Steve Perryman - Best Christmas Present Ever!

[Meercat]

Oh my word…

So… In a moment that just basically stole my breath away… the phone just rang... and it was Steve Perryman.

Skipper!

We spent half an hour talking about the glory days, the FA Cup wins, the UEFA, Bill Nick, Keith Berkinshaw, about his links to Sweden and more. Best Christmas present ever. I’m still shaking hahah.

 

[riggi]

When I’m an old codger I’m going to get Chimbonda aren’t i?

 

[hughy]

When I’m an old codger I’m going to get Chimbonda aren’t i?

Carlton Cole.

 

[riggi]

Carlton Cole.

 

[Meercat]

That was utterly surreal and quite brilliant. How many times in your life do you just get to sit and chat one on one with one of your genuine heroes, who played such a part in the best sporting memories of your youth? Just superb, and such an easy, friendly conversation. I’m utterly blown away by how nice he was, and how chatty.

 

[WorcesterTHFC]

He's still the skipper.

 

[chavkev]

Carlton Cole.

I was once getting drinks at a club and came back to find Carlton Cole trying to chat my then girlfriend up. It makes me laugh every time I see him on tv. Given that the only footballer she recognised was Thierry Henry, it must have been a tough sell for him.

 

[Meercat]

Just had to call Steve back, and we had a brief chat… he was in an Italian restaurant in London with Ossie, Ricky and most of the 81 squad for a reunion meal. I just had Merry Christmas yelled down the phone by my team. I’m grinning like an idiot. I love the fact that 41 years on they are still mates and do this stuff.

 

[riggi]

Just had to call Steve back, and we had a brief chat… he was in an Italian restaurant in London with Ossie, Ricky and most of the 81 squad for a reunion meal. I just had Merry Christmas yelled down the phone by my team. I’m grinning like an idiot. I love the fact that 41 years on they are still mates and do this stuff.

This is going to end in a restraining order isn’t it..

 

[Meercat]

This is going to end in a restraining order isn’t it..

Haha nope... but sadly I won't get to go to a game with Steve as 'he's on the outs' with the club right now. His words. Said he can't help with tickets or games but has invited me to call when I'm next over to get together, but I don't think I'd do that... I'm never big on meeting your heroes because you (at least I do) build them up to be these impossible figures. The reality is never likely to compare. But I get to sign off with two brilliant phone calls and memories that'll last a life time.

I was just really touched by the idea of the 81 team being in London right now having a Christmas reunion dinner. It goes to one thing he said on the first call about how they genuinely weren't as 'good' as some teams, but they loved each other and played 100% for each other like brothers. The fact they are still friends all these years later just feels... right.

 

[mark87]

I presume he was too polite to say he had the wrong number then.

 

[archiewasking]

Wonder if my hero Stevie Archibald was there? I know Steve P wasn't all that impressed by his professionalism...

 

[Meercat]

Wonder if my hero Stevie Archibald was there? I know Steve P wasn't all that impressed by his professionalism...

He said that 'most' of the team were there, but a couple couldn't make it because of the snow as they were coming in from the countryside - he came in yesterday and stayed in a hotel. If Stevie was coming from Scotland I'd assume he was one of the ones who couldn't make it - but no idea really.

 

[riggi]

Haha nope... but sadly I won't get to go to a game with Steve as 'he's on the outs' with the club right now. His words. Said he can't help with tickets or games but has invited me to call when I'm next over to get together, but I don't think I'd do that... I'm never big on meeting your heroes because you (at least I do) build them up to be these impossible figures. The reality is never likely to compare. But I get to sign off with two brilliant phone calls and memories that'll last a life time.

I was just really touched by the idea of the 81 team being in London right now having a Christmas reunion dinner. It goes to one thing he said on the first call about how they genuinely weren't as 'good' as some teams, but they loved each other and played 100% for each other like brothers. The fact they are still friends all these years later just feels... right.

Yeah I would be the same. Finding out my hero Alan Hutton was a raging Trump fan would kill me!