大象传媒

Morning Dan, another good'煤n.
Glad to see the biscuits are back in full effect, always reminds me of home.
I'm not sure of the quality of Danish bikkys but they do make pretty nifty pastries.

I believe there can be only one winner in the car fruit contest. It has to be the grape, although the seedless variety is a must, otherwise you end up spitting the darn seeds all over yourself or in the car, plus it makes you look ridiculous if passers by catch a glimpse of you supposedly gobbing everywhere.

Great blog Dan, definitely my favourite on the 大象传媒.

Nicest guy in sport: Linvoy Primus, no contest.

Hi Dan, your best yet this one.

Nice guys in sport, an obscure one but Steve Cotterill comes accross as a really decent fella, I wonder if you have had any dealing with him to confirm this.

Tiger Tim, for all his wimbledon short comings seems quite a humble guy and a family man. Michael Owen, also seems a decent guy, perhaps trickling over the border into dull as dishwater with it.

I'd lament people who quote ricky hatton as I think he tries too hard to come accross as everybody's friend and mr nice guy.

From a different stratosphere I have been really impressed with Jenson Button during his past interviews, in particular on Top Gear when he said he would swap the entire riches and lifestyle for one Podium finish...it seemed completely genuine. No rags to riches story with him, but I see no arrogance there with him whatsoever.

Has to be Peter Beardsley. I once bumped into him in a Newcastle department store - we were both browsing at the Apple laptops, a swift hello and an autograph followed and then amazingly some chat about electronic goods?! Quite knowledgable so he was.

p.s in realtion to biscuits you simply have to bring out the Ginger Parkins Dan!

Nicest guy in sport - Gareth Southgate (proof if ever it was needed that nice guys always come last)

Great blog again Dan.

I met Kevin Keegan in Ikea once, I stood there starring wide eyed at the bloke mouth open and frozen in shock...
Rather than call the police to have me taken away he said "y'alright" which i reckon makes hima pretty nice bloke...

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Hi Dan,

a great blog, made me chuckle.. I always get Jammy dodgers myself....

Nicest people in sport.

I have to say Niall Quinn, an absolute gent, always has time to say hello. Should be knighted for his work for charity and Sunderland. Shame he is so popular at SAFC events as whenever he goes off to get you a beer he gets distracted by well wishers and comes back empty handed!

The other one I met and was extremely surprised by was big Dave Beasant, I could not beleive how open and chatty he was, what a funny and friendly guy. Put even more into persepctive given I met Sky's Andy Gray on the same night and he was horrid (I have stronger words but may not get onto the site).

Hi Dan, nice blog again...

Nicest footballer i met was Jussi Jaaskelienen, really nice guy and willing to just stand there and chat for a minute, even lent me his pen for an autograph!...i also met (even though hes not a player any more) Phil Brown, and he was a really nice guy, and very fan friendly...

From the world of rugby, you would struggle to meet a nicer bloke than 97 Lions hero and now Ulster frwards coach Jeremy Davidson. Ex all Black captain Tana Umaga, while incredibly scary in appearance, also turned out to be a top bloke when I met him a few years ago. Agree on Mark Webber, a true gent

As someone who meets a lot of footballers and ex-footballers, I can honestly say the nicest person I've met is Graham Taylor.

For someone with that level of profile, and what a top manager's job can do to people (!) , he gives everyone he meets the time of day. A lovely man, and a definite on your top 10.

This one may shock...perhaps Dan could shed a little more light. They say never meet your heroes, I met Duncan 'Big Dunc' Ferguson at a charity function in 2005. What a genial guy he really was, a complete contrast to his public image. Has he been a victim of the fact he refused to give any interviews or exposure to the media? Did you ever have any dealings dan?

I am in no way saying he should make your list...a few on the pitch assaults will have put paid to that but would he go into the 'misunderstood' pile?

My dad decorated the great Danes house he signed a photo for evey worker that asked him and he even sent me one in the post.He is also a great dad, amazing to see how many un touched man of the match bottles he has in his house. A great man was sad to see him retire wish him all the best in the future.

I'm sure loads are nice but I've never had the fortune to meet them.

However I can say this, and I'll probably get lynched for it...

Jack Charlton was the worst. I was so pleased get the opportunity to meet him after my old man would always talk about how good he was. But he was such a...

