Have you ever seen a half-time talk?

[just some bloke]

Reading all the silliness over the Roy Hodgson 'monkey-gate' drama today, it occurred to me that, despite being actively interested in football since around 1982, I have never seen or heard an actual half-time talk that was delivered in any professional game. I've never seen or heard a video or audio recording of one, or even seen a transcript for that matter. It's even relatively rare that what gets said in the dressing-room at half-time gets reported on in the third person.

The notable and partial exception to this would be the 2002 World Cup 'we needed Winston Churchill and all we got was Iain Duncan-Smith' comment from one of the players. But I have no idea what Sven actually said that day. Does anyone?

[stealthpapes]

I'm 99 % sure the John Sitton doc featured some half time chats. I'm 99 % sure the Graham Taylor doc ('do I not like that' one) featured some half time footage.

The other England one I heard was HT 1990 semi final. Lineker is first into the room, so goes to the flip chart and writes '5:1 he mentions the war' on it, then flips it over as Robson walks in. Players go quiet. Robson opens with "Right, we won the war. we can win this".

I've also read a Fergie one when they were 3 down at Spurs. Players all traipse in and expected the full hair drier. Fergie stands there and calmly opens with "It's Spurs. You know what they're like. Get a goal back, they'll get nervous, the crowd will get nervous. Then you'll get the second".

I'll try to get sources tomorrow.

[paultheroyal]

Loads from refereeing days right through to the Premier League.

One of the best was George Graham absolutely losing it with his Leeds players down at the Dell all because he wanted one over Carlton Palmer! That one always springs to mind.

[Big Foot]

Documentary on Sunderland 10-15 years ago with Peter Reid turning the air blue, documentary with Neil Warnock screaming 'bloody hell fire' etc etc

[Bandini]

^ Premier Passions. Last time I checked they had full episodes on Youtube.

[YateleyRoyal]

Pretty sure I've seen coverage of lower league games where they have cameras in the dressing room

[Brum Royal]

Phil Brown's talk on the pitch at Hull (v Man City?)

[dizzynewheights]

Not strictly professional but as mentioned in the non league thread most of the ground could hear the Maidenhead manager tearing strips of the team at half time last Saturday. “You’re playing sh1t, youre f-ing shite, youre not trying f-ing hard enough you f-ing f-s”

Worked a treat as we romped to a 3-1 defeat

[No Fixed Abode]

I've been on the receiving end of team talks from Martin Allen and Mike Kearney many times.

[LWJ]

Video of Warnock laying into his players on yt somewhere. Think it was at sheff utd

[TBM]

I've been on the receiving end of team talks from Martin Allen and Mike Kearney many times.

I've been on the end of a Steve Kean one, when he was at Reading

[No Fixed Abode]

I've been on the receiving end of team talks from Martin Allen and Mike Kearney many times.

I've been on the end of a Steve Kean one, when he was at Reading

Forgot Steve Kean, he was at Thatcham for a short while. He had some hair back then.

[genome]

Warnock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQtWVcFpvHg

[Jerry St Clair]

Reading all the silliness over the Roy Hodgson 'monkey-gate' drama today, it occurred to me that, despite being actively interested in football since around 1982, I have never seen or heard an actual half-time talk that was delivered in any professional game. I've never seen or heard a video or audio recording of one, or even seen a transcript for that matter. It's even relatively rare that what gets said in the dressing-room at half-time gets reported on in the third person.

You need to get hold of Year Of The Royals, which is a fly on the wall documentary following Mark McGhee around before, during and after the home win over Swansea in 1993. There's a superb exchange with Michael Gilkes in the dressing room at half time:

"Gilkesey......"
"Yes, boss?".
"You've gotta start. You've done nothing"
"Yes, boss, yes, boss".

Cue, Gilkesey scoring 3 minutes after half time.

[paultheroyal]

Bring your oxf*rd dinner

http://youtu.be/nYDIMWpcKqI

[Royal Lady]

Definitely seen the Graham Taylor one and I'm pretty sure there was one on Barry Fry?

[glass half full]

Definitely seen the Graham Taylor one and I'm pretty sure there was one on Barry Fry?

If it was Barry Fry it would have been foul-mouthed.

[Royal Ginger]

[Toon Toon Blue army]

I've worked in football mainly at youth level but have also witnessed a few first team half time team talks in the premier league. Managers will only really tear into players as they get older and can deal with it. I've seen a few arguments from young players with massive ego's, and I've seen a few senior players have a pop at younger players in reserve games. To be honest, 90% of half time team talks tend to be the usual football cliche stuff, then a lot of managers who are into their psychology will try to play some pretty odd mind games with players.

[SLAMMED]

Have you heard what the crowd are fucking shouting? "Fuck Bassett!" "Bassett's a cunt!" "Bassett's a bastard!" "Bassett's a wanker!" They shouldn't be fucking shouting at me, they should be shouting at you, and do you know why? Because it's fucking half-time, and we're fucking 2-0 down to the fucking Mexicans! What the fuck's wrong with you? Get your fucking fingers out! Where's your bottle fucking gone?

And fucking pay attention you cunt, when I'm fucking talking to you! If you don't wanna wear the shirt, fucking take it off! There's thousands of kids out there who'd die to put that fucking shirt on. Get back on the fucking field, show those bastards what you can fucking do, or you can fuck off home on the fucking plane! You got that?