Most people who read this blogpost will never have heard of Phil Brown but to me he is a living legend. Back in 2008, he was the Hull City manager who led my beloved Tigers up to The Premier League for the very first time. Hell, that was eighteen years ago. Hull City had been in existence since 1904.
During his professional playing career, he made 652 appearances as a defender for Hartlepool United, Halifax Town, Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool, scoring 46 goals. He never achieved any international recognition. Currently, he is often heard on BBC Radio 5 Live - debating football or commentating.
On Saturday afternoon my son Ian clocked him by the luggage carousels at Birmingham Airport. He was wearing pink shorts, a green Hawaiian shirt and a straw hat. I plucked up the courage to go over to talk to him...
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"Hello, Phil. May I shake your hand?"
"Do I know you?"
"I'm just a lifelong Hull City fan. And I wanted to thank you for what happened back in 2008. It was one of the happiest days of my life."
"It was a very special day that's for sure."
"I discovered what tears of joy really mean."
"You won't the only one. I cried them too."
"How do you think The Tigers will do next season?"
"I think they are in with a good chance of staying up. There is togetherness and everybody seems to be pulling in the same direction. I hear they have got some imaginative signings lined up."
"Yes. There seems to be a good team spirit and Sergej Jakirović seems like a capable manager.""I agree."
"So where have you been on your holidays?"
"We've been to Malta. It was bloody hot. Around forty degrees in the afternoon. Where did you go?"
"Oh we've been to Majorca and it was very hot there too... Anyway, I don't want to detain you any longer. I just wanted to say thank you for May 24th, 2008. I will never forget it and it has been a real honour to meet you sir."
"Well, that's very kind of you to say so."
(They shake hands for a second time)
Err, ok. Nice for you.
ReplyDeleteIt was like you meeting Ricky Ponting.
DeleteI've heard Ponting's name but I can't remember why I would have.
DeleteAlways nice to meet a hero!
ReplyDeleteIn the past I have shied away... even Ringo Starr and Serena Williams - also spotted at airports.
DeleteSounds like a nice man.
ReplyDeleteHe could have been uppity but he wasn't.
DeleteThey say 'never meet your heroes" , it sounds like this went well for you.
ReplyDeleteYes. He didn't tell me to **** off!
DeleteI imagine it's a mixed bag being famous but it sounds like he enjoyed the encounter, although probably not half as much as you did:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice meet up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a memorable way to end your holiday.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching as many matches as possible in the finals, I have decided that I will no longer waste my Sunday afternoons watching American football!!! I had so much fun wasting my time with soccer!! SO much more interesting and lively!!!
ReplyDeleteI have spotted a celebrity or two walking in our Rundle Mall, but never impose my awkward self, usually because I am not sure if he/she is the real thing or just a lookalike, then when I see the person on the news later I realise yes that really WAS who I thought it was.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice that you had this brief encounter with the chance to personally thank the man.
ReplyDeletePretty cool, Mr. P. And it has just occurred to me that when you're traveling with Ian you are with a different celebrity! And perhaps one even more people recognize!
ReplyDeleteOf course I've never heard of him but I recognise the meaning the encounter has to you. I once shook the hand of Leonard Nimoy - as a lifelong Star Trek fan that was a lifetime high point.
ReplyDelete