You are correct, an immediately forgettable substitute appearance in a testimonial (can’t remember who it was for) against Leicester City. I do remember a Leicester player saying to me ‘You’re a useless commentator and an even worse footballer’. I replied ‘Maybe, but I’ll still be commentating long after you’ve finished playing’. My sledging skills were better than my ball control.
I’m not surprised you remember that as your recollection of things from so long ago is astonishing! Let’s just say that Motty wasn’t the bravest of players.
I'm not sure if you ever have listened to Simon Mayo's True confessions, but I have one from that day regarding Motty.
We were playing the 2p a go Fruit machine after the game in the Blues club. Not longer after playing and having a small win, we realised there was a fault with the machine as it didn't pay out. We were just hanging around like kids do, when Motty politely said excuse me can I play the fruity.
So we paved the way for Motty to plough a few coins in, knowing full well, it wouldn't pay out.
So please forgive us Motty, if you are looking down.
Who was that 19th/early 20th guy who played for England, and at cricket, and at other minority sports, won the Open playing with just a branch he had fashioned into a club, and wá decent at racquet sports too?
I played volleyball for my uni team however being 5"7, I couldn't get anywhere near the top of the net for a spike so was given the role of Libro who is a defensive specialist. The life of summers on the beach with bikini babes never lived up to the hype!
I also took up refereeing and once had the opportunity to referee Prince Harry at Stamford Bridge for a charity event. Gave a penalty against him and cautioned him too, he wasn't pleased when I told him that his Brother won't let him forget it! (Coz Prince William is president of the FA)
Certainly have never “excelled” at any sport, but have done football, badminton and running the most.
I was tall for my age when I started at the RGS and (hard to believe now) had some pace back then, so pretty much for those reasons alone featured for the school a bit (though the B team more than the first team) - but eventually when my height advantage was lost (i.e. others caught up, not that I shrank…) then it soon became clear I wasn’t much cop, and I wasn’t that arsed about it anyway so that was that.
I wish I’d taken football more seriously as a kid - don’t get me wrong, this is no “I coulda been a contender” nonsense, but I did a football training course for adults once, and it was fantastic, really helps you understand a lot more about the game.
That said, one time we got to play some kids from (I think) the QPR academy (the course was in West London).
Oh my life…I was in my mid 30s at the time with what I thought was an ok fitness level, but I was just getting skinned constantly by players who had the temerity to possess actual pace and skill. Not good.
Like plenty of others on here (which is great to see) I enjoyed many sports growing up. My big three were football, cricket and tennis. I also did some track and field at school and played a bit of golf. Football, I only played school and club stuff up to the age of 17. I started out at Missenden Juniors then went on to join Holmer Green. My Holmer career was cruelly cut short by a dreadful two-footed challenge from a non-goalkeeper playing in goal when I was clean through, rupturing my ACL. Cricket, I played regularly for Amersham and Bucks up to a similar age, coming to an end for similar reasons. I recently resurrected my cricket career playing for my local village team outside York (aged 39, I'm 41 now). I love it, but no longer seem to be able to make any runs which is quite disconcerting. I was a sprinter and a long-jumper of average ability at school, and played age group tennis for Holmer Green for a bit. Perhaps my most uncomfortable experience was winning the U-14s (I think) tennis championship at Holmer Green and being put forward for some sort of regional finals day at a David Lloyd club. I was so far out of my depth it was embarrassing - some of these kids were doing tennis camps abroad during the summer and such like. Suffice to say I lost every match heavily, apart from against another kid who found himself in the same boat as me. I edged our wooden spoon decider.
Comments
@Glenactico never heard of it! But, having just watched a couple of introductory videos, it looks like a lot of fun.
You are correct, an immediately forgettable substitute appearance in a testimonial (can’t remember who it was for) against Leicester City. I do remember a Leicester player saying to me ‘You’re a useless commentator and an even worse footballer’. I replied ‘Maybe, but I’ll still be commentating long after you’ve finished playing’. My sledging skills were better than my ball control.
Sounds painful!
I remember seeing you play in a commentators XI at Loakes Park in the early 80's alongside Motty.
I remember it being a muddy day, but Mottys pale legs hardly had a blemish on them.
I’m not surprised you remember that as your recollection of things from so long ago is astonishing! Let’s just say that Motty wasn’t the bravest of players.
I'm not sure if you ever have listened to Simon Mayo's True confessions, but I have one from that day regarding Motty.
