Gary Neville Retires

[Irish Scouse]

and a lot more who think he was a very good player, one of the best right back to grace the prem, and never been replaced for england

Until Martin Kelly! :')

And there is no doubting he was good, and if he started at Bolton, I'm sure he would still be recognised, he was no attacking thread, but defensively sound. [Still hate him )]

 

[Mike.]

Gary Neville worthy of respect

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/02/neville_worthy_of_respect.html

Gary Neville's vast legion of critics and admirers will all have their say after one of English football's most divisive figures announced his retirement with immediate effect - so let the facts speak for themselves.

Neville, 35, ends his playing career with one Champions League triumph, eight Premier League titles, three FA Cup victories, two League Cups, the Intercontinental Cup and the Fifa World Club Cup. And, of great significance in this era of player mobility, 602 appearances and seven goals for his only club, Manchester United.

If any footballer of the modern generation could use the phrase "show us your medals" in answer to those only too happy to pour cold water on his achievements it is Gary Neville.

Neville is on his way out of Manchester United after almost 20 years in Sir Alex Ferguson's first team and he leaves them where he always wants them to be, on top of the table and chasing another title.
He was part of Ferguson's great "Class Of 92", United's FA Youth Cup-winning side that also produced David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky ****. Neville will now hope the surviving two members of that unique crop, Giggs and Scholes, can play their part in bringing a record 19th title to Old Trafford.

Neville courted controversy throughout his glittering career

Neville, the outspoken 'Red Nev' who once threatened to lead an England players' strike when United team-mate Rio Ferdinand was banned for missing a routine drugs test, has polarised opinions throughout his career and will continue to do so.

At Old Trafford he was worshipped as the embodiment of Ferguson's philosophy - Manchester United against the world and give rivals not a shred of mercy.

Outside that world it is not too strong a description to say Neville was despised in some quarters, particularly at Anfield where he revelled in his ability to get under the skin of Liverpool fans.

Neville admitted his attitude was shaped by the success Liverpool had enjoyed at Manchester United's expense before Ferguson, to use his famous phrase, knocked them off their perch. It was an approach that made him a hate figure.

He was not exactly winning popularity contests in other parts of the country either for his unswervingly pro-United opinions and determination to speak his mind.

In among the honours there were also misdemeanours such as his highly-provocative goal celebration in front of Liverpool's supporters five years ago when Rio Ferdinand scored a last-minute winner at Old Trafford.

It was an act that cost him a £5,000 fine from the Football Association, but Neville was unrepentant as he said: "I believe it is a poor decision. Not just for me but for all footballers. Being a robot, devoid of passion and spirit is obviously the way forward for the modern-day footballer. And I ask the authorities, 'Where is football being taken?'"

Another black mark was his role in a failed players' strike in support of Ferdinand before England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey, an action as ill-judged as the threat itself.

Former FA Executive Director Davies wrote as he recalled the incident: "I was informed Gary Neville was leading the charge against the FA. Somehow, this news did not surprise me. Gary was a leader, who cared passionately about those who sat alongside him in the dressing room.

"Some at the FA were stunned by the scale of the revolt stirred up by Red Nev. The new director of communications, Paul Barber, went in to talk with Gary and was almost knocked back by the strength of feelings.

"Such was the players' indignation there was even talk of a strike. No Rio, no game, came the message from Gary Neville. It sounded like there could be some empty seats on Thursday's flight to Istanbul. The players' desire to stick by one of their own was understandable, but the idea of a strike was far fetched."

And he was the provocateur last season at Old Trafford, even as a substitute, celebrating before Manchester City's devastated followers after Michael Owen's last-minute goal gave United a 4-3 win.

Episodes such as these should not be allowed to cloud the feats of one of the most provocative, enduring and successful personalities the Premier League has seen.

Neville was always a challenging interviewee, ever ready to throw questions back in the face of his inquisitors and always refreshingly ready with an opinion - and not caring whether you agreed or not.

Standards were never allowed to slip, or in Neville's case the standards applied at Manchester United.

When it was light-heartedly suggested to a senior Football Association figure in South Africa that Neville might have been a useful addition to England's 2010 World Cup squad, he recalled with raised eyebrows how he used to measure every single move the international circus made against what United would have done - not always favourably.

Awkward yes, outspoken yes, but fiercely driven in search of success, a success he invariable found.

Neville began his career in what would become a golden era for United

When I paid tribute to Neville on my Twitter feed after he made his decision to retire, the praise from United fans was matched by countless replies that were unprintable.

It would be an injustice to an outstanding player, the best English right-back of the modern era, if he was simply to be remembered and derided for a spiky and confrontational personality as opposed to his ability and achievements.

Neville was not just a United fixture, he won 85 England caps in an international career stretching across 12 years, playing in World Cups in France and Germany and three European Championships.

A superb defender with natural positional sense as well as a born leader on the pitch, Neville formed a right-wing partnership with Beckham that reaped rich rewards for club and country.

He even showed his strength of character in the latter days of his United career, battling back from injury problems that meant he did not make a league appearance in the 2007-08 title-winning season.

Neville may not have returned as the player he was before those problems, but he was still trusted by his mentor Ferguson. This season has been a mixed bag, however, and the fact that he was lucky to escape red cards at Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion may have crystallised his thoughts on retirement.

