LUSCOS
LUSCOS Forum => Ordet er fritt => Emne startet av: Sheridan på August 09, 2006, 02:12:23
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Med fare for at Robert H. feller en tåre eller to, så lager jeg alikevel en tråd (han fortjener det) om den gamle helt :-) Her må alle som vil komme med historier/meninger om den gamle "local hero"....
Her er en scan fra ett øyeblikk jeg rangerer utrolig høyt i mine år som Leeds supporter - hjemkomsten over alle hjemkomster [:)]
(http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/82/p1010001zz2.jpg)
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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*gråte* det var tider *snufs*
We'll be back.
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flott bilde..!! [:)] va en tung dag den dagen han reiste, men tilsvarande bra når han kom tilbake [:)]
"Here we go with Leeds United
We're gonna give the boys a hand
Stand up and sing for Leeds United
They are the greatest in the land"
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"En gave til fansen" sitat David O'Leary.
...Ja Batty selv gråt jo sine modige tårer da han kom hjem og innså at hans dager på Elland Road var talte.....og gliset når han returnerte sier vel alt om hva Leeds United betydde for gutten, som fikk sin debut under sitt forbilde Billy Bremner tilbake på 80-tallet....STOR SPILLER!
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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Men å ta en pay-cut i krisetider, det nektet legenden Batty[V]
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For noen herlige minner! Glemmer aldri at O'Leary henta Batty tilbake og heller ikke måten Eddie Gray frøys han ut på slutten.
Utrolig stilig at du har tatt vare på disse utklippene og deler de med oss Ole Evert!
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Definitivt min "all-time"-favorittspiller !!!
Den typiske ballvinneren i midtbaneduoen som det var før i tiden - da han var den spilleren som skulle utfylle generalen på midten som da var McAllister.
Ikke spesielt rask eller teknisk og nesten vaksinert for å score - 4 mål i Leeds-karrieren.
Det første kom tidlig (87-88?) - de 3 siste var alle(!) i 3-0 seiere på hjemmebane mot City, Notts County og 'Boro.
Hadde forøvrig et fantastisk mål for Blackburn - en kanon fra 30-35 meter i krysset - et av sesongens mål.
Husker jeg var i koma ukene etter han ble solgt til Blackburn.
Et par av sesongene i Newcastle var kanskje de beste han hadde i karrieren, men han gjorde også en fantastisk jobb for oss i comebacket.
I comeback-kampen mot Coventry ble han stygt skaden etter en grisetakling av Coventry-innbytter Aloisi(?) Batty lå nede etter en takling og Aloisi knottet han bevisst i brystet. Utrolig at ikke dette ble tatt opp i etterkant.
Det ble en merkelig avslutning på Battys karriere med lønnskutt-bråket og spekuleringene om lite motivasjon da laget trengte han som mest. Mulig dette var litt misforstått. Selv om Batty var et arbeidsjern, synes jeg allikevel han i mange sesonger virket "uinteressert" i lagets resultater -som han selv sier i intervjuet øverst på siden: "..nothing really affects me"
Uansett, Batts vil nok for alltid være min store helt.
"Welcome to, arguably, the noisiest ground in England"
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ELSKER DAVID BATTY 4 EVER AND EVER!
David Batty tidenes beste sentrale midtbane spiller i Premier League. Hverken Giles eller Bremner har spilt i PL.
We are Leeds and we are proud of it!
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Her er ei nøtt:
Da David Batty kom hjem igjen fra Newcastle - hvilken klubb takket han nei til?
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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Angivelig Real Madrid
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(http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5921/sdfsdfoo6.jpg)
Stemmer, Runar [:)]
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Perfekt å hente denne tråden opp igjen i disse "kommer Smith tilbake?"-tider.
I mine øyne har aldri Smith nådd Batty til knærne når det gjelder heltestatus!
Du har vel ikke noen fargebilder av gutten i Top Man, Admiral eller YEP-drakta Ole Evert?
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Batty er en legende! Fantastisk spiller som virkelig blødde for klubben han elsket!
-WE'LL BE BACK-
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( [:)] fra The Sun)
(http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8899/maginificent4jj7.jpg)
THE MAGNIFICENT 4
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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Batty er en legende. Rangerer han som den mest betydnigsfulle Leeds spiller
i moderne tid. Husker jeg så han i en reservekamp mot Liverpool like før han fikk sin ligadebut. I den kampen tok han fullstendig luven fra Mølby som ble kraftig irritert på denne unggutten som monstant var i hælene hans. Ã… sammenligne Smith med Batty er en grov urettferdighet mot sistnevnte.
