Bad Wolf Posted 25 April, 2013 Share Posted 25 April, 2013 Have just got back from Sholing Baptist Church where I got the pleasure of listening to Dave Merrington talk about both his career in Football and his Christian Faith. I just wanted to come on here and sum up what he said about his football life etc but before that I would just like to say, he is one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. Had time for everyone, spoke to you rather than spoke down to you. A lovely, lovely guy. Basically - - Born and raised a Newcastle fan. - Had the choice between Newcastle, Birmingham, Burnley and Sunderland and the only reason he choose Newcastle was because his head master at school was an avid fan and he told him to. - Was going to turn down Saints due to not wanting to move his family but his wife convinced him to. - Fell in love with the City and the club as soon as he moved here. - Feels strongly that Football would benefit from giving young players jobs while they learn their trade (collecting the cones, polishing boots etc) but admits it won't happen. - Loves the club to this day and considers himself a 'Southerner' - Is glad goal line tech is coming in, would often debate the idea with Alan Ball who said it wasn't a good idea. - Couldn't speak highly enough of Kenna, Dodd, Franny, Le Tiss, Lawrie Mac and Ted Bates. - Felt his dismissal from Saints was very unfair and he wasn't given the actual reasons as to why they were letting him go. - Very exciting time to be a Saints fan. - Loves the passion they've shown in the last few home games. - The injury that ended his playing career would have been easily treated today. - Loves doing the commentary on Solent. Anyway, sorry if that's a bunch of useless information/stuff that people knew already but thought I'd run through the bulk of it. Very, very enjoyable evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 25 April, 2013 Share Posted 25 April, 2013 What he say about le tiss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 25 April, 2013 Share Posted 25 April, 2013 - Feels strongly that Football would benefit from giving young players jobs while they learn their trade (collecting the cones, polishing boots etc) but admits it won't happen. It does still happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannysfc Posted 25 April, 2013 Share Posted 25 April, 2013 You are not the only one Instant Classic mate as I also had the pleasure of going to Church with him & his Wife last Sunday at Testwood Baptist Church in Totton as he is a family friend of ours as well and that the things you said on here are basically True as well and that he is a pleasure to be around too as well!!! I also try and listen to him on Solent as well when I can't make the games too as well and I also enjoy listening to what he says too as well!!! COYR!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Wolf Posted 25 April, 2013 Author Share Posted 25 April, 2013 It does still happen. He told a story of either him or a manager he was coaching for at the time, trying to get the players to do this and they were told that players don't do "jobs" anymore. What he say about le tiss? Just mentioned him along with the other names I said as great, hard working lads with the right attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 25 April, 2013 Share Posted 25 April, 2013 He's a great bloke, has time for everyone. He's regarded very highly by the Solent team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 25 April, 2013 Share Posted 25 April, 2013 (edited) He's a great bloke, has time for everyone. He's regarded very highly by the Solent team. I'm sure he is great bloke, he comes across as nice on the radio. But his views on football are very outdated and he is like a broken record saying things like every time Saints take the lead... "what Saints don't want to do now is concede a goal". Really Dave?... insightful stuff! Edited 25 April, 2013 by Matthew Le God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Well its called "faith and football". So not too much of a tangent. Other than the title indicating the event at which the OP saw Dave Merrington, the entire thread is about Dave Merrington. No religious content in the OP at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Stunning performance from MLG on this thread. A full-on rant about "rationalism" from one of the least rational contributors on this forum, and a man lacking even a basic level of regular human perspective on life. Guess what MLG, real life isn't like a computer game. One day you'll get it. One day. Does that mean its ok to irrationally dream about qualifying for the champions league? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint in Paradise Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I am not really religious these days but I do find it amusing for someone to harp on about how religion is a waste of time etc when the poster with these views has as his posting name M Le GOD :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modern matron Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I'm sure he is great bloke, he comes across as nice on the radio. But his views on football are very outdated and he is like a broken record saying things like every time Saints take the lead... "what Saints don't want to do now is concede a goal". Really Dave?... insightful stuff! A bit rich coming from you! Some of your views are deffo not everyone,s cup of tea, and anyway football is a game of opinions. I think what is being pointed out that at a time when you have to stomach the Rogers/Suarez bull**** Dave represents people with faith, passion and decency plus a love for Saints and his far greater knowledge and experience about football than with respect you will ever have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Football is a religion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Because it is better to think about these things rationally and how nonsensical it is to pray over a football game. don't our own manager do pilgramages up mountains to pray for wins? If you can convince urself baby jesus is on ur side, it gives +1 confidence which makes for good performances i reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 More discussion on Merrington and less on Religion in general please...thanks x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry the Badger Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Well done MLG