Had the pleasure of meeting the great man on a few occasions a real gent.
He idolised his father and told me a great story about his dad;
When he was picked up by Blackpool as a lad he rushed home to tell his dad, who said well done lad but you have achieved nothing until they sign you on a professional contract, when they did this he rushed home again and said dad I am a professional footballer as of today, well done lad he said, but you have achieved nothing until you have been picked to play for the first team, which he was.
When he was transfered to Everton for a record fee at the time, his dad said well done lad now you have to warrant this fee and prove to the England manager you are the best in your postion.
When he was picked for England his dad said well done lad now show Alf Ramsey you should be in the starting eleven, which again he did.
To which his dad said well done lad now lift the world cup,which we all know he did and his dad said,,, Well done lad you have truly arrived and I always knew you would reach the very top if you worked to your full potential. Fantastic.
I said to him you should have replied back ,Thank Christ for that can I have a rest now dad, to which he burst out laughing.
Clapping instead of silence is the new way of commemorating sporting heroes who have passed away, I think its quite fitting.