Det var en fantastisk dag da han vendte tilbake, men som nesten alltid er tilfelle
ble det ikke som forventet.
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Batty va ein av spelarane som gjorde meg forelska i Leeds[:)] Makan t fighter har eg aldri opplevd i klubben vår, han blødde verkeleg for klubbens ære. Håpar vi får sjå han i ei trenarrolle i klubben i framtida!
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(The Sun)
(http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/4927/bnmbnmue2.jpg)
(http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3129/mmmmmmmom3.jpg)
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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Selvfølgelig har du helt rett, Robert.
Smith rekker ikke Batty til anklene engang, når Leeds historien skrives.
Har nok trukket seg tilbake fra fotballen for godt, Per-Stian.
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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Ja, Batty har vel uttalt at han aldri vil bli manager eller trener.
-WE'LL BE BACK-
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Ja han har det, Ferre.
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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quote:
Originally posted by Sheridan
( [:)] fra The Sun)
(http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8899/maginificent4jj7.jpg)
THE MAGNIFICENT 4
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
Fantastisk bilde, fantastisk midtbane...
- Rune
1. omgang: Southampton 3 Leeds 0
2. omgang: Southampton 3 Leeds 4
[:D]
Job Done Preston, *******
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http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=i-haven%2Dt-been-to-a-game-since-i-quit%26method=full%26objectid=18877714%26siteid=98487-name_page.html
Ein av mine store helter har kutta fotball heilt ut, einaste han ser er når hans tvillinger er i aksjon for 12-års laget.
WE'RE LEEDS AND PROUD!!!
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Batty er vår kuleste spiller, ever.
Thomas
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Klipp frå artikkelen:
But he said: "Leeds will come back. It's just a matter of when, not if. The advantage is that they are a massive club and always will be massive. You can always attract better players, because it's an honour to play for Leeds. They are still known in Europe."
Batty said: "I've heard a few pundits saying it might be a good thing for Leeds to go down. I can't see where they're coming from. It would be a joke seeing Leeds down in that division."
WE'RE LEEDS AND PROUD!!!
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2 spillere av batty's kvalitet på laget om 6-7 år hadde ikke vært dumt.
Blue Machine
"Lyrisk Blåveis" EP
www.myspace.com/barebluemachine
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"I haven't been back since the day I left. Football clubs evolve and personnel changes. There's only the physio still there from when I was there"
[V]
Sten
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Kjekt å høyre frå gode gamle Batts att. Forstår ikkje heilt kvifor han ikkje følgjer klubben tettare, som supporter. Ingen trenarar, fysioterapeutar, spelarar eller styremedlem er større enn KLUBBEN og historia. Blir spennande å følgje Batty-namnet i framtid og sjå fruktene av det i Leeds United[:)]
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Vi glemmer aldri Batty...
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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Er så totalt enig med Batty i det han sier om fotballspillere nåtildags, at jeg skjønner at han skiter i fotball. Bor i Filey, som er en rolig perle litt syd for Scarborough, virker helt topp, spør du meg. Lorimer bodde og spilte litt i Whitby ( nord for Scarborough ), som er en tilsvarende fin liten by.
Hen er relaxed, og godt er det. Rykke ned, nei det vil jo seff vær noe skit, men selvfølgelig kommer Leeds tilbake. Alle vet det, også Batts.
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En legende!
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quote:
Originally posted by Robert H.
En legende!
Venta på den den, Robert [:)]
Og du har selvfølgelig helt rett [:)]
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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Husker at jeg på skolen på videregående hadde med meg en poster av David Batty, som jeg la øverst i høyre hjørne på pulten, under alle viktige prøver. Jentene i klassen syntes nok det var litt sært. Kan det være derfor jeg slet med å dra noe særlig med damer i den tiden...[?][:D]
David Batty var min store helt, kulere type fantes ikke. Husker dagen han ble solgt til Blackburn som en av de tristeste noensinne...
quote:
Originally posted by Sheridan
quote:
Originally posted by Robert H.
En legende!
Venta på den den, Robert [:)]
Og du har selvfølgelig helt rett [:)]
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/762/images1dr.jpg)(http://www.kjukken.dk/upload/Resize of KJKJ.gif)(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/429/231b3xa.jpg)
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En som aldri vil bli glemt, helt på høyde med våre aller største helter gjennom tidene, stiller han i samme klasse som Bremner, Lorimer, Clarke, Hunter osv.osv.