...if I write the words I'll get moderated.

It was about 15 years ago at a schools sports tournament and he was a total...

...the scars of disappointment run deep.

I wouldn't buy him a pint and doubt if the other blokes who met him at the time would either.

In a footballing world of prima donnas and teenage millionaire brats, it鈥檚 refreshing to see there are still a few decent blokes out there! Great blog again Dan.

My nomination for football鈥檚 nicest guy goes to Tranmere鈥檚 legendary Goalkeeper John Achterberg, now a coach at Liverpool鈥檚 Academy and reserves.

He always had time for the fans and after seemingly years of campaigning he was finally granted a testimonial earlier this calendar year. Rather than make it all about him, he gave 4 lucky fans (including myself) the chance to play in the game (1 on each side for a half each). A tremendous gesture from a tremendous chap.

Two blokes I played alongside that night would also make my top 5, Alan Morgan (now manager of Aberystwyth Town) and, perhaps surprisingly, Georges Santos. I say that because as a player he was known for his tough tackilng and fiery temper, but off the pitch he鈥檚 a really nice bloke!

How about Lineker and Roger Black for the list?

I always think Steve Bruce comes across as a very genuine and friendly guy.

Have you ever met Ian Wright?

He always comes across well on tv.

Have to agree with tomefccam. My brother and I met Big Dunc and what a real surprise. Genuinly pleasent, real good chat. Nothing like what we imagined from him seeing him play.

@ Dan Walker. Regarding the laptop I'm afraid to say I only saw him browsing, wonder what he eventually went for? Secondly a Ginger Parkin is kind of like a nice softish ginger biscuit but better - I've been reliably informed its a northern thing!

heres a recipe if you fancy making them for the FF crew!

I agree with No. 18, Gary Lineker! He signed autograph's when others couldn't be bothered.

I also think Kerry Dixon. He talked to a lot of us in the early hours of the morning after we lost to Utd on pens at the airport in Moscow. He signed autographs and wished us all a safe journey home. Zola is a legend too.

I think Bobby Robson would definitely make the list!

I'm more of a jaffa cake man myself

Jason Gardener is a really top guy.
always got time to say hello and have a chat.
Likewise Mark Cueto. Genuinely friendly and amaible

#23 here here, sir bobby would be in a list of his own

By the way Dan, has anyone ever told you that you look a tiny bit like Xabi Alonso?

Anybody ever met Tim Flowers????

Tim Flowers is an absolute legend, known as the Cat, great keeper and has banter to rival the soccer am team!!!

Top top bloke!!!

Dan good blog, I would add henry paul to list, me and team mates met him when we were 12 and he took us onto the team bus showed us around, introduced us to all the other players, real genuine guy!!! I would have to agree with the jammy dodger, even though im a big fan of the hob nob chocolate digestive biscuit!!!

Dan - another great blog - totally agree about Martin Laursen. I met him once while he was loading his shopping into the boot of his car (Aston Martin - of course). He took time to speak to my sons and I about life at Villa and some of the recent games. 100% commitment in every game 100% Gent off the pitch.

Martin Gritton.
Anyone who has followed lower league football and come across the big man will second this.

Bob Wilson

For me I have to say Scott Crabbe is up there.
When he was playing for Livingston, he was on his way to the stadium before a match, saw me and a mate standing at a bus stop clearly on our way to the game so he pulled over and gave us a lift. Legend.
Also Dider Agathe was a cracking tipper whenever he stayed at the hotel I worked for. Always easy to like someone who tips well.
Lastly Nacho Novo, the Celtic fans hate him to a man, but off the park he is the most polite friendly lad you're likely to meet.

To the78sum #20 - I met Ian Wright at an Arsenal v Spurs charity golf day, wrighty and john jensen against ian walker and darren caskey. I was a bit dissappointed with wright, he wasn't as nice as I thought he'd be. Ian Walker on the other hand had time for everyone there. Seemed a genuinely decent fella.

Dan, I'm surprised that you've never had the chance to meet Gareth Southgate - given that both of you are Crawley boys, I would have thought he would have been something of a hero of yours? Perhaps you shunned him on account of him being able to eat an apple through a letterbox...

