Ask most West Ham United supporters to name their favourite goal in the Club’s history and Paolo Di Canio’s outrageous volley against Wimbledon in March 2000 will be a popular answer.
The Italian took to the air to send Trevor Sinclair’s dropping diagonal cross arrowing past Dons goalkeeper Neil Sullivan and into the corner of the net.
It was THE standout moment among many standout moments for Di Canio in a Claret and Blue shirt, and one Di Canio himself never tires of recalling - and he is sure to do so again when Club London presents ‘Icons’ with Lilley Plummer Risks at The Indigo at The O2 on Tuesday 2 December.
“A quarter-of-a-century on, people still talk about the acrobatic volley that I scored against Wimbledon,” he confirmed. “As strikers, we used to remain out there on the training pitches at Chadwell Heath, working seriously hard, practicing our attacking runs and ensuring that we arrived at just the right time to score a goal.
“We’d work out exactly where we wanted to put the ball, too. Near post? Far post? High into the top corner? Low into the bottom of the net? Then, for the last five minutes, we’d practice scoring the most spectacular goal that we could ever possibly imagine. Everyone just did what they wanted - it was invent what you like. Back-flicks, bicycle-kicks, trying to fly with both feet off the ground, anything went…
“If you practice, practice, practice, then things will remain in your brain just like when you’re at school having to write something time and time again.
“Against Wimbledon, it was all about the fantastic ball that Trevor Sinclair delivered to me from out on the right wing over by the Chicken Run. His millimetre-perfect cross gave me the opportunity to decide whether to kill the ball and take on the opponents standing in front of me. Or try the shot that I always used to practice week after week at the end of those training sessions?
“The conditions were perfect, the sun wasn’t in my eyes, and Trevor’s pass meant that the ball was exactly where I needed it to be for a right-footed volley with both feet off the ground.
“It certainly wasn’t easy with the angle, and I only had a few centimetres to hit the ball past the opponent in front of me with the outside of my boot, but the timing was exactly right to create that shot, and, as Martin Tyler - the Sky Sports commentator - said: ‘It was a moment of striking perfection.’
“Yes, it was a very good goal in my opinion, too, and I hope that special goal still lives in everyone’s memory, too.”
Di Canio will join Dean Ashton, Stuart Pearce and hosts Tony Gale and Josh Denzel on stage for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of football, entertainment and premium hospitality.
Club London presents ‘Icons’ is selling fast, so don’t miss out on a night in the presence of true West Ham greats.
Standard Admission is priced at just £99, and Kings Row seats are priced at just £199.
VIP packages include premium West Ham United Club London hospitality, kicking-off with a welcome reception and meet-and-greet with legends, a three-course gourmet meal with unlimited drinks, entertainment, an exclusive auction of one-off memorabilia and experiences and a VIP after-party.
VIP Tables are priced at £5,400 for ten guests, or you can enhance your night by sharing a Legend Table with your heroes for £7,500 or £10,200.
Don’t miss Club London ‘Icons’ this December by securing your place or table HERE.
All prices are inclusive of VAT. This event is open to supporters aged 18 and over.
