Last set of photos.
Finally, we are here, the Cowlick, Rory's ice cream factory.
Nice bike.
The ice cream is fresh, smooth and delicious to be honest.
A kid called Leo also here, we manage to play a bit of football by passing the ball! Oh my!!!
No need to introduce...
Finally we go to one of the harbour in Plymouth...
Mayflower.
Plymouth Gin.
Finally, the trip finished.
I leave at Plymouth Station.
Ended.
Long post, many words...
Finally, after two years, I meet New Zealand Football legend Rory Fallon. I have to explaint the reason why I support him, is because if not his goal against Bahrain in 2009 while New Zealand, the All Whites beat them 1:0, I would never able to watch the All Whites play in World Cup 2010. I always love team which play direct and long balls, also as a player he is quite a old school style center forward, quite liked Grant Holt. A super nice gentleman too! He's not playing on last Saturday since he had a broken rib, but he is still on the bench, but do not manage to come on. Truro City draw 2:2 against Eastbourne Borough after go 0:1 down. I cannot say the football standard is poor, but it is very direct, not enough time to think before you settle down on the ball, and I like the referee too since he allow lots of physical contract going, not many whistles.
After the game, I meet Rory outside the players tunnel, he gives his car key to me, ask him to wait inside his car since he's going to buy some food. I am totally shocked to be honest since only your friend will do, but I've never meet him before. We are going to Plymouth, it's an one hour journey from Truro. We have the big sauage and fries during the trip, it is hot but also delicious. We have lots of topics to discuss include what's Hong Kong is, where do I live and work, and how many New Zealand players play in Hong Kong league before? Rory know a few like Paul Nixon and Gavin Wilkinson, we manage to listen his old interview I saved. I ask Rory is there any New Zealand fans come to see he play for Truro? His honest is quite definitely, NO. Rory drop me off in his friend's hotel around 7pm, he go back home to have change, I take a shower and then he pick me up again, we go out for dinner, a restaurant near the sea of Plymouth.
Rory then give his New Zealand shirt against Mexico to me! I am totally shocked again and find that it is, it is really an international player shirt! There are big difference compare with my replica New Zealand shirt which I buy from New Zealand Football, the detail of the shirt is top quality, the tag of the shirt is gold instead of the replica one, is silver only, and the code of the shirt is gold compare with the replica is silver. We go to the restaurant, and I apolsogise I am quite a sporty man, I don't have any formal shirt or jeans, wrong dressing code but I think nevermind! We have a brilliant nearly 3 hours talk, and Rory manage to see most of my football action in Hong Kong: many goals, saving tackles, tough tackles and good defensive play, also some good pass in midfield too! I also ask Rory how much money he get when he play for the All Whites, but when I ask Rory is there exclusive news from other New Zealand players? He answer that's many but he think it's private to other players, he will keep it as secret. I respect that totally.
Rory has a few beers and I have a few Diet coke, actually his ice cream factory supply ice cream to this restaurant, so he know most of the waiters and chefs. The main course, I have the burger and he has the fish & chips, I eat step by step, each topings after each, Rory ask me why do not eat it all together? I tell him it would make me think I eat a lot of things if I eat it seperately, my feeling is full! I also give him the lego character I have specially order in Hong Kon, which has the latest New Zealand shirt, name and number on the back! Rory is very happy and he takes a picture by his iPhone, and send to her wife. We finish the meal, it's great food, also dessert; before we leave, I ask Rory when I see the Wikipedia, he is from the academy of Barnsley, who play alongside him at that time? It kicks start a competition about naming the 1997/1998 Barnsley players, Rory is quite impressive about my knowledge of a relegated team in the Premier League. Yes, it's not hard for me to name David Watson, Nicky Eaden, Matty Appleby, Adie Moses, Arjan De Zeeuw, Clint Marcelle, Neil Redfearn, Martin Bullock, Eric Tinkler, Georgi Hristov, Chris Morgan and well, Darren Sheridan, but I really in Hong Kong, the football fans will know anyone of the name...I suggest we share the bill but Rory pay the bill! It's not really quite expensive and it's £30, because they do not charge the drinks since we have to wait for nearly an hour for the table, it's busy on Saturday.