We were playing the 2p a go Fruit machine after the game in the Blues club. Not longer after playing and having a small win, we realised there was a fault with the machine as it didn't pay out. We were just hanging around like kids do, when Motty politely said excuse me can I play the fruity.
So we paved the way for Motty to plough a few coins in, knowing full well, it wouldn't pay out.
So please forgive us Motty, if you are looking down.
Football i was a keeper in my playing days.
I used to own a mauve jersey
Ideally you want to play long enough to just build up a sweat. Too many rounds and you may wake up feeling a little sore the following morning.
Who was that 19th/early 20th guy who played for England, and at cricket, and at other minority sports, won the Open playing with just a branch he had fashioned into a club, and wá decent at racquet sports too?
Hope do discover the answer this Thursday @oilysailor
Played footie to County standard as a youth, then found girls and pubs so became a ref.
Did that for a number of years and then gave up due to the abuse.
Cricket to local leagues, Darts as well.
But I did win the National Skidaddle Championship (a game we invented at Uni) if that counts
WG Grace?
It was Mawell "Max" Woosnam. Also made a 147 break at snooker!
That's the fella. Also completed a nine dart finish whilst blindfolded.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Woosnam
Brings back memories of Simon Garner holding the corner flag, master of all he surveyed.
I played volleyball for my uni team however being 5"7, I couldn't get anywhere near the top of the net for a spike so was given the role of Libro who is a defensive specialist. The life of summers on the beach with bikini babes never lived up to the hype!
I also took up refereeing and once had the opportunity to referee Prince Harry at Stamford Bridge for a charity event. Gave a penalty against him and cautioned him too, he wasn't pleased when I told him that his Brother won't let him forget it! (Coz Prince William is president of the FA)
Certainly have never “excelled” at any sport, but have done football, badminton and running the most.
I was tall for my age when I started at the RGS and (hard to believe now) had some pace back then, so pretty much for those reasons alone featured for the school a bit (though the B team more than the first team) - but eventually when my height advantage was lost (i.e. others caught up, not that I shrank…) then it soon became clear I wasn’t much cop, and I wasn’t that arsed about it anyway so that was that.
I wish I’d taken football more seriously as a kid - don’t get me wrong, this is no “I coulda been a contender” nonsense, but I did a football training course for adults once, and it was fantastic, really helps you understand a lot more about the game.
That said, one time we got to play some kids from (I think) the QPR academy (the course was in West London).
Oh my life…I was in my mid 30s at the time with what I thought was an ok fitness level, but I was just getting skinned constantly by players who had the temerity to possess actual pace and skill. Not good.
Could have done with you at the start of the season !
Like plenty of others on here (which is great to see) I enjoyed many sports growing up. My big three were football, cricket and tennis. I also did some track and field at school and played a bit of golf. Football, I only played school and club stuff up to the age of 17. I started out at Missenden Juniors then went on to join Holmer Green. My Holmer career was cruelly cut short by a dreadful two-footed challenge from a non-goalkeeper playing in goal when I was clean through, rupturing my ACL. Cricket, I played regularly for Amersham and Bucks up to a similar age, coming to an end for similar reasons. I recently resurrected my cricket career playing for my local village team outside York (aged 39, I'm 41 now). I love it, but no longer seem to be able to make any runs which is quite disconcerting. I was a sprinter and a long-jumper of average ability at school, and played age group tennis for Holmer Green for a bit. Perhaps my most uncomfortable experience was winning the U-14s (I think) tennis championship at Holmer Green and being put forward for some sort of regional finals day at a David Lloyd club. I was so far out of my depth it was embarrassing - some of these kids were doing tennis camps abroad during the summer and such like. Suffice to say I lost every match heavily, apart from against another kid who found himself in the same boat as me. I edged our wooden spoon decider.
The older I get the better I was. Although I did once come third in the school sports day obstacle race.
I'm 62 mate.
Chess for me (if it's a sport?!)
4th in Buckinghamshire at one point. Must have been 9 or 10.
It's definitely a sport - the IOC agree!
Archery. Bucks County champion when God was a boy!
I do think for something to be classed a sport, it needs to have some physical prowess.
Without taking credit away from myself, I kind of agree.
I suppose chess at least has the tactical element, but so does Battleship.
And you need to change your shoes to do it.
‘It’s not a sport if you play it wearing trousers’ is a decent rule of thumb.
That said, I love cricket.
You wouldn’t want darts players playing in shorts mind.