Asking footballers for autograph thread.
Discussion
Ade07 said:
Frank Lampard a top bloke on signing autographs too. Met him and Christine at a cafe bar on the shores of Lake Como a couple of summers ago. Genuinely nice guy.
I sat at a table next to Frank at Starbucks. He was with a non football mate (well I didn't recognise him) and was there for about half an hour. In that time he got asked at least 20 times for his autograph, mainly by kids who walked d up to his table. Every time without fail he looked up, smiled, said a couple of words and signed what was offered. Fantastic professional!Wacky Racer said:
Here's a picture of two of my lads with ex Leeds United 60's legend Paul Reaney way back in 1995....
Like the choice of their shirts considering who it is 
I remember when a friend worked in Sports Soccer back in high school and served Alan Shearer on the tills. He kept having "till problems" so Shearer had to sign his credit card receipts a few times! That was a novel way to get several autographs
A couple of months back I was in the VIP area of Tiger Tiger Manchester for a mates birthday and a few of the Man City players came in. Joe Hart was going mental (partying, not angry hah) and he bought me and my mates a round of shots and took a few pictures etc. Really friendly bloke up for a laugh, not like some of the other miserable bunch.
Blackpuddin said:
Too Late said:
Robert Green, West Ham keeper won't sign autographs outside the stadium or outside their Chadwell training ground
He's on 40k a week
I think its a bit of a piss take someone famous not signing an autograph
Its all part of being famous
He'd probably drop the pen anyway.He's on 40k a week
I think its a bit of a piss take someone famous not signing an autograph
Its all part of being famous
Carlique said:
A couple of months back I was in the VIP area of Tiger Tiger Manchester for a mates birthday and a few of the Man City players came in. Joe Hart was going mental (partying, not angry hah) and he bought me and my mates a round of shots and took a few pictures etc. Really friendly bloke up for a laugh, not like some of the other miserable bunch.
loli was working that night
balotelli is a bit of an arse when he comes in - always the last to leave. I once got Roy Keane's autograph when he popped into my local for a pint.
It was a surprise, but the story was that, at the time, he was knocking about with the Nicky Butt - who grew up not far from where I grew up.
So I was sat there having a quiet beer with a mate when Keane and Butt's cousin and brother (as I recall) walk in. Butt was supposed to be joining them at some point, but never arrived.
Apparently Butt recommended said pub as it was your typical small, back-street Manchester boozer. Proper lounge and bar, mature locals only, never any trouble. I suppose a little like the Rovers on Corrie, but it still had the 2 rooms.
Keane just sat at the barr with the Butt lads, quietly enjoying a few Wife Beaters and signing autographs for the handful of regulars in the lounge.
Sadly, the pub no longer exists (the Yew Tree in Droylsden) - shame, as it was a cracking little place, especially when it was getting Boddies on draught direct from Strangeways.
It was a surprise, but the story was that, at the time, he was knocking about with the Nicky Butt - who grew up not far from where I grew up.
So I was sat there having a quiet beer with a mate when Keane and Butt's cousin and brother (as I recall) walk in. Butt was supposed to be joining them at some point, but never arrived.
Apparently Butt recommended said pub as it was your typical small, back-street Manchester boozer. Proper lounge and bar, mature locals only, never any trouble. I suppose a little like the Rovers on Corrie, but it still had the 2 rooms.
Keane just sat at the barr with the Butt lads, quietly enjoying a few Wife Beaters and signing autographs for the handful of regulars in the lounge.
Sadly, the pub no longer exists (the Yew Tree in Droylsden) - shame, as it was a cracking little place, especially when it was getting Boddies on draught direct from Strangeways.
MiniMan64 said:
What is actually so great about an autograph anyway? I've never understood why people ask for them let alone collect them!
Well, I'll tell you. I met Stirling Moss a few weeks ago and got his autograph on a poster with an old picture of him racing on it. This is due to be framed shortly.This framed poster of him, autographed will take pride of place on my wall at home.
Compare that to just a regular poster stuck on the wall with blu-tac.
Can you honestly not see which is of more value to me personally and overall?
I'm fortunate enough to know the Brother of, (and hence the man himself too through his Brother) a very well-known, ex premiership and England footballer, who you would all no doubt recognise if I posted his name.
Ok, we're not 'bezzie mates' I admit, but I am good freinds with his Brother, and hence have spoken to him on numerous occasions. He is now in the 'twilight' of his career, and has been involved in quite a few outside business interests both of his own volition and in partnership with his Brother.
