Ex City players your lucky enough to meet.

[City oz]

I’m back in the UK for a holiday and went to a local pub yesterday of which I’ve not been in for over 35 years with intentions to watch the City V Coventry game on Sky. The pub had the Brighton and Man U match on in the main bar. After chatting with the land lord expressing how keen I was to watch the City match he let me into the adjacent smaller bar and put the City match on for me. I was the only person in this bar area. Soon after kick off in walked Brian Drysdale and for those of you old enough Brian was one of the best left backs to play for City. I started to make conversation and we ended up having a great chat about City and football in general, especially the 1970s and City matches in that era.I will always remember yesterday and it’s one of my holiday highlights 

 

 

[spudski]

Does he still live in the Bristol area?

If so...I wonder if he's ever been asked to do the hospitality? Plenty of ex players doing that.

Met Brian a few times, as he used to be a subcontractor for a company I worked for. Lovely chap...quiet and humble.

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, spudski said:

Does he still live in the Bristol area?

If so...I wonder if he's ever been asked to do the hospitality? Plenty of ex players doing that.

Met Brian a few times, as he used to be a subcontractor for a company I worked for. Lovely chap...quiet and humble.

Whitchurch

[spudski]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Whitchurch

Thanks Dave...tbh, I don't think the hospitality thing would be his idea of a good time. Could be wrong though.

[City oz]

7 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Whitchurch

Concord pub Stockwood

[bcfcredandwhite]

When I was dating the now Mrs R&W, she lived with a young female lodger. 
Once, after an evening at the pub, we came back to find about 6-8 young people, lads and girls,  - friends of the lodger - in the house sat around drinking. One of the young lads was Chris Honor. We didn’t really talk much - to be honest I didn’t recognise him at first. I remember thinking how young they looked. I can’t remember the names of the others but they were linked to the acadamy as it was then. 

[Bannerman]

I helped to carry Gerry Sweeney off the pitch in celebration of being promoted to the 1st Division (premier). Years later when he was approximately 40 we worked together and played 5 a side football. He was very fit then and competitive. I watched him take penalties against an up coming goalkeeper and told the keeper which side he’s going to place it. You guessed it, he’d never missed and to my knowledge I don’t think he had ever missed a penalty in his career. A memory that will last forever. 

[Oh Louie louie]

I used to see Gary Shelton a lot very early in the morning in the garage by the towns talk, he had a car at the time with Gary Shelton Chester city on , 

[ralphindevon]

26 minutes ago, spudski said:

Does he still live in the Bristol area?

If so...I wonder if he's ever been asked to do the hospitality? Plenty of ex players doing that.

Met Brian a few times, as he used to be a subcontractor for a company I worked for. Lovely chap...quiet and humble.

He’s often in the former players bar area and has been awarded the city blazer. Tom Ritchie, Trevor Taunton and Mark Shail were the one’s I saw on duty today.

As you say, Brian is a lovely chap and good to see him around. 

[Port Said Red]

I once bumped into Donnie Gillies in La Rocca at about 2:30am one Saturday/Sunday. I should say he was a few years retired then and I was working in the casino next door, so a post work drink was often available. 

He was lovely to chat to, and obviously very pleased with my rather gushing praise in front of the attractive girl behind the bar, making sure she overheard it all. 

These days, I have regular chats with Alan Walsh in my local in Posset, it's become so common place now, I sometimes forget how I know him and the conversation is often about his famous son in law, but also modern football of course.

It helps that my wife also gets on well with his wife, and we share mutual friends.

I was also introduced to Paul Stephens recently who I think works with Portishead Town these days.

[spudski]

3 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

He’s often in the former players bar area and has been awarded the city blazer. Tom Ritchie, Trevor Taunton and Mark Shail were the one’s I saw on duty today.

As you say, Brian is a lovely chap and good to see him around. 

