We should take a leaf out of the North Korean leader's book and eradicate all traces of Rupert Lowe from human memory and then after we've done that we should eradicate the OP.
I agree Beddytare, the sort of bloke that I'd love to spend an evening in the pub with. As for his radio summations .....
I remember meeting Dave as part of my work in the mid 80's when he had just taken over the youth team and a more open and genuine man would be hard to find. He told me that he was introducing a new youth regime at Saints which would not only provide a strong foundation for those players who made it in the professional game but because his own career at Burnley had been cut short he wanted to make sure that those youngsters who didn't make it also had skills to help them in other careers. He was quite innovative but more importantly he really cared about the kids. A real father figure of a man, warm hearted and supportive but also strong and determined. He reminded me of my Dad in some respects. Someone about whom you would be proud to say "That's my Dad."
I met him when I was about 13, so not really for a long conversation. Just long enough for him and his coaches to shake my hand and say 'goodbye' as I wasn't good enough to sign for saints as a schoolboy. He signed some kid called Alan Shearer instead of me that day, so although he is a really nice bloke, I'm not convinced about his talent spotting ability Nice words btw Godders and exactly how I imagine him to be.
I think the last few posts sum up Dave very well.......A nice man.....probably too easy going for the level of responsibility he was eventually to have. Being a role model for a teenager is a whole lot different than trying to get the full professionals to do things your way. Although a few of them would have known him quite well. As I said earlier he should have (Just for you Godders) stayed where he was more suited...........
Although this article was written horrifically, I do feel some of the points made are true. Cortese does seem to get a lot of credit for the running of our academy. Now whilst he has played his part in its further development, it is worth noting that many of the 'Magnificnt 7' that we have coming through at the moment were at the club long before Nicola.