Any list of the nicest guys in sport must contain Trevor Brooking, who is so darned charming and obliging that I find it easy to forgive how asinine his punditry is; and Steve Backley, who seemed to take much more pleasure in teaching schoolkids to throw a javelin than he would wearing an Olympic gold medal. David Pleat is also a lovely man, but he gets disqualified for his attempts to pronounce the name 'Lizarazu'.

Also, I'm sure I just saw Martin Laursen in Cromwell's Madhouse - picking out three pairs of 'Subterfuge' jeans for 拢20...

Parkin is a cake, not a biscuit.

Good God I hate Fig Rolls... I like this blog but it makes me feel a bit ill everytime I read because there is a mention of the dead fruit wrapped in weird pastry... For car journeys Im less a fruit and more a selection of nuts man... You need to pair this with some suitable liquid though coz they leave you a bit dry..

Nice guy in football.. John Hartson.. used to meet him at Parkhead quite often and he used to come and collect jerseys and things and take them into the dressing room and get them signed for any kids.. then bring them back out.. Big gentleman.. and like a pint

cant say if he should go on the list or not, but worth sharing..

I met one of the best strikers of recent years when in a lift. There was the nervous silence as the legendary Andy Cole stepped into the lift after a Friendly between Falkirk and Sunderland. He looked at me looking at him then his eyes averted my staring.... as it was just the two of us, I bit the bullet and I went to say something about him having a good game (despite being a late sub and not touching the ball). But at that time he put his phone to his ear which stopped me in my tracks and I looked to the floor in embarrassment.

Funny thing was, after a few seconds of him mumbling into it, the phone then bleeped and I bust out laughing as he was obvioulsy only pretending to avoid the conversation... it was the fastest he had moved all night as he escaped me chortling away to myself.

#20 - Yes Graham Taylor - a real gent. Met him last year at Birmingham Airport as he flew out to cover the Villa Hamburg game. While trying to read up on his match notes he chatted with all the Villa Fans - dodgy trainers though :)

...on the subject of biscuits - Fig Rolls and milk - my Dad's hangover cure!!

Nice positive blog. I'm a bit biased but Jan Molby was number one until I met Sami Hypia. I met Torres in Thailand, the Thais loved him but he's a bit shy. Big people are nicer, like big dogs.

Chris Kamara. Legend and a true gent. Has to be in the top three!

Also, fig rolls?- an undisputed champion of the biscuit world!

I'll prob get crucified for this but I had the fortune of meeting both Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton before a Man u friendly a few years back. Despite being young, wearing the opposition shirt and making smart-alec joke about his horse Ferguson was more than happy to stop and chat for a few minutes and signed a few programs for me to show my friends. Charlton, on the other hand, appeared to get out of the bed on the wrong side that day and was far from polite or kind, as he seems to be portrayed in the media. Just thought it worth saying as id have thought those two would be the other way round but shows you cant judge someone without meeting them

I met Nick Faldo a few years ago at the airport leaving Madeira, was a very nice guy. My dad and I stood chatting with him in the queue to check in talking about a golf course we had all played on there (he was surprisingly tall I seem to recall).

With regards to snacking whilst driving, be careful, a few years back a lady was stopped by the police and given a fixed penalty for eating an apple while driving and I seem to recall a similar story about someone drinking from a plastic water bottle whilst stopped at a red light (both stories were reported on the bbc website I believe)

"I got there at 11.30 and loosened up in main reception."

I bet you did loosen up with a journey involving fig rolls!!!

Great Blog, Laursen is truly immense. And it has to be Party Rings, not fig rolls.

I met Clint Dempsey at Picadilly Train Station in Manchester after the Wigan game last week. He was genuinely nice and friendly even though he looked absolutely knackered. He gets my vote.

I have to agree with big Johnnie Hartson. Was lucky enough to go to Arsenal vs. Blackburn several years back. Came down out to the rear reception (which backed into the secure carpark where the players park) and big John walked out and the reception lady beamed at him and said something like 'How are you doing John?' to which he replied, 'For God's sake *name* you know you're only supposed to call me Johnnie - you make me feel uncomfortable!' and smiled at her. Then immediately went into a conversation with her about how her kids were doing and stuff - I was stood there for about 3 mins waiting for someone and was just struck by how thoroughly nice, genuine and cheeky he was. I was really devastated when I found out about him battling cancer - Good luck to you big man!

