The Michael Dawson Appreciation thread

[Ossie'sAardvark]

Thanks Daws. All the best!

 

[scat1620]

maybe i'm just a cold-hearted bastard but i support thfc not michael dawson, i'll care far more when good players leave the club.

There's no maybe about it.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

For your passion, character, leadership and genuine care for the badge you wore on your chest;

I doff my hat to you Mr Dawson.

Thanks for being a spirited character and role model and and a respected man in a game where most don't become more than just a player.

Come back to the Lane whenever you feel like but for now go and take some points of the Gooners with Thudd and Jake

 

[Barry Mead]

Great servant, when he arrived we started to move up from mid table to fifth and fourth places, great partner to Ledley and still held the defence together when Ledley was struggling with injury despite having to partner players like Ant, Rocha and Davenport. Lots of great memories and he'll be missed. I wish him the best of luck

 

[Ossie'sAardvark]

For your passion, character, leadership and genuine care for the badge you wore on your chest;

I doff my hat to you Mr Dawson.

Thanks for being a spirited character and role model and and a respected man in a game where most don't become more than just a player.

Come back to the Lane whenever you feel like but for now go and take some points of the Gooners with Thudd and Jake

In 20 years, I hope he'll be popping on the pitch at half time.

 

[beats1]

For your passion, character, leadership and genuine care for the badge you wore on your chest;

I doff my hat to you Mr Dawson.

Thanks for being a spirited character and role model and and a respected man in a game where most don't become more than just a player.

Come back to the Lane whenever you feel like but for now go and take some points of the Gooners with Thudd and Jake

This, in terms of performances he may not be considered a legend but because of this he felt like one, especially in an age where the team gets chopped and changed regularly

 

[Paq]

Can only wish the guy the very best of luck.

When he joined it was something of a surprise as most were focused on Andy Reid - but what fantastic value for money he turned out to be.

Michael Dawson has been the epitome of professional during his time with us. No embarrassing off field antics, always time for supporters and younger players and of course an extremely good player during his time with us. He has been instrumental in our development over the past decade and whilst the time has come for him to move on, I will remember him with affection. I hope he returns in a coaching/ambassadorial role in the future.

Thanks for the memories Michael. See you back at the lane soon!

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

peaking for the final time before embarking on the next chapter of his career with the Tigers, the 30-year-old defender picked out some of his favourite moments in a Spurs shirt and had a special message for our supporters...

Michael, tell us about the last 24 hours. It must have been quite an emotional day for you...

Yes, very emotional. I saw the lads at the Training Centre yesterday and everyone at the Club and it was emotional, there’s no hiding it. I’ve been at the Club for nine-and-a-half years and I’ve enjoyed it so much, so many happy times, met so many great people, made many, many friends. But you know, that’s football. I knew my opportunities were going to be limited this season and I’m someone who loves playing football. I had the chance to join Hull City and it’s a club I know very well through the family connection with my brother (Andy Dawson) playing there for so long. I also spoke to Jake (Livermore) and Tom (Huddlestone), they love it and Steve Bruce, someone who played in my position, who I watched when I was a young player. I’m 30 now but I want to go there and continue to improve.

Do you remember your first day at Spurs back in January, 2005?

Yes, of course. I was thinking about it today, walking into Spurs Lodge for the first time with Andy Reid. I just hope I can play as well at Hull as I did for Spurs, give as much to the club and try to get the fans to love me as much as the Spurs fans did, they were special to me.

How would you describe your nine-and-a-half years here?

In one word – amazing.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for you at the Club, hasn’t it?

There were some ups and downs. All the matches we won, the Champions League, the League Cup we won, the League Cup Final we lost, the semi-final against Arsenal, my slip in the semi-final against Pompey, Manchester City in 2009 – those moments will live with me forever.

What was the one moment that sticks out as your favourite from your time here?

It has to be AC Milan, leading the team out at the San Siro in the Champions League. When I left a Championship team at Forest to play in the Premier League, I dreamt about playing with and against world-class players. I’ve achieved that at Spurs.

What would be your top five Spurs moments?

I’d go for the League Cup win, AC Milan home and away, the 5-1 win against Arsenal and scoring my first goal in the win against Chelsea. People will probably mention more now but that’s the five off the top of my head – not bad!

You played 324 times for us. How much does that mean on a personal level?

I take a lot of pride in that. I was only 21 when I made the move to Spurs and if someone would have said that to me then, I would have bitten their hand off!

Have you a message for the fans?

I don’t know where to start. They’ve been incredible to me. I’ve had some tough times in that nine-and-a-half years as well but they’ve always been there for me, so a massive thank-you to all of them.

Imagine yourself in 30 years’ time – what will you tell your grandchildren about your time at Spurs?

