My experience with New Zealand Football legend Rory Fallon.

Finally, after two years, I meet New Zealand Football legend Rory Fallon. The reason I support him is because if not his goal against Bahrain in 2009, I would never able to watch the All Whites play in World Cup 2010, I am always teams which play direct and long balls, also as a player he was quite a old school style centre forward, quite liked Grant Holt. A super nice man! 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 football standard is poor, very direct, not enough time to think before you settle down on the ball, and I like the referee 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 was shocked to be honest since only your friend will do, but I've never meet him. He is driving me to Plymouth, it's one hour journey from Truro, we have the sauages and fries during the trip. We have lots of topics to discuss include what's Hong Kong is, where do I live and work, and how many NZ players play in Hong Kong league before, 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, NO. Rory drop me off in his friend's hotel around 7pm, he go back home yo 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 was totally shocked again and find that it is, it is really an international player shirt! It's big different compare with my replica New Zealand shirt, the detail of the shirt is top quality, the tag of the shirt is gold instead of the replica one, is silver only. We go to the restaurant and sorry I am quite a sporty man, I don't have any formal shirt or jeans, but think never mind! We have a brilliant nearly 3 hours talk, and Rory manage to see most of my football action in Hong Kong: goals, saving tackles and good defensive play! I also ask him 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. Rory has a few beers and I have a few Diet coke. His ice cream supply to this restaurant so he know most of the waiters and chefs. I have the burger and he has the fish & chips. I also give him a lego character, which has the 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 good food, and 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. I suggest we share the bill but Rory pay the bill! It's not really expensive and it's £30, because they did not charge the drinks since we have to wait for nearly an hour for the table, it's busy.

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. We have the chocolate ice cream on the cone, the taste is really great, it's fresh and smooth! I recall I finish ice cream not less than 5 minutes, but this one, it's nearly 15 minutes to finish, that one! There is a Nike football in the factory, and we manage to have a 3 men passing practise for a few minutes too! Rory drop the lad back home at 12pm, then he take me nearly the sea, which is certainly many tourist will go, we see the Mayflower, the gin, and Rory recommend I must take a cornish, its liked a pie but the taste is great, 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, take a selfie, have a big hug, then I leave; I then find out I leave my taplet on his car! Fortunately he gives me his mobile number so I call him, he's back and, I say Goodbye to Rory again, then I get the train back to Norwich.

I don't know what everyone think, it's a bit different with Grant Holt come to see me last Monday, because I keep contact with Rory by Facebook and Twitter since 2014, I should see him at Scunthorpe but he miss me due to his injury. He know me much than a fans, because he told me I should cut down to eat so many rice and noodles, because he see my meal's photo on Facebook. I am his fans of course, I ask him when I leave will we meet again? He say he has two years contract with Truro, we will.

Posted By: XXL16, Oct 24, 11:38:52