Peter Ndlovu

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Scoring a screamer at Edgeley Park after cutting in from the wing.

Yes! Down the right hand side, almost from the half way line, cut into the box and lashed it in, great goal! We gave the Stockport keeper a lot of shit the whole second half, ex pig I think, name escapes me unfortunately. ...."who ate all the pies" "you've never seen a salad" etc etc, we were that close to the pitch you could almost touch the net so he heard absolutely every word. Eventually he started to lose it and began chucking pieces of turf back at us all! Ran out to a through ball which he duly fucked up, brought down the attacker and gave away a penalty. Cue hilarity and jubilation as the winning goal was slotted in, nice day out that!

I remember Nuddy scoring from 40 odd yards against Cardiff at BDTBL, christ knows how that went in, he didn't seem to hit it that hard? Eight goals in the second half, crazy game!

It seemed to bounce about three times before it went in! He got a hat trick that day (the other two were penalties). Even though Ndlovu scored from around 40 yards as you say, it wasn't the best goal of the day, both Tonge's freekick and Jack Lester's Gazza Vs Scotland style goal were better I thought.

I remember Ndlovu being transfer listed and coming out as a man reborn, tearing up and down the pitch all game long almost like a wing back.

There used to be a great website that had the 'Peter Ndlovu Diaries', purportedly written by the man himself. They detailed such exploits as a penalty shoot-out where legends of African football took spot kicks against Nelson Mandela, and Roger Milla's infamous Pygmy tournament. I can't find them now though.
 

There used to be a great website that had the 'Peter Ndlovu Diaries', purportedly written by the man himself. They detailed such exploits as a penalty shoot-out where legends of African football took spot kicks against Nelson Mandela, and Roger Milla's infamous Pygmy tournament. I can't find them now though.

In February 2000, Nelson Mandela began hosting weekly dinner parties to celebrate 10 years of freedom.
On the third weekend in February it was the turn of the best footballers from each African nation to visit the great man himself. Being a well known Zimbabwean footballer, I had a gut feeling I would be asked to the party and to my delight my invite arrived in the post 4 days before we were due to attend. I was both nervous and excited; not only was I going to enjoy the company of a very special man, I was also going to be sat down with some on my biggest footballing nemesis, all of whom had claimed to be better than me at some time during my career.

The night itself came around very quickly. I opted for a navy suit, white shirt and dark brown belt and shoes. I looked quite dapper if I say so myself; Japhet N’Doram’s wife seemed to think so! Upon arrival, we were ushered through to a large dining area, and I noticed familiar faces straight away. Once everyone was seated, Nelson came into the room and greeted us all individually. “Ah, Peter”, he said as he placed his hands on my shoulders, “Beautiful goal against West Brom in ’95, a superb finish”. I smiled. All I could muster was a “Thank you”, before he moved on.

We started off with a salmon dish. It had a slight chilli taste to it if I remember correctly, but was lovely nonetheless. A sourbet course was not essential a few years back. We used wine and ale to cleanse our pallets like real men should! We moved straight onto the main; roast beef with all the trimmings, Nelson’s personal favourite. I thoroughly enjoyed mine, although the gravy was a little stodgy. Dessert was to be trifle, but we did not get round to eating this, and this is where my story gets rather interesting…..

As the drinks flowed, a few of the more boastful players started to act up. George Weah was giving it some, “I am the greatest African player of all time, I could win against 5 players on my own”, he declared, with food still in his mouth. He was eyeballing me, and several other players as he said this, but because of where we were, few were going to respond until;
“That’s b*llocks”, piped up Rashid Yekini. “I could beat you in a one on one any day, I believe the African Gods have blessed me with talent that no other man possesses”.
It started to get nasty with alcohol fuelled players squaring up to each other, Abedi Pele was screaming “LIAR, LIAR” at Weah, whilst waving a small giraffe ornamental centre piece in the air.

I decided to sit tight and watch the scenes unfold around me. Taribo West, who had managed to blag an invite by posing as Yekini’s girlfriend, was gunning for both Pele and Weah, leaning over the table to get to them. I looked at Hossam Hassan and frowned. He winked back at me but I could see the disbelief in his eyes as to what was happening.

