Gary Heale.

6 posts   •   Page 1 of 1
windermereROYAL
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 7998
Joined: 19 Feb 2008 11:18

Gary Heale.

by windermereROYAL » 01 Jul 2021 21:37

Okay guys, today we were in the pub and talking about past players when one popped into my mind, but couldn`t put a name to him I said he was a great looking lad that scored quite a few goals for us, but then left us because he met a beautiful lady, she might have been a model.
They had no idea of who I was talking about until later in the afternoon when the name just pinged into my head, a wiki search told us he scored 20 goals in 76 appearances in the late 70s early 80s
I knew I was right but began to doubt myself because none of my friends remembered him.
Can anyone on here give an insight as to why he left us? I'm fairly sure it had something to do with the lady he met.

Cheers.
Last edited by windermereROYAL on 01 Jul 2021 23:35, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Fox Talbot
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 1116
Joined: 09 Nov 2009 16:07
Location: Left Back.

Re: Gary Heale.

by Fox Talbot » 01 Jul 2021 23:29

I think it was Miss America who took him away. Big miss for us.

Signed from Luton? Decent, slick, skilful striker, quite strong. Struggling for a comparison here, maybe a cross between Forster and Doyle. Or Vydra on a good day.

Royalwaster
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 3599
Joined: 13 Jul 2004 13:32

Re: Gary Heale.

by Royalwaster » 02 Jul 2021 07:55

Became an indoor soccer star in the USA ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Heale

And now coaches Woke FC :D

Keysfield
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 21 Apr 2020 14:15

Re: Gary Heale.

by Keysfield » 02 Jul 2021 10:34

Reading Evening Post Thursday 7 January 1982

Shock news from Elm Park as Reading hit the winning trail again

HEALE MAY QUIT

A Russel Kempson Exclusive

Reading’s leading marksman Gary Heale looks set to quit the club - possibly before the end of the season.

The 23-year-old striker is thought to be considering a move to America and could well go at any time. And Royals manager Maurice Evans admitted today “I honestly don't know what's happening at the moment. I've heard the rumours myself and one never knows in situations like this. All I can say is, if that's what he's going to do then he's a fool.” Speculation about Heale’s future at Elm Park has been rife for weeks and matters reached a head last night when Evans left him out of the side which beat Portsmouth 2-1 at home. “I didn't feel he was in the right frame of mind to go out there,” added Evans. “He was in no mental state to play football and I told him so which he accepted. It is annoying to say the least, especially with all the injuries we have here at present, but there is not much I can do. The ball is totally in his court.”

Heale with nine goals to his credit this season has been troubled by a mystery internal complaint for over a month. Visits to specialists have failed to diagnose the problem and although he has continued to play in most games, he has been far from 100 per cent fit. But Evans stressed that from a health point of view, Heale could have appeared against Portsmouth. I understand, however, that Heale’s new American wife -former model Crystal Sutton - is keen to return home. The couple were married back in October after a whirlwind four-month romance, but have already sold their house in Thatcham. And if the former Luton forward - signed for a then club record fee of £40,000 over two years ago - were to quit Elm Park, Evans would have very little power to stop him. “Gary could take off at any time,” he conceded. “It's not really under my jurisdiction. Any player can walk out on their contract but if that happened, then we would retain his playing registration and he wouldn't be paid by us.”

Evans spoke to Heale, whose current contract runs out at the end of the season, last night and told him of his decision to drop him. But despite the injury crisis at Reading - they just managed to scrape together 12 fit players to face Portsmouth - there is no guarantee that Heale will return for the tough away trip to Gillingham on Saturday. “I’ll simply have to wait and see what develops,” Evans went on. “I can't say whether he's in my plans or not at the moment.” Heale was unavailable for comment today.

User avatar
RoyalBlue
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 11676
Joined: 13 Apr 2004 22:39
Location: Developed a pathological hatred of snakes on 14/10/19

Re: Gary Heale.

by RoyalBlue » 02 Jul 2021 10:35

Fox Talbot I think it was Miss America who took him away. Big miss for us.

Signed from Luton? Decent, slick, skilful striker, quite strong. Struggling for a comparison here, maybe a cross between Forster and Doyle. Or Vydra on a good day.


I believe that your recollections are pretty much spot on. However, my memory of him was that he was a bit bigger and stronger than all of those you mention, Doyle coming closest to his physique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYHHKNIJRBo

Looks like he's kept himself in good shape. Done well not to develop more of an US twang given the time that he has been over there.


Mid Sussex Royal
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 3248
Joined: 02 Nov 2008 17:56

Re: Gary Heale.

by Mid Sussex Royal » 02 Jul 2021 11:12

I believe he left midway through the 1981/2 season, and came back in the summer for pre-season but was sold to Sparta Rotterdam? I don't think Maurice Evans (manager) wanted him back.

Was a decent player, as said above quite physical but decent on the ground too and certainly better than your average tier 3 striker...we also had Kerry Dixon coming through then as well as Neil Webb, and Sanchez was still around....from memory we started well with a decent early win at Swindon but faded badly when Webb was with England U21's....that side should have been pushing for promotion though.

6 posts   •   Page 1 of 1

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: WestYorksRoyal and 334 guests

It is currently 28 Mar 2024 15:02