“MY DAD HAD DENIS LAW, BUT CANTONA WAS OURS”
Stephen Howson, from the Stretford Paddock Youtube channel, explains what Eric means to his generation
Timing is everything, and no timing has ever been better than Eric Cantona’s arrival at Manchester United.
The chemical reaction that occurred when he met Sir Alex Ferguson, when his arrogant confidence spread to the fledglings of the youth team, hasn’t been replicated since.
Emerging from the darkness of the 1980s, United needed a spark to become a ’ 90s behemoth. Cantona was it.
Talent- wise, there have been better Premier League players. As a captain, he was no Roy Keane. But Cantona brought a certain joy to the game, mixed with his raw aggression, undeniably world- class ability, and of course, that arrogance.
He was signed at my ninth birthday party. Literally. My party was at the club museum on the day of Eric’s unveiling, which forced my festivities to be cut short. They gave me his shirt to make up for it – the shirt he held on the pitch that day.
It was my third season watching football, and I was beginning to properly understand the game. I’d had a couple of favourite players by then – Paul Ince mainly, don’t judge – but I was ready to properly fall in love with the sport… and with this club. I grew up watching Eric Cantona. I carried his confidence into school. Every collar I wore turned up.
I was 11 when he kicked Matthew Simmons, and delivered the seagulls press conference. What did it mean? Not a clue. Did I repeat it to my mum when she asked why I was in trouble at school? Yes. Did it work? Obviously not.
To Reds of a certain vintage, Cantona is God. I even took his flag to Afghanistan when I served in the armed forces. My dad had the Lawman, and the European Cup of 1968. Our uncles had the Doc’s Red Army. Cantona was ours.
I met him in 2017, and I’ve never been as nervous in my life. To explain him using stats and tactics would be like explaining love to a tin of beans. He transcends the sport. He’s a cultural figure. He told you himself, he’s not a man. He’s Cantona.