Went to the Gordon Watson Dinner today, and have to say...................what a Afternoon!
Watson certainly didnt sit on the fence, and told it how it how it was.
Where do I start.
First of all, he loved life at Pools............The Club, The Fans, The Dogs, The Racing etc.
Ddint give a certain Ex Pools Manager the lickings of a dog. Guess who?? The bloke who lost us the title!
Watson was given a contract at Pools, which included, flights from Southampton to Newcastle on a Wednesday, trained on a Thursday, Friday, match on a Sat, and a early flight back to Southampton on a Sunday Morning.
He stopped at a certain guest house in Seaton Carew (Near John Darwin!) but thats another story!
He scored around 23 goals in 46 starts for Pools, and must go down in one of the best strikers ever to sign for Pools.
He said his hatrick for Pools against Hull City for his one ,and only in league football, and one his best momments of his career.
He mentioned that this "manager" drove the bus, but lost the engine, and brakes, big style, and basically lost us the title. Watson didnt start many games after his broke leg(Darlo Game) with the manager questioning his commitment towards Pools!!!
If you can remember, he was injured in the Rushen Diamonds title decider game, and hobbled off around 43 minutes with a groin Injury, with both the Physio and Manger both claiming he was faking it! Watson said today that was s**** as he had 2 grand on Pools at 16/1!
His favorite shop was Ladbrookes in Church Street, where punters would give up his seat, when he walked in.
Also said that Effion Williams was a good striker to play with, and would have done better in the game, if he wanted it more.
A confident fellow, but said it how it was, rather than sitting on the fence.
Now working for a African Broadcaster for Premiership games, whilst managing Under 12`s team, and a local Radio station for Southampton.
In Gord..........................We Trust!

Thought he said it was a hamstring injury?
He also said Newell insisted he came up to Pools for the physio to assess the injury, and he checked the wrong leg!
The physio (can't remember the name) was also a builder, and Flash said he was a better builder than a physio!
I like how he said he cried all the way to Newmarket after the game, but it wasn't very far!
I liked how he had Sky installed at the digs, and they charged 10 quid more for that room when we wasn't there

He was in tears on the day when he had to go off.

in the words of gord...'you would be too with 2grand on at 16's'

He said he cried on the bus all the way to Newmarket
Mind he did say it's not that far!
He also said he doesn't remember if he picked up his runners up medal, and he certainly doesn't have it at home.
Thinking back, I'm pretty sure he didn't bother going to collect it.