Who's the most famous footballer you've met.

"Met", as in had a decent conversation with!


For me, it was Lubos Kubik. Never heard of him? He played for the Czech republic, scoring a brilliant goal for Czechoslovakia vs Costa Rica in Italia 90, and played in Euro 96. He played for Fiorentina, various Bundeslegia clubs and then Chicago Fire and Dallas Burn in the US.

In September 1999 I was coming back to Ireland from a summer in NYC. At JFK I got talking to a rather panicky minister (of the religious type) who was worried about his flight being rerouted via Atlanta ("They've got blocks and blocks of temptation!") I forget how, but he turned to a tall gentleman beside us and began talking to him. It turned out to be Lubos Kubik, enroute back home after the MLS Season (he never said his name, when I got home I did a search on Fiorentina/Chicago Fire/Czech republic and there he was) He was a very nice man to talk to (although my minister friend didn't have much interest in them) - said he was enjoying his football in the States despite the lower standard. He had played in Euro 96 of course, and at the Czech R's party-pooping defeat of Ireland prior to us going to USA 94. He remembered it as a good night out, with the obvious implication that he had been out on the booze.

Denis Irwin and Andy Townsend when they came to Wilton a good few years back! :cool:

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Originally Posted by davros

'Wur'Kevin Keegan,outside the Wovles' ground,when playing for Newcastle.....
For some inexplicable reason,he rubbed me on the head...:

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you should have got him with your dalek death ray :D

Saw John 'Focus!' Fashanu at a London radio station one day coming through the door to which this idiot (moi) goes: 'O'right Justin.' :eek: To be fair he replied 'o'right' with a big smile before walking off and reality striking me like a thunderbolt. Focus! Fooooooccccuuuuus!!!! :o

Chendo- former Real Madrid player and now involved in the management of the club. Managed to get autographs from: Ivan Zamorano, Michael Laudrup, Fernando Hierro, Paco Buyo, Lorenzo Sanz (ex president) Raul and a few others as well.

Met Steve Bruce and Brian McClair when I was about 12. Got an autograph and a few words with Graeme Souness and Matt Le Tiss when City played southampton a few years back

Met our good friend Roy Keane last year after a training session in New Jersey... I went around to the back of the stadium where they were training and was surprised to find the team bus. One by one the players came out. Had nice chats with O'Shea, Howard, Bellion, Fletcher, Carroll, Ferdinand and Forlan. Giggs and Phil Neville were kinda pouty but did sign and autograph. Van Nistelrooy refused to sign my autograph.

When Keane came out the conversation went like this:

"Howyra Roy, can you sign here?"
"Sure"...signs
"I'm another lad from Ireland, are ya havin a good trip?"
"Yeah great"
"Can we take a picture?"
"Sure"...security guy takes picture.
"So how come you left us Irish before the World Cup?"
He gave me one of his stares and said "Gotta go"

Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler.

Uwe Rosler when i used work in a pub in town. Also on the same night I met Niall Quinn (entertained people for the whole night without a fuss), Keith Curle, and actually pretty much all of that Man City theam (1996).

A guy i work with actually played for Sturm Graz (just discovered today) when he was younger. 3 or 4 games in the first team as a young fella. His dad is a Graz legend. It was his 70th birthday the other day and was invited by the club to kick off their league game last saturday. His surname is GAAR.

Gary...I heard Uwe Rosler was struck down with cancer over the last couple of years..not sure how he is doing though..was a good player that lad..

I have met a few decent players over the years but when you say famous i would like to say it means different for what you think of the person..i met George Burley(i am an Ipswich fan of course)and i could hardly speak..he was a hero of mine growing up so i was thrilled..

I have met Keano(legend)..Ian Rush..Daglish and a few more..

Oh and i met Peter Reid in Galway..he was walking down the town with Tony Coton and both were locked..shook hands with both..Cotons hands were like swollen shovels :D

Lastly i met Ginger Healy,Dave Barry,George O Callaghan,Pat Dolan :D and one of my all time City favourites who passed away recently Rob Hindmarch(RIP)

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Originally Posted by adamcarr

Denis Irwin and Andy Townsend when they came to Wilton a good few years back! :cool:

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Heard that AT was sound that day but DI was a **** .... kids were going up to him to get autographs and he would only sign autograph books, a few bits of paper that were given he just balled up.