Rory go to church on Sunday, I meet him around 10:45am with my all my bags, with a son of his friend, 11 years old Leo, who is a Man Utd fans and his favourite player is Juan Mata, we go to Cowlicks, his ice cream factory to have ice cream We have the chocolate ice cream on the cone, the taste is really great, it's fresh and smooth! I recall I finish any ice cream not less than 5 minutes in Hong Kong, but this one, I need nearly 15 minutes to finish, it's big! There is a Nike size 3 football in the factory, and we manage to have a 3 men passing practise for a few minutes! That's great I have a kickabout with the international player! Rory drop the Leo back home at 12pm, then Rory take me near the sea, which I think it should be many tourist will go, since there is a big sounvenir shop. We see the Mayflower, the gin, and Rory recommend I must take a Plymouth cornish, its liked a pie but the taste is great, I take a medium which it's £2.50 for the medium and it's good value too. He then drop me off at the Plymouth station, he signed on his player shirt and my replica shirt, and I show him 4-5 differnece between a player shirt and the replicea shirt, but the player shirt is so nice! We take a selfie, we have a big hug, then I leave, but hang on! I find out quickly about I leave my SONY taplet in Rory's car when I show his picture against Mexico! Fortunately he gives me his mobile number before so I call him, he pick up the call and he come back, I say Goodbye to Rory again for the second time, then I get the train back to Norwich.
I don't know what everyone think, my experience with Norwich City Grant Holt last Monday, which he message to have a meeting, it's a bit different issue, because I keep contact with Rory by Facebook and Twitter since 2014, I should see him at Scodhorpe before but he miss me due to his injury. He know me much than a fans, because he tell me I should cut down to eat many rice and noodles, because he see my meal's photo on Facebook. I am of course Rory Fallon's number 1 fans in Hong Kong. On the first Goodbye, I ask him will we meet again? Rory say he has two years contract with Truro, so we will. Big Thank You to Rory Fallon, to make my trip to Norwich in 2016, even much better!!!
You can see more photos from this two link...
What a great experience for you! I don't think you'll find any other football fan that's had quite an open experience with one of their heroes like that!
Well done Rory.
Fan Tastic
I love the lego man you gave him
You are quite a character wpnixie
What a great experience for you! I don't think you'll find any other football fan that's had quite an open experience with one of their heroes like that!
Well done Rory.
Yes, I'd been met a few footballers, mainly Norwich City, I did have dinner with the, give me a lift, but to see the same players for nearly a day, and being a tour to guide me to see Plymouth, what can I say!!!
Fan Tastic
I love the lego man you gave him
You are quite a character wpnixie
HAHA thank you, actually there are few companies in HK can customize it, it's HK$160 for one (NZD 1 = HK$5.66) it's about NZD 32 per one.
Honestly I post this experience in HK message board too, they are amazed how the players will treat me liked that, I think you need to have preparation to do it, and also, you don't support a very top top class player, they are also human beings! :-P
loved the mascots sitting and watching the visitors walking the pitch
We have lots of topics to discuss include what's Hong Kong is, where do I live and work, and how many New Zealand players play in Hong Kong league before? Rory know a few like Paul Nixon and Gavin Wilkinson, we manage to listen his old interview I saved. I ask Rory is there any New Zealand fans come to see he play for Truro? His honest is quite definitely, NO.
Good read Dave but I've been to Truro this season to support Rory and the team (has a large number of Plymouth rejects so feels like our B team). I met Rory a few times while he was playing at PAFC before he was allowed to represent NZ.
I'm glad you had a good time in Devon and Cornwall and your right, you can't beat a good Pasty, especially at the football.
I'm glad you mentioned Nicco too as he was one of my Waikato United icons when young.
Also did Rory tell you he's got a personalised plate. P9 (2009?) RYF (Rory Fallon).
Interesting that you also say he's got a cracked rib but is part of the AW squad.
We have lots of topics to discuss include what's Hong Kong is, where do I live and work, and how many New Zealand players play in Hong Kong league before? Rory know a few like Paul Nixon and Gavin Wilkinson, we manage to listen his old interview I saved. I ask Rory is there any New Zealand fans come to see he play for Truro? His honest is quite definitely, NO.
Good read Dave but I've been to Truro this season to support Rory and the team (has a large number of Plymouth rejects so feels like our B team). I met Rory a few times while he was playing at PAFC before he was allowed to represent NZ.
I'm glad you had a good time in Devon and Cornwall and your right, you can't beat a good Pasty, especially at the football.
I'm glad you mentioned Nicco too as he was one of my Waikato United icons when young.
Also did Rory tell you he's got a personalised plate. P9 (2009?) RYF (Rory Fallon).
Interesting that you also say he's got a cracked rib but is part of the AW squad.
Ha, I did ask him did any New Zealand fans come to see him play at Truro, in the car when he was driving! Maybe he didn't remember clearly so we should forgive him. :-)
Nicco? Paul Nixon? I know this player when I was 15 years old possibly! He play for Eastern in HK First Division, with Australia player Ross Greer and English striker Dale Tempest.
