• Registered: 20-09-2009
  • Posts: 845

Topic: Beefy

Hi guys, I'm new here and I've got quite a few interesting little anecdotes to regale you with concerning cricket so here's my first concerning this country's supposed best all rounder.

When my lad was 8/9 and a keen sports fan I said I'd get him Botham's autograph when Beefy was doing his charity walk with Bryan Gunn back in 1992. Before he started he had stayed o'nite locally and was having a press launch outside Eastbourne pier with the Mayor for a bit of publicity. There weren't many people about and I put some money in his bucket, wearing the sticker and during a lull in the publicity I asked Both to sign my lad's book (1992 Cricketers Who's Who). He  just looked at my book and looked at me and then said "excuse me." I was so taken aback he didn't sign that without thinking I moved aside. If I'd been more prepared I would have said "Why don't you sign the bloody thing?" After all he could hardly hit me with the press about. As it happened my lad didn't give 2 hoots anyway.

My misses met a woman from Taunton (where Botham played his county cricket for Somerset) and said he and Viv Richards were the most obnoxious guys out. If there was a bunch of kids waiting for autographs they'd deliberately walk straight through them without signing.

Also my late BIL who used to live in Scunthorpe saw Botham play football for Scunny and said he was an absolute joke. Overweight and a complete donkey who was completely off the pace.

On the plus side I've met Ray Clemence who also played soccer for Scunthorpe at a works promotion and he's a real gent. Articulate, friendly, time for everybody. I saw him make his debut for us in the 1981 Charity Shield not that he wanted reminding of that.

Beefy - puts the *** in S****horpe.

  • From: United Kingdom
  • Registered: 17-11-2004
  • Posts: 2,053

Re: Beefy

As a kid I tried to get Beefy's autograph when he was at Worcester, I remember asking him 5 times and not once did he bother to acknowledge me, I never liked the bloke since. You can contrast that with Imran Khan who took the time and trouble to have a chat as well as sign my book!

  • From: Southwater
  • Registered: 06-04-2007
  • Posts: 2,658

Re: Beefy

I remember yeasr ago Sussex were playing Somerset at Horsham. It was raining for a while so Viv Richards and I think Slocombe went off to play tennis. When the game came to an end there were about 100 children who rushed to get Viv's autograph and he signed them all. Poor Slocombe was completely ignored and didn't have to sign any!!

Last edited by asdf64 (20-09-2009 16:41:36)

  • From: United Kingdom
  • Registered: 27-08-2004
  • Posts: 3,446

Re: Beefy

Flintoff is supposed to be poor at giving autographs .

The tops of course is Warnie.

  • From: Fishersgate Maritime Village
  • Registered: 04-11-2006
  • Posts: 10,444

Re: Beefy

and yet aew is full of praise for Botham and his friendliness during his charity work - i think hes a very mediocre commentator, by the way and cant stand all this "sir ian" fawning that takes place on sky - but ive never met him so am only judging from a very limited perspective

  • Registered: 20-09-2009
  • Posts: 845

Re: Beefy

I remember on QOS with Botham as captain and when he opted for a home question he always sighed and on cue the non sporting audience always laughed. He never knew any of the cricketing questions which Bill Beaumont always did. The classic was when he was asked who was the county player who took 10 wickets in an innings which he didn't know (answer Richard Johnson) and Botham then says "who's Richard Johnson?"

Although in his prime he was a great player I don't think he really liked the game (a bit like his son) and the only reason he commentates is because he can't find anything else that pays as lucratively. It must be a real chore for him to do any homework if he does.

ps Was so pleased he lost his libel action against Immie. A truly great all rounder even if he did write rubbish in the D Telegraph. When he played for Sussex and couldn't bowl due to an injury, he was scoring centuries for us.

Last edited by tiptoes (20-09-2009 19:31:34)

  • Registered: 15-01-2005
  • Posts: 13

Re: Beefy

During our home match against Worcs in August we took our eldest granson aged 8 to the match for his first visit to the ground. At lunch he asked Ed Joyce for his autograph. "Of course" he said and signed. Later Murray Goodwin was fielding near us and James asked him too and Murray was equally pleasant and obliging. James has these autographs displayed in his bedroom in pride of place.

Thank you Sussex players - it means such a lot!

  • From: Saff End on Sea, Essex
  • Registered: 01-09-2007
  • Posts: 278

Re: Beefy

SPSL11 wrote:

Flintoff is supposed to be poor at giving autographs .

The tops of course is Warnie.

