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FOFerview with Fulham Great, Robert Wilson

Started by dannyboi-ffc, June 23, 2017, 07:56:24 AM

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dannyboi-ffc

Through the magic of twitter, Dannyboi was able to get in contact with a true great from the 1980's, the one and only Robert Wilson. Robert was not only a big part of one of Fulham FC's most iconic teams under Malcolm MacDonald, he is also a Fulham fan through and through witnessing the highs and lows throughout. He has been a true gent with me over the past couple of weeks and all of us in the Friends of Fulham team really appreciate the time and effort and we cant thank him enough. We hope you enjoy it


Photo credit to Fulham FC






Dannyboi Robert, what was Malcolm MacDonald like as a manager?

Wilson Well, Supermac, what can I can say other than it was a great time for me and many of the lads! He came in on the back of the outgoing Bobby Campbell who I have the upmost respect for as he gave me my debut at 18 away at Blackburn in Jan 1980 in the FA cup tie. My job was to man-mark their player-manager, Howard Kendall, who went on to manage Everton very well but has now sadly passed away.

Malcolm was very good with the lads, liked the banter but had the very good coach Ray Harford (another who sadly passed away and another manager I went on to play for at Luton Town in the first division who I had so much respect for as a fantastic coach.) The training most of the week was taken by Ray. Malcolm was there now and then, it was just a rumour that he only ever turned up on Fridays for our famous 5 a sides which were very competitive and set us for Saturday's game. Make no mistake about it Malcolm deserves the credit he should get for that team and those 2 years he gave us the confidence to play the way we did and I know the first year was great in that magical night at home v Lincoln getting promoted. Then going into the following season in the second division and as we all know doing so well and going so so close....
 

Dannyboi Despite not being born until some 5 years later, I know from my Mum & Dad telling me thousands of times what you mean by so so close. So that leads perfectly to the next question. From a players perspective, what was that Derby game like? In particular being kicked by a fan as you went to take a throw in?

Wilson Well the Derby game is still very much in my mind and that of many players and supporters and family members who were all there. If I was honest we should never have been in that situation as we blew many games before that. People talk about the Leicester home game then the bank holiday weekend of the Sheffield Wednesday away and QPR games but hey, we went there with a chance at Derby.

I can remember the build-up was as normal as usual, everyone was as relaxed as they could be. Derby needed to stay up which didn't help us and once the game started it was a very tense atmosphere. On the day we were not at our most fluent and maybe the nerves got to us but that last 15-20 mins was unreal. I have never played in or seen such scenes like it. I noticed fans were slowly being let out of the penned gates and encroaching around the pitch. I can remember Browny and Galey saying to the ref that this can't be right but the ref was having none of it. As we all know, it continued and as you say we broke away on the left hand side I had the ball under control heading towards the touchline, probably 4 yards in though and this fan came out and lunged a kick on the side of my arse. Initially I was shocked but as the TV footage shows, I did lose it a bit and headed towards him pointing. By this time the game has been halted. Lew runs over, the ref arrives and really did not know what to do. There was still many minutes left and we all know what happened when the ref blew the whistle some 90 seconds too early. The Derby fans all ran on the pitch. It was very frightening and trying to get towards the tunnel was scary and many including Jeff Hopkins were assaulted. Once there it was mayhem. We were in the changing rooms knowing that our fate was over but Malcom and many Fulham officials were trying to liaise with the ref saying the game was not finished but all to no avail. I went to all the hearings to appeal for a replay as I had been involved in the incident and when the news finally broke that we had no case we were all gutted.




Dannyboi Do you think it should have been replayed and have you ever forgiven Derby for costing us promotion in such a distasteful way?

Wilson As mentioned, I went to all the hearings but deep down I felt we were never going to get the replay. As for Derby, I've hated (oops, disliked them!) ever since. I did go back some years later playing for Luton Town and again I did not enjoy a good experience as Mick Harford was sent off after 15 minutes and the gaffer, Ray Harford, sacrificed me as a substitute to put a player on. You can imagine I was not best please!

So it's a team and set of fans I have no time for.



Dannyboi Who was your room mate when staying in hotels etc. and which players were you closest to in the team?

Wilson My room mate was my best pal while there, Tony Gale, and he was a key figure-head in the team both on and off it. I still to this day keep in contact with him. We had a great team spirit and unlike today there was no cliques, we all stuck together.



Dannyboi Do you still keep in touch with any of your old team mates?

Wilson I still and in the past have kept in touch with a number of the lads, notably Tony Gale, I still speak very regularly with him when he is not on Sky or radio!!

Ray Lewington too, he looked after me with tickets for many years under Roy, both home and away games. As did Mike Kelly, another great guy I admired.

I kept in touch with Sean O'Driscoll and met him many times while he was managing and also while he was at Liverpool with Brendan Rogers.

