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Friday, February 15, 2013
GIZZA PINT, GAZZA…
SOME years ago I listened to a radio interview in which Jimmy Greaves, my boyhood idol, was being interviewed by Michael Parkinson. It was all about Jimmy’s football career, afterwards becoming a sports pundit, and the nearly-fatal drink problem that threatened to destroy the man and everything he stood for. The subject of George Best, who was then showing serious signs of drink-related problems, came up. ‘Do you think George can stop drinking?’ asked Parkinson, a good friend to Best. ‘Well’, said Jim. ‘It all depends on whether George wants to – and I’m not sure he does.’ In that frank statement, clearly not comprehended by Paul Gascoigne’s circle of wealthy, well-meaning friends, is the key to Gazza’s life. It is crystal clear to me that the oncegreat English footballer is on a self-destruction route,
slowly killing himself because he cannot face the reality of his life today. It wasn’t always like that. Do you remember when Gascoigne burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced Newcastle teenage footballer, with bold newspaper pictures of his credentials being squeezed by the loathsome Wimbledon hardman, Vinnie Jones. Paul moved to the bright lights of London to join Tottenham Hotspur, a starry team with big names like Gary Lineker and manager Terry V e n a b l e s . Showbiz antics beckoned with new fun-loving, fairweather friends l i k e
Danny Baker and Chris Evans, and Gazza’s stunts and drink-fuelled expensive ‘fun’, like driving cars into lakes with his new gang egging him on, began to occur regularly. On the f i e l d G a z z a delivered, winning the hearts o f
the nation, crying in Italia ’90, then ensuring he’d never need to buy a drink again – well, in England anyway, as he scored a wonder goal against the auld enemy Scotland in Euro ‘96. In those golden days he seemed to be able to do what few couldn’t any more, running at defences, dribbling at speed, and finishing in devastating fashion. Gazza was never happier then when away with the l a d s
Monte make it torrid for Torry CD Montesinos 2 Torrevieja CF 2
PLAYING against the division leaders and missing three of their top players, CD Montesinos were very unfortunate not to have won. Monte were by far the better side up to half time as they went into a 2-0 lead. But goals from Rubi and Rodrigo in the
first 45 minutes were cancelled out as Torrevieja levelled it up against the run of play. But the main talking point in the second half was the eccentric application of the laws of the game by the match official, Sr Selva, who had "an unfortunate"
second half which always appeared to benefit the visitors. It certainly incensed the home supporters and players alike. Next week CD Montesinos are away at Albatera against Albaterense. Kick off details from the website and forum at www.cdmontesinos.com
THE KOEMAN TOUCH IS JUST MAGIC
TORRY'S first away win since August 25 was much more emphatic than the 2-1 scoreline suggested with Koeman running riot at the head of affairs, writes JEFF SCOTT. This invigorated unit moved with cohesion and precision, easily outplaying Jove, who were seeking a win and a top six position. Koeman netted both Torry goals, contrasting his first half bullet penalty blast with a delicate and well timed second half toe poke that was exquisite in its execution. Former manager and now Director of Football at the club, Jose Antonio Alvarez, has been assisting manager Joserra rebuild the side following a winter of discontent. All three new recruits, Juanfran, Dani Meseguer and Villanueva,
played with distinction, whilst Patri belied his tender years with a performance of skill and maturity. It was he who jinked into the box and was scythed down to win Torry's 11th minute penalty. Matias and Guillem, both 18, have also been getting valuable first team experience as the new squad begins to take shape, demonstrating more invention and penetration. Another big test lies ahead this Sunday when Torry must defeat visitors Denia, who are stuck in the relegation places, but only five points behind the Salineros who are now 14th. It is a 5pm kick off at the Nelson Mandela stadium, where all Torry's home matches will now be played until the season end.
