Who's ever met a Spurs player and what were they really like?

[woodward]

Mackay, Smith and Brown - photo for magazine by gates in Bill Nich way, for a magazine. Nice enough.

Robertson presented me with a trophy. Very obliging.

Pratt bought tiles, got me tickets.

Waddle, tiled his house in Broxbourne. Friendly.

Falco tiled his drum, stitched me up.

Hoddle, Roberts and Miller after league cup win over Gooners. Roberts did Eddie Kelly and loved it.

Bowen, very down to earth.

 

[ziggy]

Met Garth Crooks at a linx concert just to say hello - nice guy.
Non Spurs - Gary Shaw and Tony Daley. Me and my mates were always out on this piss in Southend in the early 80's. This particular night Villa had played Southend and some of the Villa players had come out after the game. Anyway we were in the toilets when Gary and Tony came in. Had a good old chat then came and stood with us at the bar drinking for most of the night albeit every bird was after Gary shaw.

Anyhow later that year me and my mates had our usual holiday abroad, can't remember if it Magaluf or San Antonio or wherever and were out drinking one night when in walks the same two Villa players. They see us and come straight over, remembered us from previously and again drank with us for a good couple of hours. Bearing in mind they were 2 top players at the time, they were really friendly, down to earth guys.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

One brief chance meeting, a handshake, a photo, an autograph and so on can only give a quick impression and the player may be having a good or bad day, may be happy or sad, be feeling great or have things on his mind, may be in a hurry or running late or be relaxed and have time to spare.

We'd be the same depending our mood and can give a good or bad impression in passing because of the way we feel at the time.

If we see and meet and talk to someone on a regular basis, we will obviously get to know them better. There will, of course, be a defined personality but you can't possibly know that with just a glimpse of the person. If they are doing something in public like attending an event, they will usually put themselves out to be pleasant and friendly and give a good impression.

You have to remember that footballers have people coming up to them all the time, wanting to speak to them and grab their attention because they have celebrity status. You will remember the occasion but they will very likely not remember you or that brief encounter at all.

I did get to know a lot of players well enough to form a valid opinion of what they were like as people.

For example, in another thread, someone mentioned Jimmy Greaves, praising his footballing skills but saying they weren't so sure about his personality. Of course he will have changed somewhat over the years as we all do but when I knew him in the 1960s he was superbly fit, good looking and friendly and usually had a sparkle in his eye. I had a few chats with him at the bar in the old White Hart at lunch times after training - on one occasion he told me I reminded him of his sister Marion.

He was good with the schoolkids who wanted autographs, especially me when I was 13 or so. On the day he joined Tottenham he autographed a photo for me on the steps of the pub before going inside, but not for anyone else until he emerged later much to the irritation of the other kids who'd turned up to welcome him.

I did, however, see another side to him now and then when he could be doggedly determined to get his own way in a situation off the field and saw things in very black and white terms.

He obviously has an addictive personality and his drinking was very nearly his downfall. His strength of character helped him through that particular trial and he has stayed sober now for many years.

As he has aged, I think he probably has less patience and suffers fools less gladly but the basic Greavesie is, I am sure, still a man whose is good company and fun to be around when he is in relaxed mode.

I'd love to meet him again and share some of the memories of his days at WHL.

 

[Gassin's finest]

When I was living in York I saw Robbo doing some sightseeing with his wife and child, pushing the pram. I felt bad disrupting his day out, but I had to quickly nip over and shake his hand. He came across as a proper down to earth Yorkshire lad, and a nice bloke.

 

[littlemandefoe]

Oh yeah I forgot about meeting Bale too! It was when I was at uni in Cardiff (Before he made his big break through into the first team). He was on a night out with Earnshaw and that RB Welsh international who used to play for us, can't recall his name off the top of my head, think we sold him to Forrest?!

C-c-c-c-chris Gunter

 

[grahamg88]

Met Robbie keane in 2002 in ayia napa, was nice and chatty but didn't talk for too long as he was interested in pulling Lindsey Dawn Mackenzie ... Saw them going off together so presume he kicked her back doors in!


My friend who is only 5ft nothing saw Frank Lampard in faces nightclub a few years back. He said to him 'hello mate can I get a picture with you' to which Lampard replied 'three things' '1: I'm not your mate'... '2:no you can't have a picture'... 'and 3: f**k off' ... What a tosser!!

