attended in 2024/25 season in all 10 tiers of the English football pyramid?
That is a question I have been asked several times and, looking back through my notebooks, first I can’t believe it was so many.
There was one ridiculously busy period when I watched eight matches in eight days and several instances of two games in a day.
I shortlisted 13 standout games, but the pick was one of the greatest-ever European nights at Old Trafford and one of the most amazing matches I have ever witnessed – one of those wow occasions when it was a privilege to be there.
Manchester United 5, Olympique Lyonnais 4
(after extra time. 2-2 after 90 minutes. United won 7-6 on aggregate)
The Reds drew 2-2 in Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final and it was 2-2 again at Old Trafford after 90 minutes forcing extra time.
When United found themselves 4-2 down with six minutes left, they were bowing out.
What followed was an extraordinary and jaw-dropping comeback as Bruno Fernandes scored a 114th minute penalty to hand them a lifeline.
Kobbie Mainoo made it 4-4 on the night in the 120th minute as a penalty shootout looked the likely outcome before Harry Maguire headed a 121st minute winner as absolute bedlam broke out as despair has become delirium in those dying minutes
Here are the other matches which will live long on my memory
Vanarama National League, play-off final
Oldham Athletic 3, Southend United 2 (after extra time).
Had I not been at the above match, this would have been for many be one of the most dramatic matches I have ever witnessed.
When Latics were 2-1 behind in the second period of extra time, it looked as though Southend were destined for a return to the EFL.
Latics then struck twice in the 110th and 112th minute to completely transform their fortunes to leave the Shrimpers stunned.
Substitutes James Norwood and Kian Harrett came up with the goals and Latics’ fans could not believe the turnabout they had witnessed.
For those of us who were around in 1992/93, comparisons could be made with the ‘Great Escape’ to avoid relegation from the Premier League, possibly the greatest-ever moment in Latics’ history.
Vanarama National League, play-off eliminator
Rochdale 3, Southend 4 (after extra time)
Rochdale looked set to reach the semi-finals when they were 3-1 ahead with 15 minutes left.
Many away sides would have thrown in the towel but not Southend whose never-say-die spirit was rewarded with an amazing fightback as they took the game into extra time where they snatched victory through a goal from substitute Charley Kendall.
Champions League, play-off
Manchester City 2, Real Madrid 3
City were 2-1 ahead with four minutes left of the first leg of their Champions League play-off and looking like heading to Spain with a slender advantage for the return.
But in the dying minutes the complexion of the tie changes completely as City old boy Brahim Diaz made it 2-2 and then in the second minute of stoppage time Jude Bellingham netted a dramatic last-gasp winner for Real.
Sky Bet League Two
Port Vale 2, Grimsby Town 2
And yet another late, late comeback.
Vale could have clinched promotion with a win and had other results gone their way.
But, with four teams battling for the three automatic promotion places, they could ill afford a slip-up but were 2-0 behind early in the second half.
Lorent Tolaj halved the deficit with 12 minutes left and then in the fifth minute of stoppage time Jesse Debrah made it 2-2 for a huge point in their third last league fixture.
Pitching In Northern Premier League, West
Stalybridge Celtic 4, Hednesford 3
Hednesford must have thought they had victory in the bag when they were 3-0 ahead after 34 minutes.
Celtic’s grit was such they were level by half-time in one of the most pulsating opening halves I have seen.
They completed the comeback in the second half with a winner from Brandon Newell.
Emirates FA Cup, third round
Manchester City 8, Salford City 0
A fascinating match as the Ammies, owned by Manchester United Class of 1992, took their side to City who recoded their biggest win in the FA Cup for 92 years.
It was a match in which City’s youngsters took centre stage as there was a 19 minute hat-trick from James McAtee and first senior goals for Divin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly.
Sky Bet Championship
Sheffield Wednesday 4, Derby County 2
Josh Windass scored from eight yards inside his own half, one of the greatest-ever goals Hillsborough has ever witnessed.
It was the second one I had seen live as John Rooney also did it for Stockport County against Rochdale.
Premier League
Manchester City 0, Tottenham 4
Rarely under Pep Guardiola have Manchester City been so ruthlessly beaten and by a struggling Spurs side.
This was City’s fifth straight loss and their worst run since 2006
Despite their wretched season, Spurs had a canny knack of winning big games, and this performance must have provided a conundrum for Ange Postecoglu as to why his side was so inconsistent when they could produce performances like this.
Izuzu FA Trophy
Curzon Ashton 2, Macclesfield FC 2 (Macc won 5-3 on penalties)
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored seconds before the end of the six minutes of stoppage time to make it 2-2 and send the game into a penalty shootout.
The Silkmen, who are one division lower in the pyramid, netted all five of their spot kicks to progresss.
North West Counties League, Premier Division
Stockport Town 3, Chadderton 2
I described this as 90 minutes of madness and mayhem.
Referee David Chisnall took centre stage sending off two players, booking 11 and sin-binning a further two for dissent.
Town were 2-0 ahead and coasting, second-placed Chadderton fought back to make it 2-2 before Keane Barugh hit a winner for Town.
Premier League
Manchester City 2, Arsenal 2
It looked as though 10-man Arsenal would pull off an epic win at the Etihad where they were reduced in numbers in the opening half when Leandro Trossard was sent off.
City eventually scored a 98th minute leveller through John Stones to leave the Gunners crestfallen after their backs-to-the-wall display.
Carabao Cup, third round
Manchester United 7, Barnsley 0
The biggest win of Erik ten Hag’s reign as Manchester United manager.
It was one of those nights when the Reds clicked in front of goal with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen all scoring two goals apiece.