Source: Daily_Mail
Sheffield United: We'll never forget what West Ham did to us
Nick Montgomery remembers the tears in the dressing room only toowell - and the burning sense of injustice over the part Carlos Tevezplayed in Sheffield United's controversial relegation from the PremierLeague two years ago.
Now, with United on the brink of reclaiming the place at the toptable that many believe was stolen from them, Montgomery admits itwould be tempting to see his club's promotion, should they clinch ittoday, as justice done.
But he insists that the two years of Premier League football he lost as a result of West Ham fielding Tevez against the regulations - and being allowed to get away with it - can never be returned.
For the 27-year-old midfielder, the injustice will remain for the rest of his career.
'I had dreamed of playing in the Premier League all my life and after one season it was snatched away,' said Montgomery. 'People say justice will be done at last if we go up but I don't think justice will ever be done.'
Montgomery and other survivors from United's last-day relegation, such as goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, captain Chris Morgan and defender Matt Kilgallon, will regain their place in the Premier League if they beat Crystal Palace - managed by their old boss at Sheffield, Neil Warnock - and Birmingham fail to beat Reading.
Added incentive - if any were needed - is the widespread belief that they should never have been relegated in the first place.
West Ham breached Premier League regulations by fielding Tevez in the battle to fend off relegation while he was owned by a third party. They may have agreed to pay £25 million compensation to United, but closure in the affair will only be reached when the Sheffield club return to the top flight.
Montgomery remembers the dressing room after United's last-day defeat to Wigan two years ago - and West Ham's victory at Manchester United, courtesy of a Tevez goal - had sealed their fate.
'It hurt so much that I couldn't read a newspaper or watch the television for weeks afterwards. I still find it difficult to talk about today,' said Montgomery. 'I dislocated my shoulder the match before but there was no way I was going to miss the Wigan game.
'I played in real pain but it was even worse at the final whistle. There were tears in the dressing room.
'We were very disappointed with the team Manchester United put out as well. They had won the title already, so rested a few players, and West Ham won the game.
'I've missed out on the last two seasons in the Premier League and in a short career like football that is a lot. We didn't pick up enough points, but everyone knows there was a massive injustice. The fact West Ham paid out the money proves that. Let's face it, if Tevez had been playing for us, we would have stayed up.'
If anyone typifies United's spirit to bounce back, it is midfield enforcer Montgomery. He had to leave his home-town club Leeds at 16 after glandular fever spoiled his chances of getting picked ahead of the big stars Leeds were signing at the time.
He suffered a dislocated ankle soon after arriving in Sheffield and then contracted meningitis.
But he came through to help the club win promotion, playing alongside the likes of Phil Jagielka - now with Everton but United's biggest cheerleader from the sidelines.
Despite the heartbreak of missing out on the FA Cup final because of a cruciate injury, Jagielka has not forgotten his old team-mates and Montgomery says he is doing everything he can to encourage their efforts to return to the top flight.
Montgomery said: 'I have known Jags since we were 16. We are still very close. Every game for the last couple of months he has been texting and calling, giving support for the lads. It will definitely soften the blow for him being injured if we do go up. He can't come down to Selhurst Park to cheer us on but he will be watching on TV.
'He texted me the night after the injury, saying he had done his cruciate. I was gutted for him but the Everton lads will do everything they can by winning the Cup for him, and we'll do our best, too.'
United still need Reading to do them a favour if they are going to clinch the second automatic promotion spot but Montgomery is determined his side will do their bit.
'There has been no pressure on us because we've been doing the chasing rather than being out in front,' he said. 'I'm sure those players who played in the Wigan game will give each other a quiet look and make sure we'll give it everything.'
