metalsheep02 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Just read a book by ex-footballer Nick Tanner who used to play for Bristol Rovers and Liverpool. He tells a story that when we signed Geraint Willams we signed the wrong player, not that we made a mistake and should have signed another player who was better but that there was a communications ****-up. Bristol Rovers had two midfielders named Williams at that time and he maintains that Derby's intention was to sign David Williams (who he describes as an attacking midfielder and set piece specialist) but we signed Geraint (not really an attacking midfielder) due to aforesaid communication breakdown. Obviously George Williams did just fine for us but has anyone heard this story before, anyone think there is any truth in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostyn6 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 there is a famous tale. albeit maybe not true, that when AC MIlan signed Luther Blissett, they actually wanted John Barnes and got the wrong player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkleyram Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 8 minutes ago, metalsheep02 said: Just read a book by ex-footballer Nick Tanner who used to play for Bristol Rovers and Liverpool. He tells a story that when we signed Geraint Willams we signed the wrong player, not that we made a mistake and should have signed another player who was better but that there was a communications ****-up. Bristol Rovers had two midfielders named Williams at that time and he maintains that Derby's intention was to sign David Williams (who he describes as an attacking midfielder and set piece specialist) but we signed Geraint (not really an attacking midfielder) due to aforesaid communication breakdown. Obviously George Williams did just fine for us but has anyone heard this story before, anyone think there is any truth in it? I've never heard that story but whatever, George was a fantastic player for us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millenniumram Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Be more suitable nowadays if we sign David Walliams instead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Nope, I never heard that. George Williams and John Gregory were perfect for each other. Williams won the ball, gave it to Gregory, who made things happen with his vision and pinpoint passing. If either one was injured or suspended the other one was half the player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyinLiverpool Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Australia, when they were in a bit of a mess, once picked off spinner Peter Taylor instead of opener Mark Taylor. Those were the days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coneheadjohn Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I bet that’s what happened with Kieftenbeld,we mean’t to sign Ryan Woods from Brentford but sent the forms for Kieftenbeld. Fortunately someone spotted the mistake and did the necessary. 2 hours ago, metalsheep02 said: Just read a book by ex-footballer Nick Tanner who used to play for Bristol Rovers and Liverpool. He tells a story that when we signed Geraint Willams we signed the wrong player, not that we made a mistake and should have signed another player who was better but that there was a communications ****-up. Bristol Rovers had two midfielders named Williams at that time and he maintains that Derby's intention was to sign David Williams (who he describes as an attacking midfielder and set piece specialist) but we signed Geraint (not really an attacking midfielder) due to aforesaid communication breakdown. Obviously George Williams did just fine for us but has anyone heard this story before, anyone think there is any truth in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Sagan Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 6 hours ago, Moist One said: there is a famous tale. albeit maybe not true, that when AC MIlan signed Luther Blissett, they actually wanted John Barnes and got the wrong player. Reading the opening post, I'd have said this but beaten to it. Following on from the error, an Italian arts collective began releasing work under the name "Luther Blissett", including novels, with Umberto Eco thought to have some involvement. The novel, Q, is one such work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagerbob Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 7 hours ago, Moist One said: there is a famous tale. albeit maybe not true, that when AC MIlan signed Luther Blissett, they actually wanted John Barnes and got the wrong player. Likewise for when Real Madrid signed Thomas Graveson instead of Lee Carsley. hey needed a defensive midfielder and they signed a midfielder who wasnt defensive minded at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve How Hard? Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Best mistake we ever made if true. Loved the original George. He was just as immense as the modern day George despite them being different types of midfielders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gritstone Ram Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I always thought we signed the wrong Mendy when we signed Arnaud Mendy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Sagan Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 The word was we bought Steve McClaren to replace George after promotion to Division Two, but George played so well he largely kept his place and we won the league, going straight through and up into the top flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostyn6 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I hear when we signed Claude Davis from Sheffield United, we were actually meant to sign Steve Davis from Sheffield Crucible. <insert your own joke about ball-control and fouls> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Sagan Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 10 minutes ago, Moist One said: I hear when we signed Claude Davis from Sheffield United, we were actually meant to sign Steve Davis from Sheffield Crucible. <insert your own joke about ball-control and fouls> Very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ariotofmyown Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 8 minutes ago, Carl Sagan said: Very interesting. I remember when I got 'Daley' printed on the back of my shirt only to find out we signed Christian and not Tony. Oh, for an 'i'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKRam Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 8 hours ago, metalsheep02 said: Just read a book by ex-footballer Nick Tanner who used to play for Bristol Rovers and Liverpool. He tells a story that when we signed Geraint Willams we signed the wrong player, not that we made a mistake and should have signed another player who was better but that there was a communications ****-up. Bristol Rovers had two midfielders named Williams at that time and he maintains that Derby's intention was to sign David Williams (who he describes as an attacking midfielder and set piece specialist) but we signed Geraint (not really an attacking midfielder) due to aforesaid communication breakdown. Obviously George Williams did just fine for us but has anyone heard this story before, anyone think there is any truth in it? Was at Loftus Rd when he got the only goal and the camera panned to our fans. Saw myself looking a right miserable SOB couldn’t believe it as a George goal at our end was massive. I celebrate more these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamNut Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 10 hours ago, metalsheep02 said: Just read a book by ex-footballer Nick Tanner who used to play for Bristol Rovers and Liverpool. He tells a story that when we signed Geraint Willams we signed the wrong player, not that we made a mistake and should have signed another player who was better but that there was a communications ****-up. Bristol Rovers had two midfielders named Williams at that time and he maintains that Derby's intention was to sign David Williams (who he describes as an attacking midfielder and set piece specialist) but we signed Geraint (not really an attacking midfielder) due to aforesaid communication breakdown. Obviously George Williams did just fine for us but has anyone heard this story before, anyone think there is any truth in it? We signed Geraint from bristol rovers in march 1985 Apparently David Williams was the rovers player manager at the time so i doubt that we could have got them confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttoxram75 Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 11 hours ago, Carl Sagan said: Reading the opening post, I'd have said this but beaten to it. Following on from the error, an Italian arts collective began releasing work under the name "Luther Blissett", including novels, with Umberto Eco thought to have some involvement. The novel, Q, is one such work. This forum is so educational - what an obscure football related question that would make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynny Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 8 hours ago, RamNut said: We signed Geraint from bristol rovers in march 1985 Apparently David Williams was the rovers player manager at the time so i doubt that we could have got them confused. He did join Norwich as a player that summer though, so could be possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inglorius Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Apparently in the summer transfer window we tried to sign various midfield players until we landed in desperation on a Birmingham City player called Maikel Kieftenbeld, the transfer not being ratified by the EFL as the player signed the transfer forms in the wrong place after Derby had publically announced the signing. By the time the error had been spotted the transfer deadline had passed. I can't believe that, can anyone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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