allthingsfootball

After the Southampton vs Manchester United FA Cup 3rd round tie on Sunday, I waited around outside the stadium to see the United players leave, in the slight hope of getting some autographs. Upon arrival, the stewards promptly moved the barriers back a further ten feet, and at this point it was almost obvious the wait would not bear fruit.

It was absolutely freezing, and felt like it was getting colder the longer I was there, but eventually, the United players started to come out, and the majority promptly ignored the calls of the fans for autographs, and instead chose to jump straight on the coach. A few acknowledged the fans, namely Nani and Wayne Rooney smiled and waved, but the rest decided waiting on the coach was a better option than signing autographs in subzero temperatures.

The waiting crowd were getting restless, some were getting angry, while the waiting children were getting upset that their heroes were so rudely ignoring them. A few short-lived chants about the players not signing, and other insults shouted probably did’t help matters, as it’d only make matters worse. However, just when it looked like the entire United squad was going to ignore the fans, one man proved to be a gentleman. That man was Edwin van der Sar,t the man who won Manchester United the Champions League by saving Nicolas Anelka’s penalty. He came straight out, and signed autographs for almost everybody he could get t, before getting on the coach with the others. Personally I managed to get a Champions League final 2008 programme autographed by the great man, and although the situation made for a messy autograph, I really don’t mind one bit.

Edwin van der Sar is a top, top man, and showed his appreciation for the fans that evening, and hsi Manchester United team-mates could learn a thing or 2 from him. A great guy, I wish him all the best, and it made the seemingly fruitless wait in the cold completely worth it.

For those interested, here is the scan of the programme - http://www.andy316.fpic.co.uk/p55677260.html

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