Guy B utters Night

[Mendoza]

That was our boys favourite part of the night!! That and opening his dads presents of course!

it wasnt a laughing matter, people were DEMANDING their garlic mushrooms, and looked in disgust as the waiters walked by with Pizza Leonardos and lasagnas

also the other highlight was Guy's Hans Segers joke, but I cant decide if it made me LOL, ROFL or LMAO

 

[The Large One]

For those that weren't there...

The vast majority arrived at 6 prompt - except one Banana, who actually forgot. :thud:

In a role reversal to the norm, upon entering Donatello's, we got everyone to sign a shirt which we later presented to Guy. I was hoping to frame it during the evening, but I mislaid the tape...

Guy arrived at 6.20pm - to a massive standing ovation. Marvellous scenes.

Everyone - eventually - had a three-course Donatello meal, plenty of beer and wine. Plenty of laughter, gossip and smiling faces. And leeriness to the waiters who were bringing in some people's main courses before others had had their starters. Never mind.

We had the presentation at half-time. Hiney, who lives near Guy in Southampton, spoke warmly for about 10-15 minutes about him, his career, his attitude to football, to his colleagues, his driving, his farting, his love of The Who (hence the tickets). Guy got a standing ovation for the things that Hiney told us and made us appreciate about Guy.

I then took over an did the presents. The pictures, if you can see them, tell the story. We got him a giant framed pair of shorts with ‘KFC 14’ printed on them. We gave him the unframed shirt that everyone signed on their way in. We also got him a Carlsberg Draughtmaster (a kind of desktop draught beer cooler and pump), a Nintendo Wii (plus Mario Kart), - well, what else do you get a 38-year-old kid? - and a pewter and brass tankard with the engraving ‘Guy, Thanks and Best Wishes from all your friends and supporters at Brighton & Hove Albion – 29th June 2008’. Oh, and some written testimonials which were presented in a KFC bargain bucket.

Hiney took over the microphone to propose a toast.

Guy then took the microphone and nearly – NEARLY – choked up. He thanked everyone for coming – no-one had ever done anything like this for him before. He was grateful for all the presents, it meant so much to him that so many people had come along. A few stories about his debut, scoring against a bent goalie! He publicly thanked his wife, Rachel, for being so loving and supportive, especially when the chips were down for him.

A grand evening was had by all – someone suggested doing this on an annual basis. I’ll let someone else organise that, I think.

Personally, I’m delighted with the way it went - although, of course, the evening was not about me. I was next to Guy when he walked in the room to his standing ovation – and it gave ME goosebumps. He was, I think, made up.

The last of us disappeared at about 11.

Thanks to Fourteenth Eye for helping with the shopping, to TwoChoices Tom for helping set up the PA, to Woodingdean Gull (and better half, of course) for helping with the presents, The Merry Prankster for the original idea, and Hiney for a great speech.

And thanks, Guy.

 

[John Bumlick]

excellent work by all those who organised and attended. glad the big fella got the send off he deserved.

wonder if ronaldo will get the same treatment from the man ure fans...?

 

[Hiney]

Any chance of a TRANSCRIPT of Hineys speech for those who were not fortunate enough to be there to WITNESS it ?

Here is the gist of wot I wrote. They are my words, but I hope it captures what we, as fans, feel about his contribution to the club.




I first met Guy about 4 years ago and as is the case with all the best relationships, we kept things online. After a while I started getting worried about someone on North Stand Chat who knew what car I drove and more worryingly, where I lived.

We first met face to face across the biscuit counter in our local One Stop and after that, things started to get serious, but more of this later!

Long careers in football are not as commonplace as they used to be and for someone to be a professional for over 20 years is a superb achievement.

As a player, his record is pretty impressive, with over 650 games as a professional. He’s played in all four Divisions of the Football League as well as The Conference. He’s played at Wembley and The Millenium Stadium as well as many of the major League grounds in England. He’s represented his country and played with and against many of the best players over the past 20 years. He signed for Tottenham in 1986 and made his first team debut on 12th November 1988, when he came on as a sub against Wimbledon, scoring in a 3-2 win. There was an Albion connection even back then, as he came on for Gary Stevens, who’d just been carried off after a tackle by Vinnie Jones. Things have come full circle and it’s a strange quirk of fate that one of the opponents for Havant & Waterlooville next season will be AFC Wimbledon! At the time of that first game, Spurs were 20th in Division One and struggling after only one win in the first 11 games of that season. In the Spurs team on that day were Gary Mabbutt, Terry Fenwick, Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle and Clive Allen so he was in pretty good company. Guy kept his place for the rest of the season as Spurs got better and better, eventually finishing 6th in the top division. He was rewarded for a good first season by selection for the England U21 team in the Toulon tournament. He played three times in a team that included Neil Ruddock at Centre-Back.

