Gary Lineker on football, golf and his Surrey goals

Originally published in Surrey Life magazine December 2011

Former England striker and Match of the Day mainstay, Gary Lineker has long called our county home – but could the BBC’s move to the north-west see Elmbridge lose one of its best known stars? Stephen Milton chats exclusively to the Surrey adoptee to get a flavour for his life away from the TV lens in Esher

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With the rest of the Match of the Day team, which is now filmed in Salford rather than London (Photo: BBC / Todd Anthony)

Long associated with Walkers crisps, Lineker shot a film for Red Nose Day with the comedians Jimmy Carr and Al Murray in Kingston earlier this year

Gary launched 2011's Marsden March in aid of the Royal Marsden (Photo: Lisa Bretherick)

Considering he was once granted the title ‘freeman of the City of Leicester’ – which permits the bestowed with the liberty of grazing a flock of sheep in the town square (a freedom, we should add, he’s yet to exercise) – football star Gary Lineker admits that his love for Surrey could even rival that of his Midlands roots.

“Home is home and it will always be first in my heart, but Surrey is pretty perfect,” he tells Surrey Life, as we begin our exclusive interview. “After all, wasn’t it recently voted the most desirable county in the UK? That says it all; right?”

The former England striker and his new bride of two years, Danielle, decided to set up home yards away from the smart high street in Esher. The town itself represents a quaint, opulent corner of the Elmbridge borough, making it the perfect base for the glamorous pair to tend to their respective commitments in London, whilst also retaining the privacy and space that so many famous people seek in the county.

However, with the imminent BBC exodus to the north-west as part of ‘Auntie’s’ restructuring, where does that leave Lineker’s future prospects, particularly in terms of Match of the Day, the show he has anchored since Des Lynam’s departure 12 years ago? Could the 450-mile commute lead him to contemplate a move from his Surrey base?

Or, as several national news outlets have suggested, will developments lead the father of four to seize the opportunity of abandoning the flagship Beeb series in favour of new projects? The truth, it seems, is neither...

“Abandoning the ship? It’s the first I’ve heard of it!” he says, chuckling at the notion. “Nobody’s talked to me about it. And really, it’s not like I can’t find a bit of transport to take me to the new studio on weekends! It’s not Australia, is it?

“Obviously, the BBC moving up to Salford is a big thing, and we’ll hear about it more and more over the coming months. It’s one of those things we have no control over, so we just have to get on with it, but in terms of parity for the broadcaster, it’s probably the right thing to do. I think the north needs a dedicated base.

“I can appreciate how much of a change this will be for so many people working at the BBC, but for me, it’s not going to make a huge difference. It makes it a longer Saturday, yes, but I’m blessed with having a great job on Match of the Day, and if it means spending a little more time on the motorway, I’m happy to do that. There’s no way I’m giving it up; I love it too much. The show is a real part of me now.”

With his broadcasting career echoing his illustrious playing exploits (in which he starred for Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur without ever once being booked), Lineker remains one of the UK’s most recognisable and well-regarded personalities.

And of equal longevity to his life in sport appears to be his allegiance to Walkers crisps – even if some probably do associate his pronounced ears and self-deprecating wit more with a flavoured snack than with one of England’s best all-time goalscorers!

What began, some 17 years ago, as a tongue-in-cheek subversion of his ‘nice guy’ reputation, has grown to the extent that Lineker has fronted nearly 90 television commercials for the brand (including a shoot in Kingston earlier this year for Red Nose Day, which also featured comedians Al Murray and Jimmy Carr). 

“I just thought it’d be a one-off when I did the first one back in 1994, but it’s just kept going!” he says. “You sign a three-year contract, then a five-year contract, and it continues. I must say though, it has been great fun, and of course a real success for Walkers. I reckon I must be their longest-serving employee!”

Maybe this should, by now, signal a move into the silver screen?

