Random Stories About Footballers

[Greg N'Ash]

back in the early 80's famous oddball 'keeper Gary Sprake was my YTS placement officer. Genuinely embarrassed if anyone brought up his football career. We had this bird from Leeds in the office who always pounced on him when he turned up to see me and you could see the look of dread on his face when he saw her.. Really nice bloke as well but he obviously had few good memories of his football career

A truly great keeper who is remembered for a couple of high profile mistakes more than 10 years or so at Leeds' when they were in their pomp. Wasn't there also something about him selling a story to the newspapers alleging Revie bribed opponents, although I don't remember anything coming of it.

Dunno. Seem to remember Revie making some unkind comments about him along the lines of "biggest mistake in management? Signing Gary Sprake". Mind you Revie was a c**t. At the time i always put his avoidance of discussing his career down to that famous own goal but there was probably more to it than that.

[Damo70]

I was on a YTS when I left school in 1987 and I had to go to some place in Chelmsley Wood where it was all dealt with. Gary Sprake was based there at the time. I haven't read Sprake's book but I think there had been some suggestions Revie's Leeds players were asked to approach opposition players with a view to bribes and whilst no-one else ever admitted to knowing anything about it he suggested there was some truth in the rumours. Not sure if he still gets invited to any team reunions any more.

[dave.woodhall]

Sprake was part of the Leeds team that won assorted trophies. He then blew the whistle on the alleged bribery, with the result that he's been ostracised by his former team-mates ever since.

[UsualSuspect]

needless to say she had gone out with Bowyer whilst he was at Leeds and that he was hung like an hamster

I used to live on the isle of dogs in east London. My neighbor at the time went to school with bowyer and said that he'd always been a nasty bit of work. Told a story of bowyer and his mates pissed up racially abusing the staff and smashing up a McDonalds restaurant at Aspen way

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I seem to remember that being in the paper when he was at Charlton

[QBVILLA]

needless to say she had gone out with Bowyer whilst he was at Leeds and that he was hung like an hamster

I used to live on the isle of dogs in east London. My neighbor at the time went to school with bowyer and said that he'd always been a nasty bit of work. Told a story of bowyer and his mates pissed up racially abusing the staff and smashing up a McDonalds restaurant at Aspen way

I seem to remember that being in the paper when he was at Charlton
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It was and he got done for it

[aldridgeboy]

I know the copper who nicked him strangely enough. He said he was an obnoxious prick!

[Chris Jameson]

A neighbour told me yesterday that Andy O'Brien the very ordinary footballer paid £1.6 million cash for his house in Harrogate.

He also called his wedding off the night before he was due to wed this year (same day as Ashley Young oddly enough, although not to each other)because of the pre nuptial agreement that had been drawn up.

[damon loves JT]

A neighbour told me yesterday that Andy O'Brien the very ordinary footballer paid £1.6 million cash for his house in Harrogate.

I have been to Harrogate and the whole town isn't worth £1.6 million. In fact during the Lib Dem conference it goes into negative equity

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Sprake was part of the Leeds team that won assorted trophies. He then blew the whistle on the alleged bribery, with the result that he's been ostracised by his former team-mates ever since.

Just seen this and never knew the full story. You've got to feel sorry for Sprake.

[sirlordbaltimore]

My Dad had to tell Andy Gray off for whistling in Church at Wayne Clarke's wedding.

At the same wedding George Berry pulled up in a car with the sunroof open and his hair was sticking out of it

[Chris Jameson]

A neighbour told me yesterday that Andy O'Brien the very ordinary footballer paid £1.6 million cash for his house in Harrogate.

I have been to Harrogate and the whole town isn't worth £1.6 million. In fact during the Lib Dem conference it goes into negative equity

I've just seen this. Which part of Harrogate did you go to Damon, the place is bloody minted. Not where I'm concerned unfortunately.

[Simon Ward]

The pound shop lowers the tone though!

[Richard E]

Dean Richards once nearly reversed over me when I was crossing the road in Wolverhampton and he was pulling into a parking space.

[Pete]

Remember watching England vs Sweden at Old Trafford, Bobby Charlton was just going into the directors box entrance when a little kid (united fan) had got a book on the History of Manchester Utd, the first page was a picture of Bobby in his playing days, He asked Bobby for his autograph (only person asking for it) he said no, not now son i'm busy!! The little kid was gutted. It would have took 10 seconds to sign the book - tosser!

Seems like Bobby Charlton has form. My uncle was a good footballer and played for Birmingham boys and as a result had a few passes to games at all the Midlands clubs. After a Villa v Man U game in the 60s he convinced the Villa commissionaire  to let him through to the Man U coach and took his autograph book on board. He headed straight for Sir Bobby who told him in no uncertain terms to get off and to take his autograph book with him. My uncle was distraught but was consoled by Harry Gregg who apparently was a thoroughly decent bloke and he got a few players to sign for him. My uncle has never liked bald Bobby ever since then.

As an aside, I think Harry Gregg was later Jimmy Rimmer's mentor.
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Harry Gregg is indeed a lovely bloke. I met him a good few times in Portstewart when I lived there and he owned the Windsor Hotel. The hotel bar was decorated with framed goalkeeper shirts that he'd swapped at the end of his international appearances, I recall that there was a black Lev Yashin shirt ammong them.

[Malandro]

A neighbour told me yesterday that Andy O'Brien the very ordinary footballer paid £1.6 million cash for his house in Harrogate.

I have been to Harrogate and the whole town isn't worth £1.6 million. In fact during the Lib Dem conference it goes into negative equity

I've just seen this. Which part of Harrogate did you go to Damon, the place is bloody minted. Not where I'm concerned unfortunately.

More money in that area than London