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Sunday September 6
Dave: Hello Gaffer, I was reading the questions/answers on your page, and saw one on the tallest footballer, and then I thought who is the shortest?
The Gaffer says: In the UK, it's Torquay United winger Danny Stevens (pictured) who is 1.55m (5ft 1in). Around the world, Qatari midfielder Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari is the same height, while there is no official height for Brazilian midfielder Elton Jose Xavier Gomes who ranges from 1.54m (5ft 1/2in) to 1.58m, depending on which number you believe.
Paul: Yo Gaff. Which football ground is the only one to have a pub on each corner?
The Gaffer says: Brentford's Griffin Park. The pubs in question are the Royal Oak, The Griffin, The Princess Royal and The New Inn. Last time I visited I managed swift one in all four, just for research I hasten to add. You could get a decent pint of Fullers in the Griffin.
Mark: Hi Gaff, we love the page at work, keeps us alive, keep them coming. Can you name me any players that have ended up being subbed off because of an injury sustained during an elaborate goal celebration?
The Gaffer says: Where do I start? Here are just a few examples: Lomana Lua Lua turning his ankle during a somersault celebration after scoring for Portsmouth; Shaun Goater hurting his foot while playing for Man City after kicking an advertising hoarding; Celestine Babayaro breaking his leg after a back-flip for Chelsea in a pre-season game against Stevenage; Patrick Vieira injuring his knees after a sliding celebration following a goal for Arsenal against Manchester United. However, the most bizarre injury-related celebration occurred in Switzerland, when Paulo Diogo set up a goal for Jean Beausejour for Servette FC. Diogo jumped up on the metal perimeter fence separating the fans from the pitch but his wedding ring caught in the barrier. As he jumped off the fence, much of his finger tore off along with the ring. To add insult to injury, he was booked and after doctors failed to re-attach the severed part of the finger, they advised that the remaining part be amputated to the first joint. Ouch!
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Saturday September 5
Barry: Who has scored the most goals a substitute in the Premier League? I think it's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but my mate reckons Tore Andre Flo. Who is right?
The Gaffer says: You win. Solskjaer has scored 17 from the bench. Jermain Defoe has 16, Nwankwo Kanu 15, Flo, Andy Cole and Robbie Keane 13.
Wes: Alrite Gaff, which team has won the most Premier League points since it started without winning the title?
The Gaffer says: Liverpool with 1167. Aston Villa are second with 945 points (thanks Chris).
Jack, Leeds: Hi Gaff, How many football teams have the letter x in there name and who are they?
The Gaffer says: Football League teams past and present include Crewe Alexandra, Exeter City, Halifax Town, Oxford United, Wrexham.
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Friday September 4
Dean, Belfast: Hey there. Can you explain the reason for the supposed fall-out between Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham during their time at Manchester United? Is it true they didn't communicate at all as a result?
The Gaffer says: The pair fell out during a game against Bolton when Teddy blamed his fellow striker for a Trotters goal. They refused to speak to one another after that, their mutual silence continuing throughout their time together at Old Trafford. But they still forged a formidable strike partnership that helped United win the treble in 1999.
Andrew from Barnsley: Who is the most unusal player to receive a Champions League medal? Am I right in thinking Johnny Greening has one from his time at Man Utd?
The Gaffer says: Yes, it has to be Jonathan Greening who cheekily picked up a Champions League winners' medal with Man Utd in 1999, despite not playing a single minute of European football but warming the bench during the final.
FatGaz: Hi Gaff. What does the PSV stand for in PSV Eindhoven?
The Gaffer says: Philips Sport Vereniging (Philips Sports Club). The club started out as a works team for employees of electronics company Philips in 1913, to celebrate the centennial defeat of the French in the Napoleonic wars.
Midfield Magician: Hi Gaff. Having a mental block I think. Who are the Italian, Polish and Ivorian players at Arsenal?
The Gaffer says: Goalkeeper Vito Mannone, goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski (thanks Sam), and Emmanuel Eboue respectively.
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Thursday September 3
Stuart: Hi Gaffer, a (soon to be ex) mate of mine reckons that a single player has been sent off for five different Premier League clubs. Is he right?
The Gaffer says: He is right. Carlton Palmer was sent off for Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Coventry.
Kiran: Long time no see Gaff, I'm very impressed with your knowledge, so this should be no problem for you. Is Lorik Cana the first Albanian footballer in the Premier League (or English football for that matter)? Secondly, have any other Paraguayan players other than Roque Santa Cruz and Paulo da Silva played in the EPL?
The Gaffer says: Cana is the first Albanian to play in the Premier League but Burnley did sign Besart Berisha in 2007 when in the Championship although the striker suffered a serious knee injury and never made a first-team appearance for the Clarets. The only other Paraguayan is Diego Gavilan who had a spell with Newcastle.