“The fact that I’ve done the ads for nearly two decades and never once been offered a significant part in any films or series suggests to me that I’m not very good at acting!” he laughs. “So I think I might leave that side of things to my wife!”

At least those lucrative campaigns have allowed Lineker and his family to enjoy the nicer side of Surrey life, but why the move to Esher in the first place?

“It just came at a time when I moved away from my previous life and was looking for somewhere that wasn’t too great a distance from the boys or from London. And Esher seemed to fit the bill perfectly. We just stumbled upon it and fell in love immediately. It’s a stunning part of not just the UK, but the world – gorgeous, lush countryside and picturesque little towns and villages with character all of their own that you don’t find anywhere else.

“We’re not to know what will develop over the coming years, but I think we’ll always have a home here, because I’ve not seen anywhere more perfect.” 

• Gary Lineker is starring in Walkers’ latest advert, which details the three simple things that go into making a Walkers crisp. For your chance to win a free bag, visit www.facebook.com/walkers.

My Favourite Surrey 

Pub/Restaurant: There’s always a good Sunday lunch at the Prince of Wales in Esher. We tend to go there most Sundays. There are a whole host of great eateries on the High Street – a couple of which do really great breakfasts, too.
Place to visit: Even though it may technically be Berkshire (although I think it’s right on the border), Sunningdale Golf Course. It’s a place of many, many happy memories for me. It’s where I broke 70 for the first time under the watchful eye of Ernie Els. A great day, so I love heading back there – it brings it all back.
View: View from the 18th hole at Sunningdale – pretty majestic.
Shop: Oh God, that’ll be Danielle’s department. She can talk to you about that one!
Place to relax: It’s definitely home for me.

Originally published in March 2011

Gary Lineker watches son score as Charterhouse cup win

A crowd of over 2,000 spectators watched Charterhouse claim a 2-0 victory over their long standing rivals, Eton College at the Boodles ISFA Cup on Thursday March 10. The two teams have been opponents on the playing fields of England since 1900. 

Harry Lineker, following in his famous father’s footsteps as a talented footballer, scored the first goal. 

"It was a terrific game; the boys all worked really hard and overall, they were the better team," says Gary Lineker, who attended the match. "Harry’s goal was excellent. He made a really good run, got his head on it and finished it off nicely."

The Charterhouse captain, Jack Ryder-Smith, scored the second goal.

Over the years, both schools have provided the game with some of its great administrators. The first winners of the FA Cup, The Wanderers, contained Old Boys from both schools and Old Carthusians played Old Etonians in the final of 1881. 

The Boodles ISFA Cup is the premier competition for Independent Schools and has become the highlight of the school calendar year since its inception in 1993. 

The rivalry does not end there as Old Etonians and Old Carthusians have both made it through to the final of this season’s Arthur Dunn Cup competition. 

In an extraordinary season, the Old Carthusians have also reached the final of the AFA Cup where they will face Battersea Old Salesians.

The last time the Old Carthusians won a place in such a match was in the late 19th Century. 

Such success for both present and past Carthusians seems even sweeter as Charterhouse celebrates its 400th year anniversary.

• Charterhouse, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DX: 01483 291500

Originally published in Surrey Life magazine April 2007

One of Britain's greatest soccer legends Gary Lineker tells Paul Murphy all about golf, football, and his Surrey roots

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WHO DO you think had the most watched face on television in 2006? Jonathan Ross? Chris Tarrant? Pete from Big Brother (Lord help us!)? According to official viewing statistics it was Gary Lineker, presenter of Match of the Day, the BBC anchorman for the World Cup and now the main presenter of BBC golf too.

Add to this the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, Underground Ernie for CBeebies (you missed it?!), and a crisp commercial or two, and it would seem that we just can't get enough of Gary. In fact, during the course of last year, two-thirds of the viewing nation - that's 36.4 million of us - tuned in to see those famous ears, hear that dry self-deprecating wit and enjoy that boyish charm. So much for the teacher who wrote on his school-leaving report: "He must devote less of his time to sport if he wants to be a success."