He played a total of 38 games for Tottenham before he fell out of favour with Terry Venables and moved to Portsmouth in 1990. Pompey were building an exciting squad back then and Guy was part of the squad that reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1992. He broke his leg whilst at Pompey and after over 180 games for them, moved to Gillingham in 1996.

He was a regular at Priestfield and of course this brought another Albion connection as he shared the pitch with us for a couple of seasons. At Gillingham he was part of the team that reached 2 successive play-off finals at Wembley and although we won’t dwell too much on the Man City game in 1999 when he missed a penalty in the shootout, he went up with Gillingham in 2000. He played just under 200 games for Gillingham and this was also his most prolific period in terms of goals, with a total of 17 in his time there.

In the summer of 2002 we made an enquiry for him and eventually signed him in August of that year on a free transfer. It’s fair to say that things didn’t start brilliantly for him down here and eBay is still a swearword in the Butters household! After a difficult start to the season, he was sent on loan to Barnet in March 2003.

In the Summer of 2003, he was at a bit of a crossroads in his career and it is well-documented that he considered retirement. This obviously got Rachel VERY worried as she definitely wasn’t ready to have him around at home for more than was absolutely necessary! He was out of the team at the start of the 2003/04 season until he was brought into the side by Steve Coppell at the end of August following injuries to Dean Blackwell and Danny Cullip. A week later he scored his first goal for us in a 3-3 THRILLER at Plymouth.

At the start of November 2003 there entered one Mark McGhee. In Brighton and particularly on NSC, the name of Mark McGhee generates intense debate to say the least but he had a big affect on Guy, as he introduced new fitness and dietary regimes into the club, and a new belief in both him and the team as a whole. From the end of August Guy was ever-present and we all know how the season ended!! He played 48 games that season and won the Player of the Season award ahead of Leon Knight’s goalscoring exploits. I just want to read from the programme when the winner was announced as it kind of sums up what Guy is all about.

He played 43 times the following season in The Championship and made a major contribution to us staying up that year, including a memorable winning goal at West Ham that provoked celebrations in the crowd that can only be described as ‘mental’. He also made a return to Tottenham in January ’05 and skippered the side in the FA Cup game.

In 05/06 he played a further 47 games and came close to retaining the Player of the Season award.

In 06/07 he played 38 times and last season 26 as he passed his 38th birthday – testimony to the fact that, despite the perception that he survives solely on a diet of KFC and Guinness, he DOES look after himself with a dedication that some younger players would do well to copy.

He also likes to lurk on NSC and despite Rachel’s efforts, has sometimes managed to cut loose with some classic ranting. One occasion after a midweek game against Cardiff in 2005 will go down in history and the ‘Ask Tank’ thread is still in NSC Gold. Many of these rants come after a classic Saturday night Butters special re-hydration programme. I am reliably informed that Guinness, Carlsberg, Stella, Fosters and Becks contain more than enough water to do the job. Curry and Chinese also provides a superb source of nutrients that can get lost on a Saturday afternoon.

On the lifestyle issues, I learned early on that you take him on at your peril. In November 2005 I got a call from him asking if I fancied a ‘beer or 2’ at our local and at the same time watch England’s friendly with Argentina which kicked off at around 6 in the evening. We met at 4 because England’s rugby team were in action as well. When I eventually got home – it took me 5 minutes to walk TO the pub but 45 to walk home!! – I was in a terrible state and the following day I was in a coma. I later found out to my HORROR, that Guy had gone home and actually carried on drinking!! I knew then that he was made of sterner stuff.

We’ve also had some memorable sessions following The Who. In 2006 we left home at 11.30 on a Sunday morning for their concert at The Brighton Centre and just about made it to the end of the gig. Similarly last year at The Rose Bowl, the evening ended with me nearly decapitating myself on their trampoline after another day’s drinking.

Despite all of this, I mentioned earlier that he works hard and has never jeopardised his position in the team by any ‘lifestyle issues’, contrary to what some people may think. Next season will be in Nationwide South, but that hasn’t stopped him, in his words, ‘running my cock off’ in the lead-up to the start of training next week.

