Sandhurst Red Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 A very random post perhaps , but felt worthy to share. I went out on my bike with some friends this morning around Sandhurst in Berkshire and as is normal - we stopped for a coffee at the end of our ride in a nearby place called Crowthorne. We got talking with a man outside who was vagueably familiar and football came up in discussion - and my love of all things Bristol City. At this point the man we were talking to started to smile and the penny dropped - and lo and behold it was John Gorman. He now lives this way and is an artist doing commissions for many pros and cricketers too and we chatted all things football for over an hour. He still has a huge amount of love for the club and said he was once interviewed for the manager role itself but didn’t get it and how much he loved working with Carey when he was starting out. He spoke of his time at other clubs and what happened at Swindon and with England at work Cup 98 and how his wife sadly passed away 12 years ago when he was a manager etc. To add to this, he was such a humble and genuine person. It was fascinating to talk to him and it was again so nice to meet someone who speaks of how the club are progressing and the impact it is having with those that work in and around football in the UK. The admiration for what we are doing is being identified and recognised by many. Anyone else had a similar experience with a former city player, manager or coach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 1 hour ago, Sandhurst Red said: A very random post perhaps , but felt worthy to share. I went out on my bike with some friends this morning around Sandhurst in Berkshire and as is normal - we stopped for a coffee at the end of our ride in a nearby place called Crowthorne. We got talking with a man outside who was vagueably familiar and football came up in discussion - and my love of all things Bristol City. At this point the man we were talking to started to smile and the penny dropped - and lo and behold it was John Gorman. He now lives this way and is an artist doing commissions for many pros and cricketers too and we chatted all things football for over an hour. He still has a huge amount of love for the club and said he was once interviewed for the manager role itself but didn’t get it and how much he loved working with Carey when he was starting out. He spoke of his time at other clubs and what happened at Swindon and with England at work Cup 98 and how his wife sadly passed away 12 years ago when he was a manager etc. To add to this, he was such a humble and genuine person. It was fascinating to talk to him and it was again so nice to meet someone who speaks of how the club are progressing and the impact it is having with those that work in and around football in the UK. The admiration for what we are doing is being identified and recognised by many. Anyone else had a similar experience with a former city player, manager or coach? Nice story and top publicity for Costa Coffee . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slartibartfast Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 met Dave Burnside in Saino's coffee shop Emerson Green just after leaving/being sacked as one of the three (or four ) "wise monkeys" in charge interregnum. Very nice guy, though did seem a tad bitter towards the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRock Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Yep, met Les Bardsley and his wife in my local in Shaldon. At least I think I did! Had a long conversation about Alan Dicks and the ‘good times’. One of those occasions where you think you recognise the chap but don’t ask him who he is! I thought at the time, how the hell did he have all that ‘insider knowledge’. The penny dropped about a week later. Truly, one of the nicest couples you could wish to meet and reds through to the core. Only had good things to say about the staff and players of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 1 hour ago, Sandhurst Red said: A very random post perhaps , but felt worthy to share. I went out on my bike with some friends this morning around Sandhurst in Berkshire and as is normal - we stopped for a coffee at the end of our ride in a nearby place called Crowthorne. We got talking with a man outside who was vagueably familiar and football came up in discussion - and my love of all things Bristol City. At this point the man we were talking to started to smile and the penny dropped - and lo and behold it was John Gorman. He now lives this way and is an artist doing commissions for many pros and cricketers too and we chatted all things football for over an hour. He still has a huge amount of love for the club and said he was once interviewed for the manager role itself but didn’t get it and how much he loved working with Carey when he was starting out. He spoke of his time at other clubs and what happened at Swindon and with England at work Cup 98 and how his wife sadly passed away 12 years ago when he was a manager etc. To add to this, he was such a humble and genuine person. It was fascinating to talk to him and it was again so nice to meet someone who speaks of how the club are progressing and the impact it is having with those that work in and around football in the UK. The admiration for what we are doing is being identified and recognised by many. Anyone else had a similar experience with a former city player, manager or coach? Many moons ago I had a wine business in Nottingham. I had a tasting planned with a client and he asked me if I minded if he invited a friend. Of course I said no problem. The evening of the rendez vous my client invites me into his home at presents John Galley to me . We talked quite a bit of nonsense about football, nothing that I can recall of much interest . John , as I now know him as , ran a lodging house for the Forest apprentices in addition he worked in the finance industry. The next day I called my client and said that I hoped I hadn't annoyed JG with my fawning he said not to worry as he loved it and thoroughly enjoyed the wine and the moment spent together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Think Galley might’ve been involved at Coventry too....sure my mate was in Galley’s lodging when he first moved to Cov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Nolan Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Would your mate of been Chris Greenman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Thanks Sandhurst Red for the post and pic. It's good to know that he still has a nice feeling about his time with City and great to hear about a good guy in football in lieu of the junk we usually see/hear about the bad ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 1 hour ago, Zip Nolan said: Would your mate of been Chris Greenman? Yep, went to College with him. Good player, had a very good head on his shoulder too. You know him too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Skin Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 @Sandhurst Red. Nice story. Good time hear the club are well respected by others. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Br 1st ol Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 15 hours ago, Davefevs said: Yep, went to College with him. Good player, had a very good head on his shoulder too. You know him too? That will be St Brendan’s then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Nolan Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 17 hours ago, Davefevs said: Yep, went to College with him. Good player, had a very good head on his shoulder too. You know him too? He started as a youngster at Briz as my time (as a player) was coming to an end there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbored Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 I wouldn't have recognised John Gorman - age waits for no man I guess... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Br 1st ol said: That will be St Brendan’s then... Yep, we had a very good football team, putting the all-conquering Rugby team into the shadows. We should’ve been in the National Cup, which I think we woukd’ve given a good shot, but an admin error meant we weren’t allowed to enter. 42 minutes ago, Zip Nolan said: He started as a youngster at Briz as my time (as a player) was coming to an end there. Yep, I used to go and watch at Ironmould Lane if I didn’t have a game....and then a few years later I ended up playing there. He was unlucky at Coventry, having broken through, he got glandular fever and was out for over a year. Then released and went to Peterborough (then in the second tier) where he was virtually an ever-present, but they got relegated and he took a career outside of football, playing for Worcester City for years, who had a few ex-Cov players. Always look for Cov’s results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nogbad the Bad Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 15 minutes ago, Robbored said: I wouldn't have recognised John Gorman - age waits for no man I guess... I would, and he looks in very good shape for 68 to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Port Said Red Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 What I liked about Gorman was that even before he came to the club, be was well liked by the fans. I remember being in the enclosure when he was Glenn Hoddles assistant at Swindon and the banter was two way and great fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talk Of The Town Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 7 minutes ago, Nogbad the Bad said: I would, and he looks in very good shape for 68 to me. I wouldn’t have. Never seen him without a moustache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 33 minutes ago, Robbored said: I wouldn't have recognised John Gorman - age waits for no man I guess... 4 minutes ago, Bobby Bollax said: I wouldn’t have. Never seen him without a moustache Both - he’s the guy in the middle....with the moustache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 19 hours ago, Davefevs said: Yep, went to College with him. Good player, had a very good head on his shoulder too. You know him too? When people criticise pro players it is perhaps worth bearing in mind the obstacles they have overcome just to be earning a living at the game. How many good players for one reason or another just don't make it . The fall out must be enormous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norn Iron Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 22 hours ago, Sandhurst Red said: Thanks Sandhurst Red for the photo. Not only did you get John Gorman in the photo but Adam Baker just happened to be there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl&Toby Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 2 hours ago, Davefevs said: Yep, we had a very good football team, putting the all-conquering Rugby team into the shadows. We should’ve been in the National Cup, which I think we woukd’ve given a good shot, but an admin error meant we weren’t allowed to enter. Yep, I used to go and watch at Ironmould Lane if I didn’t have a game....and then a few years later I ended up playing there. He was unlucky at Coventry, having broken through, he got glandular fever and was out for over a year. Then released and went to Peterborough (then in the second tier) where he was virtually an ever-present, but they got relegated and he took a career outside of football, playing for Worcester City for years, who had a few ex-Cov players. Always look for Cov’s results. We was in the National Cup. Unbeaten in the regional element - I scored twice against that school in Winterbourne. One either side of halftime. A cracking 30 yarder own goal and a bundled header with minutes left to make it 2-2. We won the regional final at Fry’s. Then drew Millfield away in the first round. Christ almighty. Calves the size of our thighs. Came back after a 5-1 drubbing...... Happy days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Junkie Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Davefevs said: Yep, we had a very good football team, putting the all-conquering Rugby team into the shadows. We should’ve been in the National Cup, which I think we woukd’ve given a good shot, but an admin error meant we weren’t allowed to enter. A football team at the mighty St Brendan's?? That wouldn't have happened in my days at St B's. I assume you're talking about the 6th form rather than the old College as it was? Rugby was certainly god at the old incarnation! The first 15 were national champions on many occasions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_clevedon Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 I sat next to Super Bob Taylor at a Neil Diamond concert in Birmingham a few months back. Stayed up drinking with him till the early hours. Great bloke, loved his time at City and very grateful that he was able to earn a living doing something he loved. Told lots of stories about his time at City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 50 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said: A football team at the mighty St Brendan's?? That wouldn't have happened in my days at St B's. I assume you're talking about the 6th form rather than the old College as it was? Rugby was certainly god at the old incarnation! The first 15 were national champions on many occasions. Yes, 1986-88, 6th form Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Junkie Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, Davefevs said: Yes, 1986-88, 6th form Ah, I left in 1983, the last year of the old college. Great school but brutal as hell by modern standards. I didn't even know there was a St B's football team TBH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 There probably wasn’t but as there were a few decent footballers in the 2 years I was there, there was. The second year was by far the better team and therefore we were coached by (Art Teacher) Rod Wesson who eventually was one of the main men in the Rovers Development Set Up. Really enjoyed my two years there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megansdad Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Met