Abuse stops, we’re old pals again, when players want favour
There was a thud on the hall f loor as a parcel dropped through the Parks letterbox.
The suspicious package was opened with care but inside was a thank you card and a gift voucher.
Without divulging identities, the gratitude came from a player who’d just signed a new contract af ter I did the introductions over his move and he’s now on the brink of a Scotland cap.
A token of appreciation for a few telephone calls on his behalf – but my pleasure was greater to see a player making giant strides of progress.
Sports reporting allows you to dip your toe into the world of agents which brings us to tomorrow’s closure of the transfer window.
Cue the presence of Alan Hutton on Sky’s Soccer AM. T he usua l l y camera-shy former Scotland full-back was attempting to put his face about as he searches for a club after leaving Aston Villa.
That’s the name of the game, a far cry from the days he’d accelerate past the media mix zone with a ‘no comment’.
Which brings us to one-time Rangers defender Andy Webster.
It has been a few years now since I dialled his mobile and his answer went like this:
“Who is it? Who? Gordon who? Where did you get my number? Lose it.”
From that moment a point was automatically deducted from his score in the man-by man-ratings. (Only joking, the fours and fives were professionally awarded.) Fast forward a few years and Webster was on a charm offensive to try to get his name in the paper as he looked for new employment.
That level of disregard is nothing new – bigger names have done the same.
Lee Sharpe of Manchester United fame once called me back and said: “Who’s died?”
I asked what he was talking about and he said: “Whoever this is, you’ve called me five times and I’m in China. Don’t call me again.”
Another United old boy John O’Shea went a step further – his reply to a request for a few words was a barrage of expletives. “And to you,” I shouted down the blower.”
But as soon as their career starts to wind down, these chaps are al l over the media bandwagon.
All of sudden these players become your friend again.
So there’s one day to go for players to get fixed up and beat the deadline.
A few seasons ago a call went in to Ayr boss Ian McCall on behalf of a kid, a real prospect, who had a few hours to get out on loan. Ian took my recommendation at face value and quickly got a deal done.
But a few weeks before the end of the season Ian left a voice message on my phone and it went along the lines of: “That player you recommended, he’s in danger of costing us promotion.”
Needless to say the gift voucher wasn’t forthcoming.