A very similar above story about Dennis Bergkamp. Also had a brief chat with Dave Seaman and Freddie Ljungberg (separate occasions) when up in the boxes at the Emirates and they were good spirited and liked a bit of a laugh - Freddie wearing, as always, one of his special beanie hats!

Another shout to Gianfranco Zola. A woman my dad worked with, her son played footie for the school on a Sunday in the same team as Zola's little boy. He would, as often as possible being a Chelsea player at the time, go down and watch the full games, on the touchlines with the other parents. He's chat and have a laugh with them, shout encouragement - another story that struck me and earned my respect. By accounts he never talked anything other than about how X or Y kid was playing and how things had been getting on - really top guy.

A quick note on Jimmy Bullard. When he was a Fulham player he used to go out a fair bit in Kingston (upon Thames!) and I think I bumped into him 5-6 times (once 3x times in one night in different places!). Always up for a good laugh, posed for a few photos with a bunch of my mates as we all pulled daft faces, he decided to do the same! Really nice guy - daft as two short planks when out with his mates - but then those types of guys tend to be the best. Bit sad when he went to Hull as it's be a heck of a trek for a Saturday night out - but I hope things keep on the up for the guy.

Also (rather classically) served Neil Sullivan (Spurs at the time) and Luis Boa Morte (West Ham) in my local Homebase when I worked there as a kid in secondary school (separate occasions). Both nice guys - Luis was particularly smiley - although he'd just bought garden furniture and I thought he could probably afford somewhere more pricey of course. Several years later I saw an episode of MTV Cribs that he was on and he lived in a standard 3 bed semi and I realised he obviously wasn't into the flashy things in life - lot of respect!!! Lived just like the rest of us - nice guy.

You didn't comment on Steve Bruce, Dan! Ever met him?

IS HE NICE? I WANT HIM TO BE NICE!

Another good article Dan. Gary Speed leads my "nice blokes in sport" list, an absolute gent!

Fair point,and I'm not a huge fan of SAF myself, but I was more suprised by the Bobby Charltons attitude. I figured I'd got him at a bad time but apparently some others have had problems with the Charlton family.....
On a similar note, have you ever met someone who you were expecting to be really nice but turned out to be a bit not so?

Nice blog as ever, always enjoy 10-15 minute break to read a good topic! Nicest Sportsman has to be Shaun Goater, the Manchester City legend. Always smiling on the pitch and (in the times I have met him) always was off the pitch also.
Brilliant man, Brilliant ambassador for the game. A must for the list!

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OK, then, Tana Umaga shouldn't be on the nice guy list due to his SPEAR tackle on Brian O'Driscoll which was in no way an attempt to break his neck....at all

Jack Charlton I always found was great company, especially on a Sunday lunchtime 8 years ago when he was with his wife and Lawrie McMenemy and his wife. Excellent insight. Met him again this summer out here and he's getting a little doddery now.

Chris Kamara - Agree. Top Bloke

Lucas Radebe - Without doubt one of the warmest happiest and caring people in any sport.

Final vote for Big 'Eck. Don't ask but him and his wife ended up at my place this summer and we had a brilliant evening discussing Birmingham's chances for this season over a ridiculous number of bottles of wine.

#53
A mate of mine now works with the Goat (for an asphalt company in Bermuda), and says he's a top bloke.

I'm sure Eyal Berkovic would disagree, but I had a very nice and lenghty chat with John Hartson at a certain golf club in Hertfordshire when I was working there and found him to be a very agreeable and down-to-earth chap. Sir Trevor Brooking, Kevin Keegan and David Ginola (a member) were also present at the charity event - Sir Trev was polite but not particularly sociable, and Monsieur Ginola was a bit off with me that day because he wasn't allowed a locker key - a case of blame the messenger.
I think Kevin Keegan got lost down the hole on the 9th green.

