Ever met a Redmen?

[Red Astaire]

Just following on from the where's Sturridge thread. Has anyone ever met an LFC player? I'm sure loads of you have but I'd love to hear your tales (I'm pulling an all nighter tonight so could do with the read) What were they like? Moody? Great? Friendly?

As I said in the other thread I met Aldo and Molby while visiting the LFC shop when I was a nipper. They both just drove in - Parked up and started chatting to all the kids (and some of the adults) At the time it was like meeting a rock star. I remember my Uncle told them whenever I went to the barbers to get my haircut I told them to cut it like King Kenny - They both pissed themselves. Aldo ruffled my hair and said 'You'll soon grow out of that lad'. At the time it was the happiest day of my life. 🙂 The pair of them couldn't have been more ace.

 

[Piedro]

Best one was meeting fowler at a wedding where he was best man. Bought him a pint cos the speech was great. He bought me one back later on. Top fella.

Met Didi, Barnsey, Rush, Babel, Mascher, Gerrard, Carra, John Scales, Ngog, loads more can't remember. Gary Ablett a few times as his daughter was in my year at school. Kevin Nolan as he's married to a close friend. Lots more, I'll be back in a bit.

 

[StevieM]

I met Didi Hamann while watching the game against Villa in Kula Lumpur the other day.

He was an absolute gent.

 

[Red Astaire]

I met Didi Hamann while watching the game against Villa in Kula Lumpur the other day.

He was an absolute gent.

I saw the pic stevie - I love didi. 2005 would not have been so amazing if not for him. Fact.

 

[Judge Jules]

Met quite a few at Melwood on the Alan Kennedy tour back in the mid-90s. Redknapp, Rushy, Digger and (perhaps surprisingly to some) Ruddock were all great, no airs and graces about them and specially kind to the kids on the tour. Robbie was there but stayed on the fringes a bit. Molby was said to be around but we didn't see him. Very definitely not impressed by McMoneyman and Babb, who stood apart pointing and giggling like a couple of snidey schoolgirls. At one point Mark Kennedy drove in through the gate and none of us recognised him. 😀

 

[Red Astaire]

This always makes me giggle. I love Vlad. 🙂

 

[Red Astaire]

Not be a downer but I once met Phil Neal. He was Coventry Manager at the time. He was a bit of a wanker if I have to honest.

 

[Woland]

My earliest experiences of meeting players was that they were fucking dicks. I'd probably think they were well funny now but they were going on and on about shagging and I was kinda shocked, even though I wasn't exactly a kid, probably about 14. They're both legends so I won't mention who coz it ain't fair on them... but I resolved at that point to keep watching them play great football - but never to idolise the bastards or assume that they're nice people.

I've met a few lately but I just shake hands and walk off. They don't want to hear my bullshit and I don't want to hear theirs.

 

[Judge Jules]

Haha, yeah, that's a classic clip of Vlad and the Red Tide in Bordeaux.

Vlad frustrated the living feck out of me at times. You could see he had talent, but he never had the mental or physical strength to make the most of it in the Prem. By crikey, he came through at the end of his time with us though. 😎

 

[Best Believe It]

I met Craig Johnston on a train once. I was pretty much speechless and mumbled through most of the conversation. It was the day we beat Monaco in the Champions League. He was predicting a Liverpool win.

 

[Red Astaire]

Haha, yeah, that's a classic clip of Vlad and the Red Tide in Bordeaux.

Vlad frustrated the living feck out of me at times. You could see he had talent, but he never had the mental or physical strength to make the most of it in the Prem. By crikey, he came through at the end of his time with us though. 😎

Fucking A man! Couldn't agree more.

 

[Red Astaire]

Met quite a few at Melwood on the Alan Kennedy tour back in the mid-90s. Redknapp, Rushy, Digger and (perhaps surprisingly to some) Ruddock were all great, no airs and graces about them and specially kind to the kids on the tour. Robbie was there but stayed on the fringes a bit. Molby was said to be around but we didn't see him. Very definitely not impressed by McMoneyman and Babb, who stood apart pointing and giggling like a couple of snidey schoolgirls. At one point Mark Kennedy drove in through the gate and none of us recognised him. 😀

how am I not surprised by McMoneyman - Shame really. I loved the floppy haired wingster. What a player though.

 

[mark1975]

Met a few down the years at different functions and stuff, I met Paul Walsh years ago too at a football school in Sefton Park when I was a nipper. Most recent was Skrtel a couple of years back, he was shopping in Sports Direct of all places with his Dad (some older guy anyway, and it was around Christmas), had his picture took with my lad and took a fair bit of banter from what was prominently bluenose staff, Sports Direct sounded like that pub off 15 minutes that shook the World, "red shite", "RED SHITE".

 

[Woland]

Did everyone else shout 'don't hit it from there you fucking dick' when he scored against Milan?