Personalise plate? The car you mean?
He told me he injured the game before I come to see him, and I told I am his jinx...:-(
loved the mascots sitting and watching the visitors walking the pitch
Yes, that one Nixie is with Captain Canary!!!
Nixie also at Carrow Road and Craven Cottage too!!!
Awesome!!
Those Ice Cream bikes are super cool haha
We have lots of topics to discuss include what's Hong Kong is, where do I live and work, and how many New Zealand players play in Hong Kong league before? Rory know a few like Paul Nixon and Gavin Wilkinson, we manage to listen his old interview I saved. I ask Rory is there any New Zealand fans come to see he play for Truro? His honest is quite definitely, NO.
Good read Dave but I've been to Truro this season to support Rory and the team (has a large number of Plymouth rejects so feels like our B team). I met Rory a few times while he was playing at PAFC before he was allowed to represent NZ.
I'm glad you had a good time in Devon and Cornwall and your right, you can't beat a good Pasty, especially at the football.
I'm glad you mentioned Nicco too as he was one of my Waikato United icons when young.
Also did Rory tell you he's got a personalised plate. P9 (2009?) RYF (Rory Fallon).
Interesting that you also say he's got a cracked rib but is part of the AW squad.
Ha, I did ask him did any New Zealand fans come to see him play at Truro, in the car when he was driving! Maybe he didn't remember clearly so we should forgive him. :-)
Nicco? Paul Nixon? I know this player when I was 15 years old possibly! He play for Eastern in HK First Division, with Australia player Ross Greer and English striker Dale Tempest.
Personalise plate? The car you mean?
He told me he injured the game before I come to see him, and I told I am his jinx...:-(
Shark is about to kick off in Truro
Important issues! Even Papakura has a Nando's......lift your game Truro!
Fallon for Nix
You'd have to think that's it for his senior career, now to focus on making ice creams, and probably play club football.
Time to move into coaching full time.
Time to move into coaching full time.
Time to move into coaching full time.
Or possibly preaching / motivational speaking?
You know he could have left because he has a full time coaching role elsewhere.........
Truro's form has been poor but I imagine that both him and Berry who was playing in the football league very recently (was Argyles RB a season or two back) got ride of them to save £££ as Truro is only a small club ala Ngaruawahia AFC in the overall scheme of things.
I'd been whats app with Rory after his release from Truro, I post:
Hi Rory, a bit shocked to see you leave Truro, hope it means you will sign for another club to continue to play football, hopefully a league club...please update me your new club and career, always support you!
his reply
Cheers David not been happy in lower leagues so it's a blessing in disguise ?
Perhaps a go in League Two again?
Cheers for the update Nixie. As his no 1 fan can't you help get him a gig in the Hong Kong Super League?
He already owns the perfect vehicle for getting around your home city
I think Plymouth need a center forward...
Is he still playing or retired?
[quote=wellingtonphoenixnixie]
We have lots of topics to discuss include what's Hong Kong is, where do I live and work, and how many New Zealand players play in Hong Kong league before? Rory know a few like Paul Nixon and Gavin Wilkinson, we manage to listen his old interview I saved. I ask Rory is there any New Zealand fans come to see he play for Truro? His honest is quite definitely, NO.
Former All White Robert Ironside who played 56 A internationals for NZ 1987-93 played in Hong Kong later in his career.
He played for South China AA in Hong Kong 1995-96
In NZ he played for North Shore United and Nelson United in our national league, and in Australia's NSL for Sydney Olympic and Newcastle Breakers.
One of NZ's best midfielders of his era, famous for his dreadlock hairstyle during his playing career.
Shay Spitz still plays in HK
I am not shocked not to see Rory in the All Whites squad, don't get me the manager didn't eat his words, if he had a club he's in...
But good news is as I speak to Rory, he's determine to comeback to play again, hopefully in time for the July tournament.
Please no! He was a good player and great to have but I would rather see his potential spot go to someone else with a future.
I would like to see Rory in some kind of coaching/support role. From what I've gathered about his presence in camps, he's quite beneficial to the younger players.
Is there an opening for team chaplain/counsellor?
I would like to see Rory in some kind of coaching/support role. From what I've gathered about his presence in camps, he's quite beneficial to the younger players.
Is there an opening for team chaplain/counsellor?
Wasn't he referring to the All Whites?
On trial at 5th tier, Torquay United
Article saying he wants in on the All Whites squad for next WC
Surely he would be better off in a non-playing role in camp? From what I gather, he has an impressive presence in the team and is well liked and respected. But at 35-36, he has to face facts when it comes to playing for the AWs.