Flintoff used to be like that but has got alot better in the last year or two worst around though must be Harmison grabs the pen, doesn't say a word, doesn't even look at what he's signing, then chucks the pen back a you. And thats when he does actually sign!

  • From: South Australia
  • Registered: 11-11-2004
  • Posts: 2,577

Re: Beefy

Just for a bit of perspective...I've been appalled at times of the manners of those seeking a signature.... then seen their 'personal momentoes' up on ebay.  roll

  • From: The corridor of uncertainty
  • Registered: 27-04-2005
  • Posts: 3,717

Re: Beefy

Croweater wrote:

Just for a bit of perspective...I've been appalled at times of the manners of those seeking a signature.... then seen their 'personal momentoes' up on ebay.  roll

Yes Crowie. Spot on there.

From my point of view the author of this thread should come back again with his unwelcome and unfounded views about the only really decent English born and bred cricketer of my lifetime when he has raised £50 million to save young children' lives.

To become a Friend of the Sussex Cricket Museum and Educational Trust please text MONT07£10 to 70070 and send an email to jonfilby@blueyonder.co.uk
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Registered: 17-11-2004
  • Posts: 2,053

Re: Beefy

aewparsons wrote:

From my point of view the author of this thread should come back again with his unwelcome and unfounded views about the only really decent English born and bred cricketer of my lifetime when he has raised £50 million to save young children' lives.

I don't think anyones denying he is the best English Cricketer of his generation, or the extent of his Charity work which fully justified his Knighthood.
My point is when I met him he was a bit of a t*rd, where as our own Imran who was as good if not better player and also has done just as much for Charity was always the perfect gentlman.

  • From: Trinidad and Tobago
  • Registered: 24-08-2004
  • Posts: 6,689

Re: Beefy

It is impossible to generalise about sportsmen who live in a goldfish bowl and are often suffering great ups and downs.Two differing stories above about Viv Richards makes the point and there can be no more loved and hated character than say Shane Warne.So much goes on that we know little about.
  I have heard so many negative stories about for example Brian Lara.However I serve on the screening Committe of the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Foundation. I am amazed by the amount of time and effort Brian puts in to raise money for the charity and the use of his name to help kids in need and others.Not many people would know this because he seeks no personal kudos for this work.I believe there are many sportsmen like this.

Who knows even VinnyJones and Joey Barton may have good sides. Perhaps even Billy Idol.
There are very few celebrities however that have done as much as Sir Beefy so even if he is a twat he deserves some slack and respect.Better than a punch in the eye from Geoff Boycott.

Triple Century
  • From: Hove seafront, still high up..
  • Registered: 26-04-2009
  • Posts: 1,965

Re: Beefy

triple century wrote:

There are very few celebrities however that have done as much as Sir Beefy so even if he is a twat he deserves some slack and respect.Better than a punch in the eye from Geoff Boycott.

Your last couple of sentences made me smile on a very droll day in the office TC!!  wink

Ashes winning bowler 2011 (3-9 in the Fans Ashes, Barmy Army 3 - 2 Australian Fanatics, Coogee Oval 01/01/11)
  • From: The corridor of uncertainty
  • Registered: 27-04-2005
  • Posts: 3,717

Re: Beefy

Very nicely put TC - thank you.

To become a Friend of the Sussex Cricket Museum and Educational Trust please text MONT07£10 to 70070 and send an email to jonfilby@blueyonder.co.uk
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Registered: 17-11-2004
  • Posts: 2,053

Re: Beefy

wink

http://craigbellamyfoundation.org/

  • Registered: 15-04-2006
  • Posts: 4,914

Re: Beefy

I'm quite intrigued by tiptoes - he sticks up an anecdote, with promises of many more. We've already had the second, about Yardy. But he doesn't engage in any discussions. Are you an After Dinner speaker?

  • Registered: 20-09-2009
  • Posts: 845

Re: Beefy

aewparsons wrote:
Croweater wrote:

Just for a bit of perspective...I've been appalled at times of the manners of those seeking a signature.... then seen their 'personal momentoes' up on ebay.  roll

Yes Crowie. Spot on there.

From my point of view the author of this thread should come back again with his unwelcome and unfounded views about the only really decent English born and bred cricketer of my lifetime when he has raised £50 million to save young children' lives.

I'm not sure my view is unwelcome judging by the majority of comments on here and it certainly isn't unfounded.

I was working on the seafront at the time and it was reported that Botham would be at the press launch at 9.00am instead it was 9.30am and when I reported back to work, my boss who hated cricket, wasn't too chuffed that I was late.

