World Cup 2010 - 60 seconds with Les Ferdinand
The former England striker spoke to us about flying helicopters and his old school hip hop tastes.
Who was your sporting hero?
Muhammad Ali. He was an inspiration. I am a boxing fan but, for me, he was the first global black sports star who was able to speak their mind and be excellent in what they did.
What would you have done if you hadn't become a footballer?
I didn't complete my schooling as well as I would have liked, so I would have gone back and got myself some sort of trade. What that would have been I'm not quite sure. I was giving myself until I was 20 to make it. That was the cut-off point.
Which team did you most enjoyed beating?
Everton, more than anybody else. I just always had loads of stick from their supporters. Consequently I scored more goals against them than any other team.
What is your most embarrassing moment on the pitch?
Scoring an own goal was pretty embarrassing. I got one at Crystal Palace while I was with QPR.
To balance that, which goal stands out as your best?
There was one for Spurs against Manchester United at Old Trafford (on the final day of the season in 1999). You don't get to score many goals up there, but I lobbed Peter Schmeichel from an angle. I thought to myself "that's not a bad goal", but I couldn't celebrate, because it was the year that Arsenal and United were battling for the title, and I knew that if we beat them Arsenal would win the title.
Who had the best dressing room banter?
When I was at QPR, the lads were great. Ian Holloway was great, Alan McDonald was great, it was fantastic. When any player comes out of football, they always miss the banter.
60 seconds hears you can fly helicopters. Do you still get up in the air these days?
I still go out and keep my hours up. I thoroughly enjoy it, it just gets me away from everything. The phone is off, no one can get to me.
What sort of stuff is on your iPod?
I listen to a lot of funky house, especially as I do a lot of bike riding now. I still listen to a bit of hip hop, people like KRS One, Rakim. I'm old school. Their hip hop is a little different to what's going around now, all that gangster rap. I don't enjoy that.
We spoke to Les over a pint of Greene King IPA -
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One of the great Loftus Road legends
Ranger fan
When Les played for QPR we took my son James who was then about 7 to see Les Ferdinand at a charity football match. I was so embarassed when James said he had a question to ask him. He had been in 'Shoot' magazine and James said 'do u remember when u were in that football magazine and u looked like this (and pulled the face that Les looked like in the picture?!! He must have had thousands of photos taken for magazines but it was just so funny the way he came out with it and Les just said 'of course I do' lol, bless him.
A True legend and Hero
Good luck Les, you were a very good player.
We never forget you at Spurs Les, you are a star.
Hope to meet you at an airfield one day.
From a Spurs supporter and fellow pilot.
Legend!!
sir les toon legend
I have always remembered your playing days and refered to them when watching matches with my children. You are a star. From Gbola
Don't listen to music while riding a bike, Les. You know the risks.
SIR LES INDEED....FROM A SPURS FAN
Sir Les.......Use to put the fear of god into defenders
我日你妈 5281;
you always accused us evertonians of being racist Les. it wasnt racism it was fear as you were always a danger against us. please remember a player called Cliff Marshall Les. He was one of the first coloured players in this country for Everton. You were a great player Les and we always wished we had You, thats why you got stick!
well said
legend
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