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Player Watch: Gareth Bale - Retires

theslowcentury

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2013
54
270
Does anyone know how long it was after him leaving that he was linked back to us? Trying to work it out. Memory seems to say it wasn't all that long.
 

cjsimba

Well-Known Member
Dec 5, 2006
2,563
9,450
It´s been seven years and fifteen days,

since they took my love away …

And ever since there are a handful of us that never gave up hope that he would one day come back to us. Obviously, we were deluded – it was simply unrealistic. But as the years passed, and the relationship to the fans, club and management soured in the Spanish capital – the glimmer of hope shone brighter. And in every single transfer window, there were always reports, rumours that there was a possibility. Always to be dismissed by all the ITKs. Sometimes friendly, softly, gently – sometimes abruptly – but always consistently.

I am deeply grateful for all the work the admins here are doing, and not at least for all the insight and snippets of fans´ gold the ITKs share with us. And I fully understand and respect that these same people can lose their patience when we mortal minions and underlings never stop nagging about “is he coming?” usually followed up with countless reuses of that Jim Carey gif “So you´re saying…There is a chance?!” It´s like having that annoying friend of your own annoying children sitting in the back of the car constantly repeating “Are we there yet?” – two minutes into the ride, every single bleedin´ time.

But, oh what glorious times these last couple of days have been! I was musing late last night, while just flowing with the perfect wave on the craziest and funniest day I´ve ever experienced in here (Bale avatars for everyone?!): what a development?! From a stone cold “no”, via “it´s not 0% chance” and “pull the fucking trigger, Levy!” to “I´m quietly confident”. And then, this morning´s “just medical and formalities”. Flabbergasting!

We football fans are dreamers, most of us. If you chose (or have been told to choose) Tottenham as your club, I would say even more so. If you didn´t experience the Nicholson era first hand, it´s not the overfilled trophy cabinets of constant success that lured you to this part of the footballing world. It´s more likely to be the romantic dream of the traditional cup team – the team that can outplay anyone anywhere on their day, and lose a game when we´re up three or four goals at halftime. We´re some of the last romantics in top football. So, we dream impossible dreams. Like Gareth Bale coming back to us – because we love him and thus he kind of have to like us too, right?

Luckily, we have in our midst some realists that can throw ice cold water in our faces and tell us that it “just isn´t going to happen”. It´s not because they don´t share the dream. But it´s more likely because they´re awake and can see the dream for what it is: a dream, and nothing more.

I immensely respect him and love him to bits the way one man can love another man he has never met. I´ve only read his comments on a website, given likes and stars to his words of wisdom. He probably doesn´t know I exist. I don´t even know if he´s a man, to be honest. So, please, this is not a dig at ITKs in general, or to Trix more specifically: if anything it´s a homage to his and their work! And it´s also an explanation to myself (and maybe others) on how the general mood on a website´s chat forum can change in an instant just because of a few words from the keyboard of someone we believe in and respect.

So, this is @Trix ´s timeline “From Not Doable to Baleiber”:

In this same thread Trix gave one single comment in the January window on the chances of Bale coming back. It simply and politely – as in a way you talk to people that have a hard time understanding the principle of spreading butter on a piece of bread – that the financial obstacles were impossible to work around. As he have said in the wondow before, and the window before that, and in - you get the picture.

Fast forward to August 15th:
View attachment 73683
We´re not getting him back. Yes, we know. And it´s because of the money:
View attachment 73684

Five days later, there´s not a ten thousand to one chance he´s coming back. Even if Levy would only have to pay 10K to get him:
View attachment 73685

A couple of days later, and the patience is wearing thin:
View attachment 73686

Then nothing. Absolute radio silence.

Almost a fortnight later, THAT Bale-interview hits the media. For the first time ever, on September 3rd, Gareth Bale gives an interview where he speaks about how he wants to play football and that Real Madrid stands in his way to do so. The ball is rolling, and the Bale-thread on SC slowly awakens from its slumber.

On the 7th, our man Trix is - as always - the realistic voice: it would take so much from all parties that it´s not realisitc. BUT: he gives the fanatic romantics something to chew on: we want him. And: he´s open for a possible return.
View attachment 73688
And, then: dialogue....! (even though it´s still not possible)
View attachment 73689

And, then on Thursday the 10th of September in the year of 2020, seven years and nine days since Bale signed for Real Madrid, Trix posts what we never thought he would ever do. And the thread goes ballistic:
View attachment 73690

THERE IS HOPE: HE MAY COME HOME!

