words of a true fan

[gazzathegreat 0]

“I have made a conscious decision that I don''t want to play against Norwich City, so that kills a lot of clubs and a lot of potential teams I could go to.

“It wouldn''t mean anything to me to play against Norwich. It means everything to me to play for Norwich and for another team it wouldn''t mean anything. It would be a job, and I don''t want that.

“I want to remember this place as a great place and I want the fans to remember me as someone who did great things for them. I can''t - I won''t - be coming back here to play against them.

In case you don''t know who uttered them, it was Darren Huckerby. Why have I put them up in a thread? To highlight the sentiment and feelings behind them. In a world where many footballers don''t care or are obsessed with things other than loyalty and pride in their club, the fact we are even pondering whether to sign this legend up again is to me utterly amazing. I wonder if he goes on his way, what might have been. I also wonder who will replace him. Tough for the player concerned.

Darren Huckerby has more love for this club than those making the decisions sadly. Life isn''t always as we like it and I am sure there will be plenty of posters on here who think he''s past it. We may soon find out. Just where the money comes from for anyone half as good I wouldn''t like to guess.

[ca 1]

He''s been a loyal player to us Gazza and he loves this club which is why he looked so tearfull on Saturday.

He''ll be missed but never forgotton.

[Camuldonum 0]

He could come and be a legend at Colchester (we haven''t had a Legend for quite a while, now), still live in Norwich and have a great deal of fun terrorising League One defences.  Not as much money of course but he''d do still quite well so long as the Owner pays half his wages (as he did with Sheringham).  I reckon we could knock up the best part of ten grand a week for the old boy.

And for at least one season there''d be little risk of him playing Norwich.

Problem solved.  Sadly, my guess is that he''ll have to go abroad if he wants to continue playing because I don''t see him going to a Premier League club or dropping to League One.

I agree with all the sentiments expressed by the way.  In the days of salary caps it was commonplace, of course, but is now so unusual as to merit comment.

 

[One Flew Over... 33]

Huckerby will be remembered for a long, long time. I can only think of Sutton as coming close in recent years.

As for club loyalty the only other player I can think of in the modern game is Le Tissier and Southampton. Maybe Gary Neville and Giggs, but if you start at Man Utd there aren''t going to be many clubs coming in for you that would be a step up.

[Mook 0]

[quote user="One Flew Over..."]

Huckerby will be remembered for a long, long time. I can only think of Sutton as coming close in recent years.

As for club loyalty the only other player I can think of in the modern game is Le Tissier and Southampton. Maybe Gary Neville and Giggs, but if you start at Man Utd there aren''t going to be many clubs coming in for you that would be a step up.

[/quote]

Oh for God''s sake, get a grip!!!

Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Matt Le Tissier stayed at ONE club for their ENTIRE career. Hucks has been here for four. He arrived in a blaze of publicity and will leave the same way. Yes he''s brilliant, yes he''s a "legend", but he''s also very good at telling the fans what they want to hear.

NCFC will go on without Hucks but, I must say, I hope he stays for one more season. But with any luck, if he does leave it will work for us as well as it has done for The Arse now Thierry Henry has left.

[morty 0]

I think he deserves another year, he has been, at times, the one exciting thing about our team.

Some weeks worth the entrance fee on his own to be honest.

[National express super guard 0]

[quote user="morty"]

I think he deserves another year, he has been, at times, the one exciting thing about our team.

Some weeks worth the entrance fee on his own to be honest.

[/quote]"at times", says it all really. don''t get me wrong, I respect hucks, he''s quality, but with hip injurys, his pace going and his sodding agent, would he be a financial gamble. Its up to glenn, and I think he knows what he''s doing

[morty 0]

[quote user="mattscousin"][quote user="morty"]

I think he deserves another year, he has been, at times, the one exciting thing about our team.

Some weeks worth the entrance fee on his own to be honest.

[/quote]

"at times", says it all really. don''t get me wrong, I respect hucks, he''s quality, but with hip injurys, his pace going and his sodding agent, would he be a financial gamble. Its up to glenn, and I think he knows what he''s doing
[/quote]

I''m bored of watching workmanlike players week in, week out. We have to have someone in our team to get the crowd on their feet occasionally. So unless someone else in the current squad takes on the mantle, or Glenn can unearth a bargain superstar then I think Huckerby is worth another season of anyones money.

He still has enough pace to make a monkey out of most right backs in this division too.

[Gingembre 0]

[quote user="gazzathegreat"]“I have made a conscious decision that I don''t want to play against Norwich City, so that kills a lot of clubs and a lot of potential teams I could go to.

“It wouldn''t mean anything to me to play against Norwich. It means everything to me to play for Norwich and for another team it wouldn''t mean anything. It would be a job, and I don''t want that.