 

[Mental_Geir]

My first ever game with Spurs was pre-season in Sweden in 1995 vs IFK Göteborg. I had been following Spurs for a couple of years already, but it's fair to say that this match really kicked off my career as a Spurs-fan. Luckily for me most of the swedes were running after the IFK-players after the match, and it was only me and a few other norwegians who went for the Spurs-players and the nicest one was Ronnie the Rocket Rosenthal. As it was only me and two other kids standing outside the players bus after the game he invited us in, and we could walk from player to player to get autographs and pics. But I was only 10 at the time and my english could have been better, so talking to the players wasn't the easiest thing to do, but I have to mention Judas, Nicky Barmby (who left just weeks later) and Erik the Viking(obviously since I actully could understand what he was saying) as the nicest.

In 1997 I went to the pre-season game vs Faaberg in Norway, and this time it was harder to get to talk to the players since it was hundred of kids and adults trying to do the same. But I had a funny situation with Ian Walker. He was one of few players that didn't sign autographs before the match, and he just told us "after the match". Even at half time on their way to the dressing room some players signed, and I went to Walker again and heard the same "after the match". So after the match I approached him again, and this time he said "after I get a shower" and walked off. Suddenly he turned around and said "Oh, it's you. Where shall I sign?"

I've also have to mention Allan Nielsen as a great guy. When he was taken off sometime in the 2nd half he walked past me and my grandad on his way to the dressing room. I asked for his autograph, and after I got that he stood for atleast 10 minutes chatting with us, and loved the fact that my grandad drove the 6 hours both ways so that I could watch Spurs.

Gary Mabbutt, John Scales, Darren Anderton and Justin Edinburgh also give me good memories looking back at this great day for a 12 year old kid in the summer of 1997.

Also in 2004 I went to pre-season in Sweden, and this time the Norwegian supporters club were invited to one of the trainings. We met all the players who were in Sweden that summer, and Jamie Redknapp was by far the nicest one. Also I have to mention Frank Arnesen who just were appointed at that time. He was talking to the fans for atleast one hour, and he was very open and honest about everything.

Of not so nice players I've met I have to mention Paul Walsh. He was in my town in Norway with a Liverpool "legends" team a few years ago, and when I approached him and prestented me as a Spurs-fan when I met him and a few others at a pub he just looked at me with a stupid look in his face and walked away. *****.

 

[RickyVilla]

I have heard that Mr Walsh is not to keen on Tottenham and everything to do with it!!

 

[fergie]

Met Gerry Armstrong at a snow patrol gig in Belfast, went over shook his hand told him I was a spurs man- conversation was going well til he told me he had orchrestrated shevchenco ( spelling wrong I'm sure) coming to us before he joined Milan but we decided to buy rebrov... At that I shook his hand again, thanked him for the chat and walked off. He must have been drunk to come off with That.

 

[Maske2g]

Got a few mates that played for Spurs reserves within the last 10 years, and have met lots of players through them.....but nothing too interesting....

Much more interesting was when I took Gilardinho down Faces just after Italy won the world cup and not one person recognised him!

 

[Maske2g]

Met Robbie keane in 2002 in ayia napa, was nice and chatty but didn't talk for too long as he was interested in pulling Lindsey Dawn Mackenzie ... Saw them going off together so presume he kicked her back doors in!


My friend who is only 5ft nothing saw Frank Lampard in faces nightclub a few years back. He said to him 'hello mate can I get a picture with you' to which Lampard replied 'three things' '1: I'm not your mate'... '2:no you can't have a picture'... 'and 3: f**k off' ... What a tosser!!

I think I have prob seen 200 players in Faces over the years and never seen one posing for a photo with a fan.

Whats comical is the "Ledders is a drunk" stories. He can't handle booze, cos he never goes boozing, in comparison to the other lads.

Tony Gardner used to always have a red wine in his hand no matter the club.

 

[Shanks]

Played football with David Howells ( non league!) he's a proper decent bloke too.

 

[whitelightwhiteheat]

I met the players back in 1992 (ish) we played a testimonial match against Cardiff at Ninian Park for some guy at Cardiff.

I remember meeting Mabbs as he was running towards his car post-match to get away.

Met Steve Sedgley... Andy Gray (the one we got from Palace) Justin Edinburgh... think I got most of the team to autograph my match program, which is, I guess, in the attic at my parents house.

they all seemed to be top class to a boy aged about 12/13!

 

[mano-obe]

Also forgot to mention that Peter Collins used to train our youth team football voluntary. He seemed an ok bloke from what I can remember.

From what I've seen people type Paul Walsh, Steve Carr are a bit wankerish and Lineker seems to be a bit weird

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Pat Jennings, Anderton, Sheringham, all lovely.

Used to chat with Rory Allen up in the West Upper when he was injured, Stevie Carr too. Both pleasant.

Met Robbie Keane in nolitas, he chuckled when I said well played (was after the peterborough game last season).

