In August 1999, the full-time whistle blew on Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at Highbury.
However United had it removed from simple within the closing phases, with goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw compelled off by damage.
And with Peter Schmeichel having left the membership after United’s treble triumph, the reserve goalkeeper for the Arsenal conflict was 21-year-old Nick Culkin.
The York-born shot-stopper performed for his residence membership into 1995, when he moved into United‘s youth system for a £100,000 charge. 4 years on, Culkin was making his Premier League debut at Highbury.
However instantly after the goalkeeper took his first kick of the ball – a free kick awarded for the foul on Van der Gouw – the referee blew the full-time whistle.
For Culkin, that might be his first and solely kick of a soccer within the Premier League.
After a number of mortgage spells away from Outdated Trafford, he joined Championship aspect QPR in 2002. After three seasons and 22 league appearances, he was compelled to retire as a result of a knee damage on the age of simply 26.
Culkin did return to non-league soccer in 2010, and performed for Radcliffe and Prescot Cables earlier than setting one other document.
In 2014, he joined FC United of Manchester – the membership arrange in 2006 to oppose Malcolm Glazer’s leveraged buyout takeover of Manchester United.
In enjoying for the Reds, Culkin grew to become the primary participant to make a aggressive look for each FC United and Manchester United.
After his skilled enjoying days ended, Culkin arrange his personal gardening enterprise, and instructed QPR’s official web site in 2012: “I fell into this work after serving to out a buddy a number of years in the past.
“I made a decision that I fairly loved being out within the recent air. So I set my very own enterprise up and it has taken off. I preserve gardens regularly and make them look good.”
What of his temporary Premier League bow with United? In an article for the membership’s official web site in 2019, he wrote: “Henning Berg, realizing that I’ve not had a warm-up, says to me: ‘Nick, would you like me to take the free-kick?’ Not. A. Probability. No person’s taking this away from me.
“I am considering, as I am operating on, that there will be three or 4 minutes of damage time, due to the stoppage for Raimond. ‘I will come for the whole lot. Take strain off the crew. That is my likelihood’. I used to be so assured.
“I took the purpose kick and pinged it clear, precisely the place I used to be instructed to place it. Sadly or luckily – sadly should you ask me – the sport ended instantly.
“I celebrated like we would received the World Cup. I ran off with my arm up like Alan Shearer! In my defence, the sport had been so intense, so essential, and we would simply received.”
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