The latest edition of Subs Bench sees long-term Bristol Journalists Nigel Turner and Richard Latham talk to former Bristol City left-back Martin Scott.
Scott reflected on his part in the club’s famous Anfield victory against Liverpool in the FA Cup as part of a 25 year anniversary at Ashton Gate.
Speaking to Subs Bench, Scott was all too happy to share his thoughts on the fixture and be back at BS3:
“Twenty-five years, where’s time gone? It’s amazing really and it’s fantastic to see ex-players, supporters, club members it’s just great to be back.”
Brian Tinnion got the winning goal in their 1-0 win back in 1994, as The Robins took out a famed Liverpool side featuring the likes of Bruce Grobbelaar, Ian Rush, John Barnes and more.
“I remember the following day, after the game, driving back into Bristol and it was on the radio and everyone was excited.” He told Subs Bench.
“To actually go up there, play well and deserve to win the game with a, let’s be honest, fantastic goal that’s still being shown now. It’s fantastic to come back and relive them memories.”
The 91/92 Bristol City player of the season also relayed the story that many younger Reds fans may not be aware of.
“[It was] three games really, the first got cancelled, then the 1-1 replay and finally getting to Anfield.
“[On the first game] we were playing well – and suddenly bang! The lights go out.”
That’s right, during one their biggest games, the lights at Ashton Gate blew out, to Scott’s disbelief: “Obviously it’s happened before at different club and you think it’s going to get flicked back on, but the full box had blown up, the game's cancelled.”
He continues: “Finally we get them back, and like I said, we deserved to draw again and to get up to Anfield and play like we did, against let’s be honest, a fantastic squad of players – and we matched them.”
Some Bristol City folklore was confirmed by the ex-pro too when asked if it was true that City legend, Clive Whitehead had to light the changing rooms with candles, following the light failure.
“Exactly yeah, everything had gone down. Every bit of light.”
The Rotherham-born defender also shared a story about how his transfer to City helped his boyhood club against liquidation.
“I was a young boy at Rotherham – and I heard Bristol City had put a bid in for me. At the time, Rotherham were in liquidation so had to accept the £200,000 offer. It actually saved the club”
He also confessed: “It was funny because two or three years before, I was really close to being released. But they kept me, gave me another years contract and I developed and just by luck, I saved them. – It’s a great story.”
It’s fair to say Scott was made to feel at home once he’d arrived at BS3 and had plenty of stories to tell about his tenure here.
“I loved my time here. My first game was against Sheffield Wednesday, I’ll never forget it. My mum and Dad came down and the old chairman, Des Williams made my mum and dad so welcome.
“Actually, during the game the snow came down – and Sheffield Wednesday got snowed in that night and couldn’t leave Bristol, I couldn’t get home to Sheffield and my mum and dad stayed at Des William’s house, he was so welcoming.”
He finished by saying: “That just summed up the club at the time, it was a real family club. I loved it and the fans appreciated what type of player I was. I loved my time here.”
