Plenty of characters left in the game
Hi hope you are all well.
Throughout the course of my career I have been lucky enough to come across some incredible characters. There is a myth that all these characters are gone from the game, but I like to think that some of them are - to an extent - merely hidden away in the lower reaches of the leagues. In the coming weeks I will attempt to unveil one or two.
Barry Fry is one character who could never be hidden away. I have a lot of time for Barry. Although he might not be everybody's cup of tea one thing is certain; what you see is what you get and I think in this day and age that is very refreshing.
I owe Barry a lot; in fact I would go so far as to say that he is one of the reasons that I am still playing league football. I was stuck in a bit of a rut at Hartlepool (even though I had a great time there) and could not get in the side. Hartlepool had said that I was free to find another club, which to some might sound great in this post- Bosman era that we live in whereby freedom to move is supposed to mean more options for the player. It is not quite so great when there are no clubs wanting your services and you are not particularly wanted by your current employers!
This is where Barry Fry came in and true to form for Baz it was the strangest transfer I had ever seen or been involved in. It was late December and Hartlepool were playing Peterborough at Victoria Park. I had not been selected in the sixteen so I was up in the boxes sulking with the other players who had been left out. Next minute there was a knock at the door and Chris Turner (Hartlepool's director of sport) told me that Barry Fry wanted a word.
I knew Baz previously so I did all the usual small talk. Then he said "so do you fancy signing for us on loan, Hartlepool have given it the all clear." I had a quick think and said "yes", so at half time we cleared all the people out of an executive box (very embarrassing) and signed the loan papers there and then.
Needless to say it was a very strange day. I left home in the morning saying to my wife that I did not think I would be involved and then returned at night telling her that I had signed for another club!
These are good days for everybody at London Road with the money of chairman Darragh MacAnthony and the ability of their manager Darren Ferguson who I rate as high as any other manager I have worked with. However it is worth noting that the club would not be where it is today without Barry Fry. He has put everything into that club both financially and emotionally and there were many occasions when it looked as though Posh would fold but Barry always found a way to keep it going.
I always try to treat people as I find them but in this profession that can be quite difficult because of all the media coverage that certain individuals receive so whether you mean to or not you have pre-conceptions about them. A case in point being when John Hartson joined us at Coventry. I remember my reaction being one of "I hope he doesn't use my head as a football, like he did Berkovic" but upon actually meeting him when he arrived at Coventry's Ryton training ground it was immediately clear that he was actually a very nice bloke.
I also have to say that John was one of the best players I have ever played with. It is a slightly overused terminology (so I am going to use it again!) but he really did have great feet for a big man. He was a great asset for any team he played with because you knew that when the ball went up to him, it was going to stick. A fact that can sometimes be overlooked but is so important as a starting point for attacks.
He was also a massive help to the younger lads in the squad at the time. I personally learned a lot from him, probably not so much in terms of looking after your body (only joking, big man) but in terms of the type of passes a midfield player needs to make to a striker. For example the weight of pass into your striker and trying to keep your pass "safe side" of a defender.
Hello, I'm Gavin Strachan. I describe myself as a "journeyman" player after 13 years in the game as a professional. I'm currently between clubs, having been released by Notts County. I'm also studying journalism and the aim of my blog is to provide an insight into the life of a footballer.
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Ha ha John Hartson-fitness role model!
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There may be some characters off the field but I don't see many of them on it. In fact these days when have you seen premiership players even smile at a member of the opposition if something remarkable/unusual happens. It's all so damn serious these days.
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Just for once when we see a Premier League player being interviewed post-match wouldn't it be good if they said something which wasn't an idle soundbite? I guess Max Clifford and fellow PR people all give these guys media training - Jesus it's so dull!
http://www.realfootballargentina.blogspot.com/
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Gavin,
As I live in Nottingham I decided to meander down the canal to the Lane with friends who are County fans to see if you play as well as you blog!
I was pleasently supprised, not just with you, but the whole team. Plus it was £5 to sit in the very atmospheric Kop end. Brilliant advertising to show The Lane slightly fuller than normal on TV with the raucous fans behind the team, might get more fans down in future.
The team is balanced well, although I think Forrester either couldn't get into the game or was out of his depth a touch. With the experienced guys at the back and the lively Weston bouncing down the wing, the game was a joy to watch.
You were unfortunate to conceed as you certainly had the better possesion and chances in the first half.
County were fortunate with the penalty and after watching the replays in the Southbank I can't believe the ref gave it. However with the luck County have had in the last few seasons, its probably about time things changed!
You and Butcher seem to dominated the midfield, with some good one touch passing, I nearly had a 'Strach Attack' with your determination and drive.
