FootballFilter

Mooching through my CD collection today (remember CDs everyone?) I discovered an inspired musical purchase that cut me deep, harked me back to the beautiful 90s, to David Lee Benson, Roller Discos, Kickers, Biker Grove, Mighty White, Swing Tennis, air rifles, Pro Set, Euro 96 and Gazza dicking on Scotland  - I am talking about “Gazza and Friends” – the ultimate in cash in Football records, released on BMG, look at his fresh little face:

Football, alchy, friend to Jimmy Five Bellies

But look at the poor sod now, he’s what I envisaged Jakob from Lost to look like until he showed up in the last couple of episodes, or a future bond villain:

 Some say Jimmy Five Bellies is the reason he went astray (check out this link I found on the lad for a little extra info: Jimmy Five Bellies) but he’s just like a lot of footballing geniuses, they are fucking mental: Maradona, George Best spring to mind and of late Ronaldinho has gone the same way. Of course there are plenty of legends that haven’t been led astray but were they as interesting?

So what is Paul up to these days? Well we all know he went nuts and got sectioned but the latest is he apparently appeared on both Loose Women and MOTD 2 looking healthy, considering he apparently “died three times in rehab” I have to say good on him. Anyone remember him sweating his way through a pundit spot during the world cup? The word hellish springs to mind….if only I could find it, please send me a link if you can find it.

Anyway, here’s that free kick what he done:
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Read Gazza’s book if you ever get the chance, its proper good. 

Before the premiership existed, when football shirts were cool as shit (well they seem cool to me now in 2008-I predict a fashion wave!) and most players were alcoholics, a trading card called Pro Set pretty much consumed my little 6 year old existence.  But what has happened to them now?!  I can’t for the life of me track them down via the internet.  The only thing I found were a few sites selling the likes of Dion Dublin’s card (at Cambridge at the time) for a quid (which I have) or the entire Arsenal team for a fiver (which I also have – £6 for me boom ting).  There are also the American Football cards knocking around but no site or anything exists from what I can see – have they really gone bust?  Because if they have it is my mission to get the Pro Set card people together, sit them down and make them realise how much money they could be making these days – surely kids would love it, or at 24 am I already out of ‘touch with today’s youth’?

On the back of the folder I found an address which led me to this UEFA website page but unfortunately the number didn’t work – so what I am asking is, if anyone can help us get in contact with Pro Set and find out what happened please let us know by leaving a comment!  This is the address in case someone random reads this and either works there or lives near by:

Pro Set U.K Limited, 87 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 8BU

Every month from now on I will post an update on my findings with a couple of players cards scanned for good measure, just like these beauties below:

Underrated Nigel, Poor old Gazza, Delia's Ruel, Alco Tony, Drity Dennis

What I love about these the most tho are the comments and stats on the back, pure nostalgia:

Take Gazza’s for example: “The new superstar of English football, “Gazza” won the hearts of the nation for his performances during the World Cup in Italy.  A player of prodigious talent, he played for Newcastle for three seasons and was the idol of Tyneside.  He signed for Spurs for £2 million in July 1988.  Fills the grounds wherever he plays.”  -pure poetry that is, full of cliched 90s joy, John Motson bread and butter chat if you will, but still quality.

I could quote all 6 of those bad boys but I won’t, however I do think Paul McGrath’s opening line is pure class:

“Regarded as possibly the best central defender in the First Division despite problems of the field” – was there any need to mention his ‘off field’ problems?  So he drank a little bleach now and then, he’s still the Don.

As I said I think these cards will be a regular feature, especially as my chances of getting in contact with Pro Set appears slim but for the time being here’s a few honorary mentions to keep you going til next time:

1. Nigel Spink – ‘reputed to be one of the safest goalkeepers in the game’

2. Cyrille Regis – ‘reared in London’

3. Paul Walsh – ‘A tenancious terrier of a player’ . In fact Paul’ back photo (his hair I mean) is so good he gets the final shot of the blog:

Full, luxuriant hair

SO please help me bring back Pro Set!