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.

[loobyloo6]

Jus Brilliant Ngel..Really pleased for you..and to speak to and hopfully meet one of your heros..Excellent result.

Well done you.

[sylouisetruebluechelsea]

Awesome mate just the best when somthing like this happens and he seems to be a gentleman and keen to help you gain more autographs ,this a very impressive result all the Watford items are great well done Nigel very pleased for you .

[0779swan]

Thats superb Nigel well pleased for you 🙂

[norwichcity78]

Top result for you Nigel....can see why your are happy with the Martin Patching result mate

[allswell42]

THATS A BRILLIANT REPLY JUST LOVE IT WHEN A HERO GOES EXTRA MILE FOR A FAN JUST MAKES IT MORE SPECIAL WELL DONE

[thehornets]

Thanks all, it was really nice talking to Martin on the phone.

[robboh2006]

Thats brilliant mate love when someone has the time for fans really pleased for you

[kimbub16]

a special result nigel, lovely letter

[westiesx2]

Fantastic result Nigel. That is a great experience and hope that you get the call re Steve Terry. Well done and the books look great with all those sigs.

[obree]

Well done Nigel on your EE reply and on your fantastic Martin Patching result it was very kind of him to send you the photographs and to help you with the other players . I know how you felt speaking to him on the phone I felt the same a couple of weeks ago speaking to Mark Reid it's not every day you get to speak to one of your idols . I'm really pleased for you Nigel .

[cobblered]

Nigel. thank you for that. I can't tell you how pleased I am for you. The passion and love for your team oozes out of every word of your Martin Patching story. Well done mate, that book is coming on a treat.

[bunting0_1]

Amazing results and such a nice letter, well done!

[serenamorgan]

nice EE success and an amazing Waftord result for you, really hope you get to meet them both, what a nice guy Martin appears to be:-)

[Anonymous]

Brilliant that Nigel and nice EE reply too

[film4watcher]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant and the Martin Patching reply is quite good too! 😉 Seriously though Nigel, that is a really generous and thoughtful reply from Martin. I hope we hear some more about any contacts you have with him and Steve Terry.

[thehornets]

Thank you everyone. I am still buzzing about this. I will indeed update everyone when I get some follwo up to this.

[sid8066]

It is no wonder you are buzzing Nigel that was really nice of Martin to go to all that trouble he sounds like a real gent

[rcsmg1]

Brilliant reply Nigel and nice of him to send the photo and letter to you.

Am I right in saying that Martin had a brain tumour or something like that some time ago? He was one player I never managed to get-I think the only time he came down to Plymouth was for a pre season friendly with Watford which I missed.

I hope he can help you with the ex players,Neil Price (and Francis Cassidy) spent some time together on loan at Argyle in 1984,with Neil being in the Watford squad for the semi final against us later that season.

I don't see Ian Bolton's signature in the book though,if it's the small one in the middle,I think it's Ian Richardson.Well done.

[thehornets]

Thanks Rob, have sent you a pm.

Martin had brain tumours removed in 2006 and 2009.

I was trying to identify the sig next to Malcolm Allen just below where Martin has signed in the Unexpected book, but he identified the sig in the Centenary book instead. I did not mention this on the phone, just thanked him for the help.

It's just that one sig I am trying to identify in the Unexpected book, but there are two in the Centenary book I do not know - just to the right of Richard Johnson, and the other bottom left opposite Nigel Gibbs, and just above the left corner of Wilf Rostron.