Mickey Thomas writes EXCLUSIVELY for Red Passion
The Middlesborough game was brilliant. I always thought Bryan Robson’s boys could be beaten - anything’s possible in the FA Cup! BBC Wales had sent me to Bolton v Cardiff on the day of the Middlesborough game, and I’ve got to be honest - I was pretty pleased when it was called off on the morning of the game. It was great to witness another major giant-killing act - the side was fantastic. I popped into the Turf after the game. It was the Red Passion Christmas Party…and I wanted to say hello. I actually met RP writers James Morris and Jack Parkinson in The Turf - the place was packed! And then it was a long night of celebrations - what a day!
It’s all kicked off on my radio show. There’s been a lot of debate recently about Shearer and Cole. Listeners have been given both a bit of stick - and I’m just stirring it all up! And you’d expect me to say this - given what’s happened to me in the FA Cup! - but I’m very much against Manchester United’s withdrawal from the competition. They should be in it. Wrexham’s big 3rd Round game meant a lot of other media work for me. The BBC in London rang me up - they wanted me to do an interview for Football Focus. I was obviously delighted to help - and we eventually did the interview at Colliers Park. Oh, and by the way, can I just say hello to Andy Harris, the producer of Soccer AM. Top man!
As I said in Issue 13 of Red Passion, I was really looking forward to the Stereophonics gig in Manchester - and it didn’t disappoint me. It was a fantastic night - everything about it. At the end of the gig I was privileged to go back stage with Kelly, Stuart and that other bloke - can’t remember what he’s called. They really are brilliant guys, and extremely knowledgeable about football. I think Kelly supports Leeds and one of the others follows Liverpool - great lads. I actually went to the gig with a mate of mine, Darren. It was brilliant to see so many Welsh flags in the Manchester Evening News Arena - it really made me feel at home. I’ve always liked Stereophonics, and I’d really like to see them live again. No doubt about that. After the gig they actually signed a T-shirt for me - and I wore it for the Football Focus interview. The T-shirt carried a very important message: “DON’T FORGET YOU’RE WELSH”. I don’t think I ever will. I’ve seen Stereophonics before though. They did a massive gig at the Morfa Stadium in Swansea and I played in a special pre-concert celebrity soccer match. So I saw them then and I’ve seen them a couple of other times as well. The three lads are really down to earth and I really like them. The drummer’s a great guy. Is that Stuart? To be honest, I’m really confused about which one’s which. Anyway I bumped into a few interesting people at the gig - most of them were policemen though! No, I did meet a few people: a lot of football fans shook my hand at the gig - and I spotted one Stereophonics fan in a Wrexham shirt. Fantastic. The Arena was packed out. They really are a great band - the biggest in Britain at the moment?
As I said I went down to the training ground the other day to do the BBC interview. The Wrexham players were training when I was there and I had a quick word with them. Everyone was pleased to see me except for Kevin Dearden. He said that he didn’t particularly like the stick I’d given him in the last issue of Red Passion (do you remember? I said he was a little bit chubby) Well, to be honest I’m not really bothered. I was just having a bit of fun, and if he can’t take that, well, I can’t help that. Dearden was the star man in the televised Kettering game, and I was happy to compliment him when I was on Sky. On the whole he’s done well - and I’m happy to say that. People keep on comparing him to Marriott, but it’s very difficult to do this - e very keeper has his own strengths and weaknesses.
You may have read about a certain broadcasting controversy I’ve recently been involved in. And yes, it was ******* cold at Boundary Park! I’m still living the whole thing down. What actually happened was this: This lad asked me for my autograph as we were winding down our coverage. I was pretty relaxed as I thought we were off air - and I was just about to make my way to the MUTV studios. Our anchorman in Cardiff said a few words and I told him what I thought of the Greater Manchester weather. My co-commentator turned white when I said what I said…and then Jon Hardy, who was covering the game at Wrexham, tried to make a joke out of it and said it was pretty cold up there as well! Anyway, the incident generated a lot of publicity - in places like the Guardian and the Mail, for example - so it wasn’t all bad for me. The BBC, however, had to issue a statement and said that they didn’t condone swearing - even when it was extremely cold. I genuinely thought we weren’t on air - I can’t say anymore than that. I think I’ll take two coats the next time I go to Oldham.
Leeds are doing really well at the moment. David O’Leary reminds me about my free-kick against Arsenal whenever I see him. I actually saw Kevin Campbell the other day as well - and he still can’t remember the goal sequence that day!
I’m not playing for Amlych these days - I’m far too busy. I had a good Christmas though - lots of socialising with my two mates Father Christmas and Rockin’ Robin. I got two special presents: a Stereophonics album and a pair of handcuffs. I’ll be going out on New Year’s Eve - see you then.
Cheers
