I am absolutely gutted :(

I have a set of 14 postal first day covers featuring Warney plus a few trading cards which I thought would be nice to try and get signed. However, instead of just sending a few at a time to him on the off-chance he would sign them, I decided to offer to pay a small amount of money in exchange for the autographs.

The response from his manager was initially encouraging stating Warney didn't want to make any money, but how much would I be willing to donate to his Foundation. I nominated a small yet, in my opinion, a fair amount and got this response ...

"No, I think $2,000 is fair. If not, let’s move on."

I am absolutely gutted as $2,000 equates to almost 15 times the value of the items I wanted signed. To think I even volunteered once to promote his Foundation through my website. Frikken over this collecting malarky

Wow......thats insane $2k?

well the lad does have to pay for his manscaping. but thats just ridiculous, definitely a sign of the times we live in

What happen to the days were a player would sign a autograph for nothing or just a simple thank you and have a good game. I noticed alot of NRL player won't sign any more or ask why they are signing so much. I had 12 scott prince cards. I gave him 6 to sign and asked nicely told him its for my personal collection and he was gladly signed all 12. I've had a player no name mentioned but i had three cards all different years and i was told to go jump. (that's saying it my way not what actually the player said). I've seen kids get pushed out of the way cause players don't wanna sign.

Last year tigers v broncos me and a little girls who was dressed from head to toe in tigers gear with Marshall on the back. We waited and waited he came out took one look and kept walking. That poor kid was in tears as she saw her hero ignore her. The mother took the jumper off her threw it to one of the officals and told him what happen. He was not impressed and said if he does'nt want to sign they can't make him.

I'm sorry but that is not good enough. Players are paid by US FANS yes us that buy the cards, merchadise and everything else to support there egos and pay check. I spoke to a players wife at the all stars game and she makes sure that her hubby does sign whatever he can for kids and people waiting. She said to me at the end of the day it's us fans who keep him in a job.

yeah hate to admit it but alot of players think there movie stars!!! to important to talk with us fans that keep them doing what they love... think they forget they were fans once.

Its nice when you meet a player that takes the time to sign some stuff or just say hello, to bad there isnt many that do it on there own free will and not just club organised stuff where there made to sign.

ps, this is only my opinion and im just a nobody fan hahaha (to them)

xlukex said:

yeah hate to admit it but alot of players think there movie stars!!! to important to talk with us fans that keep them doing what they love... think they forget they were fans once.

Its nice when you meet a player that takes the time to sign some stuff or just say hello, to bad there isnt many that do it on there own free will and not just club organised stuff where there made to sign.

ps, this is only my opinion and im just a nobody fan hahaha (to them)

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Just take that machine gun with you next time you want something signed and you should have no problem

I go to the Souths member day every year and get a Best & Less sponsor free jersey signed. I have clipped to a sturdy board so the player can just sign, and all the sigs are in the square and it's easier to sign then handing a bunched jersey to a player. Have been doing it since 2006, and one day, I'll get them framed.

But seriously, some of the responses are absurd.

"Mate, is this going on Ebay?" said narkily. I'm there with a 2 year old, a bemused wife and queue of members who could only get in because we showed our memberships. Some of them are bored, chatting and texting between themselves and couldn't give two s#its. And this is to the members...the ones they're begging to sign on each and every year as they put the tickets up and up and up and deliver very little on the field.

But to be fair, for every one d!ckhead, there is two nice guys. It just makes you feel like s#it, even at 35 years of age, to be brushed off by footy players. So I can imagine if you're 5-10 how you would feel if you were swatted away. Plus some of the scribble they sign, I kind of think why do they bother, and why do I? Seriously, I forgot to mark the 2005-2008 jerseys and now, trying to decipher the scribble is near impossible LOL!

On the plus side, the good players are genuinely nice. Make an effort to sign, some remember you (though these days with the revolving door of ins and outs at NRL clubs, most players aren't there long enough to remember anyone). I have the utmost respect for the players who sit, chat (and yes, some sig hunters are total wallys, but each to their own) and the players treat them with dignity. Some are humble. Some are just chuffed to be signing stuff. So the good can outweigh the bad.

