I saw Mike Williamson twice in a town near Reading. Once in a shopping centre when I was about 17, and it shocked me so much to see him out of context I couldn't think of a thing to say, then on a snow day with his young kid down their road making snowmen.
Years ago (between 1998 and 2002) I was working in Homebase Loudwater. (With the legendary Jamie "Beanhead" Redding for those who remember him). We had a massive delivery of promotional furniture and it was Mo Harkin unloading the lorry.
I met John Williams late in his career when he scored against Belper Town for a West Midlands non league club whose name evades me.
He was a lovely fella - ‘You lot didn’t like me very much’ was his first response.
Also had a chat with Simon Garner when he was buying 40 Rothmans in a service station after our play off 1st leg at Carlisle. ‘You got out alive then’?
I was going to say not a former Wycombe player (I've literally just discovered that he is), but Dave Bassett presented the trophy at my primary school's summer fete footy tournament.
I saw Jason McCarthy in Sainsbury’s in Marlow, shopping with his family just before Christmas a few years ago. I’ve also seen Sam Vokes , with his family, coming out of Laurents in Marlow.
Used to see Gareth Ainsworth in Marlow Starbucks on a Saturday morning quite often, which seemed odd as there are so many better places to get a coffee in Marlow.
Spooky because John texted me on Tuesday (including the phrase ‘aka the flying postman’ in his message) to say he was going to our game against Barnsley!
Very odd place in Castle Street located opposite where Dominos is now. It was a big warehouse building with a double decker bus parked at the back that you could sit on for food/drinks, and also a load of tables that I think were possible former bus seats filling the place. Basically a bus-themed bar in a warehouse. Had a load of stuff hanging from the ceiling, bikes, surboards, any old s**t they could find. I also seem to recall jugglers going around the place, but there are some things that are hazy due to the time elapsed (this was early to mid 90's) or the amount of alcohol I'd have consumed. It was open for about a year before one of the owners did a runner with what money they had, and it closed.
I always thought it was slightly harsh people suggesting he was "lazy" when his role was often trying to get on the end of long punts and sprinting all out.
Anyone who has ever sprinted flat out knows it doesn't take many of those to utterly tucker you out. Let alone the aimless ones of Smithball.
Anyone old enough to have frequented The Orchard (guilty) would have bumped into half the squad most weekends. Can't exactly describe that as "random" though, they were always up there
The Attic was the archetypal sweaty bare bones club near the old snooker club and it was ‘kin brilliant. I didn’t quite realise at the time how lucky we were to have so many decent places to go of an evening back in the 90s.
Sorry if I split anyone’s drink during any Rage Against the Machine songs.
Comments
I saw Mike Williamson twice in a town near Reading. Once in a shopping centre when I was about 17, and it shocked me so much to see him out of context I couldn't think of a thing to say, then on a snow day with his young kid down their road making snowmen.
I saw El-Abd walking along the slip road by the sports centre hours before his transfer out.
I see a pattern emerging here.
I’m staying home until deadline day in case I bump into Kone.
I saw Jasper Pattenden buying deodorant in Superdrug
AAH2.0 claims to be something like 6’2 online. I am 6’ on the dot and he’s shorter than me. Walked past him and Dmani Mellor in Eden a few times.
Years ago (between 1998 and 2002) I was working in Homebase Loudwater. (With the legendary Jamie "Beanhead" Redding for those who remember him). We had a massive delivery of promotional furniture and it was Mo Harkin unloading the lorry.
Jermaine McSporran was sat in the row in front of me at an England game at Wembley in 2007 (few years after he left us).
Spoke to him at halftime, and was lovely to see his reaction when I told him he was my favourite player when he played for us!
Keith Ryan as a customer in Huttons, Hazlemere - now Tesco Express
Kevin Blackwell at St Albans Theatre
Paul Merson at Maidenhead Bowling Alley
Richard Harris delivering a parcel as a courier
Makes me think of Partridge on the Swaffham bypass.
