2 ttms inc. best ever experience for me

[thehornets]

Oscar James - 4 days

Oscar kindly became the 5th EastEnders cast member to sign their profile page in my 1986 EastEnders Special.

Martin Patching - 6 days

Where to start! I am buzzing! Excuse the hornet related pun. 🙂 As you know, Martin said it would be ok for me to send my Watford books back for signing, and that he would include some extra bits for me. He was brilliant, and sent me some wonderful bits! 🙂 I have included pictures of everything below. Not only that, in his letter he asked me to call him which I just did, and we had a great chat. He has given me some tips on writing to some other former players, and is getting Steve Terry to ring me sometime soon with regard to popping round and signing my books also. Martin used to live a short distance from where I am now, so knows the area well, and when he is up this way again will try to pop round to see me. He asked me if I was a millionaire as my return package cost over £7 for 1st class (the books together were heavy), and we joked about it. I explained I only send the books to my favourite players as I cannot send them often, and mentioned I jumped with joy when I saw the stamps were unmarked which he liked.

I know meeting players and peaking players is common place for some of you, but for me to speak to one of my favourite Watford heroes was a magical moment I will not forget. The thought of Steve and/or Martin possibly visiting me is even more mind boggling! One of my best ever days. :^O

Martin signed my Tale of the Unexpected book (sig number 27) and also signed a great pic of himself with Pat Rice inside it. He became sig number 17 in my Centenary book, and helped identify a sig in it. He sent me a wonderful three page letter, three 8x6 photos he got reproduced specially for me on thick Kodak stock from his own and signed them, plus sent me a card he had with the signatures of a few Watford players. Gobsmacked by his generosity, and loved the experience of talking to him, and being able to thank him over the phone.

[tots-junction-baby-shop]

Was just reading through some of the posts obviously I cant comment on all of them as the group has done very well since I've been away but I needed to comment on your post. As I read your post your excitement comes through 🙂 so chuffed for you and what a brilliant addition to your collection and so nice of him to help with hopefully other player signatures... well done Nigel and so deserved!

[short380]

Really pleased for you pal.  Well done.

[knockknock-66]

Stunning result mate, really pleased for you on this one:)

[ethanmartha]

fantastic mate,for me that is everything collecting is about

[rcsmg1]

Nigel,could the autograph in the unexpected book be David Johnson who was with Watford in the early 80s? (I never got his autograph,but he was with Watford around the same time as Steve Terry and Eric Steele)

The other two I'm not sure although I'm sure I recognise the bottom one!

[thehornets]

Thanks Rob. I'm with you on that bottom Centenary book sig. I also recognise it, but cannot remember who it is. Have definitely seen it before.

I also thought that sig was David Johnson when I first looked, then thought another might be his. Have looked at it further, and the one I thought might be him is in fact Neil Williams, another of the 1st year pros who did not play for Watford but then had a career with Hull, Preston and Carlisle. This means that mystery sig probably is David Johnson.

Thanks for repointing my focus, I am pretty sure that is it, as there was no-one else on the book at the time starting with a D that is not already accounted for, so I am now confident that all the Unexpected book sigs are now accounted for.