Sunday, November 19, 2006

Who's the Chopper on the Left?

If it's possible to have an enjoyable afternoon watching your team lose, I suppose I did today. Michael Hintze invited me to join him and his family to watch Chelsea v West Ham in his box at Stamford Bridge. The last time I went to Chelsea was about 8 or 9 years ago and the Hammers won 2-1. I must admit I did not expect a similar result this afternoon, but in the end West Ham put in a very good performance and were possibly unlucky not to get a draw. Etherington and Spector were outstanding.

Before the match started two ex Chelsea players came into the box, Kerry Dixon and Ron 'Chper' Harris, pictured above. Chopper was probably the dirtiest hardest player of his generation, while Kerry Dixon very nearly joined West Ham in the 1980s. Instead, he opted to go to Arsenal. Unfathomable. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was weird. A bit like watching a football match in the States - lots of polite clapping. At one point the noisy stand at one end got so frustrated that the rest of the ground refused to join in their singing that they started singing "Only one stand's singing". It kept them amused, I suppose.

I had to make a quick getaway to get to Bishop's Stortford to host another Evening with Ann Widdecombe and just about got there on time. It was held at the Rhodes Arts Centre, a truly fabulous new building, which houses the Cecil Rhodes Museum. Apparently he was born on the site.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your tie! Aieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Anonymous said...

I'm viewing the blog on a palmtop, so the picture is a bit small, but surely that's John Reid,not Chopper Harris ?

Or perhaps they're the same person, which would explain a lot.

Anonymous said...

United fans are limp like that too...observed by a Millwall supporter at the 2004 FA Cup final..even when United won fans just sat there looking gormless..The game is just not the same since the middle classes got involved :-)

Anonymous said...

Chopper on the right? Oh, I get it.

But who's the knobber in the middle - Barry from Eastenders?

Anonymous said...

Surely the headline should read "in the Middle"?

Sorry - obvious cheap shot.

Anonymous said...

Iain I see you have joined the prawn sandwich brigade.

Anonymous said...

Who ate all the pies?

Anonymous said...

I think a lilac shirt with THAT tie would have looked better. Keep your white shirts for Westminster.

Anonymous said...

Contrary to popular belief, Ron Harris was not dubbed 'Chopper' in recognition of his services to the 'Limbless Ex Wingers Association...'

Anonymous said...

Do you and Ann Widdecombe have something you want to tell us?

John Moorcraft said...

It’s not very often a West Ham fan gets to utter the words “Jonathan Spector was outstanding”. I have no doubt it won’t be happening again for some time!

Anonymous said...

Iain what a horrible tie

Unknown said...

The chanting wasn't that quiet - I could clearly hear it from my house, the other side of Earls Court.

Anonymous said...

That is a funky tie. raincoaster like...

Anonymous said...

The tie is great, dont take any notice...

Anonymous said...

Are you sure Kerry Dixon played for Arsenal? Could you be confusing him with Lee Dixon?