03 Feb 2017 20:13:30
Here's a question. We all know who we love to hate but forgetting their skills as players, which footballers do you secretly like as blokes - personality, character and so on.

I'm going to start with Peter Crouch, no airs and graces, never courts controversy, self deprecating, seems like a genuine nice guy and has just joined the 100 club. The other one for me, and I may get some stick for this, is Vincent Kompany. Intelligent, articulate and after losing to Wigan he took time to congratulate Dave Whelan even though he must have been devastated. He's far too intelligent to be a footballer.

1.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 21:07:50
There are probably loads, but Mata seems like a very humble and down to earth bloke. Class act on and off the pitch.

Looks and reputations can be deceptive though. Two players that I cannot stand as footballers who are meant to be absolutely top blokes in "real life" are Pepe and Craig Bellamy. Seems strange as they are/ were complete tools on the pitch. Don't know either of course, but have read that they are actually really down to earth and generous, and have never forgotten their roots.

2.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 20:55:24
Wow can't believe I'm admitting it but Jamie redknapp. (his wife was a fave of mine back in the day😜)

{Ed007's Note - Roy Keane - quite simply the greatest footballer who ever lived and the second greatest man to have ever lived (I'm a Catholic so I need to tread careful on that one :-)
And I'd bet my last pound that Vincent Kompnay now knows Dave Whelan broke his leg at Wembley in the 475 BC FA Cup Final.}

3.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 20:55:30
Can't argue with those picks.

Of the one's I've met Rickie Lambert was a real nice guy, even though he is a scouser. Lol.

4.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 21:25:56
I forgot Mata, a truly magnificent human being. He gets stick but Becks is another one who has risen above the fray and seems to be a solid family man (if we forgive him for Rebecca Loos) . He also does shed loads in the background for people in need. Here's another odd one, Niall Quinn who if I'm not mistaken was the first footballer to donate his testimonial earnings to charity.

5.) 03 Feb 2017
03 Feb 2017 22:02:37
I was at a wedding with Chris brunt last summer and he was a very nice bloke I have always liked 2 metre Peter and I agree on kompany he seems decent.

6.) 04 Feb 2017
04 Feb 2017 02:00:54
coukdnt tell you, it's difficult these days, the players are under that much scrutiny to behave in a certain way it's hard to get to no a true person, back in the day though a night out with lee sharpe and Roy Keane would of been epic, guaranteed scrap and back to a party with women guaranteed with them two. Always liked ray parlour too, always seemed a good lad when I've seen him as a guest on goals on Sunday etc. Dennis wise is first on my slap list followed closely by Robbie savage.

7.) 04 Feb 2017
04 Feb 2017 02:52:37
I once caddied for Marco Van Basten not long after he retired from footie. Had plenty of time to talk to the gobsmacked teenager that I was at the time. I remember asking him if he was bitter about all the men who'd kicked him out of the game and effectively done his ankles by the time he was 28/ 9. He didn't seem to hold any grudges. Top man.

8.) 04 Feb 2017
04 Feb 2017 12:56:05
nicest I had the fortune to meet was kavanagh, downside he was a liverpool fan, marcus stewart- great lad . Worst. liam miller; not a great player either little shit. Lineker was a pretty decent bloke even after he nearly took my head off with a cra golf shot. Tbh a good 90% of the players I have been priviliaged to meet have been more than courteous and good craic.