Johnny: Gaffer, what's the rule regarding passing to yourself from a penalty? As in knocking the ball forward then shooting?
The Gaffer says: It can't be done. The penalty kick is a form of direct free kick and so the kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player even if the ball rebounds off the woodwork.
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Wednesday September 2
Jamie: What has been the most successful team colours, post war, in domestic competitions? A top three would be great gaff cheers.
The Gaffer says: Red 84, Blue 34, White 22, Claret 10, Stripes (this includes teams in blue stripes and red stripes) 10, Gold/Orange 8, Yellow 2.
James, Crewe: Alrite gaff, have any teams started in the bottom of the leagues and been promoted to the top league and then been relegated back to the bottom? If so, how long did it take them?
The Gaffer says: Northampton were the first team to go from bottom to top back in 1965 - and they were back in the bottom division in time for the 1669-70 season. Swansea did likewise, bottom to top in four seasons and top to bottom in four seasons. Wimbledon (kind of) are another to do the rise and fall. They won three promotions in four seasons, but were in the bottom division by 2006, albeit as MK Dons. Two others for you: Carlisle went up and down the four divisions between 1963 and 1988, Bradford between 1981 and 2007.
Dave B: Hello gaffer, please settle an argument, my mate says he heard on the radio that you can be offside taking a penalty, I told him that he is talking rubbish.
The Gaffer says: You can't be off-side as such, but all players (with the exception of the taker and the goalkeeper, who must remain on his line) must stay outside the box and beyond the 'D' on the edge of the box.
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Tuesday September 1
Darren: Gaff, is Stefan Maierhofer the tallest player in top-flight European football? Or maybe Nikola Zigic?
The Gaffer says: Both players are 6ft 71/2in but they still fall short of Standard Liege goalkeeper Kristof Van Hout who is a giant 6ft 10in and the tallest professional footballer in the world.
Rich, Bromley: Hello gaff, was wondering if more teams have been relegated from the Premier League and again into the third tier rather than gaining promotion back to the top flight?
The Gaffer says: Fourteen of the 29 relegated teams who have had a chance to bounce back (thus Newcastle & Boro excluded) have drifted into the third tier. Only Man City have made it back to the Prem from such a lowly position. Thirteen teams have avoided a further drop and won promotion back to the Premier League. Two more (Leicester and Forest) have also bounced back before falling again into the third tier. Coventry and Reading are the only two teams who haven't subsequently gained promotion at some point or been relegated to the third tier.
David Wildsmith: Hi m8, who has scored the most goals for England in one game?
The Gaffer says: The best is five by Howard Vaughton (v Ireland 1882), Steve Bloomer (v Wales 1896), Willie Hall (v N. Ireland 1938) and Malcolm Macdonald (v Cyprus 1975).
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Monday August 31
Alex, Walsall: Is it true that there was a goalie who retired from football because he thought the world was about to end?
The Gaffer says: Yes, it was Argentina's Carlos Roa, who saved two England penalties in the 1998 World Cup. He devoted himself to religion after announcing his belief that the world would end in the year 2000. A member of the Seventh Day Adventists, Roa claimed that football was getting in the way of his preaching.
Natch, Leeds: Hi Gaff. Am I right in thinking that the referee in the 1973 Cup Winners' Cup match between Leeds and Milan went to jail for taking a bribe? Thanks; great page.
The Gaffer says: Spot on. Christos Michas was sent to jail, fined by a Greek court, and banned from football for life by Uefa - but despite a petition signed by 12,000 people this year, the result has not been reversed. I remember the night and match well. A grotesque injustice.
Chris Manc: Need help Gaff. Been quizzed who was the last Arsenal English player to score against Man Utd?
The Gaffer says: Tony Adams on 20 September 1998.
Recent trivia answers from The Gaffer:
24/08/09 - 30/08/09: Footballing politicians; youngest captain to win Champions League; most Premier League appearances. Trivia answers
17/08/09 - 23/08/09: Smallest country to provide a Premier League player; most hat-tricks for one club; most relegated player. Trivia answers
10/08/09 - 16/08/09: Club with the worst League Cup record; highest priced uncapped Englishman; Roy Keane conundrum. Trivia answers
03/08/09 - 09/08/09: Played for Man Utd and Barcelona; most headed goals in the Premier League; FA Cup leading goalscorer. Trivia answers
27/07/09 - 02/08/09: European teams to win the treble or quadruple; Frenchmen to play for Newcastle. Trivia answers
20/07/09 - 26/07/09: Most-capped Premier League manager; Europe's record goalscorers; the Brylcream Boy revealed. Trivia answers
13/07/09 - 19/07/09: Brothers in the Prem; most saves in a shootout; Fifa and European player award winners. Trivia answers
06/07/09 - 12/07/09: Longest penalty shootouts; first substitute and perfect Premier League hat-tricks. Trivia answers
Check out much more trivia in the Ask The Gaffer archives >>>
