[Archived] Close Encounters

[Duff's Minder]

Met Kevin Gallacher and Lenny Johnrose in the press centre at Turf Moor last year. Both extremely nice blokes and more intelligent than your average footballers.

They both still spouted the same cliches whenever a microphone was put in front of them though.

[Lee]

That reminds me of something about that day, Kevin (we are on first name terms ) needed to visit the gents, but was concerned that he'd have to go out of the press room and onto a concourse full of dingles.

So I made sure the coast was clear for him before he paid a visit

[Alan75]

I sat next to the one and only bob flemming in a pre season friendly. Such a shy boy

Bumped into Keeley at Asda back in the late 70's, I still have the bruise

[waggy]

To be honest, i doubt any rovers player within the last 5 years has ever even driven through Blackburn town centre, never mind been out shopping/drinking.

347020[/snapback]

think david dunn

[LDRover]

Colin Hendry visited me in hospital when I was laid up for 9 weeks in 1994, top bloke, actually asked how I go about ahem 'relieving' myself when I'm flat on my back. I told him the nurses were very accommodating !!

Saw various Rovers players at Peppermint Place over the years most notable being when I got Mark Atkins to wear my blue and white wig on the dance floor (he bought us a drink after but that was probably down to us reminding him of an overhead kick he'd scored against Boro).

Also gave Scott Sellars a clip round the ear at PP after he'd missed a sitter in the last minute at Newcastle in 1991 (1st promotion year).

Stood next to Graham Fenton in urinals at Brewers (now Pitchers) in town. Other mate stood at other side and gave him dog's abuse.

Also had p*** next to Clive Tyldesley in service station on way home from Play Off victory in 1992. What a funny looking chap he is.

Saw McKinlay and Sutton in Pelle menswear on a Tuesday afternoon in town. Heard them both moaning how crap it was and sure enough they'd both left the club within 6 months.

Oh and Tony Gale losing at Blackjack in the Grosvenor Casino, Blackpool earlier this year. He'd been commentating for Sky that night on a schoolboy international at Bloomfield Road. A thoroughly nice bloke who looked upon his time at Ewood with great affection.

Edited September 15, 2005 by LDRover

[MarkisaRover]

I was lucky enough to be mascot in the 1994/95 season home match vs Crystal Palace where we won 2-1.

So i pretty much met everyone, Kenny, Alan Shearer (who was captain that day as sherwood and hendry were out) Uncle Jack, Atkins, Sutton, Gallacher (who suffered another broken leg that game just after returning from injury poor bloke), henning berg, graeme le sulk, david batty, super stu, jason wilcox, jeff kenna, ian pearce, timbo sherwood, robbie slater, tim flowers (who i had a nice chat with as we both went to the same secondary school) and a few others i cant remember.

I also met that day, Tony Gale and Ray Houghton who were hovering around the dressing rooms stirring up a bit of banter, and the legendary (ahem) Gareth Southgate who was Crystal Palaces captain and played central midfield!

Randomly i met Gerry Francis at a service station burger king a few years ago and had a short chat about what he was upto...think he was more interested in the whopper though Also met Mark Wright and John Barnes at a Liverpool vs Tranmere friendly donkeys of years ago.

Must upload some of those mascot pictures someday...blink'n hilarious!

Edited September 15, 2005 by MarkisaRover

[Duffy]

I met Stuart Ripley in Blackburn once - he stopped to ask if I knew where any bookshops were - he had one of his sons with him and seemed to be in a bit of a rush.

Also met Tony Parkes at the train station who asked me if he was on the right platform for a train to Blackpool.

Jeff Kena wandered into the club shop when I was there buying something in 95.

[den]

Colin Hendry visited me in hospital when I was laid up for 9 weeks in 1994,

347192[/snapback]

I was seriously ill in 1994, lying in a bed 1/2 mile from Maine road where rovers were playing a night match. A friend of mine asked if the team could visit on their way home. They only visit children she was told.

