Just seen the sad news that the legend and my favourite player of all time Franz Beckenbaur has passed away. Franz was an amazing player and a superb person who I idolized from an early age. When I arrived in Meadowlands at the New York Cosmos stadium I was a little nervous but excited that I was going to be on the same pitch as my super hero and when I sat and listened to Bill Foulkes our manager’s team talk I nearly fell off my seat. He said that Beckenbaur was playing in midfield and was a big threat and that I was going to mark him man to man. Long story short I did and during the game there was an injury and he asked me what club I played for in England and I said Derby County and he said oh Roy McFarland is a good player and I was so happy because Roy was my second super hero of a player.
Another stoppage and I asked was he going to the 1978 World Cup and he said he wouldn’t be which was big news that I kept to myself. Back then there wasn’t much shirt swapping so I was going to ask him for his tie ups but I was cheeky and asked for his shirt and he said we are not supposed to give away but I will make an exception. I was blown away and ran into the dressing room immediately put on my track suit and put the shirt inside my top and zipped it up and I sat on the seat while our lads showered and Bill asked me why no shower today and I unzipped the top pulled out the shirt and said I wasn’t going to let this out of my sight. He nodded in agreement. I didn’t wash it for about 6 months and so there are a couple of sweat marks genuine Beckenbaur sweat. What a day that was and I played against him 3 more times over the 2 seasons I was in the NASL. Rest in Peace Franz you were an inspiration to so many as a player and later as a coach and will never be forgotten.

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Just seen the sad news that the legend and my favourite player of all time Franz Beckenbaur has passed away. Franz was an amazing player and a superb person who I idolized from an early age. When I arrived in Medowlands at the New York Cosmos stadium I was a little nervous but excited that I was going to be on the same pitch as my super hero and when I sat and listened to Bill Foulkes our manager’s team talk I nearly fell off my seat. He said that Beckenbaur was playing in midfield and was a big threat and that I was going to mark him man to man. Long story short I did and during the game there was an injury and he asked me what club I played for in England and I said Derby County and he said oh Roy McFarland is a good player and I was so happy because Roy was my second super hero of a player.
Another stoppage and I asked was he going to the 1978 World Cup and he said he wouldn’t be which was big news that I kept to myself. Back then there wasn’t much shirt swapping so I was going to ask him for his tie ups but I was cheeky and asked for his shirt and he said we are not supposed to give away but I will make an exception. I was blown away and ran into the dressing room immediately put on my track suit and put the shirt inside my top and zipped it up and I sat on the seat while our lads showered and Bill asked me why no shower today and I unzipped the top pulled out the shirt and said I wasn’t going to let this out of my sight. He nodded in agreement. I didn’t wash it for about 6 months and so there are a couple of sweat marks genuine Beckenbaur sweat. What a day that was and I played against him 3 more times over the 2 seasons I was in the NASL. Rest in Peace Franz you were an inspiration to so many as a player and later as a coach and will never be forgotten.

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Goal of the Month on BBC 1 Match of the Day

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