- Jun 5, 2004
- 32,221
- 64,290
- Staff
- #1
As the sun shone through the graffiti on the bus stop glass, I thought that no day could be better to meet some of the men that I hurled both love and abuse at (often within the space of 5 minutes). I hopped on the 167 to meet the two fated to spend a lunch time with me - the poor souls – and the Tottenham Hotspur players – Those Spurs, What A Crew!
Armed with a pocket full of pens, all stolen from various workplaces, and a shiny new Reporter’s Pad (purchased from Chigwell’s finest post office) I was ready to make the short journey in NTG’s car down Luxborough Lane and to the haunt of my heroes.
[al]
[/al]It was at this point that the sun hid itself away behind a flock of grey clouds that were to become a swarm. Ironically it was the chosen three who, having walked up to the man plonked in the booth by the car park barrier, were the first people to sign anything that day – to allow us access to the hidden world of the Lodge.
We were ushered in eventually by a pretty young thing. Marketing type – you know the sort – clipboard-carrying, long flowing blonde hair. She sat us down in what appeared to be a makeshift reception adjacent to where the players have their lunch. We waited as various suited and less-suited people walked through and into the world beyond reception, spying the odd player walk past outside. And leave.
[ar]
[/ar] First Hutton, in his shiny red vehicle, then Robbo in his big ol’ 4 x 4 and then my heart sank as my Steed did hop in his car and go too. TT also left, as did Woodgate – and I feared that we would just be left with my pal Adel Taarabt :-?
Then, one of the doors to reception opened and in sprung a tall, friendly figure. Gus! The three of us sat dumbstruck as he offered us a “Hi, ch’u OK?” in his unique, Uruenglish accent. We all nodded as if we had just met the Queen.
Our blonde Marketing gal returned, this time with a guy from the Press Office who was to take us to our Keane. By this stage we had unpacked our award and various objects ready for signing and were ready to drill the Press Officer for answers.
[al]
[/al]
After pleasantries, I made as many different attempts at weaning out just what the regime change had brought us and whether all the spin about our players being that overweight, was just, well, spin. Our friend confirmed that the diets were all brand new – information not new to any forum regular – and that Ramos and Alvarez were indeed shocked at the physical state of some of the members of our squad, though names were not named. Delving a bit further we asked if the players were still on double-shifts, to which we were told that they were not and have not been for a while.
[ar]
[/ar]Transfer speculation is well out of the hands of anyone who basically isn’t one of the top cahoonas too. The Press Office comment on stuff as and when they get passed information, which is very low down the chain (from what he was saying). I asked if this was a Juande change too – a tighter ship. I also asked whether it was anything to do with Kelmsley’s departure. Alas, a well dodged question – to which you can read in to what you like. I certainly did. :wink:
As the players started walking across the Lodge Courtyard (as I shall name it, it probably isn’t called that) we started to grab them and ask them for photos and signatures, and even a throw-away question or a simple “how are you?”
Our confidence grew as more players came over and at last our man appeared from the changing rooms. He was more diminutive than I’ve ever really noticed (despite seeing him play 30 odd games), and quite shy too. Although, I would be in awe at meeting me for the first time. :wink: He introduced himself to all of us and accompanied it with a firm, hearty handshake – as if we didn’t know who he was! He was very good natured about the whole thing, seemed chuffed to bits with his award and was even joking about the site after I asked him to “have a look around on it”.
So as those grey clouds now dominated proceedings we sensed it was time to go. After Gilberto had done his autographing and photo duties, we were swiftly ushered out by those in charge of us and then the heavens opened.
[al]
[/al]We sprinted back to the car as were covered in the sky’s contents, having gathered pictures and signatures from Gareth Bale, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon, Marcus Alvarez, Robbie Keane, Jamie O’Hara and The Gilly Bizzle himself (Gilberto).
On a different (and sunnier) day we’d have probably had a lot more time to mill about and get some more signatures and stuff. As it was, I was more than happy with meeting Keano and posing in a picture with him.
I’ll hug you one day, Steed. I’ll hug you one day ...
Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll happily try and respond.
Armed with a pocket full of pens, all stolen from various workplaces, and a shiny new Reporter’s Pad (purchased from Chigwell’s finest post office) I was ready to make the short journey in NTG’s car down Luxborough Lane and to the haunt of my heroes.
[al]
We were ushered in eventually by a pretty young thing. Marketing type – you know the sort – clipboard-carrying, long flowing blonde hair. She sat us down in what appeared to be a makeshift reception adjacent to where the players have their lunch. We waited as various suited and less-suited people walked through and into the world beyond reception, spying the odd player walk past outside. And leave.
[ar]
Then, one of the doors to reception opened and in sprung a tall, friendly figure. Gus! The three of us sat dumbstruck as he offered us a “Hi, ch’u OK?” in his unique, Uruenglish accent. We all nodded as if we had just met the Queen.
Our blonde Marketing gal returned, this time with a guy from the Press Office who was to take us to our Keane. By this stage we had unpacked our award and various objects ready for signing and were ready to drill the Press Officer for answers.
[al]
After pleasantries, I made as many different attempts at weaning out just what the regime change had brought us and whether all the spin about our players being that overweight, was just, well, spin. Our friend confirmed that the diets were all brand new – information not new to any forum regular – and that Ramos and Alvarez were indeed shocked at the physical state of some of the members of our squad, though names were not named. Delving a bit further we asked if the players were still on double-shifts, to which we were told that they were not and have not been for a while.
[ar]
As the players started walking across the Lodge Courtyard (as I shall name it, it probably isn’t called that) we started to grab them and ask them for photos and signatures, and even a throw-away question or a simple “how are you?”
Our confidence grew as more players came over and at last our man appeared from the changing rooms. He was more diminutive than I’ve ever really noticed (despite seeing him play 30 odd games), and quite shy too. Although, I would be in awe at meeting me for the first time. :wink: He introduced himself to all of us and accompanied it with a firm, hearty handshake – as if we didn’t know who he was! He was very good natured about the whole thing, seemed chuffed to bits with his award and was even joking about the site after I asked him to “have a look around on it”.
So as those grey clouds now dominated proceedings we sensed it was time to go. After Gilberto had done his autographing and photo duties, we were swiftly ushered out by those in charge of us and then the heavens opened.
[al]
On a different (and sunnier) day we’d have probably had a lot more time to mill about and get some more signatures and stuff. As it was, I was more than happy with meeting Keano and posing in a picture with him.
I’ll hug you one day, Steed. I’ll hug you one day ...
Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll happily try and respond.
