Gary Sprake Whistleblower or Traiter

[soulman101]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS-lLLjUIbg

[mickd1961]

In the early 80’s I met Gary when he was a customer at Hepworth Menswear in Solihull where I worked from 81-84.

He worked for Birmingham Council at the time.

I passed him a pair of trousers he wanted to try on and as I gave them to him I reminded him not to drop them them and he just laughed.

A really nice bloke and he seemed like a decent chap.

I also know Alan Clarke’s brother Kelvin very well and have spoken to him at length about the Revie era.

I’m inclined to believe Sprake,there’s no doubt that Revie and Bremner we’re masters of the “dark arts”.

Sadly Sprake died a while ago now.

[Leicesterbaggie]

Good for him! That side under Revie were a cynical and dirty side but I didn't realise that they were into match fixing as well, and they had the cheek to moan about Astle's 'offside' goal!

[stripes39]

In the early 80’s I met Gary when he was a customer at Hepworth Menswear in Solihull where I worked from 81-84.

He worked for Birmingham Council at the time.

I passed him a pair of trousers he wanted to try on and as I gave them to him I reminded him not to drop them them and he just laughed.

A really nice bloke and he seemed like a decent chap.

I also know Alan Clarke’s brother Kelvin very well and have spoken to him at length about the Revie era.

I’m inclined to believe Sprake,there’s no doubt that Revie and Bremner we’re masters of the “dark arts”.

Sadly Sprake died a while ago now.

Mick. I’d be interested to hear Kelvin Clarke’s take on the Revie era. I used to know a bloke who was a procurement manager for a company and he used to have regular dealings with Allan Clarke who I think was working as a sales rep. This bloke always said Allan Clarke was very sensitive to any criticism of that team or its manager and basically denied they ever did anything wrong. It just shows how times change when some of the more average players playing now are millionaires yet Allan Clarke who IMO was one of the best natural finishers of his era was on the road flogging products.

[WBA1955]

Allan Clarke was from Willenhall and supported Albion as a boy. A bloke i knew who came from Willenhall had played football with him as a kid.
He was in his prime, one of the best finishers you would see.
He probably wouldn't score as many in todays game, modern thinking would probably see him haring up and down the flanks.
I hate how know it alls have ruined a simple exciting game.

[mickd1961]

Mick. I’d be interested to hear Kelvin Clarke’s take on the Revie era. I used to know a bloke who was a procurement manager for a company and he used to have regular dealings with Allan Clarke who I think was working as a sales rep. This bloke always said Allan Clarke was very sensitive to any criticism of that team or its manager and basically denied they ever did anything wrong. It just shows how times change when some of the more average players playing now are millionaires yet Allan Clarke who IMO was one of the best natural finishers of his era was on the road flogging products.

I spoke more with Allan’s brother about the Clough era to be honest Stripes.

It will surprise many I guess but Clarke really liked Clough as manager and was very supportive of him as was David Harvey the keeper and others.

The problem was really with Bremner,Giles and Hunter who really hated Clough’s desire to humiliate Revie.

I think that the Revie “family” were always going to close ranks in terms of admitting to anything about his era be it dirty money or just plain dirty Leeds.

Regardless of that they were superb players and a fantastic side.

Truth is they didn’t need to cheat but Revie was a paranoid individual which was no doubt fuelled by the fact he knew he’d done underhand stuff.

[stripes39]

I spoke more with Allan’s brother about the Clough era to be honest Stripes.

It will surprise many I guess but Clarke really liked Clough as manager and was very supportive of him as was David Harvey the keeper and others.

The problem was really with Bremner,Giles and Hunter who really hated Clough’s desire to humiliate Revie.

I think that the Revie “family” were always going to close ranks in terms of admitting to anything about his era be it dirty money or just plain dirty Leeds.

Regardless of that they were superb players and a fantastic side.

Truth is they didn’t need to cheat but Revie was a paranoid individual which was no doubt fuelled by the fact he knew he’d done underhand stuff.

I remember seeing Pat Murphy from the BBC speak at a local sports dinner. He knew Clough well and also said that Clarke wasn't part of the problem during the Clough period. Pat Murphy did say that the film Damned United was a load of bo**ox. I seem to remember that every member of the first X1 at Leeds was an international which in those days was unheard of so as you say, they didn't need to cheat.