Made my day...unexpected visitor!

[mancity101]

Yesterday I had the day off work, and was waiting for the delivery of a new TV set. When the delivery guy came he was dead helpful - set it up had a chat etc, he looked vaguely familiar. I asked him if he wanted a coffee, and we sat down and had a chat, I noticed he was looking at my bookcase, he asked if I was a City fan ( I have a number of books re MCFC and biogs etc) I said I was...then it clicked...it was Tommy Booth - centre - half for mt beloved City, scored the winner in the 69 FACup semi v Everton.
That was it, I hijacked him for 30 mins, chatting away, he signed books and programmes etc, was a top bloke.
After he had gone I felt sad, that someone who was a legend at my club, still had to work in his older days, compared to some players today who after 2-3 yrs of being medicore are set for life...cant see Micah Richards, Lecott et al working as TV deliverymen!!

 

[madandra]

Your spot on pal, even a mediocre champinship player is set up for life after 3-5 years in the game and when you see legends .. REAL LEGENDS struggling to make ends meet it makes you want to stop subsidising the premadonnas of today.

 

[freddielong]

Totally agree there was a story about one of Arsenals kids in the paper the other day Jay Emanuel-Thomas he got stopped by police driving his 100,000K merc, the guy is a good prospect but hasn't even made the first team yet.

They don't know there born its all to easy for them, I remember there was another story about a true liverpol legend Tommy Smith being worried about looseing disability benefits if he recieved money for talking a penelty at the cup final.

 

[mancity101]

yep guys...football has lost perspective....dont know if anyone on here remembers the 60s-70s City player Neil Young? he was a great player really close to England selection for World Cup 70 - in the days when England caps were hard earned not dished out willy nilly - he retired from football, the following week started work as a milkman...where has it gone wrong....maybe its me getting old

 

[drawboy]

With a bit of luck John Terry might fit your sky dish for you soon.

 

[mancity101]

With a bit of luck John Terry might fit your sky dish for you soon.

lOL have to make sure the Missus and daughter are out then!

 

[Doh]

When I was Captian last year I had Neil Young come and reminisce about the good old days at City at one of my many Dinners.
Very good he was to, funny that because i'm not a City fan. Anyway glad you had the chance to meet one of your hero's.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

It is sad to see but surely he could have remained in the game in some capacity - scouting, coaching, managing, etc.

Football is going the same way as American Football - a reserve quarterback will be on >$100,000 a week and he'll hardly play.

 

[richart]

Was he an old man,out on the weekend,with a heart of gold ?

 

[Atticus_Finch]

This reminds me of a time when a guy came to my house to arrange my pension. None other than the legendary Tommy Gemmell, Lisbon Lion and scorer of goals in two European Cup finals.
I couldn't believe that he was doing something like that.
I believe he does matchday hospitality at Parkhead now.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it is sad when former heroes are forced into other careers but the realism is that there isn't room for everyone to get a part within the sport after they retire. Some choose to walk away anyway. It seems the old career path of ex footballers of owning a boozer has died now. It seemed every ex pro in the 70's and 80's went onto be a landlord. A lot drunk the profits.

 

[madandra]

Alan,

Tommy Gemmills dad was my next door neighbour for 10 years and you could never have wished to meet a nicer person. Just thought I would share that.

 

[drawboy]

It's a tall pedestal to fall from, one day you're names been chanted by thousands, the next some dosser is asking you for half a mild. Sad really. Tempus fugit !

 

[BigBoppa]

Yes, spot on there. More has to be done for the REAL legends.

 

[viscount17]

Yes, spot on there. More has to be done for the REAL legends.

not sure I agree - a lot were/are their own worst enemies and let's face it, for their day they were earning good money. OK, a pittance compared with today's petulant wastrels but compared with the average joe they did.

Back in the thirties my dad was offered two pro contracts - couldn't afford to take them - he could earn more as a semi-pro, working at a day job and getting expenses.

 

[vig]

Yes, spot on there. More has to be done for the REAL legends.

not sure I agree - a lot were/are their own worst enemies and let's face it, for their day they were earning good money. OK, a pittance compared with today's petulant wastrels but compared with the average joe they did.

Back in the thirties my dad was offered two pro contracts - couldn't afford to take them - he could earn more as a semi-pro, working at a day job and getting expenses.

Absolutely spot on!
My dad also did this.

Most pro's regardless of when they played earned a decent wedge, certainly in the last 30 years.
They're too thick to invest wisely and most have lost their fortune because of the gambling culture.

Do you think they would have cared a toss when they were buzzing past you in their sports cars. Not a chance.

Personally i'd have one as a gardener just so I could take the piss

 

[surefire]

Football is going the same way as American Football - a reserve quarterback will be on >$100,000 a week and he'll hardly play.

Actually it's possibly a shame it's not!

American Football teams have salary cap restrictions, so the team with the richest owner, can't buy success.

In case anyone cares, last year the median salary of the NFL was $770,000, don't know for the EPL in 2008, but in 2006 the average salary was £676,000 and I can only assume its grown since.

 

[Parmo]

Gone are the days where all you played for was the orange segment at half time