Technically one of the most under rated players of all time. You knew that when the ball was humped up to him, you had a chance. He was a master of not only winning the header, but finding a man with it.
A hell of a lot better with his feet than some gave him credit for anorl. Not a bad goalie, certainly better than a few we've had recently. Not a very good manager but see above
Fave Quinn goal anyone? For the occasion of course the towering header at Sid James, but one against Chester in league cup, chest and wallop. As said above, never got the credit for his tekkers. Diamond of a player, diamond of a fella. Legend is correct.
When we signed him I thought he was a plank. He proved me wrong. Very very good on the floor, and a good footballing brain. Really nice man as well by all accounts. Mate was out with his wife in a pub down South when they saw Quinny and his wife having a meal. Before my mate knew it his wife went over and asked for his autograph. Mate said he was cringeing at the stupidity of their lass interrupting a bloke having a meal, but Quinny didn't bat an eyelid put his cutlery down and gave her the autograph and told the barman to buy mate and his wife a drink on him.
Just watched the 98-99 season review again, and I didn't really appreciate his touch in and around the box phenomenal, oh for a Quinn/Philips duo again. Happy Birthday big fella.
Thats not even got his best goal on there. Cant remember who it was against - possibly Sheffield Utd or Tranmere? - but Quinny lobbed the keeper from about 30 yards on the right hand side. He wheeled away celebrating before it had even gone past the keeper. Edit: port Vale and not from 30 yards, still ****ing class though.
Doesn’t surprise me at all. I used to work on bars in city centre in those days, SAFC lads would come in, Quinn always paid with a £20 note and was always ‘keep the change’, whether it was a round or a bottle of water. Dichio was the same, except he was wild, middle of the dance floor, good lad, enjoyed himself. £20 tip (or part of...) was a lot to a lad earning £120 week, he might have bought multiple rounds and doubled your pay. Wasn’t being flash, was being a gent (or maybe he was smashed, ha). Goes a long way, I mean we all know what he did with his testimonial money, we all know he found the club owners. Top, top man.
Have you read his book? It was actually just simplicity. He headed it towards the penalty spot from wherever he was. Told Phillips that and the rest, as they say, is history!! agree mind, so technically gifted and massively underrated
I've got a birthday present for him, my mother in law's met him and she said he was the handsomest man she'd ever met. Unknown how many G&Ts were under her belt at the time.
As I understand it, the man himself doesn’t get on here but his dad is a registered member on the forum. So if he could wish the great man a happy birthday from me it would be appreciated. Cheers Niall Quinn’s Dad.
Quinn and Phillips were just perfect for each other, I haven't read his book but it's interesting that you say that about penalty spot. I imagine he could have said that to most strikers in the league but they wouldn't have been there and have the control and finishing that Phillips had to bury it. Equally as we saw in the rest of his career not many could play the target man to compliment Phillips game either. They were that good together Bridges had to move to Leeds and play in Europe to get a game.
My uncle got talking to him at some business do. Said to him "my nephew's a big fan, would you sign something for him" so Quinny signed a menu but it seems he had the impression that I was about 8. I was about 33 at the time.
Met him in Singapore about five years ago where he was commentating on a football tournament. The next day met him again on a train. Told him that he was stalking me! Prior to that though when we emigrated in 2007 he arranged for our then six year old son to be the team mascot when we played Blackburn Rovers. I can honestly say that he’s one of the nicest blokes I’ve met.