Ah great news. Think I saw Alan Walsh, definitely Geoff Merrick and another who's name escapes me ..tall chap from same era.

[ralphindevon]

I got to know a few former players, Geoff Merrick, Brian Drysdale, Alan Walsh fairly well when I lived in Bristol but last year, despite seeing him around quite a bit, was the first time I’d chatted to Tom Ritchie.

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed our chat. We were chatting about certain big games back in the day from Arsenal away to Rovers in the cup at Eastville.

We were reminiscing like two excited fans, the only difference he played in all the games while I was idolising him from the stands. Great bloke. 

[ralphindevon]

2 minutes ago, spudski said:

Ah great news. Think I saw Alan Walsh, definitely Geoff Merrick and another who's name escapes me ..tall chap from same era.

David Rogers? He’s usually there.

[Major Isewater]

I have told the story of my wine tasting evening with John Galley in Nottingham. 
What was surprising was that it was in the East Midlands and stupidly I expect him to be living in or around Bristol. 
He had a lodging house next to the City Ground where him and his wife took in the Forest apprentices. 
Lovely bloke and didn’t take offence at my gushing. 

[spudski]

2 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

David Rogers? He’s usually there.

That's him

[BigTone]

13 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

He’s often in the former players bar area and has been awarded the city blazer. Tom Ritchie, Trevor Taunton and Mark Shail were the one’s I saw on duty today.

As you say, Brian is a lovely chap and good to see him around. 

Trevor Taunton ?

[RUSSEL85]

Rob Newman in Harry’s nightclub in Weymouth about 15 years ago, top guy, generous and a piss head  

[ralphindevon]

25 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Trevor Taunton ?

I must be writing Taunton to often in the county cricket thread for it to auto correct to that! 

[Cityboy1954]

1 hour ago, spudski said:

Does he still live in the Bristol area?

If so...I wonder if he's ever been asked to do the hospitality? Plenty of ex players doing that.

Met Brian a few times, as he used to be a subcontractor for a company I worked for. Lovely chap...quiet and humble.

Hes a regular in Hospitality also still lives in Stockwood .

[Red-Robbo]

2 hours ago, City oz said:

I’m back in the UK for a holiday and went to a local pub yesterday of which I’ve not been in for over 35 years with intentions to watch the City V Coventry game on Sky. The pub had the Brighton and Man U match on in the main bar. After chatting with the land lord expressing how keen I was to watch the City match he let me into the adjacent smaller bar and put the City match on for me. I was the only person in this bar area. Soon after kick off in walked Brian Drysdale and for those of you old enough Brian was one of the best left backs to play for City. I started to make conversation and we ended up having a great chat about City and football in general, especially the 1970s and City matches in that era.I will always remember yesterday and it’s one of my holiday highlights 

 

 

I keep all my LPs in a pair of cabinets, Brian made for my dad. 

[weepywall]

Didn't meet him but a girlfriend of mine was babysitting at Donnie Gillies house when he lived at Hallatrow..so I spent some time on his sofa !!!

[Ciderhead433]

Keith Fear used to collect money for a paper shop, when he was an apprentice.

Used to see Paul Cheesely up the Shield and Dagger, or in the Folk House across the road.

 

[Sniper]

Met Paul Agostino, Lewis Carey and Rob Edwards in Papillons Nightclub in 1996.

Agostino had scored that day against the Gas

 

[REDOXO]

3 hours ago, City oz said:

I’m back in the UK for a holiday and went to a local pub yesterday of which I’ve not been in for over 35 years with intentions to watch the City V Coventry game on Sky. The pub had the Brighton and Man U match on in the main bar. After chatting with the land lord expressing how keen I was to watch the City match he let me into the adjacent smaller bar and put the City match on for me. I was the only person in this bar area. Soon after kick off in walked Brian Drysdale and for those of you old enough Brian was one of the best left backs to play for City. I started to make conversation and we ended up having a great chat about City and football in general, especially the 1970s and City matches in that era.I will always remember yesterday and it’s one of my holiday highlights 

 

 

My wife and I had the pleasure of having dinner with Brian a Gerry Gows testimonial dinner. We were also with Jonathan Pierce and yes I’m not joking Eddie Large. 
 