I would just talk about unbelievable memories, great times, great matches. I’ve made so many great friends along the way as well. I suppose players spending that amount of time at a Club doesn’t happen as often now but I can truly say I’ve loved every minute

 

[worcestersauce]

Nine years and six managers Michael Dawson never dipped his enthusiasm, commitment, effort and character he is an honest footballer who ran onto the field with a smile on his face and walked off with a smile on his face, he just loves playing the game.
Thank you Michael and all the best for the future.

 

[HappySpur]

Definitely gonna get tickets to the hull game, wanna show my appreciation for him.

Hull is kind of my second team now. Never had that before. Used to be that I wouldn't watch them play. But I had already started DVR'ing their matched because of this rumor and Livermore and Huddlestone (plus I've always like Curtis Davies).

Still want to beat them 9-0 when we play them was totally cheering them on in the last minutes of the match Sunday after ours had ended.

 

[Huddlebone]

well some mates asked me, what did Dawson really give spurs during all the years ? well i just needed two words really. His heart

Thank you Daws!

 

[HappySpur]

has this been confirmed or just ITK

It's on the OS here:

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/hull-move-for-dawson-agreed-260814/

 

[C0YS]

This, in terms of performances he may not be considered a legend but because of this he felt like one, especially in an age where the team gets chopped and changed regularly

He had some very good seasons as well. Let us not forget. Particularly in our 2009-2010 champions league qualifying side, and our nearly season under Jol. Just because he no longer fit the need of the club doesn't mean he wasn't a fine player on his day.

The term legend is not something directly linked with performance anyway. It is much more than that. Longevity, how one conducts himself at the club etc.

Talking about Dawson more generally I still remember when we signed him in a double deal including Andy Reid. At the time Reid was a highly rated winger valued at 6m while Dawson was considered more of a bonus at 2m. I recall that Dawson took no time at all to establish himself in the side as Andy Reid sort of went through the motions. It was soon clear that Dawson was the real player of value. I struggle to believe that it was 9 1/2 years ago that he broke into the team, and Dawson was the last survivor from Jol's first season in charge. The season, which to me at least, provided the spring board which would lead us to become regular to european football and challengers for the champions league spot.

 

[ostrov]

Spurs through and through. Thank you for giving everything everytime.
Never forget how you kept Ibra in your pocket. Top bloke.

 

[sparx100]

Going to miss Dawson. Let's not forget where we have come from in the calibre of defenders at this club. Daws has been involved in the massive change at our club from mid table mediocrity to regular European football.

9.5 years of his career has been given to this club which is not to be sniffed at. Not many players have that kind of service at one club. He is a consummate professional and respected the club and the fans. He was our captain and deserves our respect and appreciation. Going to miss him, but understand fully the reasons behind him going.

Good luck Daws and see you again at the lane.

 

[beats1]

He had some very good seasons as well. Let us not forget. Particularly in our 2009-2010 champions league qualifying side, and our nearly season under Jol. Just because he no longer fit the need of the club doesn't mean he wasn't a fine player on his day.

The term legend is not something directly linked with performance anyway. It is much more than that. Longevity, how one conducts himself at the club etc.

Talking about Dawson more generally I still remember when we signed him in a double deal including Andy Reid. At the time Read was a highly rated winger valued at 6m while Dawson was considered more of a bonus at 2m. I recall that Dawson took no time at all to establish himself in the side as Andy Reid sort of went through the motions. It was soon clear that Dawson was the real player of value. I struggle to believe that it was 9 1/2 years ago that he broke into the team, and Dawson was the last survivor from Jol's first season in charge. The season, which to me at least, provided the spring board which would lead us to become regular to european football and challengers for the champions league spot.

I agree but the term legend is often reserved for the elite and Dawson though great for us at times he wasn't at the level of say Ledley

Then again people call Klinsmann a legend and he was only here for 2 short stints

 

[Damian99]

His time was up a good while back now, BC will probably say he never had one. But let's not forget he was a mainstay the season we got champions league football and certainly didn't disgrace himself in the CL itself.

Good luck to the bloke.

 

[C0YS]

I agree but the term legend is often reserved for the elite and Dawson though great for us at times he wasn't at the level of say Ledley

Then again people call Klinsmann a legend and he was only here for 2 short stints

Certainly, it is a pointless term anyway and every person you ask will have a different criteria. It can only really be judged properly 10-20 years after they have left the club as well.

 

[SteveH]

Its all been said very eloquently here, a true Spurs man.

 

[CheeseGromit]

Good luck Daws
Thanks for every minute of your time at Spurs, you gave it everything
You really were a top professional that love (d) the club. You were unlucky not to play more times for England
Your partnership with Ledley was special
Thanks for the memories and good luck for the future
You will always be welcomed at the Lane as one of us

 

[spurs_girl_tasha]

:'( I love Michael Dawson.