Author Topic: Michael Thomas debut.. (Read 7001 times)

Sufian · « **on:** July 30, 2005, 05:44:44 am »

During souness era, I hadn't much access to tv to watch football and the news. I was wondering how did you guys take it when you first heard about the former Arsenal player Michael Thomas (nevermind explaining what he did in the late 80s at anfield) signing for us ... what was his reception in his first game for Liverpool?

BrianL · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2005, 06:02:45 am »

as far as i remember he was welcomed warmly. After all he hadn't done anything wrong, just scored for his team.

alfonso · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2005, 06:05:33 am »

From what I can remember there were no problems. Although I never attended his debut.

I do remember MT was a bit pissed off at the commentators always mentioning that goal whenever MT was playing for us.
And after he scored in the FA cup final in 92, he said in an interview post match, he hoped the goal he'd just scored would "shut Jimmy Hill up" with reference to the arsenal goal at anfield.

He obviously has some affection for us, because he plays for the Liverpool Masters team, rather than the Arsenal one.
He was also in Istanbul. A poster here wrote, he was sitting next to him on the plane and they had a few drinks, while MT was waiting for Fowler and Mcmannaman to arrive....

Rushian · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2005, 08:57:10 am »

Quote from: Sufian on July 30, 2005, 05:44:44 am

During souness era, I hadn't much access to tv to watch football and the news. I was wondering how did you guys take it when you first heard about the former Arsenal player Michael Thomas (nevermind explaining what he did in the late 80s at anfield) signing for us ... what was his reception in his first game for Liverpool?

I can't remember any negative reaction. As for now Michael still lives in the area and regularly attends matches at Anfield.

muleskinner · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2005, 09:11:25 am »

I think he was unfairly maligned by a lot of fans because of that goal and could not do any right for some people.

Life · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2005, 09:54:44 am »

I think we'd have won the championship if Evans hadn't have dropped him for Redknapp who was returning from injury. For the majority of the season, him and Barnes in the middle were superb.
Always liked the bloke (sunny Friday night's in May apart) - he was a 100% type player, knew what he was good at and stuck to it.

alfonso · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2005, 10:36:57 am »

Quote from: Life on July 30, 2005, 09:54:44 am

I think we'd have won the championship if Evans hadn't have dropped him for Redknapp who was returning from injury. For the majority of the season, him and Barnes in the middle were superb.

I remember when MT was dropped.
I wasn't a huge fan of Redknapp. He couldn't put a through ball through. Always to the side.

Sufian · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2005, 10:44:43 am »

yea, MT and barnsey was one good midfield partnership. There were occasions when Roy deployed him at the back (with ruddock n wrighty) and did superbly well.

walshys_mullet · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2005, 11:09:18 am »

remember his winner against villa in the fa cup quarters, brilliant day that. we had an injury ravaged side with barnes playing with an injury setting him up through the middle at the kop end.

okcomputer · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2005, 12:23:37 pm »

his debut was against Spurs at Whiteheart lane in 1991, Spurs fans booed hiom to death, i didnt like that, he was one of ours now. His goal in the 1992 cup final helped repay the damage he did in '89.
Jimmy Hill was wrong, I thought he was a 'Liverpool player' and yes we could have won the league in '97 if we had played him more.

Doesnt sisoko look a bit like him?

BrianL · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2005, 12:35:29 pm »

Quote from: Sufian on July 30, 2005, 05:44:44 am

During souness era, I hadn't much access to tv to watch football and the news. I was wondering how did you guys take it when you first heard about the former Arsenal player Michael Thomas (nevermind explaining what he did in the late 80s at anfield) signing for us ... what was his reception in his first game for Liverpool?

anyhow, why do you ask?

the red rebel · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2005, 02:07:04 pm »

still remember the goal v villa in the quarters, kop went wildddd!! many fans i knew preferred him to redknapp.

Paul Tomkins · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2005, 02:10:27 pm »

Shame he had that injury (achiles?) that, like Barnes, robbed him of his pace. Had a very good 1995/95 though.

slapnuts · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2005, 02:12:21 pm »

fowler and macca went to the bul?

class.

Mighty_Red · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2005, 03:03:55 pm »

Was quite hard at first to get used to the fact that a) he was an Arsenal player & b) he scored THAT goal.

It was like getting in bed with the person responsible for a loved ones death (see Monsters Ball).

I did take to him eventually and he scored quite a few good goals like the cup final one.

