An Early Christmas Present… in the Form of Gary Neville

By: Taylor Rockwell | December 23rd, 2008

So, while I was sitting in my office and ponder how much fun it’s going to be to play Inter without Nemanja Vidic (hope you’re ready Johnny Evans), I found myself reading this article about Gary Neville, whom older readers may remember as once having actually been good, and was struck by the following quote:

It is not a story that will appeal to believers of old-fashioned sportsmanship but, equally, it should not surprise any students of Mancunian-Liverpudlian sporting enmity given that the current captain of Manchester United once publicly declared: “I can’t stand Liverpool, I can’t stand Liverpool people, I can’t stand anything to do with them.” Gary Neville, the type of man who probably has “Glory Glory Man Utd” as his ringtone, has never made any apologies for putting scousers at the top of his wish-list for Room 101. Never one to hold back with his opinions, he is so flagrantly anti-Liverpool that his father, Neville Neville, interrupted one of his rants a few years ago to switch off the interviewer’s tape-recorder, apparently fearful that his son was talking himself into trouble. Neville Jr is said to have responded: “But I do hate them, Dad.”

Call me crazy (and some of you probably will for arguing in favor of a man who openly espouses his hatred of anything related to another club), but in this day and age of loyalty for sale and high-priced players more similar to mercenaries than idols, Gary Neville reminds me what it is that I love about football. Gary Neville IS a Red, he DOES hate Scousers.

In today’s EPL, where one player won’t think twice about switching from one club to one of its most hated rivals (ahem, Nicolas Anelka, ahem), clubs are bought and sold at an alarming rate, and loyalty often seemes controlled by crass commercialism, it is refreshing to know that there are players out there who still represent the time when playing for the badge truly meant something. Neville’s an old-schooler in the old-schooler mode. A player who grew up as a United supporter, biding his time in the Stretford End section until eventually finding his way onto the pitch. You watch the interviews, see the highlights, and slowly begin to understand that to play for Man United means more to the man that it probably would to you or me.

And when I hear players like Adebayor or Drogba sulk or demand a trade or say they need to reevaluate their options, and then kiss their badge a few days later, I like to know that there are still players like Neville out there who would sooner cut off their arm then disrespect their club’s crest.

To be sure, it’s been clear this season that Neville is on his way out. The emergence of Rafael da Silva coupled with the reliable backup play of Wes Brown and, to a much lesser extent, John O’Shea has seen Neville relegated to less meaningful matches. And in the big-game opportunities he has had, he’s been a shadow of his former self.

Nevertheless, in this Season of reflection and appreciation, I’m considering the following videos (meant to remind we fans what Gaz Neville has given to club and supporter alike) an early Christmas present. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Neville’s Controversial Celebration Against Liverpool (Legend!)

Neville Being An All-Around Badass To the “Police”

Neville Refusing to Shake Peter Schmeichel’s Hand. READER NOTE: This one can go either way. It can make you think he’s a hard-headed prick or it can make you recognize Neville as a player so focused to United, that the idea of shaking an opponents hand prior to kickoff is aabsolutely unthinkable. You know which way I’m leaning.