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Originally Posted by Metrostars

Met our good friend Roy Keane last year after a training session in New Jersey... I went around to the back of the stadium where they were training and was surprised to find the team bus. One by one the players came out. Had nice chats with O'Shea, Howard, Bellion, Fletcher, Carroll, Ferdinand and Forlan. Giggs and Phil Neville were kinda pouty but did sign and autograph. Van Nistelrooy refused to sign my autograph.

When Keane came out the conversation went like this:

"Howyra Roy, can you sign here?"
"Sure"...signs
"I'm another lad from Ireland, are ya havin a good trip?"
"Yeah great"
"Can we take a picture?"
"Sure"...security guy takes picture.
"So how come you left us Irish before the World Cup?"
He gave me one of his stares and said "Gotta go"

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You are Father Ted from the Big Soccer boards and I claim my $5! :D

:D PP

Met David May and Lee Sharpe at one of those summer football training week things. At the end of it Lee Sharpe handed me a completely melted Snickers bar....:confused:

Greatest player I've ever had the pleasure of talking to though, none other than our own Liam Coyle. ;)

A face..i have heard many times from people around the place that Irwin is supposed to be fairly arrogant and stuck-up...always a bit of a smug g*t when he is on the panel for Irish matches..never took to the guy :rolleyes:

I forgot about George Best. :o Met him in Harrow at an after dinner speaking do he had with Rodney Marsh. He was sober and with this plain woman he was with before Alex. Despite what's happened he was a real gent. Also come out with that famous line when someone asked who he'd want to see as the next England manager: 'As an Irishman, I'd like Graham Taylor.'

Sat beside Cascarino in Lisbon airport and we talked for ages. On average I can't say I've met any more rude players than I've found in life generally.

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Originally Posted by lopez

I forgot about George Best. :o Met him in Harrow.

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just wondering lopez do you know why there are so many chinese people in harrow.??

when they arrive in heathrow,the first thing they do is get into a taxi and say "harro taxi man" :D

trevor brooking,billy bonds n pop robson all together in liptons eltham.

Met Paul Mcgrath after the georgia game man was a gent and sober before anyone ask's, met Gary Kelly nice fella, Met Mark Kennedy in a bar in Romania about three hour's after they'd beat us 1 nil, the guy must have been drinking on the pitch cause when i met him he could hardly stand up he was that f :p :p ked.

For my cushy job in the Uni paper Ive photographed (but wasnt interested in talking to) Mick McCarthy, had a few words with Ian Rush and posed for a photo with Pat Deviln, Jimmy 'The Memory Man' Magee and one Damien Duff.

I also met Alex Ferguson when he was over here to bring Magnier to court. I bluffed my way into a privet reception he was having here (UCD) and took his photo "for the paper" (I had left at this stage). After I had photo'd him he asked me if I wanted one of him and me, so I said ok and pulled out my 'McClure 21' Utd shirt (that some freinds gave me for my 21st a few months before) out of my bag . Everyone in the room copped what had just happened and burst out laughing, including Alex who was quite impressed. Ive met a good few famous people through college but have never been so nervous or in awe of Ferguson, he has a presence about him. Although he was A1 to me, I can see why people dont like to cross him!

Stayed a couple of weekends with Johnny Giles in the early 60's.

I was representing NIBC at table-tennis in the British Championships.

I was taken to the ground to meet the rest of the players, Charlton, Law etc.

However the best footballer i met would have to be Ronaldinho.

But the friendliest famous player i have met, has to be Johnny Mackenzie.

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Originally Posted by the 12 th man

just wondering lopez do you know why there are so many chinese people in harrow.??

when they arrive in heathrow,the first thing they do is get into a taxi and say "harro taxi man" :D

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Got nothing against Chinese people (got a few Chinese mates) but I've just spent the last two weeks working in Harrow and it's worrying how few people look English around there.

I've met Mark Lawernson, Liam Brady, John Giles and taken 2 penalties against Packie Bonner (I was 10, and missed them both!). The only footballer i've had a full blown conversation with is Millwalls 'keeper Tony Warner, who I met in a bar one early evening in Ibiza last June/July. He came across as a bit agressive, very moody. Most of our conversation centered around his time as David James understudy at Liverpool, and about Steven Reid & Richard Sadlier. He rightly predicted that Reid would leave Millwall and that Sadlier's career was finished. Funnily enough, in the same bar that night I met Jordan, as well as the creator & writer of 'Is harry on the boat?', who I later found out actually owned the place.

