To be honest olddellboy, I kind of don't like mentioning things like that, simply because I don't like to brag about things. Being of a certain generation when enjoyment was not about sitting in front of a computer or TV screen (was about 14 before we had one of those). We were out playing football practically every night didn't matter that it was dark we played under the street lights. During the summer it was cricket. I was lucky to live opposite Peter Sainsbury he showed me how to spin the ball. I developed what he taught me into a finger spin. So I could spin the ball both ways including what they used to call a googly. Was set to go down to the county ground to play for the colts but broke two fingers and my thumb in a school match, trying to catch a ball, on my right hand (although I finished the game out and batted) went to hospital the next day cause it still hurt. Well you just got on with things in those days but it did finish my cricket career. 18 months later was in the forces anyway. Played against Johnny Sydenham I think it was at Aldershot, (could have been civil service ground Pompey though) Army versus Navy, Maybe two weeks before he signed professional for Saints. So yes have been around a few of the professionals in my time. I was given the opportunity of playing professional at one time but chose the forces instead. Well in those days you didn't make the kind of money you do today.....
Met Franny and Matt in the corporate section at St Mary's. Met Jason Dodd, Franny , Matt and Mark Dennis at a book signing in Waterstones. Got presented with a replica FA Cup 76 shirt for winning a competition around the release of the cult heroes, made memorable by Mark Dennis chatting up my missus who then turned to me and said who's the old guy who thinks he's all that ......priceless Going back to the late seventies also met Lawrie Mac in the car park of the dell when going to get some tickets ....proper gent stopped and had a good old chat with me dad, me didnt say a word totally star struck! Also many years ago in Southsea almost had a bit of rumpus in a bar with Daryl Powell (pompey player), he thought he could get away with being a bit touchy with my mine and my mates girls at the time .....should have seen his face when my mate who is 6 foot 6" offered to teach him some manners!!!
I saw James Beattie at UCI Ocean Village once. I thoroughly embarrassed my girlfriend by going over and shaking hands! I used to taxi drive from the airport so seen a few ex saints before; used to drive slower so I could chat for longer! Le Tiss, Leandre Griffit, Beattie, Delap among others. But the best one was the day before Jason Dodds testimonial when my fare to the Dolphin Hotel was Mark Hughes, Viv Anderson and Dennis Erwin. After dropping them off, Hughes said to Erwin - "go on then; pay the man!" - that made me laugh. He did tip a tenner. When I was about 15 I met John Corbett quite a few times and spent time with him admiring his 1976 memorabilia.........unfortunately at the time, I didn't really know who he was or what he had done for the club. I used to serve behind a bar in Warsah and saw Glenn Cockerill, Gordon Strachan and Alan Ball a few times; all very nice people. WGS can still be seen in Hamble sometimes.
I used to be Ken Wimshurst and Eric Martins paper boy when they lived in Ethelbert Avenue, that was a long time ago and neither tipped me at Christmas! Not that I hold it against them....
When I was about 10 or 11 we had family friends who were also friends with Mick Channon, only met him once and completely froze, I turned into a bumbling idiot and I think I hid behind the sofa!
I lived next door to Tommy Trayner until he sadly died a couple of years ago - liked his ice cream from the ice cream van if I remember - nice bloke.
I have met the Liverpool 90 squad, Everton 91, Norwich 89 (All at the CRest hotel Eastleigh)Met them all and had a kick about with Norwich when they trained at Flemming Park in Eastleigh. Nice's player I ever met was Jamie Rednapp when he first signed for Liverpool I asked for his autograph and he stopped and chatted with me and a mate for about 10 mins. Met Franny - Kevin Moore, Jason Dodd. Met the whoe of Saints team in about 89 - 91. Spoke to Neil Ruddock (Very funny bloke). Also took the mick out of Craig Short a few weeks after Ruddock floored him. Notts County played Romsey Town in a friendly. Never met Le tiss - but a mate of mine said hello to him when we were kids in Tesco and Matt told him to F*** off. (Not sure how true that was).
I went on the piss with Paul Mariner a few times around 1990.He was playing in the USA where I was living at the time. My next door neighbour played and Mariner came down our local whenever he was iin town. Apart from being a Skate, he was a decent funny guy, who loved a drink and heavy rock music. Good memories.........
I remember seeing him blast a penalty kick almost out of the ground at Portman Road for Ipswich once against us. Not his finest moment but he was a useful player.
I once met Peter Shilton, I gave him 20p for a cup of tea as I didn't quite have enough for the Big Issue.
I Remember years back when I was visiting family in England . I was in a shopping center in Southampton (can't for the death of me remember what it was called.. I do remember a pizza hut and a Southampton FC store if that helps ring any bells) and I was pushing my brother in his pram, as I was leaving a grocery store Matthew le Tissier casually held the door open for me. I looked him straight in the eyes and said "cheers mate" and I still didn't realize who it was until about 5 minutes later! If it wasn't for my baby brother I would of gone rushing back into the store to get an autograph
Got a shirt signed by Tiss and Gordon strachan, unfortunatly Strachen did his signature in biro and it come off. Still got Tiss's though! And i walked past Lallana at hengistbury head, but i didn't wanna ask if it was actually him...
Hey Stegie nice to see you on here.....Welcome to the Saints site. Am coming over to your part of the world in October am staying in Maloolaba for a few weeks. Visiting my brother in Malaney and my sisters in Brisbane near the hospital and I have one at "the Gap". Anywhere near you? Blimey it must be about two in the morning where you are, on the night shift?
top bloke and when he was a pro, I used to have to make a seperate pot of tea for him after training, because he didn't wantg sugar in his and the big pot always had sugar in it. Top fella.
Unfortunately, having lived away from the south coast for most of my life I have never met any Saints players personally. My claim to fame was that Bobby Moore spent the evening at my local when I lived in Blofield, Norwich. He was the prize in a competition, or at least, one of them. A mate entered a competition and the prize was for a sportsman of your choice off the list provided would spend the evening with you. No, not like that you naughty beggers. Anyway, he won and asked Bobby Moore to spend the evening at our pub in Blofield. So Booby Moore came to a village boozer for the evening. What a gentleman. Tall, elegant, modest. Played, and lost at pool against allcomers, answered all our stupid questions, shook hands, signed autographs etc.. I am just old enough to have watched him lift the world cup but, in a way, that evening was almost better. Thanks, Bobby. R.I.P.
Thanks mate good to finally be on the new Forum. As for The Gap in Brisbane, that's about a 5 minute drive from my house! Be sure to check out 'The Gap Tavern' good food and drink if i remember rightly.
