Players should remember

[conanthelibrarian]

just how much it means to fans when they come in contact with their heroes.

I've just been reading a good thread on GMK titled Good and bad experiences of footballers.

Not so much looking for a discussion on the above but would like to hear your stories.

Here is a sample from JethroCCFC.

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Sorry for the long post but this was easily the best football related day of my life. I was the mascot against West Ham at Upton Park during the season we went down (was about 11 at the time).

Met Trevor Brooking at the enterance as my Dad forced me over to get his autograph. Then got John Motson's autograph as he stood at the beginning of the tunnel. Got Sven's autograph after he finished an interview for Sky who happened to be broadcasting the match (Sven had just been made England manager and was the first game he scouted)

Went out to watch pitch-side as the players warmed up and was able to get Strachen's autograph at that point. Can remember my Dad getting Gordon in a one armed hug round the shoulders and telling him that "all the fans are behind you" with Strachen sarcastically replying with a smile "Yeah right!" We were told Di Canio's signature was hard to get and remember my Dad forcing him to sign my book as he chased him down the tunnel.

Went into Cov's dressing room and passed round my autograph book in there. Distinct memories of Bellamy sitting on his own hunched up in the corner and John Hartson (who was debuting for us) being a nice guy, even managed to get the photo I had took with him signed by sending it off to Highfield Road. Also remember Paul Williams forcing one of our players (can't remember who, time period and adrenaline at the time probably the reasons why) to sign my book after ignoring my repeated attends for a signature. I presume he was just annoyed that a kid was asking for his signature 15-20 mins before the game, but oh well.

Then after that me and my Dad were sent into a astro-turfed room in order for me to change my shorts (Cov were wearing our black away shorts and I had the home ones on) and who else but Frank Lampard was in their on his own doing keepie-uppie. Another Dad one liner spurted out along the lines of "You will be playing for England one day" My Dad clearly as in awe and as excited as I was that day.

Then led the team out applauding the Cov away fans as I did (I could have sworn I was part of the team at that point) passed the ball around with Hadji and Bellamy, got my picture taken in the centre circle with the captains, refereess and Hammers mascot's, then went off to watch Cov draw 1-1, although we should have won, Hartson's goal was clearly onside! I suppose that's the luck a team has when they go down...

Talking off luck I didn't have any either. After all that my face wasn't on tv once. The best I got was the back of me as the camera at the end of the tunnel panned round to watch Hartson run onto the pitch, and Hadji continually passing the ball to some unknown person off screen as the commentators went through the teams. All my mates found that hilarious the next day at school but oh well, I have the memories.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Nice to see some teams are good like that.

I remember being ball boy for the Aberdeen v Celtic game when i was younger. Being a Celtic fan you can imagine how excited I was but what a let down.

Half the Celtic team were absolute wankers about giving us their autographs. "Sorry i dont have the time pal" and whatever else bullshit they fed us.

John Collins was the worst. Complete arrogant twat who obviously thought he was some superstar.

It was the foreign guys who were actually the best ones.

Changed my opinion on some of the Celtic players at least anyways.