But little wankers like Isacc Luke and Chris Sandow...well, in five years or so, where will they be when they have retired from the game? {{I know this is sour, but they get all the press and all the cash, when tradesmen like Luke Stuart get paid a pittance yet are some of the nicest footy players you'll ever meet}}.

Sorry for the diatribe...I'm just a bit over some attitudes to fans. Granted, as I said, there are wallys, but come on...kids?

Off topic...
About 5-6 years ago, I remember cricketers wouldn't sign stuff when they were on the boundary. I remember one day, it was Aust vs Sth Africa Jan 2005 at the SCG, and Brett Lee was ignoring all these kids. And some guy stood up and yelled "Brett Lee you piece of s#it...sign these kids f'ing bats...or I'm going to come out there and f'ing knock your block off!" and the crowd laughed so hard, even though it wasn't something I'm particularly happy to have heard said in front of kids, but the message was clear. At the end of the over, Brett Lee skips in to Punter and is moved. LOL!

Around the same time, we were told by an official that the players were too busy concentrating and couldn't sign autographs, and the parents with the kids just rolled their eyes.

Am happy to say the past couple of years, they've been back on the fences signing sigs. It's funny, because all these players always say how they were at some match, and some player signed his bat or took a photo and that's what inspired them to play, and they make the Aussie side, and then suddenly forget that. Come on!

Anyway, as I said, this summer, saw plenty of players signing stuff, and it's good to see. Sure not all game, but between overs, and the like.

Don't want to sound like some moral crusader on the issue, and it is a players right to say no to sig hunters. My tip is to be polite, thankful and obviously there's a right time and a right place (like when I saw Mark Waugh and his missus at dinner and people were lining up for phone photos...ummm, now that's wrong. But I dunno, at matches, it doesn't sit well with me.

Here endeth my rant.

It's getting worse and worse, at the Adelaide oval you are no longer allowed to walk down the rows of seats to ask for players autographs. So at the last ODI I wanted to ask David Hussey for an autograph I went to walk down to ask him but the security welso wannabe cop grabed me and told me he was to busy concentrating on the game. I told him I paid $75 to get in, I wish to just ask him I said. David heard this and then said: stop being a little punk I dont mind signing autographs to the welso.

Go David!!!

I can remember going to a sportsmans night featuring Jason Dunstall and Dermott Brereton as a young bloke and the first thing I remember is how intimidating it was approaching my heroes for an autograph. I was lucky enough to get autographs from Greg Chappell and Matthew Hayden and even as a 27 year old I was still intimidated and had knee wobbles .

Yet, the best experiences I have had are from through-the-mail requests. Peter Knights (ex Hawthorn champion) and Pat Rafter are just unbelievably nice. We have a bit of fun with Walshy about his Phil Hughes man-love, but how many of us wish that our sporting idol would write such a great letter as the one he received with the signed bits and pieces?

For every money-hungry Shane Warne there is a all-too-helpful player who lets you keep the faith. Nazim, throw the Warnie items in the bin and and focus on the good guys, mate

The Mad Hatter said:

Off topic...
About 5-6 years ago, I remember cricketers wouldn't sign stuff when they were on the boundary. I remember one day, it was Aust vs Sth Africa Jan 2005 at the SCG, and Brett Lee was ignoring all these kids. And some guy stood up and yelled "Brett Lee you piece of s#it...sign these kids f'ing bats...or I'm going to come out there and f'ing knock your block off!" and the crowd laughed so hard, even though it wasn't something I'm particularly happy to have heard said in front of kids, but the message was clear. At the end of the over, Brett Lee skips in to Punter and is moved. LOL!

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We had a similar situation with Lee, there were some kids at the fence wanting his auto. A few adults started giving it to him politely....along the lines of cmon Brett these kids idolise you! His response was our captain doesnt want us to sign during the game.

One of the reasons why they have started signging again is that the ACB saw sales of merchandise drop (mini bats etc) and found that people stopped buying them cause the players stopped signing them. The players were then asked to start signing again if they wanted.

