'I played against Jose Mourinho and was taken out by Roman Abramovich's minder'

21 July 2023 , 07:00

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Jose Mourinho in goal during the charity game in aid of Grenfell (Image: WireImage)

It was back in the summer of 2007. I think it was probably my favourite single day in my job… not from a professional sense at all, but the sheer fun of sharing a football pitch with Jose Mourinho.

Me in goal at one end and him at the other. He was in goal for the Chelsea staff team playing a team of journos, including me in nets at the other end. They had former Brazil, Portugal and Scotland internationals. We had Sunday League types, a group of blokes basically who talk and write a good game… but can’t play it.

And, incredibly, we took them to penalties after a 1-1 draw… and it was Mourinho who ended up having a painful day as he rushed out of his goal, pulled a hamstring and could barely walk off. There was John Terry and Ashley Cole watching (and doing anything they could to make sure the press lost) along with Roman Abramovich and his other half at the time.

I can’t recall who scored for them. But I can remember my dear, late friend Ian McGarry scored for us. And it was another sadly departed legend Danny Fullbrook who was manager. He will go down in legend for bringing one player on to give him a run out, realised he could barely put one foot in front of the other and brought him straight off. I’ll spare his blushes by not saying who!

It took one of Chelsea’s media team to score past me and it went to penalties. Just before the shoot-out, Chelsea had a corner and Abramovich’s minder took me out which meant I could move even less than normal - and didn’t get close to any of the spot kicks. They won.

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Mirror Football's John Cross between the sticks during a press game

John Cross