Ray Houghton was an old next door neighbour of mine in the early days down in Wokingham.

Perry Digweed came to my mum's 80th in Putney Bridge back in January, along with Galey.

I see Les Strong, the legend, (well - according to him!!) at his bar at homes game. When he invites me in...!

Gordon Davies the same, but not so much now we are not in Premier League as they dropped the bar he was looking after.

I keep in touch with many of the other lads via social media, notably Jim Stannard, Jeff Hopkins and Paul Parker.

   

Dannyboi Who was the most skillful player you played with?


Wilson Well at Fulham I would have to say George Best and Rodney Marsh! I was 16 and an apprentice in 1977 when they were around and watching them in training was brilliant.

Really again at Fulham I would have to say Ray Houghton. He glided with the ball and could go inside or outside. A really classy player that went on from us to have a fantastic career.

On another note, Ricky Hill at Luton had super skills, and was a joy to play with.



Dannyboi Your second spell was a troubled time at the club, how did the players cope with staying focused?

Wilson Yeah when I returned in 1987 Ray Lew was manager. As I had a bit of a fall-out at Luton he convinced me to come back. Yes it is true what they say second time round is never the same and it was difficult at times, but I still enjoyed it although we were never like the previous year's team.



Dannyboi What are your memories of Jimmy Hill at the time and how involved was he?

Wilson Jimmy Hill was chairman at the time and although I was club captain (and I don't think Jimmy agreed with Lew in making me that, I'm not sure why!) I personally did not have much to do with him other than to say hello but I know Lew had some very tough times with him and the board behind the scenes. But that's football, and the club survived!

Dannyboi How do you think the brilliant 82/83 side would have faired in the Championship last season?

Wilson Danny I feel the side of 82/ 83 would have done well. That's not taking away from this seasons side who also did well to get themselves in the frame, but I'm biased!

Dannyboi Did you ever consider getting into coaching or management?

Wilson I did not at the time. It was many years later while up in Huddersfield around 1999 my son was training with them in their school of excellence and I came across the the head of their academy, Gerry Murphy, and he invited me to coach the under 12s. I went on to gain my EUFA coaching badges and spent 6 years coaching at various age groups, which I really enjoyed.

In the last 4 years have been coaching at Brighouse Town FC in the Evo-Stick league but again left there the season before last to watch Fulham more, as my son Adam is a mad Fulham fan and wants to watch every game home and away! He managed more home games than me! 



Dannyboi We've seen with the likes of Jimmy Bullard what a joker can bring to team spirit. Were there any jokers in the team you played in and if so, can you remember anything specific happening like a prank on someone?

Wilson We had a few at Fulham in my time, notably Les Strong, Kevin Lock and Tony Gale. The one that particularly springs to mind (which Strongy will always tell in his mini after speaking role!!) was with Malcolm in a team talk before a game. We had those boards with all the little discs and he would say how we would set up and how they might play as well so Strongy and maybe Galey (don't quote me on that!) took the sticky bits on the back of them all off and they are on the table as he is starting to present his team picks the first one up puts in the goal keeper area it drops to the floor and we all say "hooray" and laugh he then picks up another to try and (you guessed it) it happened again! "Hooray" was the shout from all the lads, we are now howling with laughter, Malcolm tries one more and yes, hat trick! "Hooray!". By this time Malcolm is getting a bit mad and I think he just threw the lot in the direction of Strongy!



Dannyboi What was your favourite and/or best goal that you scored for the Whites? Please pick two separate ones if your favourite wasn't the best goal!

Wilson Best goal has to be Shrewsbury away. Not many Fulham fans would have witnessed this! I think it was in the 1981/82 season. I picked the ball up on the half-way line, I always say that I beat at least 5 players on a mazy run as the keeper came out I dummied him went round him and stroked in to empty net. It was a class goal and I even have Sunday newspaper clippings saying it was as good as Ricky Villa's cup final goal v Man City. But who out of the fans out there remembers it??

The favourite goal is one I scored up at Newcastle. A great crowd and stadium, and a goal I always enjoyed.



Dannyboi What was it like playing at the Cottage for the first time as a supporter? All fans dream of it but you were lucky enough to do it.

Wilson Well as a kid I grew up with 3 other brothers supporting Chelsea. As a 12 year old I used to go with my dad's friend to watch West Ham back in 1974 / 75. It was not until I signed school boy forms with Fulham in 1975 as a 14 year old and we had just got to Wembley v West Ham that I really did set my sights on becoming a Fulham player and fan so for it to all come true was a dream and getting a chance so early at 18 I was overwhelmed, as were my mum and dad who followed my career from then onwards. Every time I represented Fulham it was a privilege, and now in later years watching varying teams although its different now, I hope some of the home grown lads feel the same way!