“I want to remember this place as a great place and I want the fans to remember me as someone who did great things for them. I can''t - I won''t - be coming back here to play against them. [/quote]But this means he can''t sign for any club in England, anyone can draw Norwich in the cups???....could happen!

[Mr.Carrow 394]

If Huckerby accepts all the free drinks he`s going to be offered in these parts for the rest of his life he`ll become an alcoholic! [:D]

[One Flew Over... 33]

[quote user="Mook"][quote user="One Flew Over..."]

As for club loyalty the only other player I can think of in the modern game is Le Tissier and Southampton. Maybe Gary Neville and Giggs, but if you start at Man Utd there aren''t going to be many clubs coming in for you that would be a step up.

[/quote]

Oh for God''s sake, get a grip!!!

Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Matt Le Tissier stayed at ONE club for their ENTIRE career. Hucks has been here for four. He arrived in a blaze of publicity and will leave the same way. Yes he''s brilliant, yes he''s a "legend", but he''s also very good at telling the fans what they want to hear.

NCFC will go on without Hucks but, I must say, I hope he stays for one more season. But with any luck, if he does leave it will work for us as well as it has done for The Arse now Thierry Henry has left.

[/quote]

Yes that''s why I mentioned them...

LeTissier could have moved "upwards" if he wasn''t loyal to his team, but where would Man Utd players go that wasn''t a sideways step? Hucks could have stayed in the Premier League when Norwich were relegated, but chose not to.

And hoping your team improves when your best player leaves is fantasy. Have Arsenal won anything since Henry left?

[Yellow Rider 0]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="mattscousin"][quote user="morty"]

I think he deserves another year, he has been, at times, the one exciting thing about our team.

Some weeks worth the entrance fee on his own to be honest.

[/quote]

"at times", says it all really. don''t get me wrong, I respect hucks, he''s quality, but with hip injurys, his pace going and his sodding agent, would he be a financial gamble. Its up to glenn, and I think he knows what he''s doing
[/quote]

I''m bored of watching workmanlike players week in, week out. We have to have someone in our team to get the crowd on their feet occasionally. So unless someone else in the current squad takes on the mantle, or Glenn can unearth a bargain superstar then I think Huckerby is worth another season of anyones money.

He still has enough pace to make a monkey out of most right backs in this division too.

[/quote]

Er, problem is he does''nt (IMO). When did you last see a fullback get skinned by Hucks like used to happen in previous years? It just does''nt happen anymore.

Injuries and old father time have caught up and, unfortunately, I believe it''s time to say thanks and cheerio. I agree he''s been probably the most exciting player we''ve ever had but we can''t afford to wallow in nostalgia.  

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="Mook"][quote user="One Flew Over..."]

Huckerby will be remembered for a long, long time. I can only think of Sutton as coming close in recent years.

As for club loyalty the only other player I can think of in the modern game is Le Tissier and Southampton. Maybe Gary Neville and Giggs, but if you start at Man Utd there aren''t going to be many clubs coming in for you that would be a step up.

[/quote]

Oh for God''s sake, get a grip!!!

Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Matt Le Tissier stayed at ONE club for their ENTIRE career. Hucks has been here for four. He arrived in a blaze of publicity and will leave the same way. Yes he''s brilliant, yes he''s a "legend", but he''s also very good at telling the fans what they want to hear.

NCFC will go on without Hucks but, I must say, I hope he stays for one more season. But with any luck, if he does leave it will work for us as well as it has done for The Arse now Thierry Henry has left.

[/quote]

i agree.. look at how resurgent the Arse have bee without Theirry.. they have learned to play as a team again rather than relying on one man... Dare i say it next season might prove we are somewhat better off without Hucks than we are with him?

jas :)

[San Miguel 0]

[quote user="jas the barclay king"][quote user="Mook"][quote user="One Flew Over..."]

Huckerby will be remembered for a long, long time. I can only think of Sutton as coming close in recent years.

As for club loyalty the only other player I can think of in the modern game is Le Tissier and Southampton. Maybe Gary Neville and Giggs, but if you start at Man Utd there aren''t going to be many clubs coming in for you that would be a step up.

[/quote]

Oh for God''s sake, get a grip!!!

Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Matt Le Tissier stayed at ONE club for their ENTIRE career. Hucks has been here for four. He arrived in a blaze of publicity and will leave the same way. Yes he''s brilliant, yes he''s a "legend", but he''s also very good at telling the fans what they want to hear.

NCFC will go on without Hucks but, I must say, I hope he stays for one more season. But with any luck, if he does leave it will work for us as well as it has done for The Arse now Thierry Henry has left.

[/quote]

i agree.. look at how resurgent the Arse have bee without Theirry.. they have learned to play as a team again rather than relying on one man... Dare i say it next season might prove we are somewhat better off without Hucks than we are with him?

jas :)

[/quote]

Jas - my only issue with your argument is that Arsenal already had players like Adebayor, Bentdner, Sagna, Walcott etc to bring into the team when Henry left

we have Martin and Eagle

[morty 0]

[quote user="Yellow Rider"][quote user="morty"][quote user="mattscousin"][quote user="morty"]

I think he deserves another year, he has been, at times, the one exciting thing about our team.