Met Ian Walker, nice but dumb. Defoe quite a few times as he's gone out with two different girls I know, great guy, joker.

Clive Allen, he was chatty and funny. Ardiles too but I couldn't understand a word he said.

 

[arnoldlayne]

Steve Sedgley when I was young. He spoke to my dad for hours in the pub about Spurs past and present, just seemed an everyday nice guy. He bought a few rounds in too and bought me some crisps

He's a massive Spurs fan too

I think he's been a guest on the Spursshow podcast

 

[Teemu]

Seen Sean Davis and Luke Young since they have left Spurs, hadn't bothered chatting to be honest just asked the former if he would ever score (he was having some bet that he wouldn't cut his hair until he scored) and just asked the latter if he was Luke Young.

Genuinely I can't recommend this enough as an icebreaker. I often go up to girls in bars and ask them if they're Luke Young.

 

[Jaispurs]

Have met loads. My colleague was a bit of a stunner and got us into Sugar Reef on Christmas after our own team party. Took us straight through to the VIP and I couldn't believe my eyes - Sol, Les, Sullivan, Sherwood, Anderton, Ruel Fox (he had left by then but still hung around with the guys), Freund, Carr and many more. I was completely star struck. I then saw my old mate Ricky Groves (drank in my local) who had was now famous as Gary in Eastenders. My mate and I started talking to Ricky and then Sol and Les came over to talk to my mate. Cut a long story short they were arguing over her but she chose Les. A few of the guys were going to Red Cube and asked us to join them. An amazing night.
Ruel Fox was hilarious, anderton was the leader making sure we were all together. Les was a gentleman (you know why he had so many sorts when you see him at work) and Sherwood was a knob. The best of the lot was Freund. He was talking to me with Chris Perry. I asked Freund why he had never scored and his answer was 'I am a defender', I looked at Perry winked and said the Freund ' I hate to tell you this mate, but you are not - you're a midfielder. Better get practising.' He never did score so my tips didn't work.

I've met loads of the players in small groups as I live in Buckhurst Hill so you always see them around. Met Defore in Tesco's, Berba in Waitrose, Lennon, King and Woody in Faces. O'Hara, Jenas in Nu Bar, Dawson in Loughton and Edgar Davids in Chigwell.

Another classic was going into the Bel Sit with my mum for lunch, The whole team had finished training and met Scales, Vega, Dominguez (my double apparently) and GINOLA.

Met Ardiles once whilst on a training course and Edinburgh, Sedgley, Coates, Chivers, Paul Allen, Clive Allen at a legends dinner and finally

Took a girl out for a 1st date at City Limits between Loughton and Epping. We were having a good time when the door bursts open and in comes Nayim, Paul Stewart, Vinny Samways and GAZZA. Gazza goes to the bar and says 'drinks all round' and promptly asks the manager to get everyone in the abar (about 100 people plus) a round of drinks. Our waitress came over and we ordered. Gazza then disappears. All of sudden about 10 people rush to the windows and shout 'What the hell is he doing?' - Gazza was naked doing star jumps in the middle of the Wake Arms Roundabout and this was only 8pm....Mental...oh and he ran off without paying the huge bar billl too. A sheepesh waitress came over and asked us to settle our bill and added the drinks that Gazza 'bought',....... I said that I wouldnt pay and they should stick it on Gazza's bill. Thanks Gazza

 

[mpickard2087]

When I was at school the players stayed a couple of times at Henlow Grange health spa next door to the school. This was 99-01 during George Grahams reign. The players used to train down the local park when at the Grange, which was the other side of our school and accessed via a footpath that went through the school grounds. Always used to get let out of lessons when they were walking down the footpath to see the players. All of the squad stopped and you could chat to them and get autographs or pictures, were really friendly.

The one thing that sticks out though was chatting to one Mr S. Campbell, and one of my mates asking if he was leaving and if he was going to join Arsenal. His response was no he was going to stay. Couple of months later and we all know what happened!!!

 

[Coyboy]

Met Robbie keane in 2002 in ayia napa, was nice and chatty but didn't talk for too long as he was interested in pulling Lindsey Dawn Mackenzie ... Saw them going off together so presume he kicked her back doors in!


My friend who is only 5ft nothing saw Frank Lampard in faces nightclub a few years back. He said to him 'hello mate can I get a picture with you' to which Lampard replied 'three things' '1: I'm not your mate'... '2:no you can't have a picture'... 'and 3: f**k off' ... What a tosser!!

A mate of mine saw Fat Frank and said he was a good lad. I think you kind of get the picture from this that sometimes footballers are arseholes and sometimes they are alright. Just like people really.