Did they explicitly sack him because of his views though? or was it more of a case they were remodelling the show and his views maybe didn’t help him but weren’t the main reason, given that they got rid off all but Merson (why) and Stelling at the same time. Sidenote but Soccer Saturdays production last weekend was a disasterclass, wrong graphics all over the place, technical issues, plus boring pundits. Looks very cheap these days, BT/TNTs equivalent blows it out of the water.
So a very quick precis of the evening SRL- a true underdog story. Told of his time being rejected by Liverpool as a youth, his tour of the Northern small clubs and rejection after rejection. Told how one of the managers begged the chairman for a contract as Rickie was actually losing money and needed to pick up more factory work to afford to live. Credits Pardew for his career taking off. Said he came to Saints and Pardew called him into his office and told him to lift his top. Pointing at his belly Pardew said "that's ****ing disgusting, you're supposed to be a professional footballer" and how Rickie then went on a 3x a day training regime. Spoke of Cortese, said that whilst he wasn't a particularly nice bloke he should take full credit for getting Saints in to the PL. Wanted the club to act and present as a PL club even in league 1. Stated most of the squad were furious when Nige was binned but surprisingly some were happy (didn't name names) He didn't want Poch and didn't know who he was, said he changed his mind within about 5 minutes of meeting him. Apparently the manager who had the most detail and concepts out of all he worked with. Stated that Cortese's son let slip that NC wanted to move him on/replace him. Apparently the kid was about 10 and would hang around the players. Said to SRL "My dad wants to buy a new striker. Someone like you but who can run" He's completing his coaching badges and said he'd love to manage Saints one day. Had all the time in the world for the fans at the end. A genuinely lovely bloke and clearly loves the club. A true model of ****ing hard work and resilience. I wish I'd brought Mini Lincoln as thats a story young men need to hear. Oh, and he smells lovely.
Beattie- Credits his Dad with everything. Says his Dad was a lorry driver and remortgaged the family home twice in order to put him through private school. Says he wasn't sure he wanted to be a footballer, but his Dad gave him the options. His Dad was a bit of a union man who negotiated him a contract rather than being on the YTS. Found out after his Dad passed away that his Dad had done the same for other youth players, but had kept it quiet. Was surprised at being transferred to Saints as was starting to break through to the Blackburn first team. Found the Saints strange as the team seemed so relaxed about relegation. Was told "relax, we do this all the time, we'll put a run together soon " Did not want to be transferred to Everton. Was really disappointed when Redknapp told him he was going to free up funds. Both him and Le Tiss laughed at who he was replaced with. Thinks Redknapp's a prick. Spoke about his time in the England squad. Said it was very clique, Beckham was the only one who was nice. Said England players at the time were selfish and wouldn't work as a team in games (paraphrasing here, but Lampard was one named) Currently working towards relevant coaching badges with a view to management. Asked if he would manage Saints, answer was unequivocal. He said he will manage Saints. Not that he wants to, not that it'd be nice, but one day he will. Which I think is ****ing brilliant. Again top bloke, little smaller in real life then I'd imagined, but he was our striker when I was really starting to get in to my football so he seemed like a proper grown up who I tried to copy, down to the frosted tips on my hair
MLT- Was really worried about this one. Was worried he was going to go full wibble. Not at all. Still our ****ing legend. Most of what he said has already been reported a 1000 times so wont kick the arse out of this one. Told some quality stories about some of the players in the 80s. Apparently Vinny Jones was kicking players all over the league, until Mr Case introduced himself. Spoke about last season. Really wasn't impressed, said it looked like the players downed tools and didn't care (hard agree here) Spoke that modern football is in danger of becoming really boring because everyone plays to a system and individuality is unwelcome. Says the days of high scoring games will be all but over at PL level. Finds it bizarre that Stu Armstrong has been sidelined as believes he's our most dynamic player. Didn't cover the sky sports stuff, was mainly just foil to the other 2 lads. Could tell he was very comfortable on the after dinner circuit. . Oh, as a final point Rickie really didn't want the no.7 shirt, thought it'd be too much pressure!
You're welcome mate. Mrs Lincoln bought tickets ages ago as a surprise for me, so we had a rare date night. She's grown to love the Saints, mainly because it means she gets child free Saturdays, and wonky Saint is ****ing hard work! but she sat through it and really enjoyed it too, mainly for the gossip.
Cheers for that Lincs. Really enjoyed that mate. We must be of a similar age too as Beatts was banging them in when I started going. That celebration against the skates was epic. Hard to put into words just how much I love Rickie. Think I'd turn into a giggling teenage girl if I ever actually saw him and I'm a bloke in my 30s ffs
Mate, I'm straight with a Mrs and kids, but Rickie is genuinely a ridiculously handsome man, tall, charismatic. Its ****ing sickening to be honest He was a real gentleman with the fans, took time to sign my 125 anniversary shirt (along with the others) and was really chatty. I thanked him for providing us with the best of times as a Saints fan, he said if we enjoyed it, imagine what it was like for him. Said it was the time of his life. The man deserves every success in the world, given the state of some of the prima donnas in our club at the moment, they'd be advised to listen to his speech to see how many times he was close to failing. How hard he ****ing worked to play for Liverpool before being a dickhead about getting a move at 18.... I hope he becomes a coach and becomes ridiculously successful, he truly deserves it.
You have to pay the Echo lots of money to get this kind of insight, the fact is you still don't get any! Great stuff, it's just what I like to hear...
Thanks mate, great read. There is only one Rickie Lambert. Will always be my favourite ever saints player, it’s impossible to top what he did for us and the story. I was almost in tears when he scored for England
As a Welshman, I have never cheered an England goal…but I was celebrating like a mad man when our Rickie scored!!!
Matt mentioned that Jimmy Case would introduce himself and clatter players that were clattering the youngsters in his autobiography Taking Le Tiss. Matt also mentioned that in one game he was having a bit of trouble with Stuart Pearce. He said to Jimmy "Did you see that ?. Jimmy replied "Not today son'.
If you have not read Matt's Autobiography Taking Le Tiss I can thoroughly recomnend it. That reminds me I need to get Franny Benali's
