Stan the Man

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

Stan was interviewed by John Humphries for "On the Ropes" at 09:00 on Radio 4 this morning.

Well worth the listen and it is repeated (not the brightest bit of scheduling, IMHO) at 21:30 tonight, just clipping the end of the Sweden match.

 

[pickledseal]

just coming to the end of reading his autobiography actually (i know i know shouldnt have taken me so long!) but he was a hero of mine before that and the book has just cemented it.
an ordinary lad just wanting to play the game he loved

 

[Desert Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (pickledseal @ June 20 2006,11:04)]an ordinary lad just wanting to play the game he loved

Don't take this the wrong way, but "ordinary lad"

!Stan's a hero of mine too but I would say he was pretty far from being an ordinary lad and as for "just wanting to play football" I think he got sick and tired of playing football and all that it entailed, hence the fact he retired at 30!

 

[SUFCFARAWAY]

IMO Stan biggest mistake was joining Liverpool right in the middle of the 'spice boy' era. If he had joined, per say, Man Utd or stayed at Forest he would of had a more fruitful career. But guess when the offer came along from Liverpool it was too good to turn down and the rest is history as they say.

Still a hero and one of the most talented footballers on the 90's.

 

[pickledseal]

Quote[/b] (The Bloke In The Pram Shop @ June 20 2006,11:20)]

Quote[/b] (pickledseal @ June 20 2006,11:04)]an ordinary lad just wanting to play the game he loved

Don't take this the wrong way, but "ordinary lad"

!Stan's a hero of mine too but I would say he was pretty far from being an ordinary lad and as for "just wanting to play football" I think he got sick and tired of playing football and all that it entailed, hence the fact he retired at 30!

what i meant is that he made himself in the true spirit of the game, lower leagues clubs, being treated badly as a youngster etc
he was a genuine sort of bloke who wanted to do his best

he got lead astray
he got badly looked after

i think he got sick and tired of certain aspects of the game, but that was more to do with the cirucmsatnces and all that had gone before it

 

[Einstein]

Quote[/b] (SUFCFARAWAY @ June 20 2006,11:44)]If he had joined, per say, Man Utd

If he had joined United then I think Fergie would have kept him in check. Had that happened I think you would not only talk about Collymore being a Southend legend, but also a regular English International. He could have gone onto great things and become an England legend too. It is a waste, that type of player England are still crying out for now - not lanky Crouch.

 

[londonblue]

Am I the only one to disagree here? I too think he was a fantastic footballer and also fantastic for SUFC, but after reading his book I came to two conclusions:-

1. Thanks G-d he was not appointed our manager.
2. That he is actually quite an unlikeable character.

 

[Einstein]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ June 20 2006,13:14)]1. Thanks G-d he was not appointed our manager.
2. That he is actually quite an unlikeable character.

Agree to number one for definite.

Number two have to disagree. I think the media have made him out to be a villian who hit his wife every day for 20 years. Not quite the same scenario. Obviously very wrong, however what he also did in his spend time is up to him. On a completely personal basis when holding a 3/4 minute conversation with him I found him very likeable, and on reading his auto-biography also a guy who just lets his emotions overcome his troubles.

 

[Desert Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ June 20 2006,13:14)]1. Thanks G-d he was not appointed our manager.
2. That he is actually quite an unlikeable character.

1. I guess we'll never know now but as Stan seems to be his own worst enemy at times I wonder if he'd have been able to tolerate the volatile situations that football management throws up without chinning someone. I know it would also have been heartbreaking to hear him get booed etc if results had gone against us, just as it was at the end of Webby's third spell with us.

2. I disagree entirely. I'm sick to death of the Ulrika thing being dragged up nearly a decade later when other sporting "heroes" who allegedly committed years of abuse towards their spouses (Bruno, Gazza, McEnroe etc etc) continue to be seen regularly on TV and are loved and respected irrespective of what was reported. Stan should get the same break. I think Stan's honesty and intelligence is completely refreshing and makes a change from the bland, ignorant rubbish spouted by your average millionaire footballer. He tells it like it is and has frequently apologised for his mistakes. We all make mistakes and I prefer my heroes to be real human beings, not cardboard cut out fakes.

 

[DTS]

Having met Stan last week while in Germany I can honestley say what a top bloke he was.

What other top ex-footballer would ask a ex fan and his mates to join them to watch the game. Fantastic.

 

[Jonny_Stokes]

Personally, I enjoyed his book. It was honest and intelligent. But, like most supremely talented players, he's obviously a bit unhinged (see also: Gazza, Maradona, John Mackie).

On the other point, I must confess to being slightly disappointed that he didn't become Southend manager.

 

[londonblue]

Quote[/b] (The Bloke In The Pram Shop @ June 20 2006,14:51)]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ June 20 2006,13:14)]1. Thanks G-d he was not appointed our manager.
2. That he is actually quite an unlikeable character.

1. I guess we'll never know now but as Stan seems to be his own worst enemy at times I wonder if he'd have been able to tolerate the volatile situations that football management throws up without chinning someone. I know it would also have been heartbreaking to hear him get booed etc if results had gone against us, just as it was at the end of Webby's third spell with us.

2. I disagree entirely. I'm sick to death of the Ulrika thing being dragged up nearly a decade later when other sporting "heroes" who allegedly committed years of abuse towards their spouses (Bruno, Gazza, McEnroe etc etc) continue to be seen regularly on TV and are loved and respected irrespective of what was reported. Stan should get the same break. I think Stan's honesty and intelligence is completely refreshing and makes a change from the bland, ignorant rubbish spouted by your average millionaire footballer. He tells it like it is and has frequently apologised for his mistakes. We all make mistakes and I prefer my heroes to be real human beings, not cardboard cut out fakes.

Who said anything about Ulrika? I certainly didn't.

 

[Slipperduke]

He's a diamond, is Stan. I interviewed him a couple of months ago and he was charming. Still loves Southend, still looks out for our results. Top bloke.

Everyone makes mistakes, but his has been hanging over his head for far too long.

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Top bloke is our Stan. However, I too am glad he never became our Manager - look who took over instead...

 

[dave cusaks nose]

to this day he is the only man I would let smash my mum in front of me and my Dad

a f%&king legend

long live the King long live Stan

 

[shrimper4life]

to this day he is the only man I would let smash my mum in front of me and my Dad

 alrite den

 

[Csboy]

I am reading Geoff Hurst's autobiography at the moment and really slags of Collymore for wasting his talent and said he should have stayed at Southend. I think we all agree with that. Wonder how different Stan's career would have panned out if he had stayed at Roots Hall?

 

[dave cusaks nose]

Quote[/b] (shrimper4life @ June 25 2006,18:08)]

to this day he is the only man I would let smash my mum in front of me and my Dad

 alrite den