Michael Slater, when he was out of the Australian Team in 1996/97 was at Gosford's old Graeme Park - a real dump - and playing Foster's Lite Ice one dayers, or somesuch for NSW (the Aussie team was in Melbourne for a ODI vs Pakistan and that was the day Anthony Stuart took a ODI hat-trick). Anyway, they were all signing. So I handed him my 1994/95 Ashes box set Slater card...and he was like 'wow, do you really want me to sign this? Isn't this one of the rare ones?'. By then, the queue stopped, all the NSW players stopped and turned to look. Michael Slater was "Mate, I can't damage this card." I literally had to cajole him to sign it. So he did, in this beautiful handwriting and to this day, it is my most cherished signing/cricket moment. I mean I was 21 at the time, and the queue was all kids and everyone was a bit 'grow up mate' but I'm glad I did it. I thanked him and told him he'd be back in the Test team in no time. I still think he is the most dashing and exciting opener I have seen (yep...you can take your Langer and Hayden and...). Later, he went off the rails a bit, but I was glad he got himself sorted and enjoy his commentary now.

The other was Merv Hughes at the SCG for the Bush Fire appeal match at the beginning of 1994. Just a funny fella and when I was waiting at the back with all the little kids and finally got him to sign my 1993/94 Ashes common, he arced an eyebrow and said "mate, aren't you a bit old for this?" and I smiled and said no. But he signed it nice and neat and then patted me on the head and said "there you go little fella" making everyone laugh, even me.

Pat Symcox at the SCG outer, sharing a cigarette in 1993/94 because the team didn't like him smoking in the rooms. So we sit and chat for about an hour about South Africa, cricket (and mind you I was 17-18 at the time), but a true gentleman. Then he took all my cards and got 'em signed by the players and came back. LEGEND! At the beginning of 2002, the ODI final between NZ and Sth Africa at the SCG, we were having lunch in the city, and we came across the team bus for South Africa. They were all piled in, waiting for Jonty. So they're all yelling "come on Jonty...mate, you are so slow!" None of my mates got sigs, mind you I was 26 at the time, and I asked for Pollock, and someone was joking "he's s#it...you don't want his autograph...have mine." Eventually, my program was handed around the whole bus. They asked me if I wanted a lift and I said yeah, but the manager said no. We bade them good luck and farewell and got going. Anyway, Jonty comes running out and Pollock is all "hey Jonty, Jonty go sign that guys program." So here's Jonty Rhodes, South African legend, legging down the street and I've turned around and Jonty's goes "I have to sign something?" And I just died! Jonty Rhodes, another hero...and he's chased me for a sig. So he signs it, I wish him luck and he bolts back to their mini bus, jumps in and they roar off all acting like a tour bus full of teenagers. Even writing this now, huge smiles.

Steve Waugh at Erina Fair signing his books...just a gentleman. Mark Taylor at Borders Macquarie (where I worked and he was a regular) signing his autobiography. [My young co-worker goes up to his wife and says "Wow! Mark Taylor is in the store!" And the woman replies "I know, he's my husband!"] Gilchrist at Parramatta Dymocks...top bloke.

Sadly, my all time hero, Allan Border (at the same Bushfire Appeal match) told me to "F*** off, I don't sign those cards!" LOL! Gutted. Mark Waugh, Mercantile Mutual Cup 1991 at North Sydney - "where's your f***ing pen?" so I had to borrow one, which pi$$ed him off for some reason (but made me realise to always carry 3-4 different pens). Greg 'Mo' Matthews at the SCG on a rain soaked night for a Mercantile Mutual game - I'd say 1992. And I gave him the previous summer's ING Cup Australian Test card with a biro. The nib broke, getting ink all over the card, his hand and on his pants, resulting in a "Jesus ***ing C****t!" and a dirty look...LOL!

So yeah, you have to be in the right spot at the right time sometimes and you do get good memories. The bad ones, I chalk up.

Matt26 said:

We had a similar situation with Lee, there were some kids at the fence wanting his auto. A few adults started giving it to him politely....along the lines of cmon Brett these kids idolise you! His response was our captain doesnt want us to sign during the game.

One of the reasons why they have started signging again is that the ACB saw sales of merchandise drop (mini bats etc) and found that people stopped buying them cause the players stopped signing them. The players were then asked to start signing again if they wanted.

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Explains why Brett Lee was signing anything and everything last night. Even saw him sign the back of a Fred Flinstone costume that a kid was wearing!

jefferson said:

Explains why Brett Lee was signing anything and everything last night. Even saw him sign the back of a Fred Flinstone costume that a kid was wearing!

