Michael Vaughan: Owl lover
The cricket great has captained England to Ashes glory – but he’s also a fan of Nigel Pearson and bird- flipping 10- year- olds
What contributed to you becoming a Sheffield Wednesday fan?
I was born in Manchester and moved to Sheffield when I was eight or nine. Bert Mcgee was the chairman of the company my father worked for, Presto Tools, and also Wednesday chairman, so we used to go all the time: every Saturday, and also to places like Man United and Newcastle – everywhere. I remember going to Man United and beating them 2- 1; I think Imre Varadi scored. We were in their end and got escorted out because we were going to get attacked! I was about 13, and I didn’t realise you weren’t allowed to celebrate in the home end... The ’ 90s were great as a Wednesday fan, being at the old Wembley when we won the Rumbelows Cup final with Big Ron [ Atkinson]. We went to Wembley four times in 1992- 93: for the FA Cup semis and both cup finals – one in a replay.
Who was your childhood hero, and did you ever meet them?
I used to love Varadi, Mel Sterland, Nigel Pearson, Peter Shirtliff; Nigel Worthington and Phil King down the left, then David Hirst and Carlton Palmer – I’d sing about them on the terraces, then became pals with them because I became a sportsman. Chris Waddle lived in the same village and I’d say he was my idol. Wednesday’s greatest.
What do you like most about going to a match?
The banter, the buzz, being with a group of friends, having a few pints, listening to all the bawling, the songs that fans make up, the lows that mean you have to drink a bit more to get over your sorrows. I absolutely love an away day.
What was your finest moment playing football?
I didn’t have many! I scored a hat- trick at Kenilworth
Road when it first became an artificial pitch, because my under- 14s team went there on tour. I think we played a team called Kenilworth Rangers. I was at Sheffield Wednesday as a kid but only through some invitations to training – I was never signed. I thought I was a lot better than I really was – but cricket was always the sport I was trying to achieve something in.
How has watching football changed for you since you were a kid?
I used to cry when they lost! I don’t do that now…
Who from your club’s past would you bring back for your current side?
Nigel Pearson as the manager. I think Wednesday have lost their identity and a lot of local business support because of the way the club has been run. Chris Wilder has been one of my good friends for years – he’s done a fantastic job at Sheffield United and I sometimes think that when you’re trying to rebuild, you’ve got to have someone who knows the club. Nigel is very well respected and everyone loves him.
What’s your favourite goal that you’ve seen live?
Waddler’s against Sheffield United in the ’ 93 FA Cup semi- final at Wembley.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen at a game?
In the Sheffield derby one year, one of the ball boys refused to give the ball back. When the United player came over, he just gave him the bird. The kid was about 10! [ Laughs]
Have any Wednesday players been good cricketers?
I think Phil King played, and Nigel Pearson likes a bit of cricket, too. Gary Neville was in my under- 15s side, the North of England team. He broke his thumb so I didn’t really get to play with him, but he stayed around for a week or so even though he’d got injured. His brother [ Phil] was a better cricketer – I saw him play a couple of times and he was a very good player.
Who has or had the hardest shot you’ve ever seen?
Mel Sterland – Zico! [ his nickname] – or John Harkes, who scored a goal at Derby once in the cup, top corner. But I’d say Hirsty: he could boom a ball with that left peg.
Tell us something about one of your players or managers that we might not know?
I was there on the first day that Peter Shreeves took over. I was doing some winter training with Waddler, who was reserve team manager, and Shreevesy walked into the little cabin at the back. I was having a cup of tea with all the players and he walked down and looked at me quizzically. I thought,
‘ S** t’. But he just looked at me and said, ‘ F** king hell, we’re not that bad are we?’
Which player have you admired even though they never played for your club?
Georgie Best. I know Ronaldo and Messi are incredible athletes but you look at the way Best played, and it was almost like Messi without the training, psychology and sports science that goes behind it. He probably had 15 pints in his system while he was doing it! He was remarkable.
Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever met a manager or a player?
In Australia on the Ashes tour. Do you remember old Alan Smith, the Palace manager? He goes to watch the cricket – wherever we were on tour, he would always rock up!
What’s your favourite football book?
Tony Cascarino’s book [ Full Time: The
Secret Life Of Tony Cascarino] was very good. I read a lot of autobiographies, and I also thought that Joey Barton’s book was brilliant.
Where’s the best place you’ve ever watched a game?
The Euros in person. I went over on a plane to watch England at Euro 2016 in France. It was 0- 0 against Slovakia, and they played sh** e! The whole ground sang that song, ‘ Don’t take me home’ for 90 minutes... but the game was crap. [ Laughs]
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever heard or read from a player or manager?
From Sir Alex. Make sure you’re enthusiastic about whatever you do – if you’re not, don’t bother doing it.
What’s the most important piece of memorabilia that you have or wish you still had?
Paolo Di Canio’s boots from the day he pushed Paul Alcock over. My friend Ritchie Humphreys was on the bench, and I think Paolo launched them into the dressing room at the end!