What's your dullest anecdote about meeting a footballer?

[Pottedmeattoes]

worked in Waddles house a few years back, he played for Bradford and scored a great free kick against Everton,made a cuppa for workmen and sat to kitchen table expecting praise for his wonder goal on MTD,.After a bit of chat he said ,anybody watch MTD saturday,no response from 3 of us,he said you must be blades while removing choccy biscuits.

 

[BerksBlade]

worked in Waddles house a few years back, he played for Bradford and scored a great free kick against Everton,made a cuppa for workmen and sat to kitchen table expecting praise for his wonder goal on MTD,.After a bit of chat he said ,anybody watch MTD saturday,no response from 3 of us,he said you must be blades while removing choccy biscuits.

Waddle: "Anyone watch MotD last neet?"
Workman #1: "Aye. Saw that Chris Waddle on there - he's shite. He looks a bit like you, by the way."

 

[shorehamview]

You have a hard on a kitten couldn't climb……

Literary genius. Nearly died laughing.

 

[Flatcap]

Shared a snug room in the Grapes pub with John Egan for a few hours just after Christmas, shared absolutely no conversation and then shared COVID as nearly every fecker in the room got it that night, including him I gather, as he was out of training for a while afterwards.

Stood to the right of Leon Clarke on Fargate the morning before a home match, during his hot streak. Wanted to say "Good luck" but when I looked to my left, I saw how tall he was and shat myself.

Saw Keith Edwards this season, outside my workplace. He was driving a lorry and smiling to himself so that explains why he's not doing radio commentary.

Saw Basham in the Rutland pub when we got promoted to the prem. He was wearing a grey suit with a Blades badge and looked absolutely leathered. Again, too tall so I said nothing.

Seen Tony Currie multiple times in mundane places. Never had the balls to approach him because he has a resting bitch face.

Come to think of it, am I an introvert?

 

[Flatcap]

Also walked ahead of Derek Geary this season on the way to Bramall Lane. I told my mum who he was and she turned around and waved. I didn't.

I saw Verrips training in Norfolk Park with one other person. It's true. He did have long fingers.

I ate in a Japanese sushi place on West Street with my missus and there was a table of dolled up women with huge lips, fake tan, straightened hair and ridiculously long, fake nails. I joked that they 'looked like WAGs' and a minute later, Regan Slater and his mates came and sat opposite them.

 

[Nedski]

I occasionally served Danny Higginbotham petrol while he was at Southampton. Think he drove a big black Escalade. Never struck up a conversation.

I was good mates with Drew Surman in the years before he became pro. His dad and mine played in the same cricket team so we'd both go along and play footy all day. Very very good player, you could tell he had that extra something that meant he'd make it pro. Lovely lad too, but never forgiven him for turning us down at least twice.

 

[M12allot]

Sat next to Chris Basham in wagamamas at meads, I said hello but we were both there for thirty minutes after so it was a bit awkward.

 

[Nedski]

How did I forget this one.

I once walked passed a table at Buddha nightclub in Southampton that was reserved for Nathaniel Clyne. He hadn't arrived yet.

I'd regularly see him driving through Southampton town centre early afternoon in his Bentley Continental while I was walking to tesco express for my lunchtime meal deal (Southern fried chicken wrap, steak McCoy's and Irn Bru or Dr Pepper)

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Non-Blade one. I once pulled a lass on a night out in Leeds and went back to hers. It wasn’t the most laborious pull so not a lot of conversation. My mate also went back with her mate. Next morning we overlaid (well she did, I didn’t need to be anywhere) and was rushing about like a mad woman. Turned out she was the then physio at Farsley Celtic who had reached the FA Cup first round and had MK Dons that day. There was a feature on them on Calendar/Look North the following evening during which she made a brief appearance. A little surreal after waking up with her the day before.

 

[sitwell]

100% true story. Although I think Antonio had just moved to Wet Sham. Could be wrong tho as I’m getting old It is clearly a small world. UTB

I was told he bought 2 ,for him and the Mrs with his transfer fee money. The taxi driver bit was spot on, mis my Evoque actually

 

[Brewster Cost £70 million]

Used to see Tony Crane quite a lot in the Royal pub at woodhouse,once he was on crutches and was trying to start shit with some blades I was with,safe to say he was easy to wind up and wanted to fight everyone

 

[pommpey]

Non-Blade one. I once pulled a lass on a night out in Leeds and went back to hers. It wasn’t the most laborious pull so not a lot of conversation. My mate also went back with her mate. Next morning we overlaid (well she did, I didn’t need to be anywhere) and was rushing about like a mad woman. Turned out she was the then physio at Farsley Celtic who had reached the FA Cup first round and had MK Dons that day. There was a feature on them on Calendar/Look North the following evening during which she made a brief appearance. A little surreal after waking up with her the day before.

Did you blam her up the shitter?