As fans, we love to watch the flair players and we love to see the team doing well, but just as important, is the fact that the players look as if they mean it on the pitch. There has been many a debate about the lack of passion and commitment shown by a number of our recent players but Guy has never been one of these. We have loved his commitment to the cause and some of the defensive rearguard actions in the 2004/05 season were unbelievable – Guy was always at the heart of this.

Added to all of this is the fact that he is actually a bloody nice bloke and is always prepared to sign autographs and make time for anyone. There is a great story from last season where he had promised to sign some autographs after the warm-up but only remembered this when he was on his way back to the changing rooms. Many players would just leave it at that but not Guy – he ran back down to the family stand and signed the programmes, as promised. Typical of the man.

I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing the club had asked him to stay on in some capacity – the help and guidance he has given to our young players surely deserved some longer-term recognition. I think players like Joel Lynch and Tommy Elphick have really benefited from having him next to them – Guy has also been pleased to have some youngsters around to do his running!

I am proud to have him as a mate and it has been brilliant watching him play for us over the past few years. I’ve also enjoyed some excellent sessions of ‘Deal or No Deal’ in the various pubs between Brighton and Southampton. If he ever went on mastermind, his specialist subject would be ‘The public houses of the A27/M27 corridor – 2002-2008’. I’d also like to thank him for the many attempts to break the Land Speed record on that road. I also have a little tip – if you’re driving back to Southampton after an evening game, it’s probably best to actually slow down before you approach the bollards leading up to roadworks.

I’m sure I will be making my way along to Havant a few times next season and I’m also trying to persuade him to join us all on the 5.32am train out of Southampton for a trip to Hartlepool or Leeds.

So mate, thanks for everything you have done for Brighton and Hove Albion and we all wish you the very best of luck for whatever you do in the future. I think I speak for all of us when I say it would be superb to have you back at The Albion in some capacity in the future.

 

[Frutos]

So mate, thanks for everything you have done for Brighton and Hove Albion and we all wish you the very best of luck for whatever you do in the future. I think I speak for all of us when I say it would be superb to have you back at The Albion in some capacity in the future.

My thoughts exactly.

Did he say whether he'd be playing in the Legends Game before OGH's testimonial?

 

[Hiney]

My thoughts exactly.

Did he say whether he'd be playing in the Legends Game before OGH's testimonial?

He's hoping to.

Depends on whether Havant & Waterlooville need him.

 

[Braders]

Here is the gist of wot I wrote. They are my words, but I hope it captures what we, as fans, feel about his contribution to the club.




I first met Guy about 4 years ago and as is the case with all the best relationships, we kept things online. After a while I started getting worried about someone on North Stand Chat who knew what car I drove and more worryingly, where I lived.

We first met face to face across the biscuit counter in our local One Stop and after that, things started to get serious, but more of this later!

Long careers in football are not as commonplace as they used to be and for someone to be a professional for over 20 years is a superb achievement.

As a player, his record is pretty impressive, with over 650 games as a professional. He’s played in all four Divisions of the Football League as well as The Conference. He’s played at Wembley and The Millenium Stadium as well as many of the major League grounds in England. He’s represented his country and played with and against many of the best players over the past 20 years. He signed for Tottenham in 1986 and made his first team debut on 12th November 1988, when he came on as a sub against Wimbledon, scoring in a 3-2 win. There was an Albion connection even back then, as he came on for Gary Stevens, who’d just been carried off after a tackle by Vinnie Jones. Things have come full circle and it’s a strange quirk of fate that one of the opponents for Havant & Waterlooville next season will be AFC Wimbledon! At the time of that first game, Spurs were 20th in Division One and struggling after only one win in the first 11 games of that season. In the Spurs team on that day were Gary Mabbutt, Terry Fenwick, Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle and Clive Allen so he was in pretty good company. Guy kept his place for the rest of the season as Spurs got better and better, eventually finishing 6th in the top division. He was rewarded for a good first season by selection for the England U21 team in the Toulon tournament. He played three times in a team that included Neil Ruddock at Centre-Back.

He played a total of 38 games for Tottenham before he fell out of favour with Terry Venables and moved to Portsmouth in 1990. Pompey were building an exciting squad back then and Guy was part of the squad that reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1992. He broke his leg whilst at Pompey and after over 180 games for them, moved to Gillingham in 1996.

He was a regular at Priestfield and of course this brought another Albion connection as he shared the pitch with us for a couple of seasons. At Gillingham he was part of the team that reached 2 successive play-off finals at Wembley and although we won’t dwell too much on the Man City game in 1999 when he missed a penalty in the shootout, he went up with Gillingham in 2000. He played just under 200 games for Gillingham and this was also his most prolific period in terms of goals, with a total of 17 in his time there.