Hobson's Choice
I first met Gary some five years ago when his eldest son, George, joined the junior football team I was coaching in our Surrey village. It was a mixed blessing: it was wonderful for our club to be associated with a living legend but it meant that I had the intimidating task of teaching the son of a former England captain the rudiments of football. George and my son were also competing for the same position in the team. Talk about Hobson's Choice!

Shamelessly trading on my newly-found fame-by-acquaintance the question everyone asked me was: "Is he really as nice as he appears to be on television". And I would always grit my teeth, forget any minor differences we had had about football and team selection, and say: "Yes, damn it, he is!"

Never mind the results on the pitch, the highlight of the season was the end-of-year bash when Gary would turn up and bring all the professionalism of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year to the village hall, including such quips as: "Do you know what George said to me the other day? 'Wouldn't it be cool to have a Dad like David Beckham?' Can you believe that!? He's a Manchester United supporter you know, but then, we all are in Surrey, aren't we?"

Hanging up the boots
When Gary hung up his boots there was only one sport that really gripped him, or indeed that his football-damaged joints would allow him to expertly participate in, and that was golf. Despite his trademark modesty, "I'm just the golfing equivalent of a good pub footballer", he plays off a very respectable handicap of 6 and is often to be seen at Sunningdale, a convenient 5-iron drive from his back door. "It was an important reason why I moved here," he smiles.

His regular partners include Darren Clarke, part of the victorious 2006 Ryder Cup team, and fellow Match of the Day pundit, Alan Hansen. "The thing I love about golf is that with the handicap system you can play, in theory at least, with the top players in the world on their patch," he explains. "As a good amateur footballer you couldn't play with Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford or as a very competent amateur tennis player you couldn't play against Roger Federer at Wimbledon. Firstly, it simply wouldn't be allowed. Secondly, you would be severely embarrassed."

He continues: "But as an amateur golfer I have played some of the world's greatest golf courses alongside Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomery and Seve Ballesteros - and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!"

And there's another, not-so-obvious reason why Gary prefers being a golf pundit to a football pundit. "People who watch golf aren't as quick as football spectators to criticise because they realise how hard it is to play the game. You hear people say about Premiership top footballers, 'Look at him he's rubbish, I could do better', and they mean it. But, by definition, there's no such thing as a bad Premiership footballer."

His sons

Gary has four sons, so will there be more sporting heroes in the Lineker dynasty? "All I care about is that I love the boys to play sport," he says. "It doesn't matter what level they find, as long as they enjoy it and give it their best. "

He has a philosophy about sport: "I think it teaches kids a great deal about life - about winning and losing - about dealing with things that go wrong and things that go right. It's good socially, it keeps them together and they make lots of friends. And it can keep them out of trouble when they're older as well," he says.

Gary is not just talking about football. "It's wonderful to play golf with your kids," he says. "Until they beat you, of course. Young Angus - going on nine - is already looking the part!" 

Members Comments

• Comment by: Jazzy11 26 December 2011 - 12:02

  Hi Folks, I was interested to see the author of this article mention Gary's football clubs.... Leicester,Barcelona,Tottenham.... One wonders why Everton was not included on this list as while Gary only spent 1 season there, we managed to score 40 goals in 57 appearances, finished 2nd in the league with Everton and then lost the cup final to Liverpool with Gary Lineker scoring the first goal when he outpaced Alan Hansen.... It was arguably his most successful season at club level in the top flight!! Ah well.......

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• Comment by: MatthewWilliams 04 January 2012 - 15:25

  My grandfather, a life long Evertonian, will never forgive me for such and oversight but I'm hoping the amendment goes some way to appeasing. I’m sure a win against Bolton tonight will also help!

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• Comment by: Jazzy11 15 January 2012 - 10:40

  Oops!! I am sure Grandpappy WILL forgive you!!! Although the Bolton result will not have helped the cause!!
  Best of luck Mathew!!!

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