31 replies to this topic

[ckn]

Regardless of what you think of his morals, his record on the field speaks for itself, as does his longevity in the game. Some of today's likely Man Utd first team squad weren't born when he played his first first team game.

http://www.telegraph...ited-debut.html

[Johnoco]

Billy Slater was tweeting a pic last week when he met him. Like you say, regardless of any personal issues its a great achievement.
If it wasn't for that knee injury I'd probably have done the same

[Griff]

I saw his first appearance at Old Trafford.

Ball boy in the 1986 GB v Aus test.

[Saint Billinge]

Regardless of what you think of his morals, his record on the field speaks for itself, as does his longevity in the game. Some of today's likely Man Utd first team squad weren't born when he played his first first team game.

http://www.telegraph...ited-debut.html

Very true. An innings and some to rival Roy of the Rovers!.

[marklaspalmas]

Regardless of what you think of his morals,

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[Saint Billinge]

??

Oh dear! He did let himself down but nothing new.

[JohnM]

Such a shame. He could have really done well if only he had followed in his dad's footsteps.

[marklaspalmas]

Oh dear! He did let himself down but nothing new.

Hardly relevant to his footballing ability is it?

[gingerjon]

Regardless of what you think of his morals, his record on the field speaks for itself, as does his longevity in the game. Some of today's likely Man Utd first team squad weren't born when he played his first first team game.

http://www.telegraph...ited-debut.html

I don't particularly care about the morals of footballers(*). I leave that to Weary and his 'rotten from top to bottom' dribble. Giggs is a rare example of a creative footballer who has had a long career without any notable dips. I'm struggling to think of anybody in any era who is his equal in that regard.

(* = on the other hand the fact that he could take out a superinjunction just about where he'd dipped his wick and allege without challenge that he was being blackmailed shows up a significant issue with our legal system and Justice Eddy in particular)

[Wolford6]

I think the longevity of his career is partially due to advanced training and medical regimes ... a torn achilles tendon or cruciate knee ligament used to signal the end of a players career.

Ryan Giggs' career can only, as far as I can see, be matched by Stan Matthews amongst outfielders. However, I think players will last longer in the future, particularly midfield players, where a loss of pace is less crucial and crunching tackles are now frowned on. Christiano Ronaldo could comfortably play till he's forty if he wants to.

[back to the future]

great achievement by a true football professional,shame he dipped his wick in his brothers wife,thats the ultimate no-no,which questions his judgement off-field

[ckn]

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I do tend to base how much I like a person strongly on their moral standing. You could be the best sportsman in the world but if you have "challenged" morals then I won't like you. Just my own little peculiarity...

[PC]

It's even more remarkable if you think back to the hamstring injuries he suffered earlier in his career.

[Saint Billinge]

Hardly relevant to his footballing ability is it?

Very true, but we are all judged overall in life's journey. Sometimes the world at large is unforgiving. Several modern-day footballers have come under the media spotlight and public wrath for their 'questionable' off-field activities. That said, it is an amazing achievement and well done.

Edited by Saint Billinge, 03 March 2013 - 08:34 AM.

[Trojan]

I think the longevity of his career is partially due to advanced training and medical regimes ... a torn achilles tendon or cruciate knee ligament used to signal the end of a players career.

Ryan Giggs' career can only, as far as I can see, be matched by Stan Matthews amongst outfielders. However, I think players will last longer in the future, particularly midfield players, where a loss of pace is less crucial and crunching tackles are now frowned on. Christiano Ronaldo could comfortably play till he's forty if he wants to.

I think that's the answer as to why he's lasted so long. The lack of a real physical challenge any more in soccer. I used to be mildly interested in soccer - I'd watch MOTD but since the physical contact has virtually gone I've lost interest. For me the collision is what makes Rugby of both codes a much better game than soccer.
Having said that you have to admire him for playing on, presumably he's not doing it just for the money any more. It's been suggested that he will ultimately be Ferguson's replacement.

[Futtocks]

I think players will last longer in the future, particularly midfield players, where a loss of pace is less crucial and crunching tackles are now frowned on. Christiano Ronaldo could comfortably play till he's forty if he wants to.

And Jan Molby could've played 'til he got his bus pass!

[marklaspalmas]

I do tend to base how much I like a person strongly on their moral standing. You could be the best sportsman in the world but if you have "challenged" morals then I won't like you. Just my own little peculiarity...

Hard to judge 'famous' people we don't really know from a distance though isn't it?

[MikeW]

Hard to judge 'famous' people we don't really know from a distance though isn't it?

True, but you'd need a phenomenally good excuse for knobbing your brothers missus

[ckn]

True, but you'd need a phenomenally good excuse for knobbing your brothers missus

Not sure I could have put that better...

[Ackroman]

The missus met him when she was at Salford Poly. He was going out with her mate. Trying to be a clever dick he asked her if she wanted his autograph to which she replied "Absolutely!" and passed him the toilet paper to sign.