Some weeks worth the entrance fee on his own to be honest.

[/quote]

"at times", says it all really. don''t get me wrong, I respect hucks, he''s quality, but with hip injurys, his pace going and his sodding agent, would he be a financial gamble. Its up to glenn, and I think he knows what he''s doing
[/quote]

I''m bored of watching workmanlike players week in, week out. We have to have someone in our team to get the crowd on their feet occasionally. So unless someone else in the current squad takes on the mantle, or Glenn can unearth a bargain superstar then I think Huckerby is worth another season of anyones money.

He still has enough pace to make a monkey out of most right backs in this division too.

[/quote]

Er, problem is he does''nt (IMO). When did you last see a fullback get skinned by Hucks like used to happen in previous years? It just does''nt happen anymore.

Injuries and old father time have caught up and, unfortunately, I believe it''s time to say thanks and cheerio. I agree he''s been probably the most exciting player we''ve ever had but we can''t afford to wallow in nostalgia.  

[/quote]

Were you at the match on Saturday? I thought apart from possibly Ched, Hucks was the best player on the pitch. I do agree he isn''t the same player he was 2 seasons ago but I still think he is capable of doing a job for us next season, how much we want to pay him top do so is up to the bean counters!

[YoungCanary 0]

I really hope he doesn''t go, he''s been great for us and i think deserves one more year!

Must meant he only place he will go is the Premiership, where i dout many clubs will want him. Or the states where this has been rumoured for a while! Now it seems quite likely! He would be great out there, all the players would look up to him. Just like many still do here.

[Yellow Rider 0]

All a matter of opinions Morty.

Yes I was there Saturday and all I can say is that in second half down the Jarrold side (where I sit) I can''t recall him skinning the full back at all. OK he might have early doors in first half when he was fresher maybe but lets face it it ain''t like a couple of years back. Did you go to Bramall Lane? Hucks spent most of the second half marking their full back who was really pushing up and bombing on down the wing. That guy wasn''t fazed by Hucks at all! Lets see what Hucks can do in what may be his last appearance on Sunday. If I see him beating the fullback a decent number of times and setting up chances I''ll hold my hands up and admit I''ve been harsh. 

[missing in action? 0]

[quote user="camuldonum"]

He could come and be a legend at Colchester (we haven''t had a Legend for quite a while, now), still live in Norwich and have a great deal of fun terrorising League One defences.  Not as much money of course but he''d do still quite well so long as the Owner pays half his wages (as he did with Sheringham).  I reckon we could knock up the best part of ten grand a week for the old boy.

And for at least one season there''d be little risk of him playing Norwich.

Problem solved.  Sadly, my guess is that he''ll have to go abroad if he wants to continue playing because I don''t see him going to a Premier League club or dropping to League One.

I agree with all the sentiments expressed by the way.  In the days of salary caps it was commonplace, of course, but is now so unusual as to merit comment.

 

[/quote]yes you have sheringham, leg-end....

[Stevie Wonder 0]

[quote user="Yellow Rider"][quote user="morty"][quote user="mattscousin"][quote user="morty"]

I think he deserves another year, he has been, at times, the one exciting thing about our team.

Some weeks worth the entrance fee on his own to be honest.

[/quote]

"at times", says it all really. don''t get me wrong, I respect hucks, he''s quality, but with hip injurys, his pace going and his sodding agent, would he be a financial gamble. Its up to glenn, and I think he knows what he''s doing
[/quote]

I''m bored of watching workmanlike players week in, week out. We have to have someone in our team to get the crowd on their feet occasionally. So unless someone else in the current squad takes on the mantle, or Glenn can unearth a bargain superstar then I think Huckerby is worth another season of anyones money.

He still has enough pace to make a monkey out of most right backs in this division too.

[/quote]

Er, problem is he does''nt (IMO). When did you last see a fullback get skinned by Hucks like used to happen in previous years? It just does''nt happen anymore.

Injuries and old father time have caught up and, unfortunately, I believe it''s time to say thanks and cheerio. I agree he''s been probably the most exciting player we''ve ever had but we can''t afford to wallow in nostalgia.  

[/quote]

The last 4 home games for starters. He skinned the Col right back for one of Jamie''s goals at the Barclay End. He skinned 2 when setting up Dion''s goal against Burnley and gave Paul Robinson (just about the best full back in this division) a very awkward hour in the WBA - incidentally when playing on the right wing too!! As others have said he had a good game against QPR too.

OK, I will accept that he isn''t quite the player he was but he is still the one player we have who properly scares opposition teams when they play us.