What's new

Player Watch: Gareth Bale - Retires

Stoof

THERE IS A PIGEON IN MY BANK ACCOUNT
Staff
Jun 5, 2004
32,219
64,273
Amazing gesture mate, really nice of you, but I really would like to contribute also, as this site for the last few months has helped me alot, I would like to help back a bit <3

It's done. If you change your avatar to Wout Weghorst then we're even.
 

Stoof

THERE IS A PIGEON IN MY BANK ACCOUNT
Staff
Jun 5, 2004
32,219
64,273
All superb players and wonderful signings but they weren't household names around the world and known by those without an interest in football. I'd argue Bale as a former world's most expensive player was and to some degree Klinsmann and Linker also. That's why I say he's on another level status wise. I'm not talking about impact or ability or quality, purely notoriety.

Isn't it great we're having this sort of discussion. Genuinely a week ago, this could have been is Sorloth worse than Frazier Campbell. What a nutty window. (y)
 

Clockspur

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2013
891
4,057
Me too. It’s sometimes easy to forget he’s spent longer there than he was with us for.

Just a shame we couldn’t have got him 2 years ago when it was clear he wasn’t really wanted by Zidane.

Bloody hell, is there a kit colour that Madrid haven’t tried in the last 10 years.
 

CanadaSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2013
1,446
4,362
I’m so excited. I truly can’t believe it.

I’m in Toronto and our basketball team was knocked out of its title defence and I texted my gf “well we better fucking get someone crazy like Bale, I need a W.”

Who would have thought.
 

Fitchspur

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2012
406
1,307
I don't post too much on here, every now and then, but today's been a good day, my mum has skin cancer (Melanoma) and had surgery to remove her lymph nodes today and also surgery on her back again where the original cancer/mole was. 2cm wide and 2cm deep. All went well, she also had MRI scans of her liver, pelvis and spine about 2 weeks ago and she found out today they are all clear. Massive day of relief for everyone really. Hopefully from today everything is on the up.

Was just trying to type out a joke about how Bale signing was more important/exciting, but it's obviously not possible. I'm just fucking buzzing my mums on the mend and she's coming home tomorrow, and hopefully so is Bale!!!!! Been a great day! Apologies for the ramble, little drunk and very happy, someone point me in the right direction for donations XXX

P.S Love you ITK's, you've made the last few weeks a bit easier <3
That’s awesome! My mum just had a PET scan to see if her cancer is gone so let’s hope it’s as good news as yours!
 

JCRD

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2018
19,153
30,013
He played in a damned CL final 12 months ago, if that’s not the opportunity to win things then I don’t know what is.

You literally said he’s going to have to move for the opportunity to win things. ??‍♂️

I said he will need to move to win things not the opportunity to win things. They are totally different... We have been in semis and finals but well... We have fallen at the last hurdle.

I'll out it this way, if Bale hadn't left, he will still be waiting for his first trophy (although I totally acknowledge that it doesn't work like that because he would have been the difference in us winning etc etc etc)

I hate Bale for leaving but I'm totally over it and now I'm fuckin ecstatic, I wish my folks were as ecstatic about seeing me back home as you lot are about seeing bale back home.
 

Insomnia

Twisted Firestarter
Jan 18, 2006
20,199
55,542
Just watched the video from a few pages back (sorry can’t remember the poster) of his goals whilst at Real Madrid, they should be up in arms he’s leaving, he should be hailed as a Club legend for what he achieved there. What a bunch of ungrateful ****s they are, they never deserved him, we’ll give you the love and respect you deserve Gareth when you come home. COYS
 

ButchCassidy

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2012
3,986
15,843
I finally committed emotionally to watching that video of his last season with us. F**** me. I remembered him being incredible - crazy fast, incredible long range finishing, but the pure range of incredible goals that season was ridiculous. I literally prepared to come on here and say “the technique at ... was unbelievable” about 15 times. The header vs saints, the free kicks, the chip vs city, outside of the boot vs Swansea, West Ham, pure pace for many of them. I think I’m even more excited now and I didn’t think that was possible.
And he wasn’t just dominant, he was more or less our only real attacking threat! Not like e.g. Ronaldo at Madrid where teams also had to watch out for Benzema/Bale/other world-class attacking players. Half our games the tactical plan was “just give Bale the ball and see what happens”. We knew it, our opponents knew it, every defense we played against was set up with the singular goal “STOP BALE” - and again and again he still beat them. Was absolutely sensational.
 

rez9000

Any point?
Feb 8, 2007
11,942
21,098
I'm aware I might sound a bit like a Liverpool fan here, but I do take a lot of pride on how our club turns a lot of our ex players into fans of Spurs.

