Seann Walsh
Wednesday 12 October 2011 14:17, UK
QPR fan and stand-up comedian Seann Walsh gives skysports.com his football firsts.
From kissing Burberry-clad fans in goal celebrations to cursing Andy Campbell in the play-offs, it has been an interesting ride for comedian and QPR fan Seann Walsh
Comedian and Queens Park Rangers fan Seann Walsh has mixed with Millwall supporters, kissed a Burberry-clad fellow fan as part of a goal celebration and has also suffered play-off final heartbreak. It is safe to say he has an interesting footballing history and, amid his UK tour, skysports.com was happy to hear the stand-up's story.
Queens Park Rangers
My dad moved over to London from Ireland in the Seventies when we had (Stan) Bowles and (Rodney) Marsh - we also had nine other players - a team that just lost the league by one point. I started going to Loftus Road when we had another great team that included 'Sir' Les Ferdinand.
Millwall v QPR
The first match I remember is when my dad took me to the old Den. And we sat with the Millwall fans. That is the most ridiculous sentence anyone can say in football. It'd be like if a hobbit told you he'd just popped out for a walk in Mordor.
Andy Impey
I remember sitting quite close to the dugout at one game. When the team came out for the match, I shouted, "Go on Impey". I was very original. He turned around and stuck his thumb up at me. It was all I could think about for weeks. My all-time favourite player, however, is Paul Furlong. Furlong was with us for those years in League One not so long ago. He helped us get to the play-off final with a goal against Oldham. He helped us get promoted to the Championship the following year and scored in the promotion-winning game against Sheffield Wednesday. He helped us stay in the Championship when he scored a late goal against Luton. He still plays now! Forty-three!? You're having a laugh. Legend!
Andy Campbell
Just simply because he scored the extra-time winner in the 2003 League One play-off final for Cardiff. That was the worst feeling I've ever experienced in football. Cried all the way home. Thanks, Andy.
Started with a kiss
I'd been seeing QPR for a few years but never had the confidence to jump up when we scored. I was too shy. I'd always wanted to but just didn't have it in me. Then - and I can't remember who scored and can't find it on youtube either - someone scored. Not my best anecdote, I know. Well, I went crazy! I look ridiculous when I celebrate! In one game, Furlong scored a header against Preston, I jumped up, turned round, grabbed a 6ft bald bloke wearing only Burberry, pulled him down and kissed his head! If I had done that in any other situation...
'Sir' Les leaving
He went to Newcastle. It had to be done but it was my first experience of a favourite player leaving your club. The worst was when Richard Langley joined Cardiff after they beat us in the play-off final.