[Flopsy]

Met Dickov outside Ewood - a very nice polite shy gentleman (honestly)

Met Beattie in a service station on the way home - had a five ten minute chat with him.

Chesh teh reason why most footballers seem so small is because you're on your high horse to often.

Agree about Tugay but his missus is nice (met Tugay in the petrol station by Ewood once and in teh Club shop with him buying his daughter a rovers shirt)

[stuwilky]

Had a chat with Craig Short in the International Suite at Ewood, whilst we were taking a slash, it was just as Scarborough had been drawn against Chelsea.

Paul Gallagher several times.

Terry Gennoe lived near us when I was a kid (and helped me a lot when I was a keeper)

[Cheeky Sidders]

I've met a few Rovers over the years and the striking thing about all of them has been a high degree of modesty and suprise that they are nothing like I would have expected.

David Mail was probably the first one I met as his late wife, Karen, used to cut my hair when I was in my early teens. David would often be with her and so me and him would shoot empty coke cans in our back garden with my brother's air rifle while Karen was doing my mum's hair. He was more accurate with an air rifle than he was with his passes on the field though. A thoroughly nice bloke and not an atom of ego about him.

I got a lift off Noel Brotherston a couple of times while waiting for a bus into Preston and he was also a remarkably nice man. Very modest and very softly spoken.

I met Colin Hendry, with his wife Denise, and Graham Le Saux at the cinema at Walton-le-Dale when they were sat on the row in front of me watching Jurassic Park. Colin was injured at the time and he gave reassurances that he'd be back to full fitness before long and he chatted about our prospects. Le Saux was very quiet though and didn't say much. The film got interrupted halfway through due to a fire alarm going off and that gave them an excuse to go. I don't think it was Colin's cup of tea.

I met Le Saux again when I bumped into him (literally) at Preston railway station and we chatted about the forthcoming season after we'd just won the Championship. He was very tight-lipped about future signings but he let slip that we were likely to strengthen midfield. Ah yes, so that would be the might Matty Holmes then. Anyway, Le Saux was waiting for his sister and her train was late but he seemd like a decent sort of a bloke and happy to chat about Rovers.

I remember seeing Kevin Moran after we beat Chelsea in the first game of the season (93-94, I think) when we beat them at Stamford Bridge. Kevin was walking down the street with a load of Rovers fans (myself among them) and enjoying the banter with the dejected Chelsea fans. He spoke to me and few others and reckoned we'd have a good season.

About a week after he was disgracefully sacked, I saw Tony Parkes at the same cinema I'd seen Hendry and Le Saux years previously. He was out with his family and looked 10 years younger as he was laughing and joking. I shook his hand and told him that he'd been treated badly by the club but he said that he had no hard feelings about it and he was looking forward to having some time off. He asked me how long I'd been following Rovers and it was plain to see that even though he'd just lost his job in fairly shoddy circumstances he still cared deeply about the club.

I met Bobby Saxton a couple of times when I was a kid as I knew his sons. He never said much and he always seemed to be in a rush and not one for talking about football at all.

I also met Vinnie Jones at Leeds railway station (he was behind me in the queue for the ticket office) and I said (in state of shock) to him "You're Vinnie Jones". Bit lame, but I was just so surprised to see him. His response was "Yeah, I know" and I felt a bit stupid. Anyway, he was wearing denim dungarees and a white polo-neck so he looked a right tosser. I never liked him anyway.

[Claytons Left Boot]

Got a summer job at Ewood in 1974 - Met a number of fringe players including the up and coming John Bailey who made his dubut the following season.

A couple of years later, John Butcher used to be part of our group, Sat & Sun nights at Blackburn mecca.

Services at junction of M1/M62 having a pi55 after an away match, early 90's. In walk Newell and Shearer.

35 of us dressed as Max Wall circa Christmas 1993, gatecrash Flowers' signing night or something in Gibsons, Blackburn Town centre. The look on his face was priceless.

