Oh brilliant, now Gary Neville’s calling it a day
Gary is the toddler on the left
Those of a certain age will remember when Fergie’s Fledglings “Class of 1992″ first turned up on the scene. It all started with Ryan Giggsie. Then, before long, Nicky Butt came along – a terrier like teenager who looked like were he not playing football, he’d be bricking up telephone boxes.
He was quickly followed by the first Neville sister, Gary. Then a silent 12-year-old asthmatic called Paul Scholes, and then a gum-chewing boy racer called David Beckham – a real slickster who dreamt of one day getting steamy with a member of Bananarama.
It was a bit like watching an episode of Grange Hill, only without any careless girls fretting about being pregnant, or inspiring art teachers making them think about stuff. You know, like “issues” and that.
It was just Fergie and his little ones against the world.
Unfortunately, as with so many beautiful fairy tales, after fifteen-or-so years this one seems to be finally drawing to a close.
Nicky Butt is now an old man with very little in the way of hair on the top part of his head, and just yesterday he hinted that it might be time to finally hang up his battle-scarred boots. He said this (as reported in the Daily Mail):
“I don’t know if the legs have got another season in them yet, but I’m feeling okay at the moment.”
Then, just today, The Sun has reported that Gary Neville – who now sports an intriguing demi-beard - shall be calling it a day once his contract runs out in June. A hunch suggests that he will follow another former England right back, Lee Dixon, into punditry. Or, worse still, he’ll go into management.
Elsewhere, Scholes – now a silent middle-aged asthmatic - looks to be winding down, now only occasionally trotting on to smack a few over the crossbar, whilst David Beckham’s career might yet come to a stuttering climax with news of a potential soccer strike in America when he returns from AC Milan.
It is the end of an era, indeed. Below is a musical tribute to Nev.
7 responses so far
neville neville // January 7, 2010 at 10:53 am
HE HATES SCOUSERS
AB7 // January 7, 2010 at 11:42 am
I love Spoiler and even a bit of G.Nev p!ss taking, but as a United fan from Manchester i’m going to have pull you up on the lack of knowledge;
‘Fergies fledglings’ goes back well before Nicky Butt to a cup tie involving the great Lee’s – Sharpe + Martin – amongst others inc Mark Robins. Giggs was then the first to break through from the ‘Class of 92′, whom this article is referencing.
Superb tribute
JoshBurt // January 7, 2010 at 12:19 pm
consider me re-educated AB7, much appreciated
Darren // January 7, 2010 at 1:25 pm
What? No mention of Giuliano Maiorana amongst the Fledglings?
Mish // January 7, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Such a shame we won’t be able to gaze upon his rat-like visage while he sits, warming the United bench. Or when he comes on for 5 minutes, inciting crowd violence and insulting supporters.
Such a shame, my arse! I only hope he goes broke as well.
Arsehole.
Sheimo // January 7, 2010 at 3:02 pm
G.Nev a pundit? God help us! God help us all!
juko // January 7, 2010 at 3:03 pm
haha beckhams face!! whats neville doin to him!!
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