Sabella

[loyalblade95]

Never saw him play but my dad did and speaks very fondly of him

 

[Silent Blade]

With Estudiantes winning the 2009 Copa Libertadores

 

[Silent Blade]

Who are the 2 gentlemen flanking Happy in the first pic?

On the left my guess is Keith Haslam doing a reasonable Paul Garner impression, but he could also pass as Rob Davies from Mud. I have had a suggestion that the chap on the left is Oscar Arce, but he looks a bit more Broomhill than Buenos Aires to me.
View attachment 100085

On the right is ex FL referee, Keith Walker, who was the SUFC secretary from 1972 to 1978. Dunno who is on the left

 

[Farnboroughblade]

Wouldn't it be great if our scouting network were able to find another hidden gem to the level of Alex from any of the football crazy South American countries. Someone who would get you off your seat when they have the ball and tear opposition defences inside out. Yes we had Woody and TC who were exceptional, but Sabella added that extra bit of magic. I miss that excitement of seeing someone of that calibre. I suppose for most Blades fans who are of an age where they were too young or not even born, it's a situation where you don't miss what you have never experienced.
If only!
I'm getting quite emotional just thinking about it.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Although I’ve been a supporter for 50 years and member for a lot of years, this is my first post, but for the obvious reason.

I found these photos a few years ago and showed them to some of my mates, but thought that the wider audience should enjoy; some of you might even be on there?

I was a 15 year old brandishing my Kodak instamatic 110 when I went down with my mates to greet the man who was (we believed) destined to lead us back to the promised land. We just didn’t know that the 3rd division was what was promised.
(btw, whoever said ‘keep it with Kodak’ was lying; the originals have turned orange/sepia)

Who are the 2 gentlemen flanking Happy in the first pic?

On the left my guess is Keith Haslam doing a reasonable Paul Garner impression, but he could also pass as Rob Davies from Mud. I have had a suggestion that the chap on the left is Oscar Arce, but he looks a bit more Broomhill than Buenos Aires to me.

The last pic I took by jumping out in front of the national press before they got a chance, but I can’t remember how I got it signed. Did we still do proper ‘meet the players’ open days in this era?

A great talent. Sad that we only saw him in team that was on such a downward trajectory. Would he have worked in the current team?View attachment 100085View attachment 100086View attachment 100087View attachment 100088View attachment 100089

Great 1st post.

 

[Grecian2000]

Absolutely gutted. Loved the man. Named my first born after him.
RIP you little genius.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Missed his first game v Orient as we were on holiday, gutted. But saw his last league game at Grimsby where we got hammered 0-4 and it could quite easily have been 10. Remember the goal he set up for Anderson at the Lane end v Sunderland, genius. RIP Alex, a class player in a very poor team.

 

[kop blade]

loved him talented player used to wait hours in the rain to watch him play Rip alex sabella im heartbroke you died you used ti get the kop going with you silky skills ,,see you one day buddy ,,,,utb

 

[kop blade]

sad time ,i cried all day ,we lost one of the best players in red and white that we ever had RIP alex sabella

 

[ancientblade]

Missed his first game v Orient as we were on holiday, gutted. But saw his last league game at Grimsby where we got hammered 0-4 and it could quite easily have been 10. Remember the goal he set up for Anderson at the Lane end v Sunderland, genius. RIP Alex, a class player in a very poor team.

peter kitchen ruined that day

 

[Long Time Lurker]

Although I’ve been a supporter for 50 years and member for a lot of years, this is my first post, but for the obvious reason.

I found these photos a few years ago and showed them to some of my mates, but thought that the wider audience should enjoy; some of you might even be on there?

I was a 15 year old brandishing my Kodak instamatic 110 when I went down with my mates to greet the man who was (we believed) destined to lead us back to the promised land. We just didn’t know that the 3rd division was what was promised.
(btw, whoever said ‘keep it with Kodak’ was lying; the originals have turned orange/sepia)

Who are the 2 gentlemen flanking Happy in the first pic?

On the left my guess is Keith Haslam doing a reasonable Paul Garner impression, but he could also pass as Rob Davies from Mud. I have had a suggestion that the chap on the left is Oscar Arce, but he looks a bit more Broomhill than Buenos Aires to me.

The last pic I took by jumping out in front of the national press before they got a chance, but I can’t remember how I got it signed. Did we still do proper ‘meet the players’ open days in this era?

A great talent. Sad that we only saw him in team that was on such a downward trajectory. Would he have worked in the current team?View attachment 100085View attachment 100086View attachment 100087View attachment 100088View attachment 100089

Some great memories and pics there BarBlade.

As a then 14 year old the summer of '78 post World Cup was a really exciting time with United's representatives in Argentina to tie up a deal, for any player, we didn't know who. All who had the pleasure of seeing Sabella will remember his silky skills albeit in a very poor United side. I wonder what he made of it all privately. Thank you for passing our way Alex, we're grateful you came and played a part in our history. R.I.P.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

peter kitchen ruined that day

Good lad Kitch. One of those players I always wished we'd sign but never did.

 

[benn5712]

RIP Alejandro. Sad, sad news.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Mi dad and my uncle will be the only ones up there now, walking past Maradona to queue up for Sabella’s autograph.

 

[kop blade]

gutted you passed away you was a little magician with the ball ,in 1978 its the year alex sabella set the lane alight ,loved you ,kop loved you .lane loved you rip blades legend ,,,,utb,,,,

 

[AnglesWithDirtyFaces]

With Estudiantes winning the 2009 Copa Libertadores
View attachment 100092

RIP Alex, I can remember when you played, you where miles ahead of the other players around you, always two or three moves ahead of every one else.