Brian introduced me to all the players that were there. Cheese who I had met a few times, Donnie Gillies, Clive, AD, Gerry Sweeney et al. I had some great conversations with some of them. Top bloke!

[Offside]

I used to talk to Paul Cheesley quite regularly when he ran The Knowle pub. He was always very friendly and gave me a pint on the house after my daughter was born. 

[RedorDead BCFC]

Didn’t meet him, but my brother met Bob Taylor before my sons christening. And told him he was my favourite player. 
We then had a christening card delivered for my son, and for a few years following even though he left the club, we still had birthday cards sent to my son from him and his partner. 
Wasted on my son, as him and his brother as they both hate football and cant understand my love for it. 
At least my daughter came and still does occasionally. 

Edited August 25 by RedorDead BCFC

[Bedred31]

Met Joe Royle in a bar in Lisbon. Lived in my village ( Congresbury) when playing for City. Lovely bloke. Remembered his time at City v fondly. He was pleased to meet someone who has been in the crowd when he scored 4 v Middlesbrough.

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, weepywall said:

Didn't meet him but a girlfriend of mine was babysitting at Donnie Gillies house when he lived at Hallatrow..so I spent some time on his sofa !!!

He was player manager for Clutton for a while. Nice bloke.

1 hour ago, REDOXO said:

My wife and I had the pleasure of having dinner with Brian a Gerry Gows testimonial dinner. We were also with Jonathan Pierce and yes I’m not joking Eddie Large. 
 

Brian introduced me to all the players that were there. Cheese who I had met a few times, Donnie Gillies, Clive, AD, Gerry Sweeney et al. I had some great conversations with some of them. Top bloke!

Not sure if he was based in Weston but he certainly had a place there.  My mum and dad went to a neighbours wedding (he was originally from Weston) and Eddie was at the reception, “holding court”.  Dad said he seemed a genuinely decent bloke.

[Bar BS3]

12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

He was player manager for Clutton for a while. Nice bloke.

Not sure if he was based in Weston but he certainly had a place there.  My mum and dad went to a neighbours wedding (he was originally from Weston) and Eddie was at the reception, “holding court”.  Dad said he seemed a genuinely decent bloke.

Eddie Large lived on Cadbury Camp Lane, just down from Carol Vordaman.

[pongo88]

I had a chat to a few of the City team at Platform One (only oldies will remember this place) when  they sang on the stage after coming back from an away match in the 70s promotion season. I can’t imagine this sort of thing happening now because teams don’t do this sort of thing and I’d be at home drinking a cup of cocoa. 

[Graham Male]

I was fortunate to meet the late great Chris Garland as I was at Ashton Gate on a visit.Chris asked me if I would pop down to the shop and get him some shampoo to wash his hair which of course I did.A lovely man and a day I will never forget.

Graham Male.

 

 

[Baldyman]

My Mrs’ Dad lived in Whitchurch in the 70’s and was good friends with Gerry Gow. She would stay with her Dad each weekend as a kid and lost count of the times she’d come down stairs on a Sunday morning to find Gerry, Tom Ritchie and Ray Cashley all crashed on the sofas after a post match evening in The Yeoman I was so jealous when she told me !!!! 

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Baldyman said:

My Mrs’ Dad lived in Whitchurch in the 70’s and was good friends with Gerry Gow. She would stay with her Dad each weekend as a kid and lost count of the times she’d come down stairs on a Sunday morning to find Gerry, Tom Ritchie and Ray Cashley all crashed on the sofas after a post match evening in The Yeoman I was so jealous when she told me !!!! 