[greggyk]

Im related to a championship sides manager.

so I guess Ive met him once or twice

Edited September 15, 2005 by greggyk

[Tris]

Won the London Branch footy team golden boot the season before last, and it was presented by big Amo at the annual dinner in the Directors Lounge at Ewood. Top bloke, Amo went out of his way to spend time talking to people. As did Martin Andresen (?who) - he was also there.

In 1999 before pre-season tours got trendy, Gav Debs myself and about 4 other Rovers turned up somewhere in Germany - we basically met all the players but three stick in the mind.

Duff told us to get p!ssed on German beer and sort out some German birds, Jansen asked for a bite of my sausage (and got one), and McAteer emerged last from the dressing rooms after the game, and despite the fact there was only one other building within 3 miles, asked "did you see where the lads went?"

In 1994 I was working in the south of France and went to a couple of games in the Toulon U21 tournament. England sent a strong team that summer, and Venables had just taken over and didn't miss the chance to do a bit of designer shopping in the sun.

In a tiny ground with no seats (just concrete steps to sit on) and a crowd of maybe 50 French and us 3 English teachers, Venables came and sat behind us, and talked to us all game. The likes of Sol Campbell and Robbie Fowler were on the pitch - didn't meet them but met Jamie (and Harry) Redknapp, Dominic Matteo and a few extras like Ray Wilkins. Happy days.

[Dan Furness]

Amoruso in that nightclub in Whalley, name has gone off top off my head....

Few encounters with Dunn, most notably when I was having a laugh and his ###### mates decided to start being all big and tough when I gave him some real stick. He then preceded to tell me 'I dont pay his wages'. Was a massive Dunn fan till that night and cant stand him now, but did walk up cav with him and he arm wrestled my mate on someone car.

[Seggie]

Met Lucas Neill, Garry Flitcroft and Jon Steas in a Chippy in the Bradshaw area of Bolton last year after the Everton Game 'I said Nice Goal Steady' he said thanks smiling a group of Bolton kids swarmed round them after they worked out they were footballers.

I once let Henning Berg pull out in front of me in His Merc as he was leaving Ewood after again(He had left quite early esp since he'd played that night)

Colin Hendry moved his car for me to pick my pen up when they had that open day at start of the Championship season cos Id dropped it in a nervous moment!!

John Filan told us to 'Just Take the F'ing Photo' when we asked him to pose for one before the Promotion game at Deepdale although perhaps we were pushing it by asking him to do a Diving Pose!!

[Gamst]

I was lucky enough to be mascot in the 1994/95 season home match vs Crystal Palace where we won 2-1.

347199[/snapback]

Aww, that was my 1st ever rovers game! It was a night match if i remember rightly.

I met Filan outside ground when he had a broken arm and was a funny guy! I went to one of those MOTD days at NEC centre birmingham and met Geoff Hurst and Simon Grayson! Odd mix! Also had a chat with Ray Stubbs who had very flakey skin!

Have had numerous encounters with Nicky Barmby and other Hull City players in my local Gym! Seen Nicky in Locker room!

Now that is a close encounter!

[bob fleming]

Met Alan75 once at a pre-season friendly, couldn't get a bloody word in.

In Germany 4 years ago (?) I stood next to Marcus Bent, well actually he stood next to me, at the urinals just before the start of the second half at some pub team that we played in a pre season friendly (he used to pick them out did our Graeme), can't remember the name of the club funnily enough, that German ale is good stuff. We didn't speak much. "Alright Marcus?" "Yeah". He must have been awe struck to have stood next to me and lost the power of speach.

Met David Mail on numerous occasions when I worked on the ground in 87/88 in the summers when I was at college. If anyone got red paint on them from the barriers that used to be on the terracing then don't blame me. I wasn't given any training. David Mail was an absolutely top bloke. (I often wondered about my painted prowess when after the Derby play off game at home I came off the Blackburn End and looked at my Rovers shirt and saw a red line where I'd been crushed during the chaos, best atmosphere ever that game).

