Footballers in Unexpected Places

By: Matt | May 7th, 2008

Michael Gray Wall Carr Speedie Last summer, whilst walking to work in Newcastle, I turned a sharp corner by the city library and came face to face with a living, breathing, Premier League footballer. Truth be know, at the time I wasn’t sure if he was a Premier League or Football League superstar, but on checking the facts out later discovered he was indeed a member of the Greed League. Little did I know, that this said footballer would go on to sign for my beloved Wolves only a few weeks later.

The strange thing about this encounter was that even before I had recognised him there was something about the man that dazzled; made him stand out from the crowd. It may have been his designer label clobber, his bouncing blonde locks, his tanned skin and dazzling white minty fresh teeth, or his confident Premier League swagger. We made eye contact and within a second he gave me a ‘yes, I know that you know who I am, and yes it is really me’ look. It wasn’t arrogant, just a mutual understanding

Apologies for the build up, prepare to be under whelmed. It was none other than Michael Gray. At the time a Blackburn Rovers player, but had spent the end of the previous season on loan at Leeds (hence the status confusion). Having lived in the north east for a while I’d watched Gray play a number of times, for Sunderland, in their Premier League hey day under Peter Reid. He was a bit of a captain fantastic, strong in the tackle but with speed and a good passing ability. He even earned an England cap. He could play at left back or as a left winger. Although the club captain and ever present on the field for Sunderland, Reid suddenly dropped him before shipping him out to Celtic on loan. Local rumours insist it was allegedly something to do with ‘tv celebrity’ Melanie Sykes, fellow team mate Chris Maken, and a Travellodge.

After his loan finished at Celtic, he was sold to Blackburn Rovers, during his spell at Ewood Park he was loaned out to Leeds. He signed for Wolves in July 2007 and has been one of our most consistent performers this season, even rediscovering his goal scoring touch. Anyhow, I am waffling. I was reminded of this chance encounter this morning, when in roughly the same spot (there are a few designer clothes shops near) I almost bumped into Newcastle United’s Stephen Carr (Joey from Friends look-a-like), who is apparently moving on. Again, knowing glances were exchanged.

It got me thinking about all the other football players I’d seen ‘off duty’. Here’s my current list (I’m sure there are more – expect some edits).

- David Speedie (Chelsea, Coventry, Blackburn, Leicester) standing in the next urinal to me in Doncaster’s Co-op (I don’t know, I didn’t look). I’m sorry to report that he left the toilets without washing his hands. Saw him again outside later…holding hands with his mrs. Say no more.

- Nathan Blake (Cardiff, Blackburn, Wolves), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Ian Walker (Spurs), Joey Gudjonsson (Villa, Wolves) at Breakfast in the Hilton Hotel in Leicester. I staying there for a wedding, they had all just signed for Leicester City.

- Robbie Keane (Wolves, Spurs) at UCI Walsall Cinemas

…and that’s it, not very impressive I know. Anyone seen a REAL world superstar in an unexpected place? Outside a stadium, at training and book signings etc. do not count!