for ruining a thread again. I don't really understand religion either but there's no need to be a **** about it. You've seen a chance to come over all intellectual and absolutely leapt in with two feet, well done? As for the actual point of the op. I'm surprised Dave doesn't understand why he was let go, I thought it was fairly clear. Very nice bloke though and I don't mind him on the radio, he's passionate about the game which is more than you can say about some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 More discussion on Merrington and less on Religion in general please...thanks x Doh! I had loads of jokes about god getting one back and not letting the devil back in the game. Dam you night shift mod! So who is right about the young players doing jobs, disco Dave or MLG. Maybe you should post a link to your evidence godo (I hate the fact you never back up your comments with links) and maybe an artist impression of Ryan Seager painting a fence at Staplewood. That would help a lot. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 More discussion on Merrington and less on Religion in general please...thanks x his name is anagram of Dave Torn Me Ring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Dave is a top man with a passion for Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 his name is anagram of Dave Torn Me Ring more like an analgram... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Top man. I really like the boy, Adam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubby Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I'm sure he is great bloke, he comes across as nice on the radio. But his views on football are very outdated and he is like a broken record saying things like every time Saints take the lead... "what Saints don't want to do now is concede a goal". Really Dave?... insightful stuff! When he says that, perhaps he' s not merely stating the blindingly obvious, but trying to indicate the necessary mindset of the players - focussing on not conceding, maintaining concentration, keeping defensive discipline and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alehouseboys Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Probably the biggest unsung hero this club has ever had. The man who brought through the likes of Le Tiss, Shearer, the Wallace brothers and countless other young players, he was doing a job he loved then suddenly thrust into the manager's seat following Bally's exit. Whether he truly wanted it has been questioned but he did what he thought was best for the club. .Within a year he was out of a job. It was a tough season, we had no money, it was yet another struggle. We stayed up on goal difference as Bally took City down, the famous story that word went round Maine Road that we were losing with minutes to go and they were safe. They stopped playing and went down. That day, Dave Merrington's wife was seriously ill, fighting for her life in hospital, Dave told no-one, spent hours by her side and then made a mad dash to the Dell for that vital game, a massive sacrifice for the club. Shortly after he was booted out. No apologies for bigging Dave up, I'm a DM fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pele Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Dave is a great bloke and we have moaned on about how Adkins was treated not much different to the disgusting way the club treated the man when he was sacked. He loves the club, people and God nothing wrong in any of that in my opinion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Dave knows more about football than the entire FM2013 database. Its just a bonus that he is able to convey it with passion about Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I'm sure he is great bloke, he comes across as nice on the radio. But his views on football are very outdated and he is like a broken record saying things like every time Saints take the lead... "what Saints don't want to do now is concede a goal". Really Dave?... insightful stuff! Show me a commentator or co-commentator that is free of cliché and I'd be amazed. I think he's actually quite insightful. Every now and then he says something that makes you think 'ah okay, that's what they're doing' and that's a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 When he says that, perhaps he' s not merely stating the blindingly obvious, but trying to indicate the necessary mindset of the players - focussing on not conceding, maintaining concentration, keeping defensive discipline and so on. ...every single time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St_Tel49 Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I'm sure he is great bloke, he comes across as nice on the radio. But his views on football are very outdated and he is like a broken record saying things like every time Saints take the lead... "what Saints don't want to do now is concede a goal". Really Dave?... insightful stuff! All commentators and their "experts" have a tendency to say banal repetitive things. I would rather if was DM than many another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St_Tel49 Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Well done MLG for ruining a thread again. I don't really understand religion either but there's no need to be a **** about it. You've seen a chance to come over all intellectual and absolutely leapt in with two feet, well done? As for the actual point of the op. I'm surprised Dave doesn't understand why he was let go, I thought it was fairly clear. Very nice bloke though and I don't mind him on the radio, he's passionate about the game which is more than you can say about some. Not to me - unless the board knew that Lowe was on the way and wanted to install Souness. I thought that Merrington performed miracles that year considering the limited team he had. SOuness was able to bring in more, better players and still said that keeping saints in the Prem was the hardest job he ever did. I believe DM's reponse was "Fancy that!