 

[Sunny]

My earliest experiences of meeting players was that they were fucking dicks. I'd probably think they were well funny now but they were going on and on about shagging and I was kinda shocked, even though I wasn't exactly a kid, probably about 14. They're both legends so I won't mention who coz it ain't fair on them... but I resolved at that point to keep watching them play great football - but never to idolise the bastards or assume that they're nice people.

I've met a few lately but I just shake hands and walk off. They don't want to hear my bullshit and I don't want to hear theirs.

I have mixed feelings mate. We were in the Living Room after we beat Man U 3-1 on a Sunday once and Hamann and Babbel were in the booth next to us. Hamann kept on trying to chat me missus up and Babbel was an ignorant cock. I don't get all doe-eyed around famous people so there was no adulation on my part but they pissed me off because they were acting like arrogant bellends. Anyways, my mate, a blue was taking a piss in the bogs next to Danny Murphy and told him how I, a die hard red, was pissed off with them because of the way they were acting. Next thing you know Danny Murphy bounces over for a chat. Absolute gent and just said we're not all like that and that they were "Typical Germans - arrogant bellends". He was a sound fella. Introduced me to Sami Hyppia as well who was tops. I just shook his hand and said well done for beating the Mancs or something.

I've met a few to be honest red and blue (and some West Ham when we were down in Essex - top lads them - ended up bevvying with them). Some have been sound - Redknapp, Fowler, Hutchinson. Tim Breacker, . Some have been bells - David James, Ian Bishop, Bilic, Abel Xavier. Special mention to Stevie McManaman as well who really helped us out when we were raising money for our mate who eventually died of cancer.

I just take them or leave them now. I would never go up and introduce myself.

I once literally bumped into Ice T and his massive entoruage in Schipol though. I really wanted a photo with him but I'd have looked a right bellend as I was suited up for work.

 

[Woland]

I'm not saying they're all dicks. I've since met a few who were ace. Danny Murphy came into the pub I was in (in chester, don't ask) after scoring the only goal against Man U away and stuck a grand behind the bar and told the manager to get everyone pissed. I mean that is fucking awesome. Carra helps out with all the local charities round here... etc.

I just mean that like you I'd be as likely to talk to a footy player as any other person I didn't know.

 

[Sunny]

I'm not saying they're all dicks. I've since met a few who were ace. Danny Murphy came into the pub I was in (in chester, don't ask) after scoring the only goal against Man U away and stuck a grand behind the bar and told the manager to get everyone pissed. I mean that is fucking awesome. Carra helps out with all the local charities round here... etc.

I just mean that like you I'd be as likely to talk to a footy player as any other person I didn't know.

Yeah I get you mate. I wouldn't bounce up to them a be a pest. If I end up talking to them through the natural development of a conversation then sound.

 

[Dahuge]

I've quite a few, the best though was kenny a few years back when we where playing Romania. The company I worked for had their head offce their so I arranged a visit to co-incide with the game. Went to have a meal in a hotel and kenny was in there with a few people, ended up having a couple of beers with him and a general chat. He was brilliant, you could see he was genuinely made up that I had arranged a work visit so that I could watch the match. HE got through at least 5 bottles of wine between 4 of them.

Jan Molby has always been a good one when I have met him, always a great talker and a laugh.

The coolest was Samuel L Jackson when he was filming 51st State, had a chat with him at the bar in baby Blue.

 

[Jack D Rips]

I met Kevin Keegan in 1973, I think it was. It was outside Anfield and he arrived back from training driving a VW Beetle. He chatted to me and a mate for about ten minutes . Nice guy.

On the same trip I met Bill Shankly, who was in our hotel for Sunday lunch, with his wife and family. Again he chatted for ten minutes and never showed any signs that he wanted to get away. Even though he probably did.

 

[Woland]

One weird one was David Fairclough.

Over the Christmas before last I saw him at the match when I was in corporate and he came over to our table to talk about the match, in the supermarket doing the Christmas shopping thing, in a pub in town, in the airport queue to Dublin and walking down Lord St all in the period of about 10 days. I thought that a) This is the truman show and they've ran out of extras and b) he defo thinks I'm stalking him.

 

[gkmacca]

I once had to interview Craig Johnston and he was such a nice bloke. He was very funny, fascinating and humble, then he ended up in tears talking about Liverpool and the fans, which set me off and we were a couple of weeping twits.

Years and years ago I was on the train from Lime Street down to Birmingham when I saw Ron Yeats and his scouting colleagues further down the compartment. I kept getting up to go and have a word and get his autograph, then I thought I shouldn't hassle him and sat down again. Eventually I thought, 'For god's sake get his bloody autograph at least!' So I finally plucked up the courage, went up to him, apologised for bothering him and explained I was a fan. He gave me a huge smile and said, 'You're very welcome, laddie - watching you before I thought you were doing a one man Okey Cokey!' Lovely man and he chatted away quite happily for the rest of the journey.

Kevin Keegan gave you the impression he'd make house calls if he missed out anyone's autograph. Great bloke.

Ian Callaghan - a real gentleman, as good and decent as anyone would imagine.