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Batty er Mr. Leeds. Min favoritt etter at jeg begynte å følge Leeds rundt 1990...
David "Baht at" Batty!
auren; savner Batty STORT!
Leeds
Till
I
Die!
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Dagen etter han ble solgt for usle £2,75M anskaffet jeg meg forøvrig sparebøsse. Bestemte meg for å begynne å spare slik at jeg kunne kjøpe Batty tilbake. Det viste seg imidlertid at Ridsdale fikset denne finansieringen raskere enn meg...
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Brukte faktisk påsken til å lese biografien hans. Han gjør akkurat som han skrev; fullstendig kutt fra fotball den dagen han la opp.
Ellers var han dønn ærlig i boka, og det er ganske sjokkerende hva som pågikk i klubber som Leeds, Blackburn og Newcastle på 90-tallet. Gutteklubben grei til de grader, med pek på grensen til hærverk på hoteller, og øl.......MYE ØL!
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Batty???
Er ikke det han der Start-spilleren det da, Thomas???
I'm gonna have to go to college
'cause you are the Book of Knowledge
Rita May
B.Dylan
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quote:
Originally posted by peacock
Han gjør akkurat som han skrev; fullstendig kutt fra fotball den dagen han la opp.
Nå er ikke han helt utenfor fotball.
Han er Vice President i Harrogate Town, som igjen eies og ledes av den tidligere Leeds-direktøren og -formannen Bill Fotherby.
Town spiller i North Conference League, to steg nedenfor Football League-systemet.
http://www.harrogatetown.com/clubinformation/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrogate_Town_F.C.
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Harrowgate har ein ikkje ukjent manager, nemleg ein av 80-talsheltane Neil Aspin. Han vart ikkje satsa på under Wilkinson, medan Batty blomstra under det nye regimet.
MOT
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Jeg spiller med XBOX360 på XBOX LIVE. Mitt navn:
BATTYLUVLEEDS
We are Leeds and we are proud of it!
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Batty er en helt. Kunne trengt en slik spiller på dette laget
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I sine beste perioder (særlig før han forsvant til Blackburn Rovers) var David Batty en glitrende holding player på midten. Men jeg husker også hvor destruktivt han virket på spillergruppa helt på slutten av karrieren. Dessverre gjorde han da sitt til at mange av de trofaste supporterne husker ham med en bismak i kjeften. Også Batty var en av de spillerne som absolutt skulle melke kua for alt det den var verdt.
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Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
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Kanskje ikke du vil huske ham, men alle vi andre vil! En sak har som kjent flere sider, og jeg vil nå ikke si at Batty melket særlig av den kuen. Mye verre med Bakke og Kelly!
auren
Leeds
Till
I
Die!
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David Batty var ikke oppskrytt i det hele tatt - han var i mange, mange år Leeds personifisert, og for meg en favoritt som spilte med hjertet utenpå drakta.
Sten
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Mr. Leeds himself!
Thomas
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*Rister oppgitt på hodet!*
[:0]
quote:
Originally posted by Carl Fisker
Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
WE'RE LEEDS AND PROUD!!!
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DAVID BATTY: WE'LL BE BACK
Iconic midfielder optimistic for the future...
PUBLISHED 13 APRIL 2015 AT 11:00
2959 1869DAVID BATTY
Despite somewhat distancing himself from the game since his retirement in 2004, David Batty says he still keeps a close eye on how Leeds are performing and is certain that the club will "come strong in the very near future".
Batty, now 46, made 350 appearances in total during his two spells at Elland Road, helping United to the Second Division title in 1990 and the First Division two years later.
Fruitful spells at Blackburn and Newcastle followed, before Batty returned to West Yorkshire in 1998 as David O’Leary looked to add a wise head and some midfield bite to his youthful, Europe-bound side.
The Leeds icon, an Academy product who made his debut for the club as an 18-year-old in 1986, is part of the 2015/16 Season Ticket launch, which brings together homegrown stars past and present.
"I’m just a bit flattered really, I was chuffed that they asked me," Batty said of his involvement.
"I was always known as someone who used to enjoy playing but not watching and that’s been the case since I packed in – I don’t really watch much football.
"I’m pleased to be able to help out a bit. I’m always aware of how Leeds are getting on.