Gerry used to live off Court Farm Rd somewhere.

[redkev]

Use to meet Micky Tanner many a Saturday at the Mandrake and went on a football team long weekend away in Newcastle , as most already know great company and mad as fxxk , great times 

 

[Baldyman]

9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Gerry used to live off Court Farm Rd somewhere.

Her Dad lived in Yewcroft Close for a while  and either he bought the house off of Gerry Gow or vice versa ! Just can’t recall which way round it was ! 

[redkev]

1 hour ago, Bar BS3 said:

Eddie Large lived on Cadbury Camp Lane, just down from Carol Vordaman.

Then lived in the tall apartment block by the posset cup ( weatherspoons ) in Portishead ( think that’s where Gary Johnson lives still ) 

[Ska Junkie]

5 hours ago, spudski said:

Ah great news. Think I saw Alan Walsh, definitely Geoff Merrick and another who's name escapes me ..tall chap from same era.

Dave Rodgers is normally there.

[devoncider]

Marvin Elliott at Boxpark Croyden, world cup 2018.

we beat Sweden and got to our first semi final since 1990, got on the bbc news (we were front row) for the pint throwing (before it became overdone!) and to top it off met Marv and got a pic with the great man.

some day!

[BigTone]

Met many over the years.  Chris Garland maybe the best. Really nice guy.

[Sweeneys Penalties]

went up Haycombe (Bath) today to see my parents grave and fell into conversation with Alan Skirton's youngest son. Didnt realise that Skirton and my Dad were slumbering so closely to each other

[redkev]

Speak to David Mogg 3 or 4 times month through work , sound bloke still goes down and watches 

[REDOXO]

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

He was player manager for Clutton for a while. Nice bloke.

Not sure if he was based in Weston but he certainly had a place there.  My mum and dad went to a neighbours wedding (he was originally from Weston) and Eddie was at the reception, “holding court”.  Dad said he seemed a genuinely decent bloke.

He was married to a lady from Brizz

[Open End Numb Legs]

I must have some sort of weird medical condition where I fail to spot famous people I should recognise and I am therefore jealous of all you folk who have these great stories to tell.

My wife spots famous people and has to point them out to me if I am with her.

Probably just as well as when I do get given the opportunity to talk to any sporting heros, I can barely manage a simple sentence.

Met Paul Cheesley at AG once years ago and probably asked him how his knee was.

[Davefevs]

Most games, Rodgers, Merrick, Sweeney, Ritchie, Tainton, Walsh and Garland’s son are sat down below us with Neil Palmer.  Drysdale less frequently.  There’s another guy in a City blazer, but I don’t recognise him.  Looks a bit younger and a bit like Bobby Hutch, but don’t think it is him.

Ritchie and Walsh look like they could still play!

Edited August 25 by Davefevs

[Jim Davey]

Not city ,but I was lucky enough to meet  the brazil team in a hotel in Kobe Japan.

[Gimme Shelton]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Gerry used to live off Court Farm Rd somewhere.

Off of Castle Farm Rd in Hanham Dave,I was his postman in the early 80's so could tell you his exact address! At the same time Phil Bater lived about 100 yards away.

 

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Gimme Shelton said:

Off of Castle Farm Rd in Hanham Dave,I was his postman in the early 80's so could tell you his exact address! At the same time Phil Bater lived about 100 yards away.

 

Court Farm Road in Hanham is different, no wonder my dad’s friend never got his birthday cards.

[slartibartfast]

6 hours ago, City oz said:

Concord pub Stockwood

If you're over from Oz, first time in yonks, how come you didn't go to the actual game ?

[BigTone]

23 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Most games, Rodgers, Merrick, Sweeney, Ritchie, Tainton, Walsh and Garland’s son are sat down below us with Neil Palmer.  Drysdale less frequently.  There’s another guy in a City blazer, but I don’t recognise him.  Looks a bit younger and a bit like Bobby Hutch, but don’t think it is him.