Met quite a few famous people, but my first "big star" meeting memory is probably my fondest, it was when I was a kid, I was probably around 7-8 years old, wide eyed and bushy tailed, I believe they used to call it.
I grew up a stones throw away from the previous Arsenal Stadium, (Highbury) my parents were not exactly footy fans, so I麓m eternaly grateful to an older couple that lived on our estate (council, not country) who agreed to take my brother and I to the home matches.
This couple had been going to home games for decades, so they were pretty well known around the ground by all the stewards and various staff. They had a kind of pre-match ritual so we always arrived at the ground at least three hours before kick off and we would always pop into the club shop, which back then was not much bigger than an average sitting room, and have a chat with what seemed at the time to me to be a giant of a man, who I was introduced to as "Uncle Jack".
After a few visits, and a few history lessons, I learned that "Uncle Jack" was actually a former Arsenal keeper, the great Mr Jack Kelsey. Over the next few years he entertained and amazed us with stories from his playing days sharing anecdotes about the league, the Fairs cup and even the World Cup were he had played against a young man of who he at the time said 鈥淚 think this kid has got a good future.鈥� That young player was Pele. He also introduced my brother and I to all the players, got us signed shirts and programmes and even gave us a tour of the Marble Halls, changing rooms and behind the scenes of our beloved Highbury.
Unfortunatly "Uncle Jack" passed away in the early nineties. Although his legacy at Arsenal will never die, I麓m sure that if you ask anyone who had been connected to the club at that time would testify to what a legend and true gentleman this great man was.
I麓m not sure if he would be in many peoples lists nowadays, but for me he麓ll always be number one.

Another great blog Dan! I haven't met anyone famous, so I don't have anything to add to the list of nice people, but I have been known to travel and so feel I can partake in the travel snack debate. I share your opinion when it comes to grapes on the road, but would just like to throw dried mango into the mix - practical, yet sort of exotic. GIve it a whirl! Looking forward to next weeks blog already!

I met and had a chat with Martin in the morning of the West Ham game last season - he was visiting the place I was working at and he couldn't have been nicer.

I hope he stays involved in football over in the UK - and preferable at Villa where he is a wonderful ambassador for a well run club

The nicest guy in sport for me has to be Harry Redknapp. I was lucky enough to bump into him at Southampton Airport where he started talking to me in the queue for security. Seemed genuinely interested in where i was going/what i was doing and was such a gent. And to top it all off, it was my parents 25th wedding anniversary, so I asked the great man to call my dad (a big spurs fan) to wish him anniversary and he did it! Not only did he wish him happy anniversary, but he had a good chin-wag for 3 or 4 minutes. Made my day and was the best moment for my dad in all of the 25 years (just kidding mum). I can't imagine a certain J. Mourinho doing the same thing....

What about Andrey Arshavin, when he disagreed with a penalty given in favour of arsenal because he merely wanted the football to continue, thats sportsmanship

Good discussion.

I've never had the chance to meet a famous guy, but at least Federer and Nadal come as great guys.

Sorry but I gotta mention my least fav...Michael Schumacher and Barry Bonds are quite cold if you ask me.

@65: Surely the ONLY time in history that Michael Schumacher and Barry Bonds have been mentioned in the same sentence?

Yes sausagearms! I made history!!!

Nice guy? I would have to say Gary Pallister. Lets my girlfriend walk her dogs on his grounds, bring loads of beer and meat to her street BBQs and brought the whole Boro first team round to see her when she was in hospital a few years back.

Actually, on the last two points: she's a vegetarian Geordie. Maybe not such a nice guy!

Biscuit? Fig roll is king. Fruit? No.

Morning Dan, another great Blog, yours & Michael Gray's are both excellent. Dion Dublin should be a serious contender for the list. My friend and I met him in Devon of all places, and like over excited children (being the Villa fans that we are) we waited for a moment when he wasn't busy and approached him to ask for a picture... instead of the previously arrogant reception we have received before when we have met footballers (notably Steven Davis once of Villa, now of Rangers - although Liam Ridgewell ((when he was at Villa)) was with him and was also sound) he was extremely friendly & chatty, he asked us where we had our season tickets, what we thought of the last couple of seasons and referred to Villa as 'us and we'... top bloke!

I am a celtic fan but Big Eck is one of the nicest blokes you could meet. Kenny Dalglish stood beside me watching a game in a pub once. very nice bloke too. Alan Hansen (not so friendly) but i did mix him up with David Narey!!!

Fig rolls are indeed a great driving snack, however do not be giving Martin too many as they are 70 calories per roll, a typical pack contains 10-12, so thats a massive 700 plus calories per pack. I think too many for a sportsman like Martin!