"I think, judging from the last few results, we were doing okay and then we dropped off.
"It’s a bit of inconsistency which has reflected all through the season.
"I think it’s a matter of just building for next season. I do honestly believe we’ll come strong in the very near future.
"We’re too big of a pull for players that must want to come and play for Leeds. We must be up there soon."
Click here to watch David Batty starring alongside the likes of Alex Mowatt, Lewis Cook, Sam Byram, Charlie Taylor, Eddie Gray, Norman Hunter and Josh Warrington in our 2015/16 Season Ticket video.
- See more at: http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/vnojyi6622jr1ocg7pb6k8c1k/title/batty-well-be-back#sthash.YM8ERA1s.dpuf
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2 spillere av batty's kvalitet på laget om 6-7 år hadde ikke vært dumt.
Blue Machine
"Lyrisk Blåveis" EP
www.myspace.com/barebluemachine
6-7 år er vel nå: Cook og Mowatt? ;)
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Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
Saklig! Dette er vel den siste Leeds spilleren jeg ble opriktig lei meg når vi solgte. Hvor høyt setter du glorifiserte N. Hunter da!
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Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
Saklig! Dette er vel den siste Leeds spilleren jeg ble opriktig lei meg når vi solgte. Hvor høyt setter du glorifiserte N. Hunter da!
Glorifiserte NORMAN HUNTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o
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;D
Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
Saklig! Dette er vel den siste Leeds spilleren jeg ble opriktig lei meg når vi solgte. Hvor høyt setter du glorifiserte N. Hunter da!
Glorifiserte NORMAN HUNTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o
Viste den ville komme ;D
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Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
Hva faen?! Hvem er du. Du var ikke der i hvert fall, det er sikkert. Like greit å hold kjeft da. Sint? Jeg? Ja!
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Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
Hva faen?! Hvem er du. Du var ikke der i hvert fall, det er sikkert. Like greit å hold kjeft da. Sint? Jeg? Ja!
Så sint at du raser over et åtte år gammelt innlegg...
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Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
Hva faen?! Hvem er du. Du var ikke der i hvert fall, det er sikkert. Like greit å hold kjeft da. Sint? Jeg? Ja!
Så sint at du raser over et åtte år gammelt innlegg...
Glimrende observert !!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Batty var dessverre en oppskrytt fotballspiller, med mange ufine taklinger og en alt for defensiv spillestil. Han vil ikke gå inn i historien som en man vil huske - særlig pga måten han avsluttet sin karriere på.
Hva faen?! Hvem er du. Du var ikke der i hvert fall, det er sikkert. Like greit å hold kjeft da. Sint? Jeg? Ja!
Så sint at du raser over et åtte år gammelt innlegg...
Hahaha Ja, SÃ… sint er jeg.
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Intervju med BATTY før dagens kamp i Tadcaster.
Han er involvert i den klubben.
http://thecitytalking.com/posts/david-batty-the-city-talking-leeds-26
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Made me chuckle.
When David May was on the brink of leaving Blackburn
"
Jack Walker tried to persuade me to stay when he heard United were interested. And David Batty rang me up shouting ‘Scum! Scum! Scum!’ down the phone, but I’d made my mind – you only get one chance to go to Old Trafford."
- waccoe
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Anthony Clavane: When art and football collide
When I read recently that the Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s new exhibition was to be entitled In My Shoes I automatically assumed it would be some kind of homage to the Leeds United cult hero David Batty. Or at least to his boots. Let me explain. To coincide with the wonderful open-air gallery’s retrospective on the legacy of the Damien Hirst generation, subtitled Art and the Self since the 1990s, the British Museum has decided to court controversy by putting Liverpool star Mo Salah’s mint green football boots on display as part of its Modern Egypt Exhibition.
Various art critics, manifesting the forthright, plain-speaking, no-nonsense approach that was Batty’s trademark during a long and distinguished career, have put the boot into the Egyptian collection. Some have declared themselves to be profoundly shocked by such a wanton act of philistinism. Almost as profoundly shocked as their predecessors were when first setting eyes on an animal preserved in formaldehyde. Or, indeed, as football fans were when they witnessed Batty and his team-mate Graeme Le Saux battering seven bells out of each other during a Champions League game in Moscow. That notorious punch-up, like the emergence of Hirst’s game-changing art works, took place during a groundbreaking decade when Damien and David’s beloved home city – Leeds – set about reinventing itself as a cool, hip, postmodern place and prepared to soar into the new millennium.