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I'm sure he is great bloke, he comes across as nice on the radio. But his views on football are very outdated and he is like a broken record saying things like every time Saints take the lead... "what Saints don't want to do now is concede a goal". Really Dave?... insightful stuff! Yeah I hate people that are like a broken record. You know the types, always banging on about stadium expansion, posting artist impressions and links to old interviews, talking about the ambition of the club like they have some kind of inside info. Those kind of people are right knobs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Yeah I hate people that are like a broken record. You know the types, always banging on about stadium expansion, posting artist impressions and links to old interviews, talking about the ambition of the club like they have some kind of inside info. Those kind of people are right knobs! Oh no he di'unt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Only joking MLG, I love you really. I am the only one that noticed you were gone when Milts kidnapped you, I care! I just like angry MLG more than pedantic MLG and nobody messes with my Davy M. Not you, not the Sholing Baptist society. No one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I take the pee sometimes about his comments, but let's face it, when your job is to talk endlessly on a topic that is not always giving you something to talk about.....You will talk some nonsense. What I really do like about DM is the connection to the past he gives. Sure, everything is moving, and moving fast, but DM takes me away from the flash foreigners and designer suits and reminds me of muddy football boots and the smell of wintergreen. It's a nice mix. Top bloke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Uwe Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I love what Dave has to say on the radio. I haven't lived in the area for a good ten years now but was down a few weekends ago when Saints beat Liverpool, and was listening in to his post-match analysis of why Lambert and Rodriguez were such a good combo. Don't know why but it just put a smile on my face listening to Dave! Was reading Matty's autobiography the other day, in it he says about how Alan Shearer felt he was the biggest influence on his early career. Not a bad tribute to be fair! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Much better than some ex-managers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I am not really religious these days but I do find it amusing for someone to harp on about how religion is a waste of time etc when the poster with these views has as his posting name M Le GOD :lol: :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 I am not really religious these days but I do find it amusing for someone to harp on about how religion is a waste of time etc when the poster with these views has as his posting name M Le GOD :lol: :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamilton Saint Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 (edited) I remember when our school football team (a Catholic school) used to play a team of young seminarians (boys training to be priests) in the mid-60s, their team used to huddle before the match and say a Hail Mary prayer. I always thought that was very strange and presumptuous - why would the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede on behalf of one group of young Catholic boys against another, in order to decide the outcome of a football game? I always cringe when a sports figure thanks God, or Jesus, or Mary for helping them win some sporting event. It really is so sacreligious and simple-minded. Edited 26 April, 2013 by Hamilton Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 View My Video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 MLG, you are not fit to input stats about Dave Merrington's football knowledge into a computer let alone comment on it. I'm sure if you had your way the likes of Alan Shearer would be selected by a machine and not by a warm and passionate human being such as DM. And let's not even get started on what it means to be human.... bore off matey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 hi mlg i still love you + so does baby jesus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wightman35 Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Probably the biggest unsung hero this club has ever had. The man who brought through the likes of Le Tiss, Shearer, the Wallace brothers and countless other young players, he was doing a job he loved then suddenly thrust into the manager's seat following Bally's exit. Whether he truly wanted it has been questioned but he did what he thought was best for the club. .Within a year he was out of a job. It was a tough season, we had no money, it was yet another struggle. We stayed up on goal difference as Bally took City down, the famous story that word went round Maine Road that we were losing with minutes to go and they were safe. They stopped playing and went down. That day, Dave Merrington's wife was seriously ill, fighting for her life in hospital, Dave told no-one, spent hours by her side and then made a mad dash to the Dell for that vital game, a massive sacrifice for the club. Shortly after he was booted out. No apologies for bigging Dave up, I'm a DM fan. Thanks for posting that Alehouseboys. I'm a DM fan too and imo he is one of the best summarisers commentators around on radio or tv. Yes he does worry about Saints conceding a goal after taking the lead; with good reason looking at the statistics. The fact that Dave is a real Saint with passion gives his professional opinions an edge. At least he does not repeat, "You Know." twenty or more times a minute as does a certain broadcaster reporting on Solent on Saturday afternoons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikec Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Probably the biggest unsung hero this club has ever had. The man who brought through the likes of Le Tiss, Shearer, the Wallace brothers and countless other young players, he was doing a job he loved then suddenly thrust into the manager's seat following Bally's exit. Whether he truly wanted it has been questioned but he did what he thought was best for the club. .Within a year he was out of a job. It was a tough season, we had no money, it was yet another struggle. We stayed up on goal difference as Bally took City down, the famous story that word went round Maine Road that we were losing with minutes to go and they were safe. They stopped playing and went down. That day, Dave Merrington's wife was seriously ill, fighting for her life in hospital, Dave told no-one, spent hours by her side and then made a mad dash to the Dell for that vital game, a massive sacrifice for the club. Shortly after he was booted out. No apologies for bigging Dave