We even have a special Bale-budget outside the normal transfer budget?..?!
View attachment 73692

Next day, Friday morning, in the ITK-thread - the hope is growing (but the blue is gone...?):
View attachment 73695

Later in the afternoon - reminding us all both that there is a clever businessman at the top, and that we actually were very, very close to get Dybala. And at the same time reminding us aswell that a deal can derail just when everyone think it´s done:
View attachment 73697

Quiet Saturday - we´re all just waiting for more info as the thread heats up. It´s happening isn´t it? Yes, this is the chance! He´s coming home - he has to!

Then Sunday.

Bloody, beautiful Sunday.

I love Sunday mornings! Sometimes, at least.

Trix were on form, online, and definitely not without hope. It´s now as good as it will ever get - it´s Levy´s decision now, only his. Trix gave us 24 minutes of gold that morning:
View attachment 73700

(to be continued)

Love this. Was going to look back at the story of how it all unfolded myself but you've already done it you star!
 

jbstarr14

Well-Known Member
Aug 19, 2010
1,506
5,165
Klansman was 30 when he signed for us if I recall so similar age to Bale.

* Edit - Apologies. Klinsmann and not Klansman. Bloody spell corrector.
Just how often do you write ‘Klansmann’ for your phone to assume that’s what you meant...?
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
Love that the Manchester evening news are saying "United make right decision not to sign Bale" despite them yesterday offering to better any deal we offer him.

They were told in no uncertain terms he wasn't interested.
Yep as soon as bale said he only wanted Spurs. Madrid stopped any negotiations with Utd.
Stop it, there’s only so much my heart can take.
 

Matthew

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2012
4,597
15,867
Love that the Manchester evening news are saying "United make right decision not to sign Bale" despite them yesterday offering to better any deal we offer him.

They were told in no uncertain terms he wasn't interested.

what an absolute lad! i made the assumption last week or whenever it was he's turnt into an arrogant twat - turns out i was the twat, and was utterly wrong.
 

Living Legend Colm G

SC Supporter
Jan 30, 2011
1,639
6,242
It´s been seven years and fifteen days,

since they took my love away …


And ever since there are a handful of us that never gave up hope that he would one day come back to us. Obviously, we were deluded – it was simply unrealistic. But as the years passed, and the relationship to the fans, club and management soured in the Spanish capital – the glimmer of hope shone brighter. And in every single transfer window, there were always reports, rumours that there was a possibility. Always to be dismissed by all the ITKs. Sometimes friendly, softly, gently – sometimes abruptly – but always consistently.

I am deeply grateful for all the work the admins here are doing, and not at least for all the insight and snippets of fans´ gold the ITKs share with us. And I fully understand and respect that these same people can lose their patience when we mortal minions and underlings never stop nagging about “is he coming?” usually followed up with countless reuses of that Jim Carey gif “So you´re saying…There is a chance?!” It´s like having that annoying friend of your own annoying children sitting in the back of the car constantly repeating “Are we there yet?” – two minutes into the ride, every single bleedin´ time.

But, oh what glorious times these last couple of days have been! I was musing late last night, while just flowing with the perfect wave on the craziest and funniest day I´ve ever experienced in here (Bale avatars for everyone?!): what a development?! From a stone cold “no”, via “it´s not 0% chance” and “pull the fucking trigger, Levy!” to “I´m quietly confident”. And then, this morning´s “just medical and formalities”. Flabbergasting!

We football fans are dreamers, most of us. If you chose (or have been told to choose) Tottenham as your club, I would say even more so. If you didn´t experience the Nicholson era first hand, it´s not the overfilled trophy cabinets of constant success that lured you to this part of the footballing world. It´s more likely to be the romantic dream of the traditional cup team – the team that can outplay anyone anywhere on their day, and lose a game when we´re up three or four goals at halftime. We´re some of the last romantics in top football. So, we dream impossible dreams. Like Gareth Bale coming back to us – because we love him and thus he kind of have to like us too, right?

Luckily, we have in our midst some realists that can throw ice cold water in our faces and tell us that it “just isn´t going to happen”. It´s not because they don´t share the dream. But it´s more likely because they´re awake and can see the dream for what it is: a dream, and nothing more.

I immensely respect him and love him to bits the way one man can love another man he has never met. I´ve only read his comments on a website, given likes and stars to his words of wisdom. He probably doesn´t know I exist. I don´t even know if he´s a man, to be honest. So, please, this is not a dig at ITKs in general, or to Trix more specifically: if anything it´s a homage to his and their work! And it´s also an explanation to myself (and maybe others) on how the general mood on a website´s chat forum can change in an instant just because of a few words from the keyboard of someone we believe in and respect.