Keep up the good work with the Blog, good luck County, I think I'm going to go a bit more for my new team in Nottingham. Sod Forest, the fans are nearly as bad as those Geordies who think it is their devine right to be winning Silverware left right and centre.
How's about renaming the Blog to The Strach Attack!!
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Gavin,
I was discussing with my mates the other day, that if we were professional footballers, we would give our shirt to one of the fans after EVERY game as it would make them really happy.
I wondered why players don't so this so often. We thought that maybe you had instructions to not give shirts out or somthing like that?
We assumed that the shirts don't cost much to the clubs, so even buying a new shirt after every game out of the players wage wouldn't hurt the pocket much (salary dependant of course). It would properly endear you to the clubs fans also.
Whats the dealio?
Thanks.
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Decent result against Brentford last night Gav! Tell Delroy that we County fans are appreciating his contribution to the team - even though he hasn't scored yet this season. When he does get his first goal at Meadow Lane we're all going to go mental for him!
YOU PIES!!
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How did it feel to be playing on Sky TV last night by the way? Do the County lads get nervous or try harder knowing that there are loads of people watching at home too?
And can you hear us singing for you all in the Meadow Lane Kop? How does the atmosphere at the Lane compare to last season. Because it seems louder to me and, as fans, we're definitely happier with the team and the football this season. The future looks bright for us under Charlie Mac!!
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Good blog; you seem like a natural at this journalism malarkey!
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Gavin,
talking of characters in the game, I remember watching a Notts County match when I was a kid when a certain Charlie McParland headbutted another player - funny thing was he had to jump up to do it like he was getting on the end of a cross!!
I think Bruce Grobbelaar would be my all time favourite footballing character.
Gavin V
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After reading the article about rediscovering the "soul" of football, last night's game was another shining example of how lower league football is the true oppitomy of football.
In particular the awful, awful penalty given to Notts County summed up all that is good in football. I mean it was never a penalty in a million years! If that was intentional handball then the guy must have Jedi-like reflexes!
But what was refreshing was that there was no 10-crowd surrounding the ref. No one was sent to the stands. All 22 players accepted the (unbelievable) decision as part-and-parcel of the game and got on with it.
Now to be fair Notts deserved a draw at the very least, but that is not the point. The point is that players and teams deemed "poor" in every sense of the word by football snobs are actually constantly showing the higher profile, higher paid Cashley's of the world how the game should be played.
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How I agree with The Harrier. How refreshing to go to a game where the players accept the referee's decision. I felt just the same after watching Peterborough play at Bury last season. Maybe I just hit a good game but it made it an enjoyable time even though Posh lost. Posh reckoned they deservd a goal but they did not try to intimidate the ref like you see Chelsea players do, all in a line. Presumably nobody thinks that referees are biased do they?The reason they make bad decisions is that the incidents happen so fast that they cannot always see exactly what happened.
I don't go to matches much (too much money) so I was pleasantly surprised at the behaviour of the crowd too. There were a couple of people swearing but they were odd ones out.
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"However it is worth noting that the club would not be where it is today without Barry Fry. He has put everything into that club both financially and emotionally and there were many occasions when it looked as though Posh would fold but Barry always found a way to keep it going."
Do me a favour !!!! Ask any geniune Peterborough United fan and they will tell you what they think of Barry Fry.
Did Ol Baz have the clubs interest at heart when in his contract it was stated he get's a percentage of the gate reciepts if over 5000. What about the houses he rents to the players where the club picks up the tab.
Strachan.. you are so narrow minded.
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how can you say stachan is narrow minded robz8701? I think he is in a better position to judge Fry than you, due to the fact he worked with him when fry was a manager and then the chairman!
what is so wrong with him taking a percentage of gate receipts over 5,000? when he was MANAGER? its common practice as is 10% on transfers.
And yes I am a proper posh fan been season ticket holder for 13 years, I jus find the people still obsessed with Barry fry very sad considering there wouldn't be a Peterborough utd if it wasn't for him no-one else wanted to buy the club, I sure u wouldn't re-mortgage your house twice!
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Got over yourself robz......regardless what Barry Fry has done, it's all in the past!
If it wasn't for Barry, Darragh and Darren wouldn't be here....fact......and we wouldn't be seeing the best football I have ever seen at London Road. So why can't Posh fans just enjoy it!
Oh yeah....great blog Gav.
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"I jus find the people still obsessed with Barry fry very sad considering there wouldn't be a Peterborough utd if it wasn't for him no-one else wanted to buy the club, I sure u wouldn't re-mortgage your house twice!"
Do you honestly believe everything you watch on TV. Fry pleads his heart out to Big Ron on Sky about it's costing him the earth and he can't afford it. And you believe it all. In all that time he still had numerous houses down Sugar Way and his POSII number plate (which is 5 figures alone !!!!!)
The word smoke screen springs to mind. As stated before Peterborough United has made Barry Fry a very rich man.