 

[Red Astaire]

I once had to interview Craig Johnston and he was such a nice bloke. He was very funny, fascinating and humble, then he ended up in tears talking about Liverpool and the fans, which set me off and we were a couple of weeping twits.

Years and years ago I was on the train from Lime Street down to Birmingham when I saw Ron Yeats and his scouting colleagues further down the compartment. I kept getting up to go and have a word and get his autograph, then I thought I shouldn't hassle him and sat down again. Eventually I thought, 'For god's sake get his bloody autograph at least!' So I finally plucked up the courage, went up to him, apologised for bothering him and explained I was a fan. He gave me a huge smile and said, 'You're very welcome, laddie - watching you before I thought you were doing a one man Okey Cokey!' Lovely man and he chatted away quite happily for the rest of the journey.

LOL brilliant!

 

[Got the moves like Carra]

One weird one was David Fairclough.

Over the Christmas before last I saw him at the match when I was in corporate and he came over to our table to talk about the match, in the supermarket doing the Christmas shopping thing, in a pub in town, in the airport queue to Dublin and walking down Lord St all in the period of about 10 days. I thought that a) This is the truman show and they've ran out of extras and b) he defo thinks I'm stalking him.

Ha ha, similar happended with me and Jimmy Case. Met him as the legend on one of those Anfield days that the Mrs had bought me for Xmas last year and then 3 days later bumped into him in the restaurant in a hotel nr Southampton and then again the following week in a bar in Eastleigh near Southampton while I was down there for work. Had similar thoughts on the stalking thing

 

[Red Astaire]

I met Kevin Keegan in 1973, I think it was. It was outside Anfield and he arrived back from training driving a VW Beetle. He chatted to me and a mate for about ten minutes . Nice guy.

On the same trip I met Bill Shankly, who was in our hotel for Sunday lunch, with his wife and family. Again he chatted for ten minutes and never showed any signs that he wanted to get away. Even though he probably did.

Fucking hell! In the presence of greatness! 😎

 

[Woland]

Oh yeah... bumped into Rafa in Barcelona in 2007 just before we beat them 2-1. My kids were little and star struck and he stopped and had a photo and had a few words with them even though he must have been bricking it for the match if he was anything like me. The kids love that photo.

So yeah, I'm a cynical old bastard. Ignore me.

 

[Silver Sean]

Not be a downer but I once met Phil Neal. He was Coventry Manager at the time. He was a bit of a wanker if I have to honest.

I met him in the Legend's Lounge at Anfield. I was pissed. I offered him my hand and said 'Thank for everything'. He grabbed me, hugged me and said 'No, thank YOU for everything.'

Of course, we are all exactly the same every minute of every day and never act differently to anyone regardless of how bored/tired/emotional/drunk/pissed off we are. If only all famous people were the same as us.

 

[Silver Sean]

This always makes me giggle. I love Vlad. 🙂

That's brilliant. Loved him too. I wrote him a letter and sent it to Bordeaux when he left after I read he said he was sad we'd never really seen him at his best.

 

[Pesam]

Did everyone else shout 'don't hit it from there you fucking dick' when he scored against Milan?

Haha, yes I was gutted when I saw him about to attempt such a ridiculous effort. Similarly I doubted SG's sanity when he shot from "way too far out" against West Ham in the FA Cup Final the following season!

 

[Spionkop69]

I met David Speedie in a pub in Richmond when he was on the piss with my mate. I scared him by falling at his feet and worshipping him because he scored against the Mancs and the Blues on away and home debuts.

For my part I was very, very drunk.

Jan Molby and me had a heated debate over Rafa in early 2009, while Alan Kennedy sat there with splinters in his arse. Molby then body checked me in the 5 a side later, picked me and winked at me. I was slightly scared given his nightclub antics.

 

[nealmac]

I've met a few, but meeting John Aldridge trumped them all. What a nice down-to-earth guy he is.

Myself, the missus and the kids were on a weekend break in Dublin. We were in having a bit of grub at the hotel when when Aldo walked in. As we finished eating, he just happened to be finishing up as well. We went to the lobby, in the hopes of getting a photo. However, he didn't appear, and we assumed he'd gone out one of the other doors. Anyway, that was that, or so it seemed. The missus had to go to the toilet, so I waited in the lobby with the kids. No sooner had she disappeared, when Aldo arrived out. My young son had a Liverpool top on, and without me having to make any effort, Aldo strolled over to say hello, like we were old mates. After a quick bit of chit chat, I asked him would he mind posing for a photo. He agreed of course. It was then that I discovered my missus had the camera in her handbag, in the toilet (camera phones were really shit in those days so I didn't bother). Having informed of the situation, he told me not to worry, and he wasn't in any rush. He asked us to have a seat with him and we did. After what seemed like an hour (probably closer to 60 seconds) the missus arrived out from the bathroom to us having a full flowing conversation about football.

So yeah. Top guy, is Aldo. Here's the pic: