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

**Quack** · 02/04/2004, 11:01 PM

"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.

**adamcarr** · 03/04/2004, 11:38 AM

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

**the scout** · 03/04/2004, 5:46 PM

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...:

you should have got him with your dalek death ray

**lopez** · 05/04/2004, 5:22 PM

Saw John 'Focus!' Fashanu at a London radio station one day coming through the door to which this idiot (moi) goes: 'O'right Justin.'

To be fair he replied 'o'right' with a big smile before walking off and reality striking me like a thunderbolt. Focus! Fooooooccccuuuuus!!!!

**Éanna** · 05/04/2004, 5:38 PM

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

**Metrostars** · 05/04/2004, 5:44 PM

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"

**Footie_Fan** · 05/04/2004, 5:53 PM

Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler.

**Gary** · 07/04/2004, 7:16 PM

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.

**RedX** · 14/04/2004, 11:55 PM

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

Lastly i met Ginger Healy,Dave Barry,George O Callaghan,Pat Dolan

and one of my all time City favourites who passed away recently Rob Hindmarch(RIP)

**A face** · 15/04/2004, 2:19 AM

Originally Posted by adamcarr

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

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.

**Plastic Paddy** · 15/04/2004, 9:00 AM

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"

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

PP

**brendy_éire** · 15/04/2004, 12:05 PM

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....

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

**RedX** · 15/04/2004, 5:35 PM

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

**lopez** · 16/04/2004, 9:35 AM

I forgot about George Best.

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.

**the 12 th man** · 16/04/2004, 9:56 AM

Originally Posted by lopez

I forgot about George Best.

Met him in Harrow.

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"

**parnell ranger** · 16/04/2004, 11:13 AM

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

**sylvo** · 16/04/2004, 11:13 AM

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

ked.

**Troy.McClure** · 16/04/2004, 4:19 PM

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!

**1Davy** · 16/04/2004, 5:17 PM

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.

**Breen** · 16/04/2004, 5:30 PM

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"

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.