What's happening at the mo is brilliant but Barry Fry me (and thousands of other Posh fans) do not have time for him.
Remember last year when we got promoted. There were cheers for Darragh, Fergie, the players. Why didn't Fry ask for a cheer? Cos he knows the reaction he would get.
FACT !!!!
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as I said, it's in the past....get over it. He's like an ex-wife to me, I hated him at the time, he still pipes up occasionally and reminds me of the dark times, but I have moved on and now love my new wife (that's you Darragh!)
Up the Posh.
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PoshBoy.. you are 100% right with your last comment.
Still a bitter taste but because he is less involved now I am content.
Championship here we come.... I hope :)
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i think the likes of Boziot and Darragh know how to run a business and they want/ed fry involved i think that says it all.
you believe everything u hear down the pub do ya mate! i sure people are queing up for a POS11 number plate!
I agree fry wouldnt have got a cheer, he stayed to long as manager and made mistakes but i think its laughable to question his commitment to the club, as any player that has played for him or anyone working at posh today would tell you.
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post 9 . The gaffer headbutting someone eh?.I will have to ask him about that.
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Post 7. because we dont get to play on TV much it was quite nerve wracking . The last thing you want to do is have a total stinker because friends and relatives who do not get to see you play will be watching.
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Post 5 . The simple answer is that we have to foot the bill for every shirt we give away .
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On the topic of 'characters' in the game - one of the (only) highlights of Scotland's game against Norway on Saturday was John Arne Riise bobbing his head and conducting the North stand of Hampden as we bounced along to 500 Miles with a huge grin on his face!! Was good to see and gave us all a laugh. Was almost as comical as Iwelumo's miss........
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Brilliant blog, really enjoy reading it. Do the trio of ex Hull City players look out for the tigers' results on a weekend?
Mike Edwards was a top servant to the club.
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Barry hasnt saved the posh.He has bled the club dry.
Why did he spend 350 grand on howard forinton? a sunday league quality striker?
Why did we sell etherington and davies for a pittence?
why was there no sell on clause in bullards contract?
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Hi Gavin. I really enjoy reading your articles and I think you have a good future writing about the game.
I support Brentford and watched them last night on the box against your team and I must say I was impressed by the standard of football on show.
Notts County look a good outfit and not many teams will come to your ground and pick up 3 points this season.
A draw was a fair result if I’m honest however that penalty decision was absolutely shocking and only someone with the reaction speed of superman could have purposely hand-balled that!
Your wide players Hamshaw and Weston look very good and caused our full-backs problems throughout the game.
I felt you had a good game and you have this knack of always being in space!
It looked like you hurt your hamstring, I hope this is not too serious?
Good advert for league 2 football and the two teams in particular.
Good luck for the rest of the season.
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Ah, Barry Fry!
Love him or loathe him, the mention of his very name gets a reaction every time.
He's made mistakes, but haven't we all in life?
What I do know is that if he hadn't mortgaged himself to the hilt it's doubtful whether Peterborough United would be in existence now.
Enough of the past Gavin, it's nice to hear you're enjoying life at Notts County, the country's oldest (and probably one of the friendliest) league clubs in England.
Last night's draw against Brentford was not a bad result for you. I hope the rest of the season goes well for you.
Here at London Road things are going rather well at the moment following Posh's excellent results against Bristol Rovers, MK Dons. Leeds and Walsall.
Carry on the good work with your blog, it's always good to read about life in the lower leagues.
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Gavin out of everything that has happened in your career what would you consider to be the personal highlights.
Keep up your blogs and hope that you have a good season with notts.
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Gavin - if Charlie McP needs a not-so-gentle reminder, he elevated himself on Sept. 29 th. 1987 to deliver a Glasgae kiss to Bristol Rovers' centre-half Nick Tanner.
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Good blog. A quick question, when lower league players play in the lower leagues and sky television come to film a match. (For example last night against Brentford), does it change the way players act as they t very used to it??
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Gavin,
Am I wrong or did you not sign for Wednesday at some point? I am positive I can remember you doing so but cannot find record of it on your players chart.
Really pleased you've got a good career in journalism ahead of you.
Keep working hard
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Gavin
I have been enjoying your musings so I watched a fair bit of the Notts County v Brentford game (I didn't know it was on and missed the first half hour or so) on the strength of this blog and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of football on display.
Keep up the good work both on the pitch and with your writing.
Regards
Jim
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Congratulations on another excellent text offering.
As in any chosen career, you always get some people with character. However, you rarely get those who are truly themselves.
Look forward to the next installment.
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Great blog, much better than some of the nonsense we've had in the past.
Quick question if you dont mind.
At what point do you think most players in the lower leagues accept they are not going to make it to the very top?
