Post by The Scooter on Feb 3, 2011 10:33:55 GMT
Had a lovely chat with Alan Mullery yesterday afternoon and I couldn't let the conversation pass without asking him for his opinion on his managerial spell...
Mullery is a long time QPR fan, born and grew up in Notting Hill and told a nice story about walking to the ground with his mates and bunking into the boys enclosure in the mid late 50's. Which all surprised me as I'd only really associated him with Fulham so strongly.
He was playing for West London Schoolboys when, in his words, was tapped up by Fulham when they offered him a couple of tickets for a game against Man Utd. Unable to resist after watching the likes of Haynes, Hill and Charlton, Mullery signed on at Fulham.
Said it was a dream come true to manage QPR - was disappointed he never got the chance to play for us - though apparently Jago tried to sign him from Spurs in 1973.
During his spell as manager he said he had a terrifically talented team but some lacked a bit of self belief and he never really believed the players had got over Venables leaving. Claimed we only had one bad result during his time (5-0 at Spurs). I mentioned the Belgrade debacle and he insisted that we were undone by a dodgy ref who was intimidated by the atmosphere and the players.
He learned of his sacking through a mutual friend, Reg Drury, the old boxing commentator, when both and Jim Gregory were at a black tie dinner somewhere on Park Lane. Drury approached Mullery and said that Jim wanted a word. Something about a new contract. Mullery walked to the bar where Gregory was, Gregory put his hand out to shake and said "Arrividerci Alan - its not working out for me - I'll sort you out" - Mullery said he was flummoxed and wandered back to his wife at the table saying "I think I've just been sacked". His wife said for him to go back and check with Gregory. So Mullery wandered back and said "Jim, what do you mean?" to whit Gregory replied "Don't you f***ing understand French! You're fired!". ;D
Next morning - two QPR employees turn up at Mullery's house with his severance payment, in cash and demanding the keys to the company car back immediately. Got the impression that Mullery didn't feel he had the trust of Gregory (who was also missing Venables) and compares him to "that Gold fella at West Ham".
Really nice guy. So, he did his Legends Stadium Tour at Spurs yesterday and then left at 4pm to host the Legends Suite at Craven Cottage for the Newcastle game. Hard life in retirement!
Mullery is a long time QPR fan, born and grew up in Notting Hill and told a nice story about walking to the ground with his mates and bunking into the boys enclosure in the mid late 50's. Which all surprised me as I'd only really associated him with Fulham so strongly.
He was playing for West London Schoolboys when, in his words, was tapped up by Fulham when they offered him a couple of tickets for a game against Man Utd. Unable to resist after watching the likes of Haynes, Hill and Charlton, Mullery signed on at Fulham.
Said it was a dream come true to manage QPR - was disappointed he never got the chance to play for us - though apparently Jago tried to sign him from Spurs in 1973.
During his spell as manager he said he had a terrifically talented team but some lacked a bit of self belief and he never really believed the players had got over Venables leaving. Claimed we only had one bad result during his time (5-0 at Spurs). I mentioned the Belgrade debacle and he insisted that we were undone by a dodgy ref who was intimidated by the atmosphere and the players.
He learned of his sacking through a mutual friend, Reg Drury, the old boxing commentator, when both and Jim Gregory were at a black tie dinner somewhere on Park Lane. Drury approached Mullery and said that Jim wanted a word. Something about a new contract. Mullery walked to the bar where Gregory was, Gregory put his hand out to shake and said "Arrividerci Alan - its not working out for me - I'll sort you out" - Mullery said he was flummoxed and wandered back to his wife at the table saying "I think I've just been sacked". His wife said for him to go back and check with Gregory. So Mullery wandered back and said "Jim, what do you mean?" to whit Gregory replied "Don't you f***ing understand French! You're fired!". ;D
Next morning - two QPR employees turn up at Mullery's house with his severance payment, in cash and demanding the keys to the company car back immediately. Got the impression that Mullery didn't feel he had the trust of Gregory (who was also missing Venables) and compares him to "that Gold fella at West Ham".
Really nice guy. So, he did his Legends Stadium Tour at Spurs yesterday and then left at 4pm to host the Legends Suite at Craven Cottage for the Newcastle game. Hard life in retirement!