Did post on the birthdays thread yesterday, but as there's a separate one for him, thought I'd say again that I finally got to meet the great man for the first time last month at the Remembrance Dinner at the Valley. They say never meet your idols as you'll be disappointed, and as he has been one since 1973 was worried, but he did not disappoint! Top bloke! Hope he had a wonderful 65th yesterday!!!
Happy birthday Derek I remember a few of us stood behind the goal (covered end) enjoyed all the goals that bulged the net , it always amazed me that after the game we rushed out of the ground and enterd the old club house , ( which in thouse days was a separate building ) we tried to get to the bar early to avoid the rush , then walked into the players lounge , and guess who was standing there with a pint half empty ? We had quite a chat , explaining that he didn't really like football , but loved scoring goals . Always get injured near Christmas , made us laughth . How he got to the bar before us , I didn't shower or listen to the after chat just rushed over to the club for a pint . Not sure he would get away with it these days ! Happy 65 killer thanks for the memory, by the way did miky Flanagan buy you a beer for our birthday !
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I was always worried he would score or worse, get sent off.
I remember a few of us stood behind the goal (covered end) enjoyed all the goals that bulged the net , it always amazed me that after the game we rushed out of the ground and enterd the old club house , ( which in thouse days was a separate building ) we tried to get to the bar early to avoid the rush , then walked into the players lounge , and guess who was standing there with a pint half empty ?
We had quite a chat , explaining that he didn't really like football , but loved scoring goals . Always get injured near Christmas , made us laughth . How he got to the bar before us , I didn't shower or listen to the after chat just rushed over to the club for a pint . Not sure he would get away with it these days !
Happy 65 killer thanks for the memory, by the way did miky Flanagan buy you a beer for our birthday !