I know American Football doesn't count but it's different.

In the summer of 1989 I worked at a Country Club in Connecticut. They had a sports / charity golf day

I only recognised two names. OJ Simpson (pre trial). and Tip O'Neill - who was guest of honour.

By coincidence I'd just finished Tip O'Neill's autobiography. Those not familiar with TON, he was close to JFK, a Boston Irish/American and became the Leader of the House of Representatives.

A guy from N. Ireland - "Irish" - ran the locker room. He was a 'Prod', I was Catholic with an Irish surname etc etc etc. - all that ****e mattered to me then.

I was helping Irish in the locker room when out from the shower walked a bollok naked OJ Simpson, tadger and all. Let's just say he wouldn't have killed anyone with that weapon.

A bit later TON came in. I've told Irish that I'd read his book, admired the guy etc. So Irish gets Tip, and introduces me, says my name, then the fatal words, from Scotland.

Tip mumbles something, then looks at me like I'd shot JFK.

Not really too famous but a gang of us went over to a fans thing with Coventry city about 5/6 years ago over the easter weekend (one of the buddies was a fan, the rest of us were just on the beers!) and had a good natter with Gordon Strachan, Gary MacAllister and Steve Ogrizovic (man he is one huge MF..) at a free bar reception.

Michael Hughes who played for Wimbledon back in 1999....

Had a fairly halting chat with Klaus Augenthaler back in '91....he was wandering around in the crowd in Musgrave before that famous match(!!) and was quite happy to sign autographs and chat away...even if his english wasn't too hot... :)

met the legend paul mcgrath after italia 90. also bumped into mcateer, babb and ian rush in the airport on seperate occasions.
had a drunken talk with johnny aldridge in a liverpool pub one night....well i know i was drunk.
on holiday in cyprus one year (98ish). started talking to keith oneill and mike milligan. oneill was sound really. got us into a club for nought, wasnt shy about getting the drinks in and brought a lot of dolly attention to our section. his choice of clothes and footwear left a lot to be desired though (not that im a fashion expert or anything!!). possibly explains his poor run of injury form: his body reacting to hideous overpriced garmets..

Met Mo Johnston once, he stayed a few times with my aunt and uncle just after he arrived at Celtic from Watford.(uncle was some sort of pr man or something with Partick Thistle) Me and my cousin went into their house to get some water after playing football out in the park, my aunt told us mo was upstairs and he was coming down for breakfast. When he came down i think he had beans on toast(memory not that great on exactly what he ate) as he farted in our direction while sitting beside him on the couch we thought it was hilarious, if only we had a crystal ball we could've hammered him over the head with it because we wouldve known what he was going to do years later.

Met the whole Liverpool squad some years back in Tamango's night club Portmarnock. A mate of mine spent half an hour talking to "John Aldridge". A very friendly conversation. As "John" got up to leave he turned to my mate and said, "by the way, the name's Ian, Ian Rush.

Matt Busby - used to live in the same part of Manchester as me, when he moved in with his son.
Pat Crerand - used to go to away matches in a group that contained Pat, and he lived around the corner from me mate
Denis Law - At a function to raise money for a fans Busby memorial
Norman Whiteside - went the same Uni as him
Roy Keane - used to drink in his local, sound.
Denis Irwin in Homebase and at a reserve match (with Ole and Dion Dublin!). Didn't seem arrogant or ignorant to me.
Bryan Robson and Kevin Moran - both live(d) by my school, regularly met them or saw them in the pub across the road.
Fergie at an IMUSA meeting.

Used to see a few others out and about in Manch, including youth team era Beckham at student nights in Town, but the above the famous ones.

Mick OByrnre - Former UCD striker!! Sound bloke actually, him and the rest of the team out in Pegs after we had won the Leinster Senior Cup a few years back!

Robbie Fowler, got his autograph and he dropped my pen and said "oops, sorry mate", does that count?

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Originally Posted by sylvo

Met Mark Kennedy in a bar in Romania about three hour's after they'd beat us 1 nil, the guy must have been drinking on the pitch cause when i met him he could hardly stand up he was that f :p :p ked.

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Sylvo - you were probably looking in the mirror!