Ritchie and Walsh look like they could still play!

Tainton ?  Don't you mean Taunton ?

[Port Said Red]

1 hour ago, redkev said:

Then lived in the tall apartment block by the posset cup ( weatherspoons ) in Portishead ( think that’s where Gary Johnson lives still ) 

The Mirage (or the Meringue as it is sometimes known locally. Downsy lived there too for a while.   

It's currently a worryingly blue and white coloured building due to the covering they have over it while they do a lot of renovation work on it.

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 minute ago, Port Said Red said:

The Mirage (or the Meringue as it is sometimes known locally. Downsy lived there too for a while.   

It's currently a worryingly blue and white coloured building due to the covering they have over it while they do a lot of renovation work on it.

Oh God, is it? They`ll be claiming Portishead as a hot bed of their support now!

[A Horse With No Name]

7 hours ago, City oz said:

I’m back in the UK for a holiday and went to a local pub yesterday of which I’ve not been in for over 35 years with intentions to watch the City V Coventry game on Sky. The pub had the Brighton and Man U match on in the main bar. After chatting with the land lord expressing how keen I was to watch the City match he let me into the adjacent smaller bar and put the City match on for me. I was the only person in this bar area. Soon after kick off in walked Brian Drysdale and for those of you old enough Brian was one of the best left backs to play for City. I started to make conversation and we ended up having a great chat about City and football in general, especially the 1970s and City matches in that era.I will always remember yesterday and it’s one of my holiday highlights 

 

 

See Brian most days walking out dogs in Stockwood. Lovely guy, always up for a friendly chat. 

[ciderwithtommy]

David Noble and Rich Keogh, plus Johnson and Russell in Joe Publics pretty much every weekend of that era. Very good lads, enjoyed a drink 

[redkev]

7 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

The Mirage (or the Meringue as it is sometimes known locally. Downsy lived there too for a while.   

It's currently a worryingly blue and white coloured building due to the covering they have over it while they do a lot of renovation work on it.

I moved out of portishead when they started building all them ghastly apartments opposite the posset cup , I believe some were left unoccupied for a fair while , bet they wouldn’t be left unoccupied now if that’s was still the case think it may well of been filled with Docters , solicitors, and engineers from shores afar

[Port Said Red]

7 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

Oh God, is it? They`ll be claiming Portishead as a hot bed of their support now!

I would post a picture, but I am aware that some people may be eating around now. 

[Port Said Red]

2 minutes ago, redkev said:

I moved out of portishead when they started building all them ghastly apartments opposite the posset cup , I believe some were left unoccupied for a fair while , bet they wouldn’t be left unoccupied now if that’s was still the case think it may well of been filled with Docters , solicitors, and engineers from shores afar

Those ones again have a nickname HMP Portishead.

But they are filled now, after much wrangling the owners finally agreed to redesign some of apartments and make them help to buy type places. 

The ones that are still empty are the ones next door, overlooking Aqua which are all still empty due to the ridiculous pricing of them. The owners must think it's Monaco or something.

[REDOXO]

1 hour ago, Jim Davey said:

Not city ,but I was lucky enough to meet  the brazil team in a hotel in Kobe Japan.

I’ve told this story before, but I had the entire Juventus squad standing in line behind me while checking into a hotel in Lyon. I made them wait!

[redkev]

10 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

I’ve told this story before, but I had the entire Juventus squad standing in line behind me while checking into a hotel in Lyon. I made them wait!

Suprised they weren’t grappling you from behind and pulling your shirt

[Superjack]

Used to serve Joe Jordan and family on occasion in one of my former pubs. He owned a house a couple of streets away. Might still. 

Always a bottle of red.

[Bristol Oil Services]

5 hours ago, Graham Male said:

I was fortunate to meet the late great Chris Garland as I was at Ashton Gate on a visit.Chris asked me if I would pop down to the shop and get him some shampoo to wash his hair which of course I did.A lovely man and a day I will never forget.