You will be sadly missed.

This is a great photo, is that Veron next to Alex, if so, a nice United connection with Veron's uncle being Pedro Verde

 

[Silent Blade]

RIP Alex, I can remember when you played, you where miles ahead of the other players around you, always two or three moves ahead of every one else.

You will be sadly missed.

This is a great photo, is that Veron next to Alex, if so, a nice United connection with Veron's uncle being Pedro Verde

Yes

 

[JohnGannonsPerm]

Amazing how he’s passed away less than a fortnight after the player we initially rejected.

I bet Pedro Verde is bricking it

 

[Sheffsteel]

I bet Pedro Verde is bricking it

ha ha......made me laugh.

I remember old Pedro......everyone just assumed....because he’s Argentinian then he must have the silky skills like Sabella.
What a let down.....he was more like the rest of the players...very average.

 

[ancientblade]

ha ha......made me laugh.

I remember old Pedro......everyone just assumed....because he’s Argentinian then he must have the silky skills like Sabella.
What a let down.....he was more like the rest of the players...very average.

he was nearly as bad as chris guthrie

 

[Big Hitter]

Sad to hear of Alex's passing. Silky ball skills and could hit the ball as well. Remember him turning a defender inside out a few times, and then leaving them gasping in his wake. Gone too early. RIP.

 

[Blade.com]

Wouldn't it be great if our scouting network were able to find another hidden gem to the level of Alex from any of the football crazy South American countries. Someone who would get you off your seat when they have the ball and tear opposition defences inside out. Yes we had Woody and TC who were exceptional, but Sabella added that extra bit of magic. I miss that excitement of seeing someone of that calibre. I suppose for most Blades fans who are of an age where they were too young or not even born, it's a situation where you don't miss what you have never experienced.
If only!
I'm getting quite emotional just thinking about it.

Unfortunately this type of player ain't around anymore, first you have to run fast, secondly be a good diver and for a truly gifted player if they can scream whilst rolling your a international player.
R.I.P Alex, thanks for the entertainment.

 

[spongebobblade]

Just as my first hero Woodys time was at an end, in breezed Sabella with us all still buzzing from the 78 World Cup. Having missed out on seeing TC I can say he was comfortably the most skilful player I’ve ever seen pull on the red and white stripes. An absolute genius with the ball who was wasted in an otherwise piss poor United side.
Rest in peace Alex

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

If Haslam would have been a bit more canny with his signings in summer 1978 things might have turned out much better for Alex and SUFC,

He had the basis of a good team with decent young 'uns such as Edwards, Stainrod, Campbell (okay there may have been other reasons why he was released), Hamson and Kenworthy who all had a couple of years first team experience by then. Plus in the wings he'd also got Varadi and Benjamin who made their debuts later that season. Instead of letting Edwards go for £50k and replacing him with the injury prone Finneston for £100k, and instead of bringing in Matthews and Tibbot for £200k for the pair and he'd have brought in a quality centre half (the Futcher who was the defender for example) and maybe Rioch for the season in midfield. Aligned with Sabella it could have been a different story altogether.

 

[kop blade]

sad im in tears all the time ,,we lost aSUFC legend top fella alex RIP ill see you in heaven pal for a chat great player for blades was a honour you played for us ,i loved ,,,,utb

 

[Pedro Verde]

I bet Pedro Verde is bricking it

Yes Iam

Sabella as has been said was a wonderful player great dribbler shame he wasnt here when TC and Woody were in their prime

 

[Silent Blade]

If Haslam would have been a bit more canny with his signings in summer 1978 things might have turned out much better for Alex and SUFC,

He had the basis of a good team with decent young 'uns such as Edwards, Stainrod, Campbell (okay there may have been other reasons why he was released), Hamson and Kenworthy who all had a couple of years first team experience by then. Plus in the wings he'd also got Varadi and Benjamin who made their debuts later that season. Instead of letting Edwards go for £50k and replacing him with the injury prone Finneston for £100k, and instead of bringing in Matthews and Tibbot for £200k for the pair and he'd have brought in a quality centre half (the Futcher who was the defender for example) and maybe Rioch for the season in midfield. Aligned with Sabella it could have been a different story altogether.

We had to let Campbell go, Matthews was a good signing, agree we should have kept Edwards instead of signing Finnieston. Tibbott and Rioch were deadline day signings. Not sure why we let Rioch go with 4 games left, maybe it was cos the loan period was for 28 days only?

 

[mikeheath]

Sabella was an absolutely amazing player. I remember him running down the left wing, just inside the touch-line, flipping the ball over a defender who'd come up to tackle him, running round the defender, bringing it down on the other side and then continuing down the line.
RIP

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

We had to let Campbell go, Matthews was a good signing, agree we should have kept Edwards instead of signing Finnieston. Tibbott and Rioch were deadline day signings. Not sure why we let Rioch go with 4 games left, maybe it was cos the loan period was for 28 days only?

I remember reading an article with Rioch years later and he was asked why he didn't extend his loan, his reply they never asked him too!!

Yes heard about Campbell's off the field antics and I thought Matthews was good in the Fourth Division but poor in the Second and Third Divisions.

 

[ancientblade]

I remember reading an article with Rioch years later and he was asked why he didn't extend his loan, his reply they never asked him too!!

Yes heard about Campbell's off the field antics and I thought Matthews was good in the Fourth Division but poor in the Second and Third Divisions.

pity mathews went into hiding may 81