There stood a smiling Nwankwo Kanu, the man of the moment, the hero of the hour, the FA Cup winner again.
The Nigerian's scruffy 37th minute finish wouldn't go on to grace any highlight reels, but for Portsmouth fans, it was a moment to go down in folklore as they celebrated winning the trophy for the first time in 69 years. As Kanu and co lifted the cup aloft, any assumptions the club would build from here would prove spectacularly wrong.
Instead, disaster - and more specifically financial disaster - wasn't far away. Fast forward to 2012, and administrators brought in to salvage the club soon made cutting their star striker from the wage bill a priority. He agreed to leave, but did so issuing a reminder he was still owed £3 million in unpaid wages.
Legal action followed, but months later, by which time the club were hurtling towards League Two, Kanu confirmed he was dropping such action. A year afterwards, he nobly revealed why: “I can now reveal the story that has been around since I left Portsmouth," he said. "I did not ask the club for millions of pounds, I dropped the whole matter of wage money because I know the club was in big problems.
“The reason I have not returned is because I feel it is time for me to hang my boots up as a player. I will be coaching and promoting my foundation through football. The thing that makes me the most mad is that the media have got the story completely wrong. Life goes on and forgiveness is number one for me. I just enjoy life and hope the best for my former team.”
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The Portsmouth Supporters Trust finally took over the club in 2013 and Pompey were salvaged, before selling to Michael Eisner four years later. Far from tainted, Kanu's legacy at Portman Road since that walk down Wembley way remains intact, perhaps even enhanced by his unselfish gesture.
Kanu celebrates winning the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth
Kane is still an avid Arsenal fan (kingkanu4/Instagram)Few figures can finish as loved by two Premier League clubs as Kanu is though, still revered at Arsenal. After joining from Inter Milan in 1999, five years that yielded a total of 44 goals and 29 assists in 196 games, not to mention two Premier League titles, a place with the 'invincibles', and two FA Cups, have ensured that. And that's without mention of THAT 15 minute hat trick against Chelsea in October 1999, to turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 victory, that continues to frequent Sky Sports classics.
And for all his affiliation to Portsmouth, who he joined after briefly joining West Brom from North London, it is Arsenal for whom Kanu clearly still feels most tied. From iconic player to fanatic fan, his Instagram feed is dominated by Arsenal tributes and photos or videos of support.
Prior to last Saturday's game against Brentford, he uploaded a video message with the caption: "KAN U believe it? The premier league leaders @arsenal are at it today. Up Gunners you know what time it is. Arsenal Vs Brentford. Let’s get that three points today."
Arsenal have not won a Premier League title since Kanu left. The man never to be forgotten by the Highbury and then Emirates faithful, would love nothing more than that to change.
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