In the summer of 2002 we made an enquiry for him and eventually signed him in August of that year on a free transfer. It’s fair to say that things didn’t start brilliantly for him down here and eBay is still a swearword in the Butters household! After a difficult start to the season, he was sent on loan to Barnet in March 2003.

In the Summer of 2003, he was at a bit of a crossroads in his career and it is well-documented that he considered retirement. This obviously got Rachel VERY worried as she definitely wasn’t ready to have him around at home for more than was absolutely necessary! He was out of the team at the start of the 2003/04 season until he was brought into the side by Steve Coppell at the end of August following injuries to Dean Blackwell and Danny Cullip. A week later he scored his first goal for us in a 3-3 THRILLER at Plymouth.

At the start of November 2003 there entered one Mark McGhee. In Brighton and particularly on NSC, the name of Mark McGhee generates intense debate to say the least but he had a big affect on Guy, as he introduced new fitness and dietary regimes into the club, and a new belief in both him and the team as a whole. From the end of August Guy was ever-present and we all know how the season ended!! He played 48 games that season and won the Player of the Season award ahead of Leon Knight’s goalscoring exploits. I just want to read from the programme when the winner was announced as it kind of sums up what Guy is all about.

He played 43 times the following season in The Championship and made a major contribution to us staying up that year, including a memorable winning goal at West Ham that provoked celebrations in the crowd that can only be described as ‘mental’. He also made a return to Tottenham in January ’05 and skippered the side in the FA Cup game.

In 05/06 he played a further 47 games and came close to retaining the Player of the Season award.

In 06/07 he played 38 times and last season 26 as he passed his 38th birthday – testimony to the fact that, despite the perception that he survives solely on a diet of KFC and Guinness, he DOES look after himself with a dedication that some younger players would do well to copy.

He also likes to lurk on NSC and despite Rachel’s efforts, has sometimes managed to cut loose with some classic ranting. One occasion after a midweek game against Cardiff in 2005 will go down in history and the ‘Ask Tank’ thread is still in NSC Gold. Many of these rants come after a classic Saturday night Butters special re-hydration programme. I am reliably informed that Guinness, Carlsberg, Stella, Fosters and Becks contain more than enough water to do the job. Curry and Chinese also provides a superb source of nutrients that can get lost on a Saturday afternoon.

On the lifestyle issues, I learned early on that you take him on at your peril. In November 2005 I got a call from him asking if I fancied a ‘beer or 2’ at our local and at the same time watch England’s friendly with Argentina which kicked off at around 6 in the evening. We met at 4 because England’s rugby team were in action as well. When I eventually got home – it took me 5 minutes to walk TO the pub but 45 to walk home!! – I was in a terrible state and the following day I was in a coma. I later found out to my HORROR, that Guy had gone home and actually carried on drinking!! I knew then that he was made of sterner stuff.

We’ve also had some memorable sessions following The Who. In 2006 we left home at 11.30 on a Sunday morning for their concert at The Brighton Centre and just about made it to the end of the gig. Similarly last year at The Rose Bowl, the evening ended with me nearly decapitating myself on their trampoline after another day’s drinking.

Despite all of this, I mentioned earlier that he works hard and has never jeopardised his position in the team by any ‘lifestyle issues’, contrary to what some people may think. Next season will be in Nationwide South, but that hasn’t stopped him, in his words, ‘running my cock off’ in the lead-up to the start of training next week.

As fans, we love to watch the flair players and we love to see the team doing well, but just as important, is the fact that the players look as if they mean it on the pitch. There has been many a debate about the lack of passion and commitment shown by a number of our recent players but Guy has never been one of these. We have loved his commitment to the cause and some of the defensive rearguard actions in the 2004/05 season were unbelievable – Guy was always at the heart of this.

Added to all of this is the fact that he is actually a bloody nice bloke and is always prepared to sign autographs and make time for anyone. There is a great story from last season where he had promised to sign some autographs after the warm-up but only remembered this when he was on his way back to the changing rooms. Many players would just leave it at that but not Guy – he ran back down to the family stand and signed the programmes, as promised. Typical of the man.

I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing the club had asked him to stay on in some capacity – the help and guidance he has given to our young players surely deserved some longer-term recognition. I think players like Joel Lynch and Tommy Elphick have really benefited from having him next to them – Guy has also been pleased to have some youngsters around to do his running!