He looks great in 96/97 and I agree that we probably wouldve won the league had Evans kept that Thomas/Barnes partnership. Even tho Redders was quite clearly a more talented player, Thomas was better defensively, which was (as we all know) our biggest weakness those days

Sufian · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2005, 05:16:55 pm »

Quote from: BrianL on July 30, 2005, 12:35:29 pm

anyhow, why do you ask?

just wondering... cos i thought back then, it was a bit ironic to sign a player who cost you the championship. but then again i was 12 when he signed for liverpool..

NY-AmericanRed · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2005, 05:46:57 pm »

I've seen clips of Jimmy Hill, and he seems to be a very shady character; can anyone fill in some information on the guy?

JohnSullie · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2005, 06:06:50 pm »

Quote from: NY-AmericanRed on July 30, 2005, 05:46:57 pm

I've seen clips of Jimmy Hill, and he seems to be a very shady character; can anyone fill in some information on the guy?

Jimmy Hill is the only person in the history of football to have been player, coach, manager, director and finally chairman of a Football League Club. This experience has given him a unique insight to the game, its passions and its problems It is for this reason that Jimmy has become on of the most influential figures in Football within this country.

In 1961 he led the Players Union in its successful struggle to lift the £20.00 maximum wage. Between 1961 and 1966, as manager, he took Coventry City from the Third to the 1st division (now the Premier League), where they have remained ever since. In 1968 he became Head of Sport at London Weekend Television and rose to Deputy Controller of Programmes, before joining the BBC as presenter of "Match of the Day".Since 1973 he has made over 600 appearances in "Match of the Day" and many more in other BBC sporting flagships, "Sportsnight" and "Grandstand". He has appeared in every one of either ITV or BBC's coverage of the World Cup and European Championships since 1966.
He was Chairman of Fulham Football Club, the club for whom he played in 300 games as a professional between 1953 and 1961.

Info lifted from his site

Steven Gerrard · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2005, 06:10:22 pm »

Quote from: NY-AmericanRed on July 30, 2005, 05:46:57 pm

I've seen clips of Jimmy Hill, and he seems to be a very shady character; can anyone fill in some information on the guy?

Between 1961 and 1966, as manager, he took Coventry City from the Third to the 1st division (now the Premier League), where they have remained ever since.

needs updating!!

stoz · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:15:23 pm »

Quote from: alfonso on July 30, 2005, 10:36:57 am

I remember when MT was dropped.
I wasn't a huge fan of Redknapp. He couldn't put a through ball through. Always to the side.

1995/96 when we went on a run of something like 23 games undefeated with Thomas in the side. One defeat, and he was dropped for the returning Redknapp for the Villa semi final. The season went downhill after the Newcastle game 3/4 days later.

Vinay · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:25:50 pm »

Quote from: NY-AmericanRed on July 30, 2005, 05:46:57 pm

I've seen clips of Jimmy Hill, and he seems to be a very shady character; can anyone fill in some information on the guy?

Dr. Funs Doll · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2005, 08:45:59 pm »

shady is right.........
his chin casts one big enough

that info fails to mention his brief stint as a linesman
I was there front row, woodbine behind one ear, giving the twat abuse throughout

can now be seen on sky, with crumbs round his face mumbling to himself while knobhead journalists enlighten viewers with their expert football knowledge

campioni1984 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2005, 09:54:45 pm »

Lives on the Wirral and runs a company that advises rich and famous people on personal security I think.He was on our plane to Istanbul and stayed in our hotel. He gave the mancs some good stick,when we landed at Manchester.See him at most home games, he sits in the Main Stand overlooking the away fans.Evans made a big mistake in the 95/96 season when he dropped him and brought Redknapp back.The whole team seemed to lose shape and the midfield never recovered.Through away a great chance of doing the double.

Dowling10 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2005, 10:50:03 pm »

Quote

Lives on the Wirral and runs a company that advises rich and famous people on personal security I think.He was on our plane to Istanbul and stayed in our hotel. He gave the mancs some good stick,when we landed at Manchester.See him at most home games, he sits in the Main Stand overlooking the away fans.

I was thinkin you was talking about Jimmy Hill then until the next sentence, i was thinkin are you sure mate ?

campioni1984 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2005, 11:05:30 pm »

Quote from: dowling10 on July 30, 2005, 10:50:03 pm

I was thinkin you was talking about Jimmy Hill then until the next sentence, i was thinkin are you sure mate ?

Steven Gerrard · « **Reply #25 on:** July 30, 2005, 11:22:21 pm »

Quote from: dowling10 on July 30, 2005, 10:50:03 pm

I was thinkin you was talking about Jimmy Hill then until the next sentence, i was thinkin are you sure mate ?

same here! for a minute i was thinking what the fuck??!!