Dannyboi You also played for Millwall, Luton, Huddersfield and Rotherham. How did it feel playing for someone else after leaving your club? And if you had to pick, which of the 4 was the best club to play for?

Wilson I had spells as you say at Millwall, Luton Town, Huddersfield andRotherham.

When I left Fulham in 1985 after the Supermac team started to split up I had a few offers to sign for notably Crystal Palace and Ipswich as well as Millwall! I met George Graham at Heathrow Airport for lunch and they had just got promoted to the 2nd division. I was excited by his plans and I duly signed. I am not going to lie, whilst I scored 12 goals in 36 games, and we had a good season finishing around 8th I think, and we had some great players in John Fashanu and Teddy Sheringham (who played the back end of my one season there), I did not enjoy it at all! I was travelling from Berkshire to Dartford every day, the fans can be great when you are winning and not so good when you are not (I am being kind here in case any Millwall fans read this!!). It was an experience that's all I will say

Luton Town was a great time on the plastic pitch playing in the 1st division, scoring on my home debut v the legend Peter Shilton for Southampton. Luton had some great players at that time like Steve Foster, Mick Harford, Les Sealey, Ricky Hill, Brian Stein, Peter Nicholas, Mal Donaghy, Danny Wilson, Ashley Grimes... And many more! The social side was...wow...they liked a drink that lot!!

I loved being at Huddersfield and we had a good set of lads and a good manager (Eoin Hand) who I had worked for Republic of Ireland and we had 2 years of just missing out of play offs.

I was only at Rotherham for one season, we got promoted out of the 4th division, it was ok.   


Dannyboi Is it more stressful being a player or a supporter of Fulham?

Wilson Definitely as a supporter!! As a player I could always do something about it! As a player there have been more times than others but hey that's Fulham for you. The season in Europe... Wow, me and Adam came down to every home, travelling 9-hour 500 mile round-trips and the Juventus night will live long into my memory. I could not make any of the away legs that season but we went to Krakow the following season and could not make the final due to the ash cloud and my daughter was getting married on the Friday and she would not let us go in case we could not get back.


Dannyboi Which eleven players and manager make up your favourite team of your time associated with the club?

Wilson Always a hard one this as I played and are friends with lots of the lads but I will be honest

BEST MANAGER  MALCOM MACDONALD / RAY HARFORD COACH


GERRY PEYTON

PAUL PARKER     
TONY GALE       
ROGER BROWN     
KEVIN LOCK / LES STRONG

SEAN O DRISCOLL   
RAY LEWINGTON         
ME               
RAY HOUGHTON

IVOR       
DEAN CONEY

BENCH
GARY BARNETT
PETER O SULLIVAN
PETER SCOTT
JUTSIN SKINNER
JIM STANNARD

Think that will do.


Dannyboi Whats your favourite Fulham goal other than one of your own?

Wilson Tom Cairney this season vs Leeds at the Cottage in the last minute.


Dannyboi Roger Brown's header at the Putney End vs Lincoln City goes down in our history as one of the clubs most important goals and is accompanied by the most iconic picture as he smokes his cigar. Can you describe the atmosphere for our younger fans and explain your emotions knowing we had achieved promotion for the team you support, again a dream so few have been able to do for real?

Wilson Well what a night that was! I remember the legend rising to power it home. I was just behind him. It was a tense night but those celebrations in the changing room and on the cottage balcony will live with me forever and the after party down at J Arthurs, we all went drinking till 7am in the morning.

Dannyboi Here's a time machine, you can go back in time and change one moment in the clubs history. Where would you pick and why? That must be a tough question considering the oh so nears as both a player and a supporter?


Wilson I never like to go back but if you pushed me it would have to be the Derby game or that season. I would have loved one crack at the top division with that team because I feel we would have taken it by storm and the type of football we played would have held us in good stead.


Dannyboi And finally we end the FOFerview in style...... pie or pasty (which filling)?

Wilson Pie all day long – filling has to be meat and potato but now all these balti pies are nice in the middle of winter when watching the mighty whites in the baltic north!

Dannyboi Robert I really appreciate you doing this for Friends of Fulham. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions in such detail. That Malcolm MacDonald side remains one of our supporters favourite sides, my Mum and Dad are always talking about it! So I have no doubt this will be an enjoyable read for so many.

Wilson Well I hope I have given all the fans, both old and young, an insight into my playing/supporting times and we look forward to the coming season. I cant wait!

