Sixty Seconds with DailyWaffle
By DailyWaffle
March 18 2011
It's that time of year when we have a gap in the fixtures and seek to plug the gap in reports and previews with an aside. So, here goes, the virtual interview with DailyWaffle....
Favourite Tigers moment and why?
For a long time it was winning the old John Player Cup outright at Twickenham in 1981, but it’s since been superseded by the Heineken Cup Semi-Final win over Cardiff Blues. Pure sporting theatre.
Worst Tigers moment and why?
Watching Loffreda’s side getting humiliated by Ospreys at Twickenham. Embarrassing.
Which team do you most enjoy seeing Tigers play against and why?
Probably Bath. Great rivals over the years.
Which team do you least enjoy seeing Tigers play against and why?
I don’t have a problem with any team. I do have a problem with all the crap that goes along with Leicester v Ospreys, but that’s nothing to do with the rugby.
Favourite all-time Tigers player and why?
... And ... if they were not a rugby player, what job do you think they would be best suited for?
I don’t do ‘favourite players’, but the best player I have ever seen at Welford Road would be Neil Back.
He’d have made a great plumber.
Who is your least favourite rugby player, ever and why?
... And ... if they were not a rugby player, what job do you think they would be best suited for?
I don’t have a least favourite player.
What is your match day routine?
Sort out what Mrs Waffle is doing. Pack the binoculars, ref-link and Master Waffle. Leave for Welford Road about two and a half hours before kick-off, usually park up and have lunch at Subway and then walk down Tigers Way to the ground. Play a few hands before taking our seats and beating junior at ‘spot the difference’.
I don’t bother much with either of the forums on match days; I’m too busy doing other stuff.
How many hours per day do you spend thinking about rugby?
No idea, but probably more than is considered normal.
How many times a day do you check the message board?
I take the odd peak, but I share myself around two or three different boards.
If I could be in charge of the RFU for a day I would...
Start working on a global, structured season.
Get Rob Andrew to tell me what he does.
Explain to Johnno and his coaching team that they are accountable.
General stuff
Describe yourself in three words.
Intelligent, Honest, Fortunate
What did you have for breakfast?
Cereal – no idea which sort.
What was the last book you read (or looked at the pictures of)?
I forget the name, but it was written by the journalist who inspired the film ‘Zodiac’. It covered the same material, but in more depth.
What are your three all-time favourite albums?
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory
Van Halen
Back in Black
What are your three all-time favourite movies?
Far too many good films to narrow it down to three, but if you insist:
Lord of the Rings (I’ll count that as one)
Matrix
Shawshank Redemption
If you could have been anything in life (other than the current job) what would it have been?
Superbowl winning quarterback. Failing that, a sports journalist.
What was your nickname at school?
The only one I remember is too egotistical, so I won’t share that. I did carry the nickname ‘Sven’ for a while in one of my earlier jobs; owing to my Swedish porn star looks.
How much cash have you got on you right now?
£20 – my daughter has just paid me back what she owed.
If you could be anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
This time of year? Eating and drinking in the Green Monster seats at Fenway Park, watching the Red Sox and Yankees. (Ed, written in the summer)
If you could be anybody else for a day who would it be and why?
Jay-Z for after hours. Alan Sugar would be a giggle to play when filming The Apprentice.
Who would your ideal dinner party guests be?
Michael Parkinson, Ricky Gervais and Ridley Scott. Beyonce could waitress.
What is your favourite sandwich?
Steak and cheese, with all the trimmings.
Where do you most enjoy going out for a meal?
No particular favourite, we pick places at random.
Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Steve Coogan.
Apart from rugby what is your other big passion in life (that is assuming there is more to life than rugby!)?
In sports it would be College (American) Football.
Outside of sports it would be my wife and kids.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:27:16:58:18 by Stephen Bath.
Quote:seventyeight
Thanks Daily - though I sort of thought(hoped) you would be more controversial
Well, I do not consider any of my views to be controversial. They just happen to differ to many of those that frequent this site!
I'd almost forgotten answering those questions, must have been last June.
College ball but not NFL?
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Quote:Rich W
Thanks DW interesting to get a small insight into another poster's life - even if so superficial as this forum allows.
College ball but not NFL?
I've been to a few NFL games and take an interest in it, but College Football is my first (American sports) love. It's just a shame that the season is so short.
FWIW I was also involved in the old Leicester Panthers organisation.
However, and for reasons I would rather not discuss here, I had ceased any involvement in the organisation well before they folded.
I suppose team numbers, and kit costs were never a help ?
The fact that Gridiron is not part of our sporting culture, and thus had no foothold in schools (aside from a novelty value at some universities), meant that it could never be anything other than a fringe sport. No school is going to make the funds available when they can quite reasonably offer rugby, hockey, cricket and football.
Channel 4's early embracing of the sport gave it an initial platform, but there was nothing to take it further forward.
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Interestingly Gridiron is the real mover in US televised sports. It is considered the ultimate armchair sport, much more than, say, baseball.
And of course that television experience is part of what outsiders can find alien imo.
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It is good to see the different interests people have, though, so thanks DW
'Profit Motive' .. the Vaseline of genocides.
'Reality' .. the new cynicism
Whilst American Football shares a common heritage with rugby, it is very much its own sport. Obviously I have no issue with anyone not liking particular sports, but I am less impressed by those arguments that choose to characterise American sports as inferior versions of their UK equivalents. Perhaps I should add that whilst I very much enjoy Gridiron and Baseball I have no interest in Basketball (or Netball for that matter).
As an aside American Football pre-dates Rugby League, and Baseball may possibly have been played in the UK prior to rounders.
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Quote:Tiggs
To skip back a little, whether you like, or not like Basketball, some of their players are amongst the great athletes of the World.
Indeed. My issue with Basketball is simple; the points are too cheap.
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Do you go?
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Well worth at least one trip if you haven't been before.
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