So, this is @Trix ´s timeline “From Not Doable to Baleiber”:

In this same thread Trix gave one single comment in the January window on the chances of Bale coming back. It simply and politely – as in a way you talk to people that have a hard time understanding the principle of spreading butter on a piece of bread – that the financial obstacles were impossible to work around. As he have said in the wondow before, and the window before that, and in - you get the picture.

Fast forward to August 15th:
View attachment 73683
We´re not getting him back. Yes, we know. And it´s because of the money:
View attachment 73684

Five days later, there´s not a ten thousand to one chance he´s coming back. Even if Levy would only have to pay 10K to get him:
View attachment 73685

A couple of days later, and the patience is wearing thin:
View attachment 73686

Then nothing. Absolute radio silence.

Almost a fortnight later, THAT Bale-interview hits the media. For the first time ever, on September 3rd, Gareth Bale gives an interview where he speaks about how he wants to play football and that Real Madrid stands in his way to do so. The ball is rolling, and the Bale-thread on SC slowly awakens from its slumber.

On the 7th, our man Trix is - as always - the realistic voice: it would take so much from all parties that it´s not realisitc. BUT: he gives the fanatic romantics something to chew on: we want him. And: he´s open for a possible return.
View attachment 73688
And, then: dialogue....! (even though it´s still not possible)
View attachment 73689

And, then on Thursday the 10th of September in the year of 2020, seven years and nine days since Bale signed for Real Madrid, Trix posts what we never thought he would ever do. And the thread goes ballistic:
View attachment 73690

THERE IS HOPE: HE MAY COME HOME!

We even have a special Bale-budget outside the normal transfer budget?..?!
View attachment 73692

Next day, Friday morning, in the ITK-thread - the hope is growing (but the blue is gone...?):
View attachment 73695

Later in the afternoon - reminding us all both that there is a clever businessman at the top, and that we actually were very, very close to get Dybala. And at the same time reminding us aswell that a deal can derail just when everyone think it´s done:
View attachment 73697

Quiet Saturday - we´re all just waiting for more info as the thread heats up. It´s happening isn´t it? Yes, this is the chance! He´s coming home - he has to!

Then Sunday.

Bloody, beautiful Sunday.

I love Sunday mornings! Sometimes, at least.

Trix were on form, online, and definitely not without hope. It´s now as good as it will ever get - it´s Levy´s decision now, only his. Trix gave us 24 minutes of gold that morning:
View attachment 73700

(to be continued)


Genius.
 

yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,188
Bale wants Spurs because he’s realized he has made it. He’s done it all, has a ton of money and now all he wants is to play, feel loved again and love where he’s at. Bale loves us and knows we love him. Quite simply, Spurs are like home to him. He wants to come back home and is willing to accept much less to do so. United can act like they didnt want him until the cows come home. But we all know they would have welcomed him with wide open arms if he was open to it. But he wasnt. Bale wanted to come home. And in the end, Gareth Bale is coming home.
 

snakehipsspurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2017
2,112
15,369
So intrigued if it’s the loan or no fee permanent deal. Loan is great financially, but the permanent would allow us to loan in someone else, which could be huge for the striker situation...
 

King of Otters

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
10,751
36,093
Bale wants Spurs because he’s realized he has made it. He’s done it all, has a ton of money and now all he wants is to play, feel loved again and love where he’s at. Bale loves us and knows we love him. Quite simply, Spurs are like home to him. He wants to come back home and is willing to accept much less to do so. United can act like they didnt want him until the cows come home. But we all know they would have welcomed him with wide open arms if he was open to it. But he wasnt. Bale wanted to come home. And in the end, Gareth Bale is coming home.

Even yankspurs coming through with the inspirational TED-Talk.
 

DanNolan

Well-Known Member
Oct 14, 2006
1,369
2,524
Trix ... how does the process work with transfers now. Is it a wait for a deal to be struck In Spain followed by Travelling for the medical Once this is all agreed player wise as well?
we’re often told media is a day or two behind So say a deal is struck by 5 would media not catch wind until tomorrow?
sorry if not allowed to ask you but I’m interested how the process works rather than ITK
 

Trix

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2004
19,335
329,023
what an absolute lad! i made the assumption last week or whenever it was he's turnt into an arrogant twat - turns out i was the twat, and was utterly wrong.
TBF he has been a bit of a twat the last 18 months or so.
The boy knows that he will come home as a god with the fans right behind him from the get go.

It will be great as even Sonny and Kane might get a bit of having to look over their shoulder for their place. A bit like bentley coming in raised Lennons game and he had a blinding season. (I'm in no way comparing Bale's ability with Bentleys btw!)
Biggest shame for me is he won't be able to make his debut in front of 60k at the new stadium. That would have been something else when he walked out for the first time there.
 
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