Nelson stood up and thumped his hands down hard on the table. Everyone stopped in their tracks. Abedi Pele was mid sentence, “I’ll prove it to yo……”.

We all stopped and looked at Nelson, waiting for him to say something. He leaned forward slightly, his kaftan hung low revealing his chest. He cleared his throat and said in a deliberate but whispery manner,
“I have a full sized replica goal in the back yard. I will be goalkeeper and you will all take it in turn to take penalties at me. If you miss, you’re out. Score, and you’re through to the next round. We will settle this nonsense once and for all. In my eyes, you are all great players, otherwise you would not be here. But, if you behave like children, I will treat you like children. I hope I have made myself clear. Now, follow me to the back garden.”

I couldn’t believe it. This was unreal. Both Weah and Yekini looked utterly embarrassed but we all followed Mandela out through the double patio doors and into his back garden towards the goal.
“Winnie, Winnie”, he shouted, “Come out. You shall be ball boy”.
Winnie appeared from the kitchen, wearing nothing more than a silk dressing gown. She slipped on some trainers and joined us all outside. “Get yourself behind the goal then Dear”, said Nelson, and she scuttled off behind the net, positioning herself just in front of the conifers.

“Now”, proclaimed Nelson, “Get in line, no arguing. Let’s start this thing”. He pulled a pair of Sondico gloves from his kaftan, slipped them on and asked Roger Milla to tighten the velcro strap for him. We, the players, were all lined up and ready to shoot. I was to take the 7th penalty.

Everyone scored their first penalty. Fabrice Akwa was lucky, Nelson had tipped his shot onto the post but it crept in. The first casualty of the shoot-out was Dennis Oliech, who spooned his shot over and into the grateful arms of Winnie. Others soon followed, even the boastful Yekini fell by the wayside in the 4th round of penalties. I was calm, slotting my kicks home with aplomb and really enjoying myself.

Abedi Pele came third overall. Nelson pushed his shot to safety and it left just two players, myself and Weah to compete in the final. All the other players were sat round watching in anticipation. Nelson was doing the old ‘wobbly legs’ trick to try and put us off. Weah looked at me, “You’re going down, Peter Loser-love”, he snared. I said nothing, I wanted to maintain my focus and stay composed. Weah scored, I scored. Weah scored again, but so did I. This happened for 7 rounds and it was a truly great affair. As George went to take his 8th penalty, Nelson told us to stop. He declared us joint winners in front of everyone. I was happy. I knew I didn’t have to prove myself to anyone; yes, it would have been nice, but I had done well and been declared joint winner.

We were congratulated by our fellow players, and then asked to go back inside for our dessert. I was buzzing, it was a truly great night, being able to blast penalties at Nelson alongside fellow African players, some of whom I regard highly.
As we left that night, Nelson pulled me to one side. “Peter, you were the true winner out there today. A model professional who sees no need to boast”. As he said this, he slipped a small package into my pocket and walked off. The butler handed me my coat and I got into the waiting taxi outside.

I suppose you are wondering what Nelson had given me? Well, I opened up the pink tissue paper, and inside was a fridge magnet. On it, was the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling. I smiled to myself. What a truly amazing day. What a man Nelson is and what a gesture. The magnet still sticks to my fridge and I will cherish it forever.
 
I bought my first pair of footie boots in tribute silver and red Nike T90s,I remember he used to slip alot and I did too wearing them 😂
 
Lee Ndlovu - of Boreham Wood FC - anyone know if he is related to Peter?

Incidentally I see that BT Sport have picked the Boreham Wood match v Maidstone United game for live broadcast at 5.20 pm on Saturday 1st October - chance to see Zac Brunt in action. And Lee Ndlovu.
 
Lee Ndlovu - of Boreham Wood FC - anyone know if he is related to Peter?

Incidentally I see that BT Sport have picked the Boreham Wood match v Maidstone United game for live broadcast at 5.20 pm on Saturday 1st October - chance to see Zac Brunt in action. And Lee Ndlovu.