More Stories Real Life Giants You Won't Believe Actually Exist (Viral X Files) 20 Pictures from the Past You Have to See (GreatHistoryMag) How parking your car the wrong way round could land you with a £1,000 fine by Taboola Promoted Links I have recently been asked to contribute a chapter on Batts, one of my favourite ever players, to a new book on the Mighty Whites. And it occurred to me that he was, very clearly, the Damien Hirst of football. Both men attended the same north Leeds school, Allerton Grange – and both achieved notoriety through their unusual, surreal and often downright weird proclivities.
The Young British Artists, like the 1992 title-winning team Batty starred in, leapt from obscurity to international recognition in just a few years. Britart, like Howard Wilkinson’s wonders, produced an extraordinary explosion of talent, part of a new generation of young, irreverent, in-your-face, blood-and-thunder mavericks who challenged the old order and brought about a Northernisation of culture which reinvigorated jaded old Blighty. There was a strong Leeds core – Hirst, Jay Jopling, Carl Freedman and Marcus Harvey – to the YBA. “In the early days,†wrote curator Gregor Muir, “there was a noticeable Northern contingent descending on private views and causing mayhem. With their thick Leeds accents, Hirst and Freedman were among the most prominent... for a brief moment it was entirely desirable to be an artist with a Northern working-class background.â€
While growing up in Leeds, Hirst made an unsettling discovery. One day, a neighbour disappeared. He climbed the fence to see what had happened and came across an amazing store of objects: parcels of money, alarm clocks, hundreds of tubes of toothpaste and magazine pictures of naked women. The abandoned house inspired a series of collages that caught the attention of Jopling, a pinstriped, LUFC-obsessed art dealer. Hirst’s reputation as the enfant terrible of the art world was secured. The coveted boots of Salah, who has scored 32 goals in Premier League 38 matches for Liverpool are part of an exhibition which appears to have been inspired by such Hirst-esque installations.
At its launch, two years ago, it showcased razor blades, cigarette boxes, old radio devices, newspapers, magazines and other objects which helped tell the story of the evolution of Egyptian society. Wilkinson, Batty’s manager at Elland Road, once made journalists chuckle at the player’s expense during a riff on the somewhat more illustrious Eric Cantona. “Eric gives interviews on art, philosophy and politics,†he quipped. “A natural room-mate for David Batty.†Like the snooty art critics queueing up to ridicule Salah, Wilko was belittling Batty’s status as a cultural icon: a working-class Leeds lad whose extraordinary journey, like the rise of Hirst and his mates, helped tell the story of a decade which changed the world.
Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/anthony-clavane-when-art-and-football-collide-1-9182395
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Sjeldent Batty-intervju fra 1992:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UPbOMrf0L3M&time_continue=4
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Spiller en "Batty" på Hull.........sønn?
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A forensic analysis of David Batty bullying Sampdoria just for fun
Nostalgia
Not many people know this, but David Batty is the most rock’n’roll footballer in the history of the sport.
From refusing to even look remotely arsed after missing a crucial penalty for England against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, to scrapping with Graeme Le Saux, to completely washing his hands of the game and retiring to obscurity. David Batty, just like his namesake, Bowie, is an enigma.
Perhaps because of this, Batty’s finest hour is overlooked.
Yes, he may have won the title with Leeds United, won 42 caps for England, and played an integral part of Kevin Keegan’s thrilling Newcastle side. But the midfielder’s greatest moment actually came in a Makita Tournament clash with Sampdoria one sunny day in August 1992, when he came perilously close to starting an Anglo-Italian War. Yep, in a glorified pre-season friendly.
Now, to the untrained eye, some people would argue this was just an act of a footballing Luddite. In actual fact, it was an example of a genius at work, featuring skill, precision and a daring endeavour, as these following steps show.
The Loosener
Just as a hit single doesn’t start with its chorus, Batty hardly goes out all guns blazing. He knows the rules: intro first, then one, maybe two verses, before you get to the chart-topping singalong.
And so, somewhat irked by the Italian outfit’s audacity to rob the ball from Gary McAllister in the Leeds half, Batty responds with a simple, Sunday league, let-him-know-you’re-there challenge as a rather startled opponent falls to the turf.
Free-kick. Momentum stopped. Presence felt. Job done.