Graham Roberts, Micky Hazard, David Ginola, Jermaine Jenas, Michael Dawson, van der Vaart, Brad Friedel etc the list goes on, but all players who weren't born locally, and played for other clubs, but left as Spurs fans. Sure there are many more, but just from top of my head.

I get the feeling that Bale is like that too, genuinely loved his time here and as his agent says, we have a special place in his heart.
My favourite story that relates to that is Alfie Conn, Jr. (who some gave Gilly's old monicker of "the King of White Hart Lane"). As I'm sure most know, he played for both Rangers and Celtic in his time (either side of his stint at WHL).

He was interviewed once for a TV documentary and he was asked which side he preferred playing for, Rangers of Celtic and he replied 'Spurs'. :D

OK, maybe he wasn't paying attention, maybe he wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer - I don't know, but I like to think it's because he really did love us.

And you only have to see or hear an interview with Ossie or Ricky and if the topic of Spurs comes up, you can see how much affection they have for the club. Gazza, even with his poor state of health still pulled on the shirt to help christen the new stadium; Jurgen often speaks fondly of us; Pat Jennings, Cliff Jones, Jimmy Greaves, it's obvious they love the club (the former two certainly were ambassadors for the club, not sure if they still are); Steffen Freund was seen multiple times at home games at WHL; I've heard Crouchy, Chrissy Hughton, Scotty Parker all say nice things about their time at the club.

I can't say that it doesn't happen with players that play for other clubs, but it's rare to find a player who speaks poorly of his time with us. We seem to have an effect on our lads that stays with them.
 

Guntz

Loves a good meme/gif
Aug 15, 2011
7,271
54,780
Bale was one of my Dad's favourite players, we were both sitting in the north stand for his final goal against Sunderland. He passed away in 2018.

Really wish he was still around to see him coming back. But hopefully, he's watching from somewhere! #COYS
 

rez9000

Any point?
Feb 8, 2007
11,942
21,098
I don't post too much on here, every now and then, but today's been a good day, my mum has skin cancer (Melanoma) and had surgery to remove her lymph nodes today and also surgery on her back again where the original cancer/mole was. 2cm wide and 2cm deep. All went well, she also had MRI scans of her liver, pelvis and spine about 2 weeks ago and she found out today they are all clear. Massive day of relief for everyone really. Hopefully from today everything is on the up.

Was just trying to type out a joke about how Bale signing was more important/exciting, but it's obviously not possible. I'm just fucking buzzing my mums on the mend and she's coming home tomorrow, and hopefully so is Bale!!!!! Been a great day! Apologies for the ramble, little drunk and very happy, someone point me in the right direction for donations XXX

P.S Love you ITK's, you've made the last few weeks a bit easier <3

Feeling a lot of love today - loving SC at the moment - seems to be filled with joy, which is always nice, especially after the rather torrid 18 months we've had. In the same way that Reece hopes things are on the up, I think we all are in our own specific but Spurs-related ways. Regards to you and yours, Reece and to the whole SC family!

You're awesome dude, now give me that donation link <3
Top of the page, buddy - in the banner.

Just watched the video from a few pages back (sorry can’t remember the poster) of his goals whilst at Real Madrid, they should be up in arms he’s leaving, he should be hailed as a Club legend for what he achieved there. What a bunch of ungrateful ****s they are, they never deserved him, we’ll give you the love and respect you deserve Gareth when you come home. COYS
It beggars belief, really. I guess it's a symptom of, frankly, repulsive levels of entitlement. That he has contributed so much to that club, he's given his all on the pitch, lived a quiet life outside of football and concentrated on his job, for their benefit and they want to see the back of him.

You know what? Fine by me and the rest of us Spurs supporters, I'm sure. If they can't see the gem they have in their hands, we'll take him, thanks.
 

Finchyid

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2017
3,769
11,975
Feeling a lot of love today - loving SC at the moment - seems to be filled with joy, which is always nice, especially after the rather torrid 18 months we've had. In the same way that Reece hopes things are on the up, I think we all are in our own specific but Spurs-related ways. Regards to you and yours, Reece and to the whole SC family!

Top of the page, buddy - in the banner.

It beggars belief, really. I guess it's a symptom of, frankly, repulsive levels of entitlement. That he has contributed so much to that club, he's given his all on the pitch, lived a quiet life outside of football and concentrated on his job, for their benefit and they want to see the back of him.

You know what? Fine by me and the rest of us Spurs supporters, I'm sure. If they can't see the gem they have in their hands, we'll take him, thanks.

I agree, can anyone name a 4 time champions league winner playing in the premier league?
 

NYSpur

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2013
635
2,382
Will this be Lamela tomorrow? (I don’t think so)

3o14sgijmye21.png
 
Top