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Brian, 124, has been at Ashton Gate since the summer of 1895, when he was signed up by Bristol South End on apprentice forms after a childhood spent sweeping chimneys in the days before child labour was banned. Turning his back on his hometown of Newcastle and the mining industry, which had served his family well for four generations, a bright-eyed young Brian arrived in Bristol with nothing but a pair of old hob-nailed football boots given to him by his grandfather and sixpence in change to pay for bed and board. And a lump of black pudding, probably. Tins is nothing short of a legend among the Ashton Gate faithful - his crowning glory undoubtedly being the winning goal that sent Liverpool out of the FA Cup in 1994. He still receives three sack loads of Christmas cards from the Anfield area every year for his part in ensuring the demise of Graeme Souness as manager of Liverpool. The club has already insured his golden left leg for £4m. The right one is insured for £2.50. Tinman famously trained with Gazza at Newcastle in the days when the boozy star could still actually remember the days. Often the pair would sneak off training together to entertain themselves by singing Fog on the Tyne instead. However, like a fine wine, Tinman continues to mature with age, and it can only be speculated as to how good he will be by 2025. If the current trend continues it is safe to assume that Brian will be worth upwards of £35 million by then. The best way of conveying the esteem in which City fans hold Tins is to listen to the terrace song about him. 'Tinman Is A Sh**head" must be the most unusual song of praise about any player in any ground in the country, but it is born out of true affection for a modern day City great. When not playing football, he enjoys the company of his pals the Scarecrow and the Lion and his ambition is to have a heart. |