Graham Male.

 

 

Which shampoo was it, mate?

[Bristol Oil Services]

2 hours ago, slartibartfast said:

If you're over from Oz, first time in yonks, how come you didn't go to the actual game ?

12.30 kick off mate. And a Bank Holiday weekend ....

[Scrumpty]

4 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Gerry used to live off Court Farm Rd somewhere.

Castle Farm Road?

[Davefevs]

7 minutes ago, Scrumpty said:

Castle Farm Road?

No, Court Farm Road, Whitchurch.

[northsomersetred]

Surprising who you meet on the levels.

5-6yrs ago my wife and I went to our son's school open day. As we were signing in a couple of his friends came running up to him saying there's a dad in the gym playing football and no one can get the ball off him. Well I was having none of that and head off to the gym in Norman Hunter mode!!

Get into the gym and the dad concerned is none other than a certain Mr Tinnion, after a chat with him I go off with my son and ask him does he know who it is and he says yes, his son is in my class and he comes down to take us for football sometimes, ask him why he's never told me, 'didn't think you'd want to know'

[Silvio Dante]

9 minutes ago, northsomersetred said:

Surprising who you meet on the levels.

Get into the gym and the dad concerned is none other than a certain Mr Tinnion, after a chat with him where he disclosed confidential transfer information I go off with my son and ask him does he know who it is and he says yes, his son is in my class and he comes down to take us for football sometimes, ask him why he's never told me, 'didn't think you'd want to know'

Fixed

[TDarwall]

Am conscious these all seem to involve alcohol;

Used to see a young Micky Mellon in town a lot.

Bumped into Nicky Morgan & The Chief in a pub in Clifton.

Had a v long chat with McCombe on a train - I was plastered & probably a right nause, but he was very friendly.

Footballer I've spent most time with is Billy Dodds, Scottish international & played for Dundee Utd & Rangers. He was staying at same hotel in Crete as me & 2 mates in June 1994. He was a great bloke & despite being on hols with his girlfriend, would often come out of the beer with us.

It does show how £££ in the game has changed; I can't imagine a Scottish international striker these days holidaying at the same hotel that an "average" 22 year old would go to.

 

[Scrumpty]

36 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

No, Court Farm Road, Whitchurch.

Oh, a coincidence, he must have had a thing for Farm Roads!

[Maesknoll Red]

I bought a van from Jantzen Derrick when he worked at Feeder Commercials….

Used to see Paul Cheesely often in the Shield and the Folkhouse, as well as his own pub.

Drank in the White Horse when Gerry Gow had it and long before that Alan Williams.

Often had a few drinks with John Bailey as he would often wander through Bedminster of an evening on a tour of the local watering holes.

At one time (when there definitely was a huge drinking culture at the club) there would often be many players in the White Horse in the daytime, one name stands out, Matty Bryant.

When I was quite young, Pete McCall ( my old man played bowls with him) got me a match ball, it had laces……

[Wanderingred]

Scott Murray delivered me a pizza once.

I worked as a clerk on a general Election Day around a decade and a half ago. The polling station supervisor also happened to be the commercial executive of BCFC at the time (her name escapes me) and at the end of our shift, she treated us to pizza which she got Scotty to bring for us on his way back home from Ashton Gate. I remember he was playing for Bath at the time and just a few days ago he’d scored against AFC Wimbledon. One of the guys doing the poll duty was an AFCW fan so there was a bit of back and forth banter about that.

[SydneyCity]

Met a few, largely because a lot of ex-players lived in Nailsea and they were the parents of kids from school.

At the other end of the spectrum, an-ex City player I haven’t met apparently lives near me in Sydney. I’m not convinced though, as the name didn’t ring any bells and he’s from an era I know. I have a feeling that he left the word “academy” off the end of his claim.