The Warning
Less than 20 seconds after the resulting free-kick has been taken, McAllister ambles forward but loses the ball again. Whether Batty’s response is a message to the opposition or his teammate is debatable, but his following challenge is certainly more forceful, as a simultaneous body check and nip of the ankles suggest ‘this isn’t on, lads’.
Still, it’s hardly vengeful and it’s certainly not dangerous, it is only a friendly after all…
The Bite
Now, here is the interesting bit. It all seems very innocuous, but Roberto Mancini isn’t happy. There’s a couple of pushes, a couple of points of a finger – which Batty swats away like he would an irritating fly – and a brilliantly Italian gesture as Mancini pinches his fingers and thumb together in a demand of respect. Oh Roberto, don’t encourage him.
Batty hasn’t so much as cast his bait and caught a fish, but rather a killer whale has beached itself on the shore while he was still getting out his fishing rod. An antagonistic ‘calm down’ gesture follows from Leeds’ number four, whose name is now being sung from the terraces.
It’s worth taking a moment to take stock of Batty’s appearance here. He doesn’t look particularly hard or menacing. With a slightly strange amalgamation of slicked back hair with a hint of curtains, he looks, if anything, like the particularly cheeky member of an obscure early-90s boyband; albeit one who is interesting in a much more subversive side project as opposed to the acclaim of the masses.
The Trolling
It’s hard to understand what Mancini expects. Only a year earlier he was celebrating lifting the Serie A title and being awarded the Guerin d’Oro as the best player in the division.
Now here he is, looking completely exasperated as he controls a thrown-in with his back to Leeds’ goal and some 10-cap England international inevitably fouls him from behind. Is the Makita Tournament really worth all this? Is a largely successful career in football worth this? Isn’t relaxing in the Italian sun so much nicer?
“Mancini really should be too experienced, and is certainly too good of a player, to be wound up in that fashion,†dismisses the commentator. The subtle smirk on Batty’s face suggests otherwise.
The Spectacular
We’re into full Jarvis-Cocker-moonies-Michael-Jackson-at-the-Brits territory now.
Soon enough left-back Marco Lanna finds himself flying head first over the advertising hoarding. Judging by the nonchalance of Batty’s reaction, he hasn’t noticed. He stands unmoved, preparing to take a throw-in as if nothing has happened, while those in that classic, charming blue strip completely lose their heads.
Batty chuckles, raises his hand in apology: “Sorry, must have been a misunderstanding, mate.â€
The referee, starting to contemplate why he couldn’t just stick to playing football like all the normal kids at school, politely asks Howard Wilkinson if he might consider substituting the rogue Yorkshireman for someone who might not take such relish in spoiling all the fun. That’s not going to happen.
The Clincher
Up until this stage, this has been a slightly caricature version of Batty, the Batty which meant he largely went underrated and overlooked by supporters of teams other than those he played for. But he’s not done yet. He’s still to provide a reminder of his class, cement his rock star status, and sum up why he is so adored by those lucky enough to count him on their side.
As Lanna seeks out revenge with a two-footed lunge, a crisp drag-back and ride of the challenge leaves Batty standing over his red-faced opponent as the whistle blows for a free-kick. “Macca, did you see that?†he shouts to his midfield partner with a smirk and a wink.
Years later, speaking about the game, Batty told The City Talking: “It was a friendly, wasn’t it? So you could do what you wanted. And it was an English ref. In the end he just told Wilko, ‘take him off’. But I think Wilko enjoyed it as well. It was just funny. Everyone was laughing.â€
Batty single-handedly mugged off Sampdoria. Lionel Messi suddenly looks like Coldplay.
https://www.planetfootball.com/nostalgia/forensic-analysis-david-batty-bullying-sampdoria/
4 minutters video
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Susan Smith
Happy 50TH Birthday To Our Leeds United Legend David Batty Have A Great Special Day David, All Best Wishes To You #MOT #LUFC #DavidBatty #Legend #England xx
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtZLeE3W0AI8hTc?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Noen Batty-høydepunkter...
https://twitter.com/moscowhitetsb/status/1069219263888658432?s=12
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Eneste Leeds spiller, jeg har blitt blank i øya av når han ble solgt.
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Da har vi kommet round til bursdagen hans igjen. :)
Jonny Cooper
@JRCooper26
On David Batty's birthday, it's apt we are drawn against Arsenal in the FA Cup - Batty is the only player to play four games in a row all against the same opponent in the history of #lufc - four games v Arsenal in Jan/Feb 1991, an FA Cup fourth round game + three replays.