We need to know. It's still in the international break thanose

pommpey

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

A few weeks ago, I was walking into David Lloyd in Newbury and there was a bloke sat in the little cafe bit having some food, who looked exactly like Sol Campbell. Problem being, I didn't have my glasses on so positive ID was not an option.

After finishing my gym session, I was in the changing rooms and a few lads next to me were excitedly talking about seeing Sol Campbell.

I guess it was him. I wasn't sure at the time. Wish I had my glasses on now. We could have had a chat.

Oh well. Wonder what he was doing here?

You did ask for dull didn't you?

 

[Nah den]

Couple of seasons back my brother messaged me to say he was in the upstairs of Prithiraj on Eccy Road post match and John Egan had come in with his mum and what he presumed to be his sister as "she wasn't that fit". I asked him what he ordered. Mushroom pilau apparently. Bit odd.

 

[YorkBlade]

A few weeks ago, I was walking into David Lloyd in Newbury and there was a bloke sat in the little cafe bit having some food, who looked exactly like Sol Campbell. Problem being, I didn't have my glasses on so positive ID was not an option.

After finishing my gym session, I was in the changing rooms and a few lads next to me were excitedly talking about seeing Sol Campbell.

I guess it was him. I wasn't sure at the time. Wish I had my glasses on now. We could have had a chat.

Oh well. Wonder what he was doing here?

You did ask for dull didn't you?

David Lloyd. Someone's doing well

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

Oh yeah, saw Tyrone Mings in a service station on the M1 on my way up to Hull at home this season.

He walked past Subway, and went for one of those Oriental/East Asian noodle chain things.

Then, just to make things more exciting, we ended up next to each other at the petrol station on the way out.







I didn't need petrol, I just followed him.

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

David Lloyd. Someone's doing well

Yeah, the wife .

Her employer pays my gym membership. I know, I know.

 

[Rapturian]

Paul Coutts came into my shop to collect a piece of glass.

I apologised for the misspelling of his surname on the order.
He said it was ok.
We both laughed.

He left.

 

[Webding]

I mentioned this one on our last podcast, but it’s so dull it needs repeating.

Saw Darius Henderson at Glastonbury.
I said “Are you Darius Henderson?”
He said “No”
I said “Yes you are” and walked off

Escaped without getting elbowed, thankfully.

 

[Pottedmeattoes]

After a great saturday match Dellas thunderbolt v pompey much beer and acting daft,bumped into Tri in morrisons medowhead.He appeared to be doing a quick shop with a rough looking woman,egged on ,told him,tha can do better than her in Big Tree.Turned out to be his mother,pissed off while he translated.Later on ordered Indian to deliver to townend,waited for driver and accompaned tea home.

 

[Tickhill Blade]

Oh yeah, saw Tyrone Mings in a service station on the M1 on my way up to Hull at home this season.

He walked past Subway, and went for one of those Oriental/East Asian noodle chain things.

Then, just to make things more exciting, we ended up next to each other at the petrol station on the way out.







I didn't need petrol, I just followed him.

He'll have known you followed him, only footballers can afford to fill up at the services

 

[djbaldken]

Was collecting my morning papers in Outlane Huddersfield. Frank Worthington walked in. he lived opposite.
We walked out together and I said to him 'One hump or two'. Which is the title of his autobiography.
He smiled and asked if I was a Town fan (Huddersfield)
I said no Im a Blade.
He replied 'Tony Currie. Great player. I used to room with him on England duty'
We had a conversation for a few minutes. Cant for the life of me remember what we talked about.
He seemed a really ok guy. No pretensions at all.
Shame about the way he died.

 

[Bladethebrian]

Was collecting my morning papers in Outlane Huddersfield. Frank Worthington walked in. he lived opposite.
We walked out together and I said to him 'One hump or two'. Which is the title of his autobiography.
He smiled and asked if I was a Town fan (Huddersfield)
I said no Im a Blade.
He replied 'Tony Currie. Great player. I used to room with him on England duty'
We had a conversation for a few minutes. Cant for the life of me remember what we talked about.
He seemed a really ok guy. No pretensions at all.
Shame about the way he died.

When I was a lad and collected autographs there was a time when he trained with the blades (as did Peter Shelton). He was a top bloke - very happy to chat with me and my mates

 

[Bert]

Bert was collecting his morning paper many years ago in Lincoln.
The shop owner was an ex Lincoln goalkeeper. Bert was having his usual banter with him, telling him how crap Lincoln were.

As Bert walked out he noticed Phil Neale stood behind him. Lincoln City captain and Worcestershire cricketer.

