As you may already know, I think that THE tottiest bloke in the universe is Mr. Gary Winston Lineker OBE, therefore I have decided to create a page to this gorgeous guy to show my appreciation! ENJOY!
Gary Lineker - THE Life Story
Gary Winston Lineker was born on the 30th of November 1960, making him a Sagittarius, in the city of Leicester. His proud parents are Barry and Margaret and he has a brother called Wayne who is seventeen months younger than him. Gary's Dad owned a fruit-and-veg stall in Leicester town centre previously owned by Gary's grandfather (Harold) and great-grandfather (George), while his Mum was a hairdresser.
Gary's Dad realised his sons' potential and when Gary was 11 years old, the Lineker family moved from the main city of Leicester to the outskirts of Leicester, Leicester Forest East, where Gary and Wayne attended a football (soccer) playing school.
As teenagers, Gary and Wayne both played for Leicestershire County Cricket Club and when Gary was 16, the team he supported as a boy, Leicester City FC, signed him as an apprentice in July 1977 after spotting him at the age of 13.
Gary first met his future wife, Michelle (née Cockayne), at a nightclub when he was about 18/19 and she was 14/15. Gary was a reserve for Leicester's second team and he could tell that she was underage, but she caught his eye. Gary found her attractive and started dating her when she was about 17.
Gary played his debut game for Leicester City on 1st January 1979 against Oldham Athletic and stayed at Leicester for 9 years (1976-1985) where he scored 100 goals in 215 appearances. He moved to Everton FC in Liverpool for one season between 1985-1986 where he made 57 appearances and scored 40 goals. He cost Everton £800,000.
When Gary was 21, his parents became divorced.
Gary made his international mark at Mexico '86 (World Cup) held in even though Gary made his England debut in 1984 when he was 24. He played in the notorious quarter-final match between England and Argentina where Diego Maradona scored the 'Hand of God'. Gary scored England's 'consolation goal' in that match and almost scored another goal, which I say was handed to him on a plate. That match ended 2-1 to Argentina. Gary was the top goal scorer in the World Cup with 6 goals. He won the Golden Boot for his services. He was the first English player to be the leading goal scorer in a World Cup.
By the end of the World Cup, Gary was packing his bags for Spain as the Spanish giants Barcelona FC bought him for £2,750,000. By that time, he had married Michelle. Gary made 140 appearances for Barcelona and scored 54 goals. Gary and Michelle learnt how to speak fluent Spanish.
In 1988, Gary played for England in the European Championships (Euro '88). During this time, Gary developed hepatitis and he never really regained his speed.
During the end of Gary's 'reign in Spain' (1986-1989), it all went a bit bitter and pear-shaped and Tottenham Hotspur FC bought him in 1989 for £1,500,000. Indeed, he was an instant hit with us Spurs fans and he scored 80 goals in 139 appearances.
Gary featured in Italia '90 (World Cup) where he had established himself firmly in the England squad and as captain. England got to the semi-finals where we faced West Germany, as they were known then, and Gary scored the vital goal in Extra Time so that we faced the prospect of a Penalty Shoot-out. Gary scored when his penalty came up, but Stuart Pearce's shot was saved and Chris Waddle booted his laughable shot into space. England lost 4-3.
Afterwards, Gary's English football career was nearing towards an end. He played in the FA Cup Final in 1991 with Spurs and we won by beating Nottingham Forest FC. Gary ended his Spurs and domestic career in 1992.
Gary went to play for England for the last time in the European Championships (Euro '92) held in Sweden. He was controversially substituted by the then England manager, Graham Taylor, just a goal short of the record set by Bobby Charlton for the most goals scored by a player in the England shirt. Gary ended his international career scoring 48 goals in 74 appearances, with the incredibile record of never been booked or sent off, a task only achieved previously by Trevor Brooking.
During this time, Gary's first-born son, George, was being treated for leukaemia.
Gary also helped the BBC bring coverage from Barcelona of the 1992 Olympics.
Gary then went to Japan to play for Nagoya Grampus 8 in the J-League where he stayed for two seasons scoring just 8 goals. Michelle had another child, Harry, during their time in Japan. The couple also learnt how to speak fluent Japanese.
Gary came back to England in 1994 and worked for the BBC ever since.
Gary has also done many adverts for Walker's Crisps, campaigned for children to eat more vegetables and to become more active, campaigned for leukaemia, and has received an OBE from the Queen.
Michelle has also had two more sons, Tobias (Toby) and Angus.
Since the sad move of Dishy Desmond Lynam to ITV, Gary is now in the hotseat and presents 'Match of the Day'. He also presented an early morning show for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He has also presented a series shown on BBC 1 called, aptly, Gary Lineker's Golden Boots.
Gary is also the captain on They Think It's All Over, along with cricket 'supremo', David Gower. Gary is TOTALLY unfunny on this show, and Lee Hurst was always taking the piss out of Gary's toe injury, among other things, which I loved because it's just sooooooooo funny! I totally love the They Think It's All Over: No Holds Barred video where Gary wins the Sack Race in a giant Walker's Barbeque Flavour crisp packet (Believe me, it's true!) and wins the Egg Throwing Game, in which he breaks the 'world record' at 100 metres! Pure comedy in a box!
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Thanks! Also, if you are Gary Winston Lineker (Not an impostor, the real McCoy), PLEASE, oh please e-mail me and tell me if you rate this page as a good Tribute Page!
