Encountering City players / staff in everyday life

[PinkFinal]

Tommy Booth in JD Sports [Arndale] around 1984, think his kid was trying trainers on. Tommy was in full tracksuit as I recall.
Steve Kinsey, town hall end of Deansgate, January 1985.
Sam Ellis, driving near Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw, summer 1993.

Could extend this to footballers generally in which case....

Ian Marshall, looking in jewellers window, St Ann's Square
Brian Flynn, Market Street
Sammy Lee, Who concert, MEN Arena
Kenny Dalglish, Piccadilly Station, 1989
Lee Martin, John Dalton Street, October 1991.

 

[Jim Tolmie's Underpants]

Wayne Rooney, Autumn Wind Old People's Home, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I used to have lunch with Mike Summerbee in the early 1970's as he was a regular in my mum's cafe. George Best was sometimes with him, who was quiet and shy believe it or not. Buzzer wasn't.
Nicky Summerbee, in the Oast House in Spinningfields.
David White around Xmas 2012 when we did something together for Radio 5 Live at Media City. John Hartson was also there as was Fanzone Danny. Also saw Noel Gallagher in the coffee shop there that day.
Gary Owen in Madrid, September 2012 when we played there. He was with Kevin Parker and pleasantly pissed.
Colin Bell, Dennis Tueart, Joe Corrigan, Glyn Pardoe, Tommy Booth & Steve Fleet at the launch of Gary James' 'Manchester: The City Years' book. Think that was August 2012. Also had a good chat to DJ Mark Riley at the same event and then CEO Graham Wallace, who took a picture of me with King Colin.
Franny Lee, when getting out of his car at a home game. Does that count?
Maybe not quite everyday life this one but was invited to the team hotel in London the night before a game at Arsenal and met:
SWP, Carlos Tevez, Micah Richards, Dedryck Boyata, Joleon Lescott, Shay Given, Roberto Mancini plus saw Mario and VK.
David Bernstein, who I had lunch with, in 2006.
Kenny Clements. Can't remember when but he was a driving instructor and I was sat at some traffic lights in Oldham alongside him and a pupil.
Barney Daniels in a few places. He worked with my ex and we bumped into him in Asda on Pilsworth, then I used to see him in the Roch Bank pub on Hollins. Also he was our relief postie when the normal guy was off.
Eyal Berkovic and his family in the car park of Prestwich Lidl.

Non-City:
Liverpool owner John W Henry at Victoria Station in London.
John Hartson (as above) at Media City.
Teddy Sheringham on an escalator at Heathrow.
The late Matthew Harding, outside his office in the City of London.
Ramires, just after he signed for Chelsea, in the First Class Lounge at Euston Station. I think they were playing us that weekend.
Sat behind Ian Rush on a plane back from Dublin.
Never met either but spoken on the phone to Ron Gourlay, the former Chelsea CEO, a couple of times in 2010 and to Claudio Ranieri on Xmas Day again in 2010.

 

[AkanjisAfro]

Carlos tevez at the open 2012 when he was on the bag for someone. I had my city shirt on too. He signed it and everything. Best day of my life hands down.

 

[bluemoon98]

Agbonlahor and bent dropping off their kids at school one morning.

Ferguson at Alderley edge on a school trip few years ago!

 

[Gary James]

Colin Bell, Dennis Tueart, Joe Corrigan, Glyn Pardoe, Tommy Booth & Steve Fleet at the launch of Gary James' 'Manchester: The City Years' book. Think that was August 2012. Also had a good chat to DJ Mark Riley at the same event and then CEO Graham Wallace, who took a picture of me with King Colin.

And let's not forget, they all met Prestwich Blue that night! Actually, I'm delighted to say I've met PB on several occasions and enjoy your writing (especially in KK). Always interesting. The launch was Aug 2012 and it was a great night. I tried to get a mix of former players/celebrities/fans who have helped me along the way, so thanks to all who came.

As for meeting players in ordinary surroundings.... I've met a few, but there's a couple of my dad's meetings that really show how life was for footballers after their careers ended in the 60s. My dad went to renew his car insurance in early 60s and was served by Ken Barnes at a city centre insurance brokers. My dad's called Paul (James) and was a lorry driver (as was City's great capt Roy Paul when his career ended). Ken kept talking about Roy Paul being a lorry driver etc. and was happy to talk about football. When my dad got home and checked the insurance certificate Ken had written his name as "Roy Paul" not Paul James. Dad had to go back and get it sorted.

While delivering to a brewery in Oldham my dad used to meet Jack Dyson who worked there. His happiest meeting was when he arrived at the brewery around lunch time and Jack and the others were having an impromptu game of cricket and my dad joined in.

 

[Rolee]

I used to have lunch with Mike Summerbee in the early 1970's as he was a regular in my mum's cafe. George Best was sometimes with him, who was quiet and shy believe it or not. Buzzer wasn't.
Nicky Summerbee, in the Oast House in Spinningfields.
David White around Xmas 2012 when we did something together for Radio 5 Live at Media City. John Hartson was also there as was Fanzone Danny. Also saw Noel Gallagher in the coffee shop there that day.
Gary Owen in Madrid, September 2012 when we played there. He was with Kevin Parker and pleasantly pissed.
Colin Bell, Dennis Tueart, Joe Corrigan, Glyn Pardoe, Tommy Booth & Steve Fleet at the launch of Gary James' 'Manchester: The City Years' book. Think that was August 2012. Also had a good chat to DJ Mark Riley at the same event and then CEO Graham Wallace, who took a picture of me with King Colin.
Franny Lee, when getting out of his car at a home game. Does that count?
Maybe not quite everyday life this one but was invited to the team hotel in London the night before a game at Arsenal and met:
SWP, Carlos Tevez, Micah Richards, Dedryck Boyata, Joleon Lescott, Shay Given, Roberto Mancini plus saw Mario and VK.
David Bernstein, who I had lunch with, in 2006.
Kenny Clements. Can't remember when but he was a driving instructor and I was sat at some traffic lights in Oldham alongside him and a pupil.
Barney Daniels in a few places. He worked with my ex and we bumped into him in Asda on Pilsworth, then I used to see him in the Roch Bank pub on Hollins. Also he was our relief postie when the normal guy was off.
Eyal Berkovic and his family in the car park of Prestwich Lidl.

Non-City:
Liverpool owner John W Henry at Victoria Station in London.
John Hartson (as above) at Media City.
Teddy Sheringham on an escalator at Heathrow.
The late Matthew Harding, outside his office in the City of London.
Ramires, just after he signed for Chelsea, in the First Class Lounge at Euston Station. I think they were playing us that weekend.
Sat behind Ian Rush on a plane back from Dublin.
Never met either but spoken on the phone to Ron Gourlay, the former Chelsea CEO, a couple of times in 2010 and to Claudio Ranieri on Xmas Day again in 2010.

That's because it was lunchtime, he was just lining his stomach.

 

[Rolee]

I played against Richie Dunne at schoolboy level, does that count?

Jimmy Conway in his brother's Jewellery shop in Dublin.

 

[5948947]

Met Michael Brown in Yates, seen Franny Lee in costa coffee. Was in B&Q and seen Joe Corrigan. Joe Hart at the Arndale with his misses. Also seen Sylvain Distin in 63 Degrees. My dad went same school as George Best also, said he stood out even then

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

Yorke and Cole used to work out Total Fitness in Wimslow. I remember thinking it odd at the time as they must have their own Gym at Carrington. I assumed they were on the sniff!