Might be wrong but I don't think they're related.
 
I fondly remember him as one of our most talented players.

And I'm 100% certain he broke Craig Hignett's shin(s?) with a volleyed shot. Which was never mentioned anywhere. But Hignett went down blocking the shot, went off, and a week later I saw on Ceefax that he was injured with broken shin(s).
 
I fondly remember him as one of our most talented players.

And I'm 100% certain he broke Craig Hignett's shin(s?) with a volleyed shot. Which was never mentioned anywhere. But Hignett went down blocking the shot, went off, and a week later I saw on Ceefax that he was injured with broken shin(s).
Oh my god, I've just done a few googles and actually found this... Most exciting thing that's happened to me for ages tbh...

"I am due to see a specialist but I have already been told it could take six to ten weeks to heal and I think 10 weeks is probably more realistic.

?Although people didn?t think I had broken anything at the time, and even the Sheffield United doctor said he didn?t think I needed an X-ray, I knew straight away that something was broken.

?It was an unusual way to get such an injury because people usually get shin fractures from dropping from height, but this was as a result of taking the full force of a shot from Peter Ndlovu. He obviously hit it well and it pushed my ankle up into my shin."
 
One of my favourite players still, not quite in my favourite eleven due to Paul Devlin but "Nuddy" was quality and gave us some great memories. A really good signing by Warnock and I couldn't believe it when we signed him as he was flying on loan at Huddersfield then we signed him, think on a free!

When he was younger Liverpool were linked with him I recall, he was one if the most exciting players in the Premier League. Definitely one of the most skilful players we've ever had, I'd put him right up there alongside Patrick Suffo, Jan Aage Fjortoft, Vass Borbokis, Glyn Hodges, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ndiaye in terms of individual flair ability; I know Suffo didn't do as well as the others but skill wise he was class, a real talent.
 

One of my favourite players still, not quite in my favourite eleven due to Paul Devlin but "Nuddy" was quality and gave us some great memories. A really good signing by Warnock and I couldn't believe it when we signed him as he was flying on loan at Huddersfield then we signed him, think on a free!

That was the one and only time I've been genuinely ITK about a transfer. My Dad saw Warnock in Tesco and asked him if it was true we were signing Ndlovu and he said it was. He also added that the current crop were a great bunch of honest triers but "they couldn't pass water".
 
When Utd trained up at Millhouses, I used to watch them sometimes when walking the dog
.
Nuddy looked like he was a champions league level player, playing with a Sunday league team.
His ball control and skill was unbelievable (Jeff).

Very frustrating to watch sometimes but what a talent.
Seemed like a proper nice guy too.
 
I know Suffo didn't do as well as the others but skill wise he was class, a real talent.
I remember him chipping the keeper from 30 yards in a friendly against a Cornish team. Unfortunately he was another "victim" of the Battle of Bramall Lane.
 
I remember a game against Burnley when we beat them 4-2. Nuddy had already scored two when he was through on goal again. For some reason, he thought that a full 360 degree pirouette would be appropriate. Needless to say, the ball was cleared.
 
This morning I bid an emotional farewell to one of my colleagues who was returning his Trust laptop and iPhone on his last day; whilst I'm sad to see him go, the reason I'm emotional is because we spent ten minutes watching YouTube videos of Nuddy's finest moments in a Blades shirt - my departing colleague is from Zimbabwe you see.

 
This morning I bid an emotional farewell to one of my colleagues who was returning his Trust laptop and iPhone on his last day; whilst I'm sad to see him go, the reason I'm emotional is because we spent ten minutes watching YouTube videos of Nuddy's finest moments in a Blades shirt - my departing colleague is from Zimbabwe you see.


Weird how there’s no one in the BLLT.
 
This morning I bid an emotional farewell to one of my colleagues who was returning his Trust laptop and iPhone on his last day; whilst I'm sad to see him go, the reason I'm emotional is because we spent ten minutes watching YouTube videos of Nuddy's finest moments in a Blades shirt - my departing colleague is from Zimbabwe you see.


Well, that helped my morning coffee go down nicely…
 

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