All time favourite, Tony Parkes came to our wedding, I know him, or rather he knows my Dad. Anyway, a Dingle who I worked with for years came along (yeah, yeah what was I thinking etc) and got talking to Tony for what must have seemed like a life time for him. Fair play, he heard him out and let him say his bit. Then at the end of his tutting tirade, the kiss off. "Fair enough. But you must admit though, Burnley are sh*t" Now that is a legend.

[Cheshireblue]

I nearly forgot, I met Beamo at the Spurs game this season. Very big hands.

[roversmum]

Met Paul Dickov a couple of times after pre-season and reserve, when he was coming back from injury. Great guy, talked to us for a little while and the family (not me ) had pics taken with him.

Had a joke with Flitty in a traffic queue before Tony Parkes' testimonial.

When we went to the shop for the kit launch, I said 'Hi guys' to Kuqi, Bert, Morten and Robbie; had a laugh because Robbie thought I'd said 'Hi gorgeous' to him!!!!! Miss Roversmum had her photo taken with them.

Had a couple of chats with Robbie in the car park at various times.

Last season coming out of the shop met Jon Stead, stopped for a chat and he was distraught about his lack of goals. Lovely lad.

Sat by Amo at a reserve match when he first came - think he was staying with Grabbi and had come to watch him play.

Had a chat with Colin Hendry in the car park at reserve matches a couple of times.

Also spent some time talking to Dwight Yorke when he first came - Trinidad and Tobago connection - thinking of popping over to see his mum when we go over there (hopefully) next summer.

[T4E]

I got photos with Matt Jansen and Nils Eric Johansson after the Man Utd home game that we won 2 seasons ago (Stead, 1-0).

Got Friedel to sign my shirt after the same game (his car is massive).

And I'm gonna take the bait - Greg, who are you related to?

[Alan75]

Had a long and lengthy chat with Tim Flowers when he was at Leicester which eventually resulted in THIS

Top bloke, I will allways remember picking up the phone and hearing.

Hi Al, it's Tim. have you got them questions ready.

[philipl]

And I'm gonna take the bait - Greg, who are you related to?

347331[/snapback]

Must be Kenny Dalglish if he managed the Championship side.

Contacts I can remember:

- practically all the 66/7 Rovers when my Dad was in hospital at the same time as Dick Mulvaney.

- many of the Directors over the years. David Brown always went out of his way to be welcoming and extremely pleasant. Bill Fox was your archetypal bluff Lancastrian.

- Ken Beamish on many occasons. He is very good at his hosting job in making folks feel welcome whereas Vince O'Keefe can be a bit abrupt.

- Derek Dougan when he was Chairman of Wolves.

- Kevin Gallacher, David May, Mike Newell, Bobby Mimms, Tony Parkes (many times) for after match chats.

- back in the early '80s after the famous 5-1 (Garner all five), Sam Allardyce and John Robertson (then a Forest player and current European Champions) were both in the 100 Club because of weather postponements elsewhere. Of course, everybody was making a big fuss of Garns and virtually nobody had noticed them. Windy Miller came to join us- that was a fascinating discussion.

- Alan Shearer test driving a Ferrari in Charnock Richards service station.

- this year some Rangers player who used to turn out for Rovers at Malta Airport

- any London Rovers remember when Tony Finnegan (who was recovering from an injury lay-off) came into our box at the sponsored ball game and one of our number asked him if he worked for the Rovers?

[yorkblues]

i work with a ex ref and a brighton player

[greggyk]

And I'm gonna take the bait - Greg, who are you related to?

347331[/snapback]

YESSSS, Ive been waiting for this moment.

And, i cant tell ya!! hehe

You may be able to tell when/if we are linked to any of his players in the January window though.