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Yeah...I saw that too.

They were signing heaps at the 20-20s.

Seriously...if I was CA or a State CA or a 20-20 team owner, I'd be encouraging the players. Kids are the future of any sport, but everyone is out for the bigger slice of the pie, esp in Western Sydney. And I've not seen too many old duffers acting like twats with cricketers for sigs.

Don't know what A-League and AFL is like, but getting some NRL dudes to sign is like pulling teeth. Try explaining to a kid why their hero glazed them.

Last thing, I promise...but when the NRL teams run out or come off, and the kids have their hands out for a high-5...would it be too freaking hard for all of them to reciprocate? Maybe I'm just being tired and cranky!

Chris, sometimes it just shines through, doesn't it? If you listen to Slats, Gilly and Tub they just seem like pretty jovial sort of people who don't forget where they came from. Mark Waugh doesn't surprise me one bit. Pat Symcox is A grade, seemed like a really funny bugger - I liked him as a player.

Really, it doesn't take much to sign an autograph, providing the recipient is polite.

I liken it a bit to the AFL on Grand Final day - in general the West Coast players in 2006 were absolutely disgraceful at the medal presentation with the kids. Since then, you can see how excited the kids are when someone shakes their hand or, in the case of big Bob Campbell from Hawthorn, give them a big hug!

Matty76 said:

Chris, sometimes it just shines through, doesn't it? If you listen to Slats, Gilly and Tub they just seem like pretty jovial sort of people who don't forget where they came from. Mark Waugh doesn't surprise me one bit. Pat Symcox is A grade, seemed like a really funny bugger - I liked him as a player.

Really, it doesn't take much to sign an autograph, providing the recipient is polite.

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You are right. Meat heads are meat heads. Blokes with manners, humility...they're the ones you really want the sigs of. I've always excused Allan Border because he was signing heaps of kids' things, but not my card...he was my total hero as a lad in the 80's...sigh!

But yeah...I live by a couple of rules.

• Excuse yourself.
• Ask if it would be ok if they signed your card/program...whatever.
• Indulge them in a little ego stroking (if time permits - not worthwhile in a throng).
• Thank them for their time and wish them luck.
• NEVER bother them when they are out with the missus or their kids. That's a no no with me.

And Always have a decent pen!

Works a treat most of the time.

Sharing the memories, I'm off to idolise my Slater card. Maybe I will ring him some time on Big Sports Breakfast and say thanks! LOL!

Matty76 said:

I liken it a bit to the AFL on Grand Final day - in general the West Coast players in 2006 were absolutely disgraceful at the medal presentation with the kids. Since then, you can see how excited the kids are when someone shakes their hand or, in the case of big Bob Campbell from Hawthorn, give them a big hug!

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All the sports are doing the kids thing now, with medals, or walking on at the start of matches, which I love.

I think it is fantastic.

Plus, they will never, ever forget it!

The Mad Hatter said:

You are right. Meat heads are meat heads. Blokes with manners, humility...they're the ones you really want the sigs of. I've always excused Allan Border because he was signing heaps of kids' things, but not my card...he was my total hero as a lad in the 80's...sigh!

But yeah...I live by a couple of rules.

• Excuse yourself.
• Ask if it would be ok if they signed your card/program...whatever.
• Indulge them in a little ego stroking (if time permits - not worthwhile in a throng).
• Thank them for their time and wish them luck.
• NEVER bother them when they are out with the missus or their kids. That's a no no with me.

And Always have a decent pen!


Works a treat most of the time.

Sharing the memories, I'm off to idolise my Slater card. Maybe I will ring him some time on Big Sports Breakfast and say thanks! LOL!

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Should add - Have a younger kid along with you. I find players are more receptive and friendly with a much younger fan around, when it comes to signatures and photo opportunities.

If you get them one on one they can't say no.

Never had a problem with Warne, have received cards signedby him TTM and IP. Its not him who asks for the $$$, it's the people who rumhis charity. The guy gets a bad wrap a lot of the time. I once met himon a golf course, was telling him I was spewing I didn't have anythingfor him to sign, he laughed, wrote an address on his scorecard and said meet me there tomorrow and I'll sign anything u want.

Top bloke, legendary player.