And his retirement should be accompanied by total respect for his achievements, even from the many who could not warm to his character. This is the very least a one-club man who became a symbol of a silver-lined Old Trafford era deserves.

As he goes, we can be certain we have not heard the last of Gary Neville - even his critics will agree with that.

---------- Post added at 05:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------

Until Martin Kelly! :')

And there is no doubting he was good, and if he started at Bolton, I'm sure he would still be recognised, he was no attacking thread, but defensively sound. [Still hate him )]

aye kelly looks like could do it, but then we said the same abut Glen Johnson, so im not committing yet

Neville did get forwards quite a bit, he was no Lahm etc but he could deliver a ball very well. Dont expect people to like, in fact expect people to mostly mate him, but its shame that some are so bitter about it. Love him or hate him he was good

 

[19-11-08]

Until Martin Kelly! :')

And there is no doubting he was good, and if he started at Bolton, I'm sure he would still be recognised, he was no attacking thread, but defensively sound. [Still hate him )]

Neville is actually a suprisingly good crosser but his complete lack of pace does him no favours when attackimg.
Total legend.

 

[Irish Scouse]

Neville is actually a suprisingly good crosser but his complete lack of pace does him no favours when attackimg.
Total legend.

Yeah, this is what made him a liability, when he got forward, he would be heavily exposed.

 

[Mike.]

as ive said to people before, if you going to post pointless stuff get off the thread, patience is running thin today

 

[Blakefish80]

It's a valid point Michael. Don't be such a grump. You're so tetchy these days lad :O

 

[Mike.]

bored of the same old **** on this forum, and a picture is hardly a valid point

 

[madowell]

need to change torres as he just told yous where to go

---------- Post added at 06:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:12 AM ----------

Thank god.. and **** off outta football all together

we all have people we hate in football and can you tell Neville is my most hated?

need to drop torres from your sig in the way that he just dropped liverpool lol

 

[Mike]

next person to talk about anyone other than neville gets infracted

Jody Morrison! (A)

But anyway. Really hope Gary Neville doesn't join Sky Sports (unless he already has) or any other sports news/punditry/programme for that matter.

 

[GodCubed]

With the possible exception of Cohen, Armfield and Mills, Neville is in my eyes the best English right back. Ever.

Depending on how you look at it, that's either a sobering thought or a significant honour to a superb player. I'd rather a mix of the two...

 

[Scott]

The best manager ever to have picked a team in this country selected Gary Neville over six hundred times.
Why on earth should the opinions of a bunch of spiteful braindead Liverpool and Arsenal fans matter one iota when put next to that fact?
Answer: they don't.

 

[Alcaraz]

Although he may not be the most popular footballer, no one can doubt Neville's passion and dedication to the game, a true servant of Manchester United and England and I wish him all the best for the future, one of the most loyal and committed players in the game and we will miss him

 

[hellroker]

Legend. Was captain for a reason.

Haters gonna hate but Gary Neville is ******* great!

 

[Alcaraz]

I did not like him much either but i thought most people would be mature enough not to post all this **** when the man is retiring from football....

 

[sunilvk7]

Neville

“I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I’ve ever had,” Neville told the club’s website.

Sir Alex

“As a young boy he had the will and determination to succeed as a footballer and that character remained with him throughout his career. That’s the legacy he leaves every young player at Manchester United” -

Beckham​

Ferdinand

Finally my Fav Gary Neville moment.

​

 

[dasty]

Neville did get forwards quite a bit, he was no Lahm etc but he could deliver a ball very well. Dont expect people to like, in fact expect people to mostly mate him, but its shame that some are so bitter about it. Love him or hate him he was good

Not sure about that my friend...


As for Red Nev, I'll definitely miss him, but it's about time he retire. Legendary figure for Man Utd, and one of the finest full back I had ever seen. Solid at the back and make some good crosses whenever possible instead of going forward reta.rdedly and got lost on the pitch (ala Glen Johnson). You can talk about his lack of pace but the fact remains that he had always done his defensive work impressively throughout his career. Furthermore, there's not a single player with that much determination, passion and loyalty in the corrupted footballing world today where players only care about their salary.

And Neville is mightily successful in what he does (footballing issues aside, he likes to wind up his rivals too ^^)). Look at the amount of hate and anger generated by Liverpool fans towards him.

 

[W4FC B3N]

People saying he'll be going in to punditry? He didn't get all his coaching badges for no reason...

A true legend and it had been an honor watching him!

 

[iamauser]

This renders any of your arguements invalid.

 

[samillyroy]

complete douchebag, but undoubtebly an amazing player, him and beckham was a lethal partnership back in the day and it's true that england have never replaced him. best right back of his generation..

 

[Alex]

I know I hate the bloke, I think he's a **** and never want to see his face or hear his face again, but:

The best English right back I have ever seen, as much as I hate the man, we have never replaced him for England and no one really comes close. Not sure why people are comparing him to Cafu, Thuram etc. Aka, arguably two of the best right backs in history. Whether it's an attempt to belittle his ability and achievements, I don't know. But as a Pool fan, it is extremely hard to praise the man based on my hatred for him.

But there ya go - I've said it - Top class RB on his day, you'll now never hear/read me say a nice thing about the bloke again.