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Hello all,
I rec'd a lovelx email after writing about Emil Zatopek on the Olympics thread, suggesting more of the same. After a little thought, I decided that a thread with everyone giving their sporting heroes and perhaps a reason why in each case. To start the ball rolling, here are mine-
Emil Zatopek- because no one will ever near his level of brilliance over 5km, 10km and the Marathon in one Olympic Games. A true gentleman too
Sebastian Coe- met him in the early hours of the morning shortly after he smashed a World Record, in Oslo, in the early 80's. The man could hardly walk but spent 10mims talkng to me, laughing and joking about the state of his legs and Norwegian beer.
Joe and Fred Davis- two billiards and snooker players,multi world champions both. Jod won the world snooker title 17 years in a row.
Had the honour of playing Fred Davis in 1974 in Teddington. He gave me tips during that game only a professional would know about. He beat me out of sight and I loved every minute of it. A really lovely man.
Pat Pocock-cricketer-presented me with my first club cricket award in 1976- and sat me down and gave sound advice about my bowling. I felt so honoured.
Peter Osgood- Chelsea's legendary footballer. My goalscoring hero as a kid, met him privately a year before he died and spent an evening talking with the great man.
Henry Cooper-boxing legend, a really nice man who always had time for anyone wanting a word.
Met him briefly outside Teddington TV studios.
A cricketer known as 'The Croucher' who could probably break records even today. He hit cricket balls further, more often and harder than nearly all. Look up 'The Croucher' on google- his batting was phenominal. At the same time, look up Harold Gimble
t, another cricketing genius.
Roger Taylor- Tennis- before Mottram, Rusedski, Henman and Murray- THE greatest British Tennis player who never won Wimbledon but was the epitomy of a trier.
Bjørn Borg- Tennis. Watching him play McEnroe in the 1980 Wimbledon final was a joy. A sheer joy. Of recent date, Roger Federer compares, Mr cool
.
George Best- a true footballing genius. How he performed the way he did whilst under the influence of drink amazes me to this day. Saw him live, waltz around players when he played for Man Utd and Fulham. Incredible balance.
Pele. The best. Over 1000 goals- a genius supreme.
And because they are heroes to me even today, three Chelsea footballers of a modern era- Frank Lampard, Gianfranco Zola and Didier Drogba.
Lampard because he onlx needs 17 more goals to be Chelsea's greatest goalscorer ever- and for a midfield player that is phenominal- despite 43 of his 186 goals coming from penalty kicks- Zola because he did things with such grace and sublety- and genius- and Drogba for always scoring when Chelsea needed it most- in Cup finals- he stepped up in a cauldron of dislike on 19th May 20.2 and gave Chelsea supporters the reality of a lifetime's dreams- the Champions League trophy.
everyone has heroes. I admire all heroes others have, and with only a few exceptions, respect them. (Diego Maradonna for example)
so add your own and why- it isnt a thread fnr critisising other peoples choices- its a thread to share admiration.
Best wishes
Phil
I rec'd a lovelx email after writing about Emil Zatopek on the Olympics thread, suggesting more of the same. After a little thought, I decided that a thread with everyone giving their sporting heroes and perhaps a reason why in each case. To start the ball rolling, here are mine-
Emil Zatopek- because no one will ever near his level of brilliance over 5km, 10km and the Marathon in one Olympic Games. A true gentleman too
Sebastian Coe- met him in the early hours of the morning shortly after he smashed a World Record, in Oslo, in the early 80's. The man could hardly walk but spent 10mims talkng to me, laughing and joking about the state of his legs and Norwegian beer.
Joe and Fred Davis- two billiards and snooker players,multi world champions both. Jod won the world snooker title 17 years in a row.
Had the honour of playing Fred Davis in 1974 in Teddington. He gave me tips during that game only a professional would know about. He beat me out of sight and I loved every minute of it. A really lovely man.
Pat Pocock-cricketer-presented me with my first club cricket award in 1976- and sat me down and gave sound advice about my bowling. I felt so honoured.
Peter Osgood- Chelsea's legendary footballer. My goalscoring hero as a kid, met him privately a year before he died and spent an evening talking with the great man.
Henry Cooper-boxing legend, a really nice man who always had time for anyone wanting a word.
Met him briefly outside Teddington TV studios.
A cricketer known as 'The Croucher' who could probably break records even today. He hit cricket balls further, more often and harder than nearly all. Look up 'The Croucher' on google- his batting was phenominal. At the same time, look up Harold Gimble
t, another cricketing genius.
Roger Taylor- Tennis- before Mottram, Rusedski, Henman and Murray- THE greatest British Tennis player who never won Wimbledon but was the epitomy of a trier.
Bjørn Borg- Tennis. Watching him play McEnroe in the 1980 Wimbledon final was a joy. A sheer joy. Of recent date, Roger Federer compares, Mr cool
.
George Best- a true footballing genius. How he performed the way he did whilst under the influence of drink amazes me to this day. Saw him live, waltz around players when he played for Man Utd and Fulham. Incredible balance.
Pele. The best. Over 1000 goals- a genius supreme.
And because they are heroes to me even today, three Chelsea footballers of a modern era- Frank Lampard, Gianfranco Zola and Didier Drogba.
Lampard because he onlx needs 17 more goals to be Chelsea's greatest goalscorer ever- and for a midfield player that is phenominal- despite 43 of his 186 goals coming from penalty kicks- Zola because he did things with such grace and sublety- and genius- and Drogba for always scoring when Chelsea needed it most- in Cup finals- he stepped up in a cauldron of dislike on 19th May 20.2 and gave Chelsea supporters the reality of a lifetime's dreams- the Champions League trophy.
everyone has heroes. I admire all heroes others have, and with only a few exceptions, respect them. (Diego Maradonna for example)
so add your own and why- it isnt a thread fnr critisising other peoples choices- its a thread to share admiration.
Best wishes
Phil
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