up, I'm a DM fan. Agree with all that and let's not forget the highlight of that season with DM in charge: Saints 3 Man Utd 1 (also known as "the grey shirts game") - at a time when Saints were in deep relegation danger and United were heading for the title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saints1988 Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 For a bloke that was born up north and is not a local originally but to be so passionate about saints goes a long way in my view, DM is a top bloke end off regardless of religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 26 April, 2013 Share Posted 26 April, 2013 Probably the biggest unsung hero this club has ever had. The man who brought through the likes of Le Tiss, Shearer, the Wallace brothers and countless other young players, he was doing a job he loved then suddenly thrust into the manager's seat following Bally's exit. Whether he truly wanted it has been questioned but he did what he thought was best for the club. .Within a year he was out of a job. It was a tough season, we had no money, it was yet another struggle. We stayed up on goal difference as Bally took City down, the famous story that word went round Maine Road that we were losing with minutes to go and they were safe. They stopped playing and went down. That day, Dave Merrington's wife was seriously ill, fighting for her life in hospital, Dave told no-one, spent hours by her side and then made a mad dash to the Dell for that vital game, a massive sacrifice for the club. Shortly after he was booted out. No apologies for bigging Dave up, I'm a DM fan. I agree with you, really like the bloke. Ive said a few times before about my pal who was on Saints books in the 90s, Dave Merrington was doing his youth team role then and my pal says he was just a top, top man. Really knowledgable about the game and loved by everyone at the club. Hilarious that a computer addict who uses statstics on a game to rate players would criticise the football knowledge of a guy who developed some of the best players this country had in the 90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Lej Posted 27 April, 2013 Share Posted 27 April, 2013 I agree with you, really like the bloke. Ive said a few times before about my pal who was on Saints books in the 90s, Dave Merrington was doing his youth team role then and my pal says he was just a top, top man. Really knowledgable about the game and loved by everyone at the club. Hilarious that a computer addict who uses statstics on a game to rate players would criticise the football knowledge of a guy who developed some of the best players this country had in the 90s. Especially when the guy in question is clearly one of the most self absorbed , petty, point scoring seeking "I have more pointless statistical knowledge than you" posters to ever use this board. A man who froths at the mouth when an opportunity arises to correct any error made by another poster. A man who thrives on patronising other users and forcing his pointless geeky obsessive behaviour upon everyone. Other than that I quite like the guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 27 April, 2013 Share Posted 27 April, 2013 Probably the biggest unsung hero this club has ever had. The man who brought through the likes of Le Tiss, Shearer, the Wallace brothers and countless other young players, he was doing a job he loved then suddenly thrust into the manager's seat following Bally's exit. Whether he truly wanted it has been questioned but he did what he thought was best for the club. .Within a year he was out of a job. It was a tough season, we had no money, it was yet another struggle. We stayed up on goal difference as Bally took City down, the famous story that word went round Maine Road that we were losing with minutes to go and they were safe. They stopped playing and went down. That day, Dave Merrington's wife was seriously ill, fighting for her life in hospital, Dave told no-one, spent hours by her side and then made a mad dash to the Dell for that vital game, a massive sacrifice for the club. Shortly after he was booted out. No apologies for bigging Dave up, I'm a DM fan. I fully support your view here Alehouse. DM was treated scandalously. His appointment followed a real fiasco in allowing Alan Ball to leave and he was thrust into the job. The club even timed to announcement of his departure for the Friday afternoon prior to the England v Scotland match in Euro '96 , in order to minimise national publicity, and cloaked it on grounds of 'compassionate' reasons if I remember correctly. My biggest regret with DM was that he was not given the top job in about 1990, when his generation of young players, the Wallaces, Shearer ,Maddison, Dodd and MLT, were breaking through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 27 April, 2013 Share Posted 27 April, 2013 I take the pee sometimes about his comments, but let's face it, when your job is to talk endlessly on a topic that is not always giving you something to talk about.....You will talk some nonsense. What I really do like about DM is the connection to the past he gives. Sure, everything is moving, and moving fast, but DM takes me away from the flash foreigners and designer suits and reminds me of muddy football boots and the smell of wintergreen. It's a nice mix. Top bloke. ^^ I agree, DM can come across as a bit of an old dinosaur (anyone of my age and older does at some time) but he has a passion and a belief in both his religion and Saints. It would be very pedantic and rather pious to try and find something wrong with the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 27 April, 2013 Share Posted 27 April, 2013 Especially when the guy in question is clearly one of the most self absorbed , petty, point scoring seeking "I have more pointless statistical knowledge than you" posters to ever use this board. A man who froths at the mouth when an opportunity arises to correct any error made by another poster. A man who thrives on patronising other users and forcing his pointless geeky obsessive behaviour upon everyone. Other than that I quite like the guy MLG getting thoroughly rinsed here. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonroader07 Posted 27 April, 2013 Share Posted 27 April, 2013 his name is anagram of Dave Torn Me Ring More classic insight from our hero !!!! FFS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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