Party Phil · « **Reply #26 on:** July 31, 2005, 01:47:20 am »

made me chuckle. that spot of confusion. it would be funny if jimmy hill was secretly attending liverpool games for years but only the guy sat next to him had noticed.

Vinay · « **Reply #27 on:** July 31, 2005, 02:31:45 pm »

I thought Michael Thomas wa a geat player. I also remember him as a very young man, who along with (a young) David Rocastle, and was it Sean Davis?, were playing exciting football for Arsenal. Sounds like a top bloke from the above reports.

As for Jimmy Hill, I recall Carlton Palmer was his favourite player. I remember him once saying on BBC, live, "My man Carlton Palmer!". I thought it was hilarious!

SimonW · « **Reply #28 on:** July 31, 2005, 02:55:17 pm »

Paul Davis it was. Think both him and Rocastle are dead now. I know Rocastle definately is. Maybe not Davis. RIP

dom_d · « **Reply #29 on:** August 1, 2005, 04:38:49 pm »

Quote from: dowling10 on July 30, 2005, 10:50:03 pm

I was thinkin you was talking about Jimmy Hill then until the next sentence, i was thinkin are you sure mate ?

Me too.

Although I'd have loved to have seen Jimmy Hill giving the Mancs stick.

TSC · « **Reply #30 on:** August 1, 2005, 05:05:32 pm »

Quote from: SimonW on July 31, 2005, 02:55:17 pm

Paul Davis it was. Think both him and Rocastle are dead now. I know Rocastle definately is. Maybe not Davis. RIP

Davis is defo not dead as he was playing for the Arse in the masters a couple of weeks ago.

Rocastle died of cancer or some other horrible disease.

the good half · « **Reply #31 on:** August 1, 2005, 05:23:24 pm »

Rocastle was special.
Anyway, has anyone noticed the similarity beteween Michael Thomas and San Francisco Wide reciever legend Jerry Rice?

stoz · « **Reply #32 on:** August 1, 2005, 05:58:29 pm »

Quote from: the good half on August 1, 2005, 05:23:24 pm

Rocastle was special.

Remeber him scoring a fantastic goal in a League Cup tie at Anfield in 1988. Controlled and volleyed into the far corner all in one movement. John Barnes' goal that night was pretty special too. Haven't seen those goals for years as they're not on any of the season reviews, but if there are any videos that have them on (maybe that seasons League cup review or something?), it'd be worth buying for those two alone.

RedKennedy · « **Reply #33 on:** August 1, 2005, 09:48:14 pm »

Wasn't sure at first, what are we doing buying a player that scored the goal that cost us the title but as said already he was doing his job for his team.
He never let us down though and like many others I thought he was a better player than Redknapp and defended well, scored some great goals aswell as mentioned.
Seen at Anfield many times, top bloke. Saw him saturday at the fans day.

MissLFC · « **Reply #34 on:** August 1, 2005, 09:57:40 pm »

Quote from: dowling10 on July 30, 2005, 10:50:03 pm

I was thinkin you was talking about Jimmy Hill then until the next sentence, i was thinkin are you sure mate ?

Likewise

Peter_Evo · « **Reply #35 on:** August 1, 2005, 09:59:50 pm »

Michael was soubd. Four goals stick out in my memory: Villa in the Cup already been mentioned, Oldham away the same season , Cup Final against Sunderland same season and a really boss one at West Ham in the 96-97 season I think which had even the West Ham fans singing his praises after the match. Heard he we was a top boogier too.

Phil M · « **Reply #36 on:** August 11, 2010, 07:40:01 pm »

Five year bump

Just watching him chat with Claire on .tv - had to laugh when he mentioned during an anecdote about
playing the "dirty mancs".

G1 Jockey 4(betfair) · « **Reply #37 on:** August 11, 2010, 07:46:04 pm »

i liked thomas especially when he got the first goal v sunderland @16/1 in the cup final!!!!!!!!!

Lagersuper · « **Reply #38 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:09:11 pm »

At the risk of taking the thread back to Jimmy Hill....wasn't he the bloke responsible for changing it from two points for a win up to three?

Paul JH · « **Reply #39 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:14:11 pm »

Was one of my favourite players for us under Souness. Thought he was great at times. And the club had an affect on him and he remains loyal to us to this day.
Always remember his cross to Houghton at the end of the Man U game where we beat them so Leeds could win the title...

Ending with "Walteeeeeers!"