Six-hit San batter Bigastro nine Sporting de San Fulgencio 6 Bigastro 1
AFTER a run of poor results, San Fulgencio revived their promotion hopes with an emphatic victory over the bottom side. The game was effectively over at half time, as Gary Williams’ men struck FIVE in the opening period, writes JORDAN LUCAS. Marco Aurelio opened the scoring after 20 minutes, firing his half-volley over the keeper from Fernando Mora's through ball. Then Jose Bonmati's lovely flick was knocked to the back post by Mora and
Carl Kirby was there to bundle the ball home. Moments later, Braulio picked the ball up just inside Bigastro's half and spotting the goalkeeper's advanced position, caught him out brilliantly. The impressive Mora then got himself another assist with a delightful chip over the defence that Hector Silva slotted into an open net. The Saints were playing some lovely stuff, but Bigastro’s wasn't helped when heir No.4 was sent off for kicking
Bonmati. A foul on enabled Marco to send the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot before the break. San Fulgencio then continued from where they left off, Aurelio scoring his third from a corner. And another perfect Fernando ball was headed into the bottom corner to make it six. After the hour mark Bigastro went down to nine men, this time a foul on Alex Hall saw their No.2 receive a second yellow.
George Best: Parallel story preparing for a big match, causing naughty mayhem, the bane of serious-butalways-forgiving coaches and managers. I was at the infamous 1991 FA Cup final supporting my beloved Nottingham Forest against Spurs when Gazza was carried off after 10 minutes. He should have been sent off, so out of control was he that day – and doing untold damage to his knee on the brink of his lucrative transfer to Lazio that eventually proved a disaster. If you’ve read his autobiography ‘Gazza: My Story’, the clues are all there. My take is that he has a boy’s mind in a man’s body, and has never really grown up mentally. This was savagely exposed when marriage and then children happened: Gazza was never cut out to be a husband, and as a child himself, how could he be expected to be a father? I have watched TV documentaries on his domestic life, and could cry at the despair of the long-suffering Sheryl and the disgust of his children, as once again he went missing, being irre-
sponsible, binge-drinking as Paul Gascoigne always does. He would much rather be in a bar than anywhere, trying to convince himself he’s having fun through the bottom of a glass. The football career went a long time ago, leaving a huge gap which only alcohol and self-delusion can try, vainly to fill. As a passionate fan of football I was devastated to read the stories and see the pictures last week of the shell of a man destroyed by alcohol. Gazza is not the first, nor will he be the last, but there is only one person who can put it right – and I don’t think he wants to.
Zero heroes Elche 0 Cordoba 0
DESPITE much Elche pressure and the occasional worrying Cordoba counterattack there were no goals. This time last year thenleaders Elche began to lose crucial games like this by the odd goal, usually in the final minutes. Now, though, the Illicitanos’ mean-man defence has only conceded 12 in 25 games with fight and spirit there in abundance. Goalkeeper Herrera and his superb defence are the rock on which this super season has been founded. Almeria slayed Sabadell 5-1 so the gap at the top is a cool ten points. Next week its Sporting Gijon down in 14th. Mucho Elche!
Every Day’s a Football Day February
18th 1982 Bristol Rovers become the first British side to play a match in a British jail when they defeat a team of prisoners 11-0 at Erlestoke prison, Wiltshire. 19th 1910 Some 50,000 fans witness the official opening of Old Trafford. Things don’t start too well for Manchester United as they go down 4-3 to Liverpool 20th 1940 Chelsea, Tottenham and former AC Milan hero Jimmy Greaves is born 21st 1995 Arsenal sack manager George Graham following bung allegations regarding the transfers of Pat Lydersen and John Jensen from Brondby in 1991 22nd 1956 The first game under floodlights takes place. The match, between Portsmouth and Newcastle United, is held up for 30 minutes when a fuse blows 23rd 1987 It is announced that Fulham will drop out of the league after the season and merge with QPR at Loftus Road as Fulham Park Rangers. Following fan protests and the football league expressing concern, the idea is scrapped 24th 1993 England legend Booby Moore dies of cancer at the age of 51 Compiled by STUART EVANS