I am proud to have him as a mate and it has been brilliant watching him play for us over the past few years. I’ve also enjoyed some excellent sessions of ‘Deal or No Deal’ in the various pubs between Brighton and Southampton. If he ever went on mastermind, his specialist subject would be ‘The public houses of the A27/M27 corridor – 2002-2008’. I’d also like to thank him for the many attempts to break the Land Speed record on that road. I also have a little tip – if you’re driving back to Southampton after an evening game, it’s probably best to actually slow down before you approach the bollards leading up to roadworks.

I’m sure I will be making my way along to Havant a few times next season and I’m also trying to persuade him to join us all on the 5.32am train out of Southampton for a trip to Hartlepool or Leeds.

So mate, thanks for everything you have done for Brighton and Hove Albion and we all wish you the very best of luck for whatever you do in the future. I think I speak for all of us when I say it would be superb to have you back at The Albion in some capacity in the future.

that was bloody BRILLIANT Hiney

 

[Race]

As I cant drag him off this bloody Wii now (he's playing snooker with Jamie and they are both shouting at the screen cos they are both crap at it!) he's dictating this message to me inbetween trying to pot balls (and I cant be doing with him on my laptop thumping the keyboard doing his one fingered typing!).

I was really chuffed with the reception I got when walking into the restaurant, totally unexpected! I hadnt been told about any of what would be happening apart from the fact I had to be there for 6.15pm so it was a nice surprise.

I feel really honoured that the evening was arranged for me and that so many of you would turn out for the occasion, and that some had travelled a long way to be there.

Once again, thanks to Al and Hiney for everything last night, and to everyone else who was involved in the organisation and to everyone who came and made it a great night and a good laugh, we all really enjoyed it.

The gifts were a really nice touch and my tankard is now sitting in my trophy cabinet. Thanks to everyone who sent me the messages in my very own bargain bucket as well and for the good luck card which was made by Luke.

Well that's enough of that now so please excuse me as I am trying to whoop Jamies arse at this Wii lark, and I WILL win!

Tank xx

 

[Easy 10]

Fantastic stuff Hiney, great speech, thanks for putting it up.
Sums things up brilliantly

And nice one Guy, you will always be fondly remembered. Now don't forget to put your Mario Kart number on the board so you can join the NSC Sunday Night online Grand Prix Wii GEEKS

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Last night was AWESOME - had a brilliant night, and specially enjoyed the extra bottle of WINE delivered to our table thanks to the starters mix up!!!

Thaks to those that organised it, and to Hiney for giving me a left back!

 

[Easy 10]

Thaks to those that organised it, and to Hiney for giving me a left back!

He gave you a left back ? EXCELLENT
Any chance you could give him to Mickey ?

 

[nobody's dupe]

Thanks to . . . . Hiney for giving me a left back!

Was his name Ben Andrews per chance?

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

He gave you a left back ? EXCELLENT
Any chance you could give him to Mickey ?

Ooops!!! Wine must still be in effect

 

[oapdodge]

Sounds a great evening and a real shame that I couldn't make it. After having to go away for work for the weekend. I would have loved to have worn the shirt I have of Guys from the Palace win. He is a true legend for the way he bounced back and performed for us. Hineys speech I think sums it up for everyone. Agree that to let a player go with that much experience, that could help and encourage our young players is such a shame. Come on DK get him back.

 

[Lady Bracknell]

Having only recently been released into the community, I thought it was high time to take the camera for an outing too so here's a little selection of last night's pictures...

The rest are here:
The Appreciation of Mr Butters - In Pictures

 

[Woodingdean Gull]

It was a great evening and congratulations must go to Al for the organization.
The speech by Hiney was superb and right on the money.
Lastly, a huge thank you to Guy for being Guy and a big thank you to Race for being so lovely and understanding.

Oops, almost forgot, finally a grande "Gracias" to Spain for making the evening just about perfect.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Hiney - I doubt there was a dry eye in the house. Well said my friend. Well done to everyone who organised and attended. Thaanks Guy (and Race).

 

[The Large One]

Oh, and Guy gave me a shirt of his (clean), which he duly signed at the end of the evening (although the missus didn't realise this, and tried to give it back...)

The text read 'Alan, thanks for organising a fantastic evening, YOU MASSIVE HOMO. Looking forward to teh Draughtmaster, Guy'.

 

[Seagullible]

a legend

 

[Mr Banana]

For those that weren't there...

The vast majority arrived at 6 prompt - except one Banana, who actually forgot. :thud:

Err yeah, sorry about that Al. It was alright though. Tank looked happy. I spent most of the evening trying to stop Kenny talking!