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Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

You are Father Ted from the Big Soccer boards and I claim my $5! :D

:D PP

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Aye, thought I'd heard that story before :D


For me its Niall Quinn by a country mile. Met him on quite a few occasions, a pure gent. Happy to sit a chat with you as long as you want, none of that 'trying to get off' as soon as you've said hello business.

When he was playing for Man City you'd see him around some of the Irish pubs/clubs. Now he tends to ask if they still going etc.etc.., Always seems to remember the Manchester Irish Lads!!

Met half the team after the Spain game in SK. While obviously very down about the result they were all pretty friendly and just letting there hair down. Gary Kelly was in top form!!!

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Originally Posted by Breen

Got nothing against Chinese people (got a few Chinese mates) but I've just spent the last two weeks working in Harrow and it's worrying how few people look English around there.

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whats worrying about??

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Originally Posted by Macy

Matt Busby - used to live in the same part of Manchester as me, when he moved in with his son.
Pat Crerand - used to go to away matches in a group that contained Pat, and he lived around the corner from me mate
Denis Law - At a function to raise money for a fans Busby memorial
Norman Whiteside - went the same Uni as him
Roy Keane - used to drink in his local, sound.
Denis Irwin in Homebase and at a reserve match (with Ole and Dion Dublin!). Didn't seem arrogant or ignorant to me.
Bryan Robson and Kevin Moran - both live(d) by my school, regularly met them or saw them in the pub across the road.
Fergie at an IMUSA meeting.

Used to see a few others out and about in Manch, including youth team era Beckham at student nights in Town, but the above the famous ones.

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MAcy, did you grow up / were you born in Manchester? whats the connection?

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Originally Posted by Junior

whats worrying about??

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Harrow's gone a bit downhill over the past decade and of course people are blaming a. the destruction of Wembley's Chalk Hill estate and the dispersal of the people there who didn't pay their rent and b. an influx of asylum seekers. Consequently the lack of 'English looking' people although it's years since there were that many 'English' living there.

Anyway no one mentions the abundance of pubs opened over the last decade which has left the town centre a bit of an OK Corral on Friday and Saturday nights in which neither the drug dealers nor the asylum seekers tend to frequent.

Eamon Quinn a few years back.

I met the late great Bob Paisley, Ronnie Moran and Joe Fagan once outside the Burlington Hotel.
The three were sitting outside on a bench (funnily enough) enjoying the evening air.
Leighton Phillips also gave me some money at a freindly game at Tolka park in the early 80's...for some reason the crowd were lobbing money at him as he warmed up. Cheers Leighton!

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Originally Posted by lopez

Harrow's gone a bit downhill over the past decade and of course people are blaming a. the destruction of Wembley's Chalk Hill estate and the dispersal of the people there who didn't pay their rent and b. an influx of asylum seekers. Consequently the lack of 'English looking' people although it's years since there were that many 'English' living there.

Anyway no one mentions the abundance of pubs opened over the last decade which has left the town centre a bit of an OK Corral on Friday and Saturday nights in which neither the drug dealers nor the asylum seekers tend to frequent.

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Yep Harrows just generally dirty and crap... think of a smaller Grozny but with some of the buildings still standing. The pubs are rubbish too, there's the "Fat Controller" just off the High Street, and the "Junction" used to go to those coz they were cheap, but in terms of nightlife the whole place is a real dump avoid it like the plague. They tried putting in a second shopping center "St. Georges" but it isnt very good... Watford (as in the proper town, not some Glaswegian team) and even Uxbridge are better in general.

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Originally Posted by slow2anger

Sylvo - you were probably looking in the mirror!

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Errr you may well be slow to anger, but yer pretty quick to crash out of the cup. :D
I'll have a nice pint of Kilkenny waiting for yer on friday at the meeting. :D

Georgie and flynny


its downhill from there ;)

Deep breath.....

kluivert
van nistelrooy
hasselbaink
van der saar
overmars
van bronckhurst
aldridge
souness
platt
duff...*gave him a lift*
alan kelly
staunton
martin o neill
kirkland
boyd
gordon strachan
hartson
joachim
redfearn
danny mills
paul dickov
mick mcCarthy
brian kerr
mcgrath
gabbiadini
kinsella
hedman
chris powell
allison
eadie
andy marshall
jaap stam
van gaal
westerweld
and.....ruud gullit!

beat that. ;)

ure either a hooker or an agent :)