The point was that I had contributed to his cause and was wearing a sticker for his publicity. It would have expended so little effort to sign the book. If he'd have just signed it and thrown it back at me that would have been good enough, but no, he had to deliberately snub me. As I said earlier I don't think he particularly liked cricket and he didn't like the ordinary cricket fan either. There were a few old dears on their Saga holidays making cheery comments to him like asking how many shoe laces he'd worn out, when he was tying them up, but he just treated them with disdain.

As for being the best cricketer, I think that's debatable. Yes against the Aussies, he was supreme but Australia were a pretty average side in the late 70s and mid 80s. The W Indies were kings at that time and Botham's record against them is pretty poor. If you look at Flintoff, he has a worse average than Botham in batting and bowling, but he delivered the goods against Australia who have taken over the mantle from W Indies as best in the world. Flintoff didn't have the chance to improve his average against weaker sides like N Zealand in 2008 or Sri Lanka that same winter.

  • Registered: 20-09-2009
  • Posts: 845

Re: Beefy

Ardcarran wrote:

I'm quite intrigued by tiptoes - he sticks up an anecdote, with promises of many more. We've already had the second, about Yardy. But he doesn't engage in any discussions. Are you an After Dinner speaker?

No - just love the game of cricket and will in due course endeavour to give you my views on topics not started by me.

  • Registered: 15-04-2006
  • Posts: 4,914

Re: Beefy

tiptoes wrote:
Ardcarran wrote:

I'm quite intrigued by tiptoes - he sticks up an anecdote, with promises of many more. We've already had the second, about Yardy. But he doesn't engage in any discussions. Are you an After Dinner speaker?

No - just love the game of cricket and will in due course endeavour to give you my views on topics not started by me.

Splendid!

  • From: Hamilton
  • Registered: 04-04-2006
  • Posts: 1,521

Re: Beefy

The Middlesex team of the 80's were very obliging too. A group of my student chums, who didn't have much interest in cricket, were watching Middlesex at the Parks, and got the likes of Mike Gatting and Phil Edmonds to sign a mildly pornographic publication as a birthday present for a friend... Most of the cricketers had a good look through the publication before signing, which they did very willingly. What gent... errr ... dirty old gentlemen!

I can never understand why signed stuff gets flogged on Ebay; surely the whole point of an autograph is that you've collected it yourself. Afterall who would want to buy anything signed by a still-living minor celebrity? Apparently the Beatles never signed any memorabilia.

The Good Doctor's Website

  • Registered: 20-09-2009
  • Posts: 845

Re: Beefy

Another thing I've remembered.

When we were playing the Windies back in 84 and Beefy had taken a wicket (probably Gomes) all the England players were chatting in a huddle apart from Beefy who was standing at the non strikers end talking to Viv Richards.

Contrast his arselicking attitude with that that of Michael Holding. Paul Allott said that on the opening day of a test at Old Trafford v Windies before play, he smiled and said "hello Mikey" who was his fellow opening bowler at Lancashire and Whispering Death completely blanked him.

No wonder we got blackwashed.

  • From: Tadworth
  • Registered: 05-09-2005
  • Posts: 555

Re: Beefy

I was one of the hundreds of kids that mobbed Jason Gillespie for an autograph when the aussies visited Hove on day 1 in 2001. He was stood in the SW corner of the ground near the bar yet stayed there for an hour signing every single one! Rightly received a great reception from the crowd. A rare aussie gent!  wink

Mushtaq Ahmed - 476 glorious championship wickets
  • From: South Florida
  • Registered: 11-04-2006
  • Posts: 555

Re: Beefy

triple century wrote:

It is impossible to generalise about sportsmen who live in a goldfish bowl and are often suffering great ups and downs.Two differing stories above about Viv Richards makes the point and there can be no more loved and hated character than say Shane Warne.So much goes on that we know little about.
  I have heard so many negative stories about for example Brian Lara.However I serve on the screening Committe of the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Foundation. I am amazed by the amount of time and effort Brian puts in to raise money for the charity and the use of his name to help kids in need and others.Not many people would know this because he seeks no personal kudos for this work.I believe there are many sportsmen like this.

Who knows even VinnyJones and Joey Barton may have good sides. Perhaps even Billy Idol.
There are very few celebrities however that have done as much as Sir Beefy so even if he is a twat he deserves some slack and respect.Better than a punch in the eye from Geoff Boycott.

For what it's worth, Vinny Jones has almost been cannonised at Elland Road for the enormous amount of time and energy he put into helping disabled people whilst playing for Leeds United and has continued to do so since in the local area. Again, not something reported in the press but just ask any Leeds fan.