#57
Please tell your friend to make sure he is well fed, as we all know...
Feed the Goat and he will score
Feed the Goat and he will score
Feed the Goat
Feed the Goat
Feed the Goat and he will score

legend. Would still have you in the city team! Emmanuel Adebayor, the richman's Shaun Goater!!

Bob Taylor would be my vote. I had the pleasure of meeting the bloke about 7/8 years ago (bearing in mind I'm only 22 now). Not only was he a wonderful man, great player and happy to talk about football I imagine he is also the shortest target man in football. I'm 5ft 10 at the most now and I was as tall as him at about 15/16 years old.

Carlton Palmer has GOT to be on the list! He was the first footballer that I ever met, it was when I was a kid and I met him at Gulliver's Kingdom theme park and I was completely starstruck and could hardly speak. He was really friendly and spoke to me and gave me an autogtraph and I told him that one of my best friends was a massive Leeds fan and that he was his favourite player and he signed a personalised autograph for him too. I've met numerous players since then and the only one that has come close to him is the legend that is Gerry Taggart. Beast on the pitch but a true gent off it.

Hiya Dan!1st time poster on this blog,great site,pity you werent a sportsman yourself you'd be a shoe in for top 20!!
Anyway has Ricky Hatton been mentioned yet?For a guy to be in a profession as brutal as boxing,and yet to be be such a grounded and genuinely nice fella as he is (that documentary featuring his mum,dad and two grandmothers was pure gold!) is such a refreshing thing to behold,as is his love of the guinness and all things carbohydrate in between fights!!
In short,a normal fella with an abnormal talent.Get him in there dan!!

I have to ask, what is your take on Garibaldi biscuits?

Can you even get them anymore?

Would be good while driving as there's minimal crumage.

Dan,
First time reading your blog, but a long time since chatted in person. Great to read your musings from here in Connecticut, USA. Your take on travel food is brilliant, but you need to add one American treat: jelly beans. They are the great travel food. They are also a great help when listening to 大象传媒 football commentary on Satellite radio. Unfortunately Garibaldi biscuits are difficult to come by over here. Have to have some shipped in.
Please devote more cyber-ink to CCFC and AFC- you know you have loved them all your life.

Dan,

Sorry not Royalty. Knew Charlton as I used to convince my Employers to do Sporting Dinners for Clients so met Hunter, Stiles, Best, Tommy Smith plus loads of Rugby folk (who I have to say are without exception good blokes to share a drink or two with)McMenemy was a neighbour when I lived down in Hampshire. I live in the Cayman Islands now and McLeish came over to help with our local School of Excellence that Sepp Blatter opened this summer, and Me and Big Eck hung out together a few times. Big Sam and Chris Hughton were also over here.
BTW after years of travelling thousands of miles supporting Leeds, I can confroim that the ideal food is a jumbo bag of peanut M&Ms plus a screw top bottle of coke. Protein and Caffeine and chocolate for the long drives home!

Dan, Just come over here during the close season and you can do the whole of the next season's interviews for FF whilst sat on Seven Mile Beach! Quite a lot of footy people have property or business interests out here, Chairmen, Owners and players. Romario even made a guest appearance for our National Team.
BTW You can buy Fig Rolls here!

I sent a get well soon card to Ian Knight (1980's Sheff Wed player who suffered badly broken leg) & he sent me a team photo signed by the whole squad!

ps. ginger creams all the way

Dan, (#81)I will gladly reveal my identity, but it will cost you dearly. You will, on this blog have to commit to mailing me two packets of Garibaldi biscuits (address in CT, USA to follow) and they will have to be the genuine article not some cheap store brand imitation.
If you want to say some good words about the Gooners (particularly after the Oct 31st 3 - 0 game against SPURS) then that would help too. Memories...
I guess you, the mighty blog master, do not have access to the associated email addresses.
If you do not want to (or Beeb regs. prevent you from)committing to meeting my Garibaldi needs then you do have people close to home who can help you with my username.

Dan, if your remark in #85 applies to my remark in 84 then I am going to have some fun.

It might even distract me from my day job. Have to be self disciplined.

Shame you did not commit to mailing the Garibaldis. The more baffled you get the more Garibaldis will be required.
Having said that enjoy your weekend. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the international matches coming up.
And I am now going to be regularly logging on to read your fine missives.