How Easy Is It?

[Magic_Michu]

Another player I forgot to mention … I was a youth worker in Whitchurch, Cardiff.

Gareth Bale would come along from age 13-15… we had a sports hall out the back where 30 kids would play football - Bale was the best player but you’d never have thought he’d make it like he did.

Absolutely lovely boy tho.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

Mumford was the year behind me in school. My next door neighbour was in same year as him and we were good mates, so I'd play with his year a lot. When we were having a kickabout or any of the football games we'd play in the local park (World Cup Willy and the like), he didn't really stand out as being amazing. But once you played a real football match, you could see why he was rated, never stopped running and working.

My memory is shit, but sure he had a trial with Man United around that time (mid 90's) before catching on with the Swans.

From what I remember - although it was 30+ years ago by now so I can't remember that well - he'd had loads of trials with much bigger clubs before pitching up at the Swans.

We were never best mates or anything so after I stopped playing with him I lost touch completely - I was not surprised he rocked up at the Swans and I wasn't surprised he was so good, the only surprise for me was that he hadn't turned up somewhere higher up the pyramid.

But by all accounts he just didn't want to live his life properly for being a pro footballer, and it caught up with him by the time Flynn got here. Shame really. But his wouldn't be the first tale like that, and won't be the last either.

 

[Ringwood]

I was in the same team as Michael Hughes and Darren Gale as a teenager playing often again Colin Pascoe. I had the skill but not the physicality back then which affects your mentality and confidence no doubt..

When I moved to London I played a decent level but found I was a better cricketer and played top club and represented the County.

Big differences today are the better pitches and ref protection on tackles. I remember constantly being tackled from the side and behind and the full follow through which today would be red card offences.

 

[JackSomething]

Lovely discussion about various professional footballers who have crossed our paths over the years, all we need to complete this thread is for Copa to tell us all about the top level footballers he knew and played against...

 

[Ringwood]

Also at my current cricket club are ex -pro's Graham Baker ex Southampton and Man City and Andy Jones ex Port Vale. Wales and Bournemouth striker.

Love hearing the stories about Nev Southall and what Sam Fox got up to back in the day and

 

[Swanjaxs]

I was in the same team as Michael Hughes and Darren Gale as a teenager playing often again Colin Pascoe. I had the skill but not the physicality back then which affects your mentality and confidence no doubt..

When I moved to London I played a decent level but found I was a better cricketer and played top club and represented the County.

Big differences today are the better pitches and ref protection on tackles. I remember constantly being tackled from the side and behind and the full follow through which today would be red card offences.

Can I ask, a first class County?

 

[Ringwood]

Can I ask, a first class County?

Played for Oxfordshire for a season and currently playing for Hampshire Seniors ECB side

 

[Swanjaxs]

Played for Oxfordshire for a season and currently playing for Hampshire Seniors ECB side

A very good standard indeed! And still playing at the top end!
Batsmen/bowler/both?

 

[Ringwood]

A very good standard indeed! And still playing at the top end!
Batsmen/bowlers/both?

Not so much at club level.. play in the lower X1's and help the colts out

Strangely I've played against Wales 3 times. Once at home where Matthew Maynard was playing and twice away. One at Abergavenny CC where the Wales skipper was a Jack.. I did get some friendly banter and once at Barry CC on the sea front...golden duck there sadly.

Over the years I've opened, batted 3 , batted 5. Played as all rounder.

Body is failing now 50 years of sports big ops on the horizon. Wouldn't swap any of the experiences and have toured West Indies, South Africa, Spain. Ireland. India and Holland.

Enough of that, let's get back to footie

 

[Swanjaxs]

Not so much at club level.. play in the lower X1's and help the colts out

Strangely I've played against Wales 3 times. Once at home where Matthew Maynard was playing and twice away. One at Abergavenny CC where the Wales skipper was a Jack.. I did get some friendly banter and once at Barry CC on the sea front...golden duck there sadly.

Over the years I've opened, batted 3 , batted 5. Played as all rounder.

Body is failing now 50 years of sports big ops on the horizon. Wouldn't swap any of the experiences and have toured West Indies, South Africa, Spain. Ireland. India and Holland.

Enough of that, let's get back to footie

That's a good standard in fairness.