 

[TCsLoveChild]

I was told he bought 2 ,for him and the Mrs with his transfer fee money. The taxi driver bit was spot on, mis my Evoque actually

Yeah my Evoque was a great car and despite the bad reputation I never had any problems with it. UTB

 

[broomhillblade]

Not player related, but quite a few years ago I was queuing at the checkout at a supermarket in Sheffield. In front of me was an angelic little boy, probably aged about 5 or 6, with his dad. The problem was the boy was wearing a Sheffield Wednesday shirt. I thought I should engage in some gentle banter so I commented that he would be better off wearing red and white stripes. At this point his father said to the little boy: "What do we call Sheffield United's players". I was expecting him to trot out a few names... Brian Deane, Dane Whitehouse... etc. Instead the little boy smiled sweetly, looked me in the eye, and said "Nancy boys".

Kids today.....

 

[shorehamview]

Not player related, but quite a few years ago I was queuing at the checkout at a supermarket in Sheffield. In front of me was an angelic little boy, probably aged about 5 or 6, with his dad. The problem was the boy was wearing a Sheffield Wednesday shirt. I thought I should engage in some gentle banter so I commented that he would be better off wearing red and white stripes. At this point his father said to the little boy: "What do we call Sheffield United's players". I was expecting him to trot out a few names... Brian Deane, Dane Whitehouse... etc. Instead the little boy smiled sweetly, looked me in the eye, and said "Nancy boys".

Kids today.....

You should have punched the little shit in the kidneys, that would have shown him.

 

[William Large]

I saw Chris Morgan in Marks and Spencer at Meadowhall last week. I didn’t say anything to him and he didn’t say anything to me.
I said to my missus ‘that’s Chris Morgan’ she said ‘who?’
We then walked out and called in at boots for a bottle of Diet Coke on the way home.

 

[William Large]

I saw Chris Morgan in Marks and Spencer at Meadowhall last week. I didn’t say anything to him and he didn’t say anything to me.
I said to my missus ‘that’s Chris Morgan’ she said ‘who?’
We then walked out and called in at boots for a bottle of Diet Coke on the way home.

Oh and a few years ago, I helped Tony Agana retrieve his trampoline when some really strong winds had blown it into a farmers field near his house.

Well, I say helped… I was walking my dog and saw a trampoline in the field. As I was nearing Tony’s house he came out and said ‘have you seen a trampoline?’

Resisting the urge for a swift, sarcastic response - which would have been thrown back at a lesser mortal, I replied ‘yeah it’s in the field there Tony’
He said ‘cheers mate’ and jogged off to get it’
My daughter was with me at the time and is convinced that me and Tony are best pals.

I feel I must also clarify that it was a bungalow not a house.

I see him fairly regularly knocking about and I’m delighted to report that he seems a a right nice bloke and always says ‘hello’.

I doubt very much he shares such fond memories of our encounter. I doubt he even remembers it / me. Although there is a small part of me wonders if he remembers me as ‘smart arse dog walker who pointed out where my trampoline was, then fucked off without offering to actually help me’

Anyway, nice guy and looks about 30 still.

 

[Champagneblade]

My Dad retired and moved to Cloughton, a small town between Whitby in Scarborough. He used to walk his dog on the beach early mornings and have his breakfast in a cafe adjacent to Scarborough harbour.

There he met Kevin McCabe and some other down to earth blokes who became a new friendship base for him.

I met my Dad at the Copthorne one Friday night, as we often did before home games, and McCabe came over. He told us to rock up at 9am the following morning and he gave us a tour of the ground, which included walking in the dressing rooms and sitting in the manager’s dugout where he took a photo of me and my Dad together.

That same morning he invited us up to Shirecliffe and took us behind the scenes there. I didn’t see any first team players but saw some of the younger lads take part in a training session. We had a cracking day until the match itself. We drew and Chris O’Grady scored.

My Dad formed a good friendship with McCabe, they didn’t see each other outside of the cafe and the Copthorne, but exchanged numbers. As my Dad’s mobility deteriorated McCabe reserved him a parking space at Bramall Lane on match days.

My Dad died in July and Kevin came to his funeral and the do afterwards at Scarborough rugby club. I appreciate he divides opinion on here but he was a brilliant, genuine bloke to my Dad and good company.

When I met Kevin in the past he's always come over as very genuine and engaging. From that perspective you can see why he has been successful as a figurehead of a Business that has been long running.

It's a pity he got himself in such a pickle with the Prince from his perspective as it does seem as the Premier League got closer he really looked to cut the Prince out and it backfired terribly. I'm sure this could have been avoided. It also didn't sound like the whole power sharing thing went well as Kevin wanted to make unilateral decisions as he had before when he only now owned half.

Also, you have to say that on one hand he and the family put a fair amount of money into Sheffield United yet you can't help but feel a lot of that was only required due to some poor decision making on his behalf. Manager hires were generally bad or divisive during the period. Maybe there was a little I'll fortune too. I.e. had Ched gone home early then maybe Wilson would have taken us up.

Hopefully he has moved on now and isn't overcome with bitterness as retirement approaches.