COYW!!!!
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Supporting Fulham isn't about winning, it's about belonging

f321ffc

Growing old is mandatory
Growing up is optional

westcliff white

Every day is a Fulham day


HillingdonFFC

Top top bloke. See him at loads of Northern away games. Always got time for the fans, often see him having photos taken etc.
A very underrated player, another yard of pace & he would have played regularly at the top level. Very important member of that side & was vital with the quick one touch stuff we played.
Got more than his fair share of goals too & could put his foot in too. I know he doesnt agree with this but he never looked quite the same player after the carbon monoxide incident at his house, whether that was down to the side being not so good I dont know?

cmg

What a terrific interview.
Interesting, insightful and entertaining. Unsurprisingly he comes over as a real nice bloke.
That's a super team he picks, too.

Excellent questions too, Danny. The 'most skillful player' was a bit of an open goal! Bet you hadn't realised he'd been at the club (just) when those two were about.

Thanks to both of you.

bobbo

brilliant danny , i along with hundreds of others was there that day at derby, and lucky enough to have travelled on a private coach along with a few of the players wives .we had champagne ready but i dont think we drank it en route back to the cottage.i note robert hasnt mentioned john marshall i thought they were close buddies.
1975 just leaving home full of hope


Holders

Non sumus statione ferriviaria

keith


Tonywa

Wonderful stuff Dan. Many thanks.  Don't think it's just nostalgia, but I always reckon that Fulham team under Malcolm played the best football I've ever seen at the Cottage.  Not dissimilar to Joka or Tigana but at a greater pace and with better movement off the ball.  Performances like the 4-1 away win at Newcastle were just stunning.


Holders

Good as Tigana's, Roy's and Joka's teams were or are, Macdonald's team that lost out so narrowly and cruelly was what I regard as our greatest "home-grown" team - before the days of excess money, mainly foreigners and mercenaries. It took the club a long time to recover from the disappointment of that season.
Non sumus statione ferriviaria

bog

After the last game at the Cottage before the upgrade I met Robert and his wife walking up Fulham Palace Road. (As well as John Mitchell). He could not have been nicer, although pre-selfie days he willingly had his photograph taken. Top man with a lovely wife. I also met Malcolm MacDonald once and he agreed what a top all round player he was for us and exceptionally good in the air. Part of a brilliant midfield 4 for us.


Well posted Danny!

092.gif

Twig

Really enjoyed this, thanks for all the efforts that went in to it.  These things don't just happen, they require planning and the investment of a lot of time.


BedsFFC


Lighthouse

What a wonderful surprise. Happy memories as well as the not so great ones. Was always a great fan of his and so pleased that I remember so well many of the incidents he mentions and was present for many of them. Thanks for an excellent interview. 
The above IS NOT A LEGAL DOCUMENT. It is an opinion.

We may yet hear the horse talk.

I can stand my own despair but not others hope



dannyboi-ffc

Cheers for the kind words guys. I know Robert is looking in on the thread to see the responses and is as excited as you guys are. So please keep the memories coming. Even if you've already posted, share some memories of Robert and that great team.

Thanks everyone
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b+w geezer

I echo thanks and praise for the interview and for that MacDonald team. Robert was a key component --  competitive, tough, a goal-threat, a fine reader of situations, and an asset both when we had the ball and when we didn't.  As mentioned above, only a yard of pace was maybe lacking, but he and Ray Lew made a really good central midfield at this level. The performance highlight of that team was arguably just after failing to gain promotion, when drawn against the best team in the land in the League Cup. There were replays, extra time and if necessary even second replays in those days....and they were needed. Liverpool were full strength over those three matches, but we matched them until the very last all over the pitch -- for instance Sounness versus Wilson was a dead even contest.

Don't think there is youtube footage of that tie, but there certainly is of the 4-1 at St James' Park -- essential and impressive viewing if you were not around at that time, and wonderful to review if you were!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcCek8Rlsdo

Many thanks again to interviewer and interviewee.

b+w geezer

#17
If you do look at the Newcastle footage, ignore the first 5 and half mins, but then view a sublime team goal, featuring a terrific assist from Robert. And then keep watching for a while!

And home to Leeds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4s3NIhs_vs

....watch from 2min 30 seconds in for the next three minutes for two more classy goals.


filham

Well done Dannyboi, a most interesting interview.
It is still unbelievable that the Derby result was allowed to stand, I wonder if they were punished in any way.

dannyboi-ffc

Quote from: b+w geezer on June 23, 2017, 11:02:45 PM
If you do look at the Newcastle footage, ignore the first 5 and half mins, but then view a sublime team goal, featuring a terrific assist from Robert. And then keep watching for a while!

And home to Leeds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4s3NIhs_vs

....watch from 2min 30 seconds in for the next three minutes for two more classy goals.

I used the Gordon Davies goal vs Newcastle in the best goal poll. By just watching a few YouTube clips I really was blown away by the football played and most of the time on a terrible pitch.

I can see why it's so many people's favourite Fulham team. It reminded me of the team last season.
Give us a follow @dannyboi_ffc   @fulham_focus

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Supporting Fulham isn't about winning, it's about belonging