9 Of The Oddest Stories Of Ryan Giggs' Career

Ye know by now he turns 40 today, making him one of a select few players who have played into their 40s. Giggsy's career spans about 5 different eras. Giggs has played top flight football alongside lads born in 1957 (Mal Donaghy) and 1995 (Adnan Januzaj). He is in with an outside chance of playing 1,000 league games, an extraordinary achievement, all the more so for an outfield player (not to take away from Peter Shilton).

Here are 9 of the oddest stories of Ryan Giggs career.

1. The Milkman

It's a mark of Giggs' longevity that his career dates back to a time when scouts doubled as milkmen. An eight year old Giggsy was spotted by milkman and part-time Machester City scout Denis Schofield

"I was a milkman in those days, which was handy because after my round I would often park my float and watch the kids playing for their school teams.

"One such school was Grosvenor Road Primary in Swinton. As I was passing, I saw some pupils walking out of a door with their football boots on and decided to stick around. They had an eight-year-old on the left wing who ran like a gazelle and was dynamite on the ball. His name was Ryan Wilson."

 

2. He once got a kiss on the cheek from a girl when taking a corner against Shelbourne

This incident can sadly not be found on the internet but if one still has a serviceable VCR and copy of Manchester United's pre-season video from either 1994 or 1995, then this footage can be seen.

August 1994: It was a boiling hot day and Tolka Park was jammed, no doubt for the only time that season, for the visit of Manchester United. Giggs was taking a corner down at the Ballybough end, and paused briefly, hands on hips, to survey the situation in the box. A girl who looked like she was in her late teens was sitting on the advertising hoardings and spied her opportunity. With astonishing confidence, she sauntered,forward, and paused long enough to be able to look like she was really enjoying kissing him on the cheek. Afterwards, she giddily skipped back to her friends in the crowd. There was no manhandling from any stewards. Giggs pretended it hadn't happened.

If anyone knows the girl in question we urge you to come forward with information.

 

 3. The House Party in 1992

This one has gone down well for Lee Sharpe on the after-dinner circuit. Late spring in 1992 was a very stressful time at Manchester United. They were in the process of throwing away the title to Leeds United and were in the middle of a calamitous losing streak. Lee Sharpe wasn't worried and he brought Giggsy off to a house party a few nights after United played West Ham. Ferguson got wind of this party and shot down there.

The Manchester United manager did not feel he needed a warrant to enter this private premises. Ferguson claims to have found a "full blown party" in progress though Sharpe disputes this. Giggs was reportedly found cowering in a cupboard when Fergie arrived.

Ferguson ordered everyone out of the house, (in spite of the fact only two of those present were Manchester United players) giving everyone a cuff around the back of the head as they went out the door, including possibly the owner of the house.

4. The Liverpool Autograph Hunter

1992 again. United had just suffered a crushing defeat to Liverpool, losing the title to Leeds United in the process.

5. He used to wade into the river beside the Cliff to collect the balls Schmeichel booted into the river

Giggs' job as an apprentice was to pump up footballs. If they were a touch flat, the tactful and sympathetic Schmeichel used to whack them into the river adjoining the Cliff. Naturally, Giggs says he appreciates the lesson now.

6. He used to get Brian Robson to go over and sort out lads who were intimidating him

@Darransull86 @dickclerkin8 he ran to Bryan Robson anyway as a kid! He is defo top 10. 21 seasons at the top lads!! pic.twitter.com/GULoOXtFwf

— Alan O'Mara (@AOMTHECAT) November 29, 2013

7. He has the honour of being one of the funniest players Mark Bosnich ever played with

Bosnich recalled "a very witty, very sharp teammate" who used to "fire the bullets for Nicky Butt" whatever that means.

8. Roy Carroll

Christmas parties are always scenes of decorum and harmony. Giggs and the Northern Ireland goalkeeper squared up to one another outside a pub in Manchester during the United Christmas Party of 2004.

9. Superinjunction

Giggs ensured that his numerous affairs would become massive, unavoidable news stories by taking out a superinjunction.

To be fair to Giggs, he showed the wisest way to react once the excrement hits the extractor on one of these scandals. And that is to say nothing. Say nothing initially. When people demand that you apologise, say nothing. And then when the storm passes, continue to say nothing.