Another filler thread while we wait for the Reading game. What is your favourite football quote? I will nick the famous Danny Blanchflower quote because I think it sums up the Spurs way: “Football is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom” We are a bit light on funny football characters in the modern game the likes of Bill Shankley: To Tommy Smith after he'd turned up for training with a bandaged knee - 'Take that **** bandage off, and what do you mean YOUR knee, it's LIVERPOOL'S knee!'
‘It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory.’ Obvious one that But for comedy it would probably be Ian Holloway: Reporter: Where were you beaten today? Holloway: On that big green rectangle over there. (something like that)
oh oh oh! No my absolute fave was David Pleat in the Arsenal champions leage final: "The sight is within end" Brilliantly stupid but even better was that he said it just as Barcelona scored
PLEATISMS! Clive Tyldesly: "Well, we have a Spanish referee for this all English encounter" Pleat: "Yes, well it is hot"
I can think of a couple, Dalian Atkinson: " if I hadn't joined Aston Villa, I wouldn't be where I am today" Exchange between Jimmy Hill & Terry Venables at half time during an England game. JH: " Come on Terry, don't keep sitting on the fence, what do you think England's chances are?" TV: I think they're 50/50"
The veteran commentator Ken Wolstenholme: That pass was so good it beat the player it was intended for And now both teams are playing for a draw - except Chelsea of course. In response to hearing that Raith Rovers had beaten a big club in the cup someone on BBC said "there will be dancing in the streets of Raith tonight" - some of you might need to do some research to understand that one (Raith is not a place - they play in Kirkcaldy).
Brilliant Another great Ronism: After a player had 'gone down injured' dived, We don't need a physio just get a Drama Critic.
Ian Rush's "I couldn't settle in Italy, it was like living in a foreign country" always brings a smile and I like the 'Arry Redknapp one after we kept missing penalties, saying the ref might as well just give the opposition a goalkick.
One of my favourite quoters is the legendary Gordon Strachan... "When he [Claus Lundekvam] was carried off at Leicester someone asked me if he was unconscious. I said I didn't have a clue. He's always like that!....." Reporter: So, Gordon, in what areas do you think Middlesbrough were better than you today? Strachan: What areas? Mainly that big green one out there.... Its an incredible rise to stardom. At 17 you're more likely to get a call from Michael Jackson than Sven Goran Eriksson. On Wayne Rooney Reporter: This might sound like a daft question, but you'll be happy to get your first win under your belt, won't you? Strachan: You're right. It is a daft question. I'm not even going to bother answering that one. It is a daft question, you're spot on there. "I tried to get the disappointment out of my system by going for a walk. I ended up 17 miles from home and I had to phone my wife, Lesley to come and pick me up." Reporter: Bang, there goes your unbeaten run. Can you take it? Strachan: No, I'm just going to crumble like a wreck. I'll go home, become an alcoholic and maybe jump off a bridge. Umm, I think I can take it, yeah. Reporter: Gordon, Do you think James Beattie deserves to be in the England squad? Strachan: I dont care, I'm Scottish! Reporter: "Gordon, can we have a quick word please?" Strachan: "Velocity" [then Gordon walks off]
Bill Shankly team talk prior to a Liverpool Man U match 'Alex Stepney,' Shanks began. 'A flapper of a goalkeeper. Hands like a Teflon frying pan - non-stick. Right back, Shay Brennan. Slow on the turn, give him a roasting. Left back is Tony Dunne. Even slower than Brennan. He goes on an overlap at twenty past three and doesn't come back until a quarter to four. Right half, Nobby Stiles. A dirty little -beep-. Kick him twice as hard as he kicks you and you'll have no trouble with him.' 'Bill Foulkes, a big, cumbersome centre half who can't direct his headers. He had a head like a sheriff's badge, so play on him. Paddy Crerand. Slower than steam rising off a dog turd. You'll bypass him easily.' The Liverpool players felt as if they were growing in stature with his every word. 'David Sadler,' Shanks continued. 'Wouldn't get a place in our reserves. And finally, John Aston. A chicken, hit him once and you'll never hear from him again. As the manager finished his demolition job on United, Emlyn Hughes raised his hand. 'That's all very well, boss,' he said, 'but you haven't mentioned George Best, Denis Law or Bobby Charlton.' Shanks turned on him. 'You mean to tell me we can't beat a team that has only three players in it?' he said, glowering.
Shankly to Tommy Smith who walked in with a bandage on his knee..."Get that ****s bandage off...what do you mean 'your' knee...its Liverpools knee!