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Hi Gavin,
I actually went to school with you when we lived in Wilmslow - the year below. I note Chris Turner signed you at Hartlepool - is it possible he remembered you running around as a kid - from memory you lived about 4 doors away from him!
On our street were Bryan Robson, your dad, Chris Turner, Neil McNab (his twins Joe and Neil were my best mates and are now professional footballers in the same team in the USA if you remember them), Mick McCarthy and many more! Sorry, went off on one there a bit...
Another Gav (Now in Sydney)
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Without bringing up the Fry good/bad debate, it would be intersting to know Gavin
were the players aware of how disliked he is in Peterborough.
On an another note, close to your heart, when will Darren Ferguson be mentioned in his own right, as across all media he is "Son of Alex" or does the fame of his father mean he will never get away from this?
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You say that about lack of charachters but I still think there are plenty in the premiership. Fergie's mindgames which he obviously finds hilarious, Wenger's sarcasm towards the media and the referee's! Scolari's press conferences are always filled with laughs but I just think there is too much pressure on the players to be serious! Rooney, Crouch Gerrard and Rio are always larking about in training so they should give it a go with the media sometimes!!
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I've enjoyed reading the blogs that you have posted so far. I would like to comment on the fact that I was as nearly surprised when I saw your name on the BBC website as I was when I first heard your name mentioned on MOTD when you were playing centre midfield for Coventry many moons ago.
Reason being, if my memory serves me right as a kid you always played in net, especially when you played for one of the Wilmslow Cubs teams (might have been 6th). So to hear that you had made it as a pro playing outfield was a bit of a surprise despite the obvious pedigree you descend from.
Nevertheless I still take great pleasure in reminding anyone who listens and nearly as many who don't want to listen that I stuck a hat-trick past you in the cub cup final (around '88) when playing for the double winning 1st Lindow Cubs. Due to the slightly more important games you went to on to play in, I imagine this one doesn't hold in your memory quite as well as mine. But for those of us who never made it pro (even though we all had a trial at some lower league club or another) we cling on to these distant memories a bit tighter - especially when it involves getting the better of someone who went on to play professionally.
Keep on Bloggin'
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As an earlier poster said love him or loathe him he is a character, especially so at Barnet with him and Stan throwing their tioys out of the pram on a weekly basis.
Posh fans seem to forget very very quickly, if you had no Fry you would have no club - belive me on this one - he almost went Bankrupt out of it all - and eventually found you a "saviour". Maybe posh fans should stop being so ignorant and actually prasising Fry for what he did do even with mistakes.
I can make this simple equation for you without stepping in meaning no Barry Fry = No PUFC, but then again some fans would not be too disgruntled about that now, as some of your fans sheer arrogance is quite abhorrent.
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Top performance monday night, best performance of the season for me. You certainly looked a lot fitter, the best water carrier in league two!!
Did you know if you can get promoted this season then Johnno will join an elite band of Notts County players to have played in every division for the club next season?
Next stop league one...Come On You Pieeees.
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Hi Gavin
I'm really enjoying reading your blogs and I think you've definitely got a career in Sports Journalism ahead of you...just hope your 'old man' forgives you!
As a Coventry City fan I was really interested in what you said about John Hartson...through my work I've met loads of high profile footballers and having met John several times I have to say he's a top bloke...a real gentle giant! I even had the cheek to ask him about the Berkovic incident...and after getting out from under the table I was hiding he told me the details...let's just say there are 2 sides to every story. But you're absolutely right it's easy to pre judge people and a lot of the players I've thought would be nice have actually turned out to be right ignorant gits!
I wanted to ask you what about player you would've worked with at the mighty Sky Blues...Craig Bellamy! Now you'll know he is despised at Coventry and seen as an obnoxious, arrogant so and so...but what was he really like? I'd love to know...
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Reference to 'characters in the game' - how much, if anything, was passed on to you at your journalism course about the importace some famous footballers from the past had, and are continuing to have on the present day game?
One who springs to mind is George Eastham. He was an Irish lad who played for Newcastle and Arsenal in the 1950s and who, almost single handedly, brought changed the way new contracts are written so that footballers (eg Ronaldo) were not treated as slaves and tied without recourse to any legal action to their individual clubs.
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What is it about Notts County? First - if I remember rightly - a Countdown winner - and now a journalism student. Any other surprising talents or interests out there?
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The Hartson-at-Celtic moment that sticks in my mind was the away game at Celta Vigo in the run to the Uefa Cup Final. As Gavin says, if a low ball is played to Hartson from the midfield you know it will stick. Well, he got just such a low ball, and by the time it reached him, his marker had been dumped on his arse... Hartson took one touch, turned, and fired it home. That away goal saw Celtic through. It summed up what big JH brought to us; power, good feet, strength, and vital goals.
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