We all know how the story ends but, for many, it remains the most dramatic match in English football history.

Staged at Anfield but with a Hollywood script which is fitting now that Arsenal’s remarkable title triumph on May 26, 1989, has been turned into a movie.

The red carpet premiere for the film, simply called 89, is being staged at Odeon Holloway with nearly all of Arsenal’s heroes in attendance along with former manager George Graham in an 600-strong audience.

It is a brilliant movie, it has the story of the 1988/89 season with all of the twists and turns, interviews with the players, the referee and even photographers who captured the dramatic moment when Michael Thomas scored the title-clinching goal.

Just to put it into context, Liverpool were untouchable at the time.

Producer Amy Lawrence, director David Stewart, Nick Hornby, Tony Adams, Alan Smith, Paul Davis, David O'Leary, George Graham, Steve Bould, Michael Thomas, Ian Wright, Perry Groves, Alan Davies and Lee Dixon (
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Getty Images Europe)
Arsenal goal scorers Alan Smith and Michael Thomas with the Barclays trophy (
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Offside Sports Photography)
Thomas is hugged by assistant coach Theo Foley after the dramatic win (
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Offside Sports Photography)

They were the undisputed kings of English football, Graham’s young pretenders had raced clear in the title race and then nearly blew it in the final furlong.

They lost at home to Derby, were held by Wimbledon and it meant Arsenal had to go to Anfield on a Friday night, not just win but win by two clear goals in a first versus second shoot-out that has arguably never been seen before or since.

Manchester City fans will always insist Sergio Aguero’s title winning injury time goal was the best moment but they were playing QPR and it was not a winner-takes-all shoot-out.


The music brings back memories, the traffic jams on the M6 that day, even an unnamed TV pundit pulling out at the last minute with ITV calling up the then England manager Bobby Robson as a studio guest.

Lee Dixon, Ryan Rocastle and Ian Wright (
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Getty Images Europe)
Michael Thomas was the man who delivered the title (
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WireImage)


The miners, Maggie Thatcher, football of the time, it’s all in there. It’s a trip down memory lane which also includes a long and very moving sequence about Hillsborough and how that affected football and the devastation which went with the biggest tragedy English football has ever seen.

Arsenal players ran out onto the pitch with bouquets of flowers to give out to the fans.

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon even recalls making a point of heading to the Kop, where he had stood occasionally as a boy to strange looks with a blue and white Manchester City scarf.

His recollection is as clear as ever about giving his bouquet to a woman who, he says, gave him a thank you as if to say: “You can play now.”

Former manager George Graham on the red carpet in Holloway (
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Getty Images Europe)
Writer Nick Hornby of Fever Pitch fame (
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Getty Images Europe)

Football films rarely work but this one does, especially as Dixon was executive producer on the film and, from his experience of being one of TV’s best football pundits, has helped put together the movie.

The first job was for Dixon to get all the gang back together again - especially with Michael Thomas.

“Phoning up Mickey was the first one because without him we haven’t got a film,” said Dixon.

Current player Jack Wilshere and his wife Andriani Michael (
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Getty Images Europe)
Tony Adams wears an eye-catching green suit (
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WireImage)

“We got hold of virtually all of the team, there’s a couple we couldn’t get like Kevin Richardson and Nigel Winterburn is away for the premiere which is a big shame.

“You know what’s going to happen - but I think it’s got this brilliant ability, even though you know the ending, you’ve got to find a way of getting people going: ‘is he going to score?’”

The tension does run through the film even though we know the outcome. Alan Smith glancing header just after half time put Arsenal on course but the Liverpool players surrounded referee David Hutchinson to try and suggest he did not get a touch.

The dramatic victory has been made into a film (
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Bob Thomas Sports Photography)
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UniversalPlaybackTV/Youtube)

Dixon said: “There was tension about the first goal. Then you’ve got about ten Liverpool players surrounding the referee and we’re only young and I’m thinking to myself: ‘Ooh, Alan Hansen - he’s scary.’”

They overcame their nerves and Dixon admits his part in making this movie has given him the taste to do another. Dixon did not take his coaching badges but is now an erudite and articulate pundit.

“The closest I get to match day tension is being live on air, the red button behind you with the camera on during a World Cup with 20 million watching,” said Dixon who went on to win more titles under Graham and Arsene Wenger.

Former Arsenal star and pundit Alan Smith (
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Getty Images Europe)
David O'Leary arrives at the World Premiere at the Odeon (
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Getty Images Europe)

“I loved doing the film, it was fascinating and so bring on another one! Whether I could ring Pirlo in the same way… But this has been fascinating and I’ve loved being part of it.”

Arsenal legend David O’Leary is also fascinating in the movie and with his recollections about the day, Graham’s management and title winning miracle.

“We had a manager who made us believe. I thought it was going to be a big ask, but I doubted if we could win by two clear goals,” said O’Leary.

Former defender and now Arsenal assistant Steve Bould (
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WireImage)

“George was very calm. Afterwards, I remember people saying: ‘they have to go out and go for it from the first whistle.’ George’s team talk was brilliant. His message was the most important thing was not to concede.

“We got to half time, George was happy and just told us the key to winning the game was taking our chances. He knew that he had a bunch of players who were good enough to deal with the occasion even though most people thought we’d blown it.

Celebrity Gooner Alan Davies has his say in the film (
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WireImage)

“It was an amazing night. I’d played in many cup finals for Arsenal, the league is a long plod over a season and yet this game was a shoot-out, a cup final for the league title.

“I remember the following day, I flew out from Stansted to join up with Ireland and saw so many people and it was as if no-one had gone out the night before, everyone was talking about the game and watching it.

“I’d been at Arsenal for 12 years, all I’d ever heard about was how long it had been since the club had last won the title.

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UniversalPlaybackTV/Youtube)

“In a single game, a single event, I think I’d put this and scoring the penalty for Ireland in the shoot-out up there (as the best things in my career).

“I was looking straight down the pitch, could see Mickey going through, the ball bobbling on the old pitch, it took so long for it go in but then when it did and the miracle was complete.

“Manchester City fans will never agree because of Aguero, but it was first versus second, a shoot-out and live on TV, it was unique. It can’t really be matched.”

89 is available in OurScreen cinemas from November 11 and on DVD & Digital Download from November 20