John on Armistice Sunday at the very same Costa in Crowthorne - since when we have met several times. We are working on a project that I think, and hope, many on here will enjoy. Will update when i's are dotted and t's are crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweeneys Penalties Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 On 18/02/2018 at 14:07, Ska Junkie said: Ah, I left in 1983, the last year of the old college. Great school but brutal as hell by modern standards. I didn't even know there was a St B's football team TBH. me neither. I started at St B's in 1974.... sitting next to the (now) owner of Bath Rugby. I also played in the Rugby team every year I was there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandhurst Red Posted December 4, 2019 Author Share Posted December 4, 2019 2 hours ago, megansdad said: Met John on Armistice Sunday at the very same Costa in Crowthorne - since when we have met several times. We are working on a project that I think, and hope, many on here will enjoy. Will update when i's are dotted and t's are crossed. Do you live local? I head back to the Gate often, so if you ever want a lift you are more than welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Junkie Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 1 hour ago, Sweeneys Penalties said: me neither. I started at St B's in 1974.... sitting next to the (now) owner of Bath Rugby. I also played in the Rugby team every year I was there You would have been in my cousin's year then SP, surname Dunleavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyredredrobin Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Always liked JG. He always came across as being a pretty genuine guy when he was being interviewed. Quite good mates with Joe Jordan wasn't he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhistleHappy Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 So John Gorman really is 'goodish' … did you ask him to recite a 'found poem' ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megansdad Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Thanks Sandhurst Red - live locally in Silchester - head back and usually stay overnight with my father who lives in Bristol so usually and overnight stay for me. Thanks very much though. Yep was AM under Joe Jordan having joined us from Swindon. Left to go to be part of Hoddle's coaching team for England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poland_exile Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 This original post bypassed me entirely, what a charming story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 I am sure i can walking into a butchers shop Downend Road an John Galley was wotking in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Taylor Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 John Gorman was a true gent when at Swindon and in 93 queuing up for the play off final tickets at the county ground he came over and spent ages chatting with the fans and rumour had it he was the one the players would talk to daily as Hoddle was ignorant and quite distant from them apart from tactics and match days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Port Said Red Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 29 minutes ago, Shaun Taylor said: John Gorman was a true gent when at Swindon and in 93 queuing up for the play off final tickets at the county ground he came over and spent ages chatting with the fans and rumour had it he was the one the players would talk to daily as Hoddle was ignorant and quite distant from them apart from tactics and match days. I remember going to the gate with my wife when we played Swindon. We sat in the enclosure and the more the jokers behind the bench tried to wind him up the more he laughed, and gave stick back. He clapped our fans at the end and they clapped him back, it was really good to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Taylor Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 10 minutes ago, Port Said Red said: I remember going to the gate with my wife when we played Swindon. We sat in the enclosure and the more the jokers behind the bench tried to wind him up the more he laughed, and gave stick back. He clapped our fans at the end and they clapped him back, it was really good to see. Great story and that sums his personality up and such a shame his managerial career didn't go so well but in the later stages his heart wasn't in the game as his wife's health deteriorated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanatopia Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 On 17/02/2018 at 11:45, Sandhurst Red said: Anyone else had a similar experience with a former city player, manager or coach? A very decent read Sandhurst, thanks for posting along with the photo. I do have a story of meeting a former City player.. Three in one go in fact but cannot share it as it was in a den of iniquity. P.s. I was very young and impressionable and had a boss back then so was easily lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megansdad Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 On 04/12/2019 at 18:48, megansdad said: Met John on Armistice Sunday at the very same Costa in Crowthorne - since when we have met several times. We are working on a project that I think, and hope, many on here will enjoy. Will update when i's are dotted and t's are crossed. So I had hoped that Robins Foundation would be keen to collaborate in producing a limited edition print of the attached painting, which John Gorman has produced. The iconic Scott Murray celebration captured, along with the current day Scott and reflecting his present role. Scott has seen it and loved it but for a variety of reasons the Foundation has declined to be involved. I am keen to see this through and therefore would like to establish what level of interest there would be. Aiming for a limited edition print signed by both Scott and John to sell at around 30 quid with a sizable proportion of profits going to charity, Thoughts anyone? John's previous two were of Mo Saleh and Harry Kane.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Between heaven and hell Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Mark Cooper used to frequent our local on a Sunday afternoon to watch a bit of footie on the big screen with a beer or two. He has a bit of a reputation for being arrogant locally but to be fair I had a couple of good chats with him about City and especially his dad. Classic stories about as a young apprentice he would taxi the likes of David Moyes around in his car, also how he got a bit cheeky one day and got put inside the industrial tumble driver at Ashton gate to teach him a lesson. The best one as I have mentioned on here before was how Terry Cooper then manager and Clive Middlemas drove a transit van to the north east to move Alan Walsh down to Bristol as both player and club had no money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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