Eric Cantona is the gift that just keeps on giving
Eric Cantona on stage with Justice Tonight this week Should I stay or should I go? Thats what Eric Cantona thought 15 years ago in Manchester. He decided to go, choosing to walk out of United and football after a brilliant, controversial career.
On Monday at the Stone Roses concert in the Lyon Roman amphitheatre, Cantona stood on stage with Mick Jones from The Clash and sang, Should I stay or should I go?
The crowd loved it and Rock the Casbah too, the Stone Roses loved it and the Liverpool supporters in Justice Tonight loved it.
Justice Tonight is a collective comprising Jones, Pete Wylie from the Mighty Wah! and The Farm. They exist to campaign for justice for the families of the 96 killed at Hillsborough.
They are again supporting the Stone Roses at Heaton Park this Sunday, though another Cantona cameo is unlikely. Then again, you never know whats coming next with Cantona.
That a United legend was supporting the Hillsborough campaign may surprise, but it went down well on Merseyside. The Anfield club issued a tweet saying: He broke our hearts in 96 but tonight Eric Cantona got up on stage at a Justice gig in Lyon and showed his support for the 96. Respect.
Sheila Coleman, of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign said: Were thrilled by Cantonas support. Ian Brown from the Stone Roses is also a big supporter and the campaign is going from strength to strength. It shows the justice issue transcends any city or football rivalries.
Peter Hooton was on stage with Cantona in Lyon. The Farms leader singer said: As a Liverpool fan Ive always had a grudging respect for Cantonas ability. I told him that I could never forgive for the 96 cup final, but that I had the utmost respect for his gesture of support which transcends football rivalries. ! Mick Jon es said Cantona is more interested in people than football tribalism. Mick calls him a Man of the People.
Music finds it easier to transcend those rivalries. Liverpool bands have always been well supported in Manchester and vice versa. We can at least acknowledge that some Scousers make decent music.
United and Liverpool footballers are not taught to like each other, but bred to beat the enemy and thats how their managers like it. They dont want a love-in or back-slapping, but the will to win. Cantona is no longer a player, so he can step back from that, but his legacy endures.
Others played more games, scored more goals or won more trophies, but Cantonas star appeal exceeds almost all and United fans still sing his name with gusto more than any other former player.
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Cantona started 184 games for United in just under five years at the club, a figure which does not even put him in the top 100 appearance makers at Old Trafford. He made one appearance as a sub, his debut against Manchester City. When everyone saw how good he was, there was no need for him to be sub again. Cantona scored 82 goals, a third of Sir Bobby Charltons total, yet fans chant his name more than more decorated players.
Perhaps it was because Cantona was different, a team player, but someone who thought for himself off the field. Not for him the tired cliches like to be fair to the lads or even now, paying lip service ! and pret ending that alls well with the Glazers.
He speaks his mind, even when its not fashionable to do so. He goes on stage with Liverpool fans when some United fans must be wondering what hes doing. Its Erics life, Erics choice.
Cantona remains box office. Films are made about him and with him, theatres fill to see him perform live, football clubs recruit him when they want the coolest front man around, a man as at ease sitting on a kings throne as in a slum.
He stars at global conferences. I saw him charm an audience of big names recently. Asked if he liked being called an artist, he replied. I prefer that people call me that than bourgeois.
He speaks beautifully, too. Asked why hed described his greatest moment as a pass and not a goal, he said: Why a pass? Its the gift you get or the gift you give. Its pleasure to offer something. Its better to give than to receive.
Cantona is the gift that keeps on giving, something even Liverpool fans now agree with.
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On Monday at the Stone Roses concert in the Lyon Roman amphitheatre, Cantona stood on stage with Mick Jones from The Clash and sang, Should I stay or should I go?
The crowd loved it and Rock the Casbah too, the Stone Roses loved it and the Liverpool supporters in Justice Tonight loved it.
Justice Tonight is a collective comprising Jones, Pete Wylie from the Mighty Wah! and The Farm. They exist to campaign for justice for the families of the 96 killed at Hillsborough.
They are again supporting the Stone Roses at Heaton Park this Sunday, though another Cantona cameo is unlikely. Then again, you never know whats coming next with Cantona.
That a United legend was supporting the Hillsborough campaign may surprise, but it went down well on Merseyside. The Anfield club issued a tweet saying: He broke our hearts in 96 but tonight Eric Cantona got up on stage at a Justice gig in Lyon and showed his support for the 96. Respect.
Sheila Coleman, of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign said: Were thrilled by Cantonas support. Ian Brown from the Stone Roses is also a big supporter and the campaign is going from strength to strength. It shows the justice issue transcends any city or football rivalries.
Peter Hooton was on stage with Cantona in Lyon. The Farms leader singer said: As a Liverpool fan Ive always had a grudging respect for Cantonas ability. I told him that I could never forgive for the 96 cup final, but that I had the utmost respect for his gesture of support which transcends football rivalries. ! Mick Jon es said Cantona is more interested in people than football tribalism. Mick calls him a Man of the People.
Music finds it easier to transcend those rivalries. Liverpool bands have always been well supported in Manchester and vice versa. We can at least acknowledge that some Scousers make decent music.
United and Liverpool footballers are not taught to like each other, but bred to beat the enemy and thats how their managers like it. They dont want a love-in or back-slapping, but the will to win. Cantona is no longer a player, so he can step back from that, but his legacy endures.
Others played more games, scored more goals or won more trophies, but Cantonas star appeal exceeds almost all and United fans still sing his name with gusto more than any other former player.
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Cantona started 184 games for United in just under five years at the club, a figure which does not even put him in the top 100 appearance makers at Old Trafford. He made one appearance as a sub, his debut against Manchester City. When everyone saw how good he was, there was no need for him to be sub again. Cantona scored 82 goals, a third of Sir Bobby Charltons total, yet fans chant his name more than more decorated players.
Perhaps it was because Cantona was different, a team player, but someone who thought for himself off the field. Not for him the tired cliches like to be fair to the lads or even now, paying lip service ! and pret ending that alls well with the Glazers.
He speaks his mind, even when its not fashionable to do so. He goes on stage with Liverpool fans when some United fans must be wondering what hes doing. Its Erics life, Erics choice.
Cantona remains box office. Films are made about him and with him, theatres fill to see him perform live, football clubs recruit him when they want the coolest front man around, a man as at ease sitting on a kings throne as in a slum.
He stars at global conferences. I saw him charm an audience of big names recently. Asked if he liked being called an artist, he replied. I prefer that people call me that than bourgeois.
He speaks beautifully, too. Asked why hed described his greatest moment as a pass and not a goal, he said: Why a pass? Its the gift you get or the gift you give. Its pleasure to offer something. Its better to give than to receive.
Cantona is the gift that keeps on giving, something even Liverpool fans now agree with.
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