🎵 ’GOLDFINGER’ 🎵
I met John Williams late in his career when he scored against Belper Town for a West Midlands non league club whose name evades me.
He was a lovely fella - ‘You lot didn’t like me very much’ was his first response.
Also had a chat with Simon Garner when he was buying 40 Rothmans in a service station after our play off 1st leg at Carlisle. ‘You got out alive then’?
Was the parcel delivered via a long throw?!
I was going to say not a former Wycombe player (I've literally just discovered that he is), but Dave Bassett presented the trophy at my primary school's summer fete footy tournament.
Saw Andy Kerr getting hypnotised in The London Bus Emporium (Wycombe’s short lived hipster night spot).
Dave Bassett's probably available, I reckon.
I was describing that place to someone a while ago and they swore I was making it up.
It certainly was unique. Thankfully it served me underage so was a decent haunt for a year or two.
Does anyone know the story of how/why it came to be?
The what now??
How long were you prowling around following him? 🤣
Actually, I now remember another one.
Chris Vinnicombe in the road down from the train station pushing a buggy and looking in an estate agent window, presumably with his wife.
(And hopefully a kid in that buggy too, or it'd be particularly odd).
Ha... I think he actually bought the same one as me, clearly a man of good taste.
I saw Jason McCarthy in Sainsbury’s in Marlow, shopping with his family just before Christmas a few years ago. I’ve also seen Sam Vokes , with his family, coming out of Laurents in Marlow.
Used to see Gareth Ainsworth in Marlow Starbucks on a Saturday morning quite often, which seemed odd as there are so many better places to get a coffee in Marlow.
Gaz Gaz Gaz, you have gone down in this coffee snob's estimation
Spooky because John texted me on Tuesday (including the phrase ‘aka the flying postman’ in his message) to say he was going to our game against Barnsley!
Very odd place in Castle Street located opposite where Dominos is now. It was a big warehouse building with a double decker bus parked at the back that you could sit on for food/drinks, and also a load of tables that I think were possible former bus seats filling the place. Basically a bus-themed bar in a warehouse. Had a load of stuff hanging from the ceiling, bikes, surboards, any old s**t they could find. I also seem to recall jugglers going around the place, but there are some things that are hazy due to the time elapsed (this was early to mid 90's) or the amount of alcohol I'd have consumed. It was open for about a year before one of the owners did a runner with what money they had, and it closed.
I always thought it was slightly harsh people suggesting he was "lazy" when his role was often trying to get on the end of long punts and sprinting all out.
Anyone who has ever sprinted flat out knows it doesn't take many of those to utterly tucker you out. Let alone the aimless ones of Smithball.
Saw Martin Taylor at his pub the bubble inn , in Elms that he owns.
Was lovely, as my first Wycombe game was his first, and I was always behind the goal with my dad, he would often say hello for warm up.
Really nice man, said he remembered, and great pub too!
Anyone old enough to have frequented The Orchard (guilty) would have bumped into half the squad most weekends. Can't exactly describe that as "random" though, they were always up there
The London Bus Emporium!!!!! Like a fever dream.
Anyone remember The Attic? (or the 'Tic, for young hipsters such as myself)
Popular with the wanderers players of the time. Kerr, Keith Ryan, Steve Thompson etc.
The Bus Emporium was 30 years ahead of its time. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s viewed as a liar when I mention it.
The Attic was the archetypal sweaty bare bones club near the old snooker club and it was ‘kin brilliant. I didn’t quite realise at the time how lucky we were to have so many decent places to go of an evening back in the 90s.
Sorry if I split anyone’s drink during any Rage Against the Machine songs.
Not a player, but Martin O’Neill getting an absolute ear bashing off his wife in The Octagon shopping centre cafe, Carpenter’s Court.
He was bowing his head in the same way he did when being told off by a referee.