The first interesting thing, is that in addition to being an accomplished footballer, he's also an extremely intelligent, bright individual, with a flair for business, and relating to people on all levels. Talking to him about the kind of scenarios mentioned in this thread, and also from anecdotal reporting in the media, we should firstly realise that not all footballers are the same!
This chap recognises very well the part both fans and the general public play, in assisting and supporting him in both his Football, and his elevated status as a 'big star.' He realises that as well as his talent, it is the support of Joe Public that has helped him get to where he is, and has helped to give him the unique opportunity to earn the monstrous income that he has enjoyed too. But equally, he's also said to me that for every 'switched on' football player who responds positively to public attention, there is another, let's say 'less switched on' footballer who doesn't recognise the importance of acknowledging his fans and giving up the time to liaise, and sign autographs.
I'm not a football fan in the slightest, and don't watch or follow it at all. Hence when I do hook up with this chap from time to time, I don't embarrass myself with my lack of knowledge about the game, by trying to talk to him about it! I normally chat about our mutual interests in property investment (my portfolio: a few cheap, ropey old gaffs - his portfolio: massive luxury villas!) and other business bits and bobs in general.
(As an aside - I've also met through him, quite a few other big 'movers and shakers' in the Football world, who assist players in investing their cash - you wouldn't believe how massive an industry 'sports people's investment managers' actually is!)
Anyway, the point is - I did ask him recently about this whole 'fan' and 'autograph' thing. As I said above - not all of them realise how important it is to be 'on duty' as a star, every time they walk out of their house. He admits that it can often be a chore, and occasionally a little unsettling and even threatening in some circumstances - but that on days when he gets cornered by someone who wants to talk and get an autograph, that he just remembers how lucky he is to have got where he did, swallows his slight sense of inconvenience, smiles widely and gives up his time to make that fan happy.
I guess that if you're talking about ALL the footballers in the country, we should remember that they're all just people underneath it all - and therefore as fallible to having bad days like the rest of us.
My friend puts on his 'game face' every time he leaves his house - but not all are able to do so, and hence you're gonna get the occasional bad response now and again!
Ok, we're not 'bezzie mates' I admit, but I am good freinds with his Brother, and hence have spoken to him on numerous occasions. He is now in the 'twilight' of his career, and has been involved in quite a few outside business interests both of his own volition and in partnership with his Brother.
The first interesting thing, is that in addition to being an accomplished footballer, he's also an extremely intelligent, bright individual, with a flair for business, and relating to people on all levels. Talking to him about the kind of scenarios mentioned in this thread, and also from anecdotal reporting in the media, we should firstly realise that not all footballers are the same!
This chap recognises very well the part both fans and the general public play, in assisting and supporting him in both his Football, and his elevated status as a 'big star.' He realises that as well as his talent, it is the support of Joe Public that has helped him get to where he is, and has helped to give him the unique opportunity to earn the monstrous income that he has enjoyed too. But equally, he's also said to me that for every 'switched on' football player who responds positively to public attention, there is another, let's say 'less switched on' footballer who doesn't recognise the importance of acknowledging his fans and giving up the time to liaise, and sign autographs.
I'm not a football fan in the slightest, and don't watch or follow it at all. Hence when I do hook up with this chap from time to time, I don't embarrass myself with my lack of knowledge about the game, by trying to talk to him about it! I normally chat about our mutual interests in property investment (my portfolio: a few cheap, ropey old gaffs - his portfolio: massive luxury villas!) and other business bits and bobs in general.
(As an aside - I've also met through him, quite a few other big 'movers and shakers' in the Football world, who assist players in investing their cash - you wouldn't believe how massive an industry 'sports people's investment managers' actually is!)
Anyway, the point is - I did ask him recently about this whole 'fan' and 'autograph' thing. As I said above - not all of them realise how important it is to be 'on duty' as a star, every time they walk out of their house. He admits that it can often be a chore, and occasionally a little unsettling and even threatening in some circumstances - but that on days when he gets cornered by someone who wants to talk and get an autograph, that he just remembers how lucky he is to have got where he did, swallows his slight sense of inconvenience, smiles widely and gives up his time to make that fan happy.
I guess that if you're talking about ALL the footballers in the country, we should remember that they're all just people underneath it all - and therefore as fallible to having bad days like the rest of us.
My friend puts on his 'game face' every time he leaves his house - but not all are able to do so, and hence you're gonna get the occasional bad response now and again!
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