The Paul Mariner Appreciation thread...

[TFCwestcan]

Ready the crickets.

[Oldtimer]

[mod note] The rules: Appreciation threads are just that. Please either post something positive or don't post anything. Hate is for another thread. [/mod note]

[Scotiarae]

He was the wrong guy at the wrong time in the wrong place with the wrong group of players at the wrong time in the wrong place. But hopefully he finds his way somewhere out there in the big world of football.

[Dv23]

He was a passionate man, and I'll be damned if I didn't enjoy his sideline theatrics.

[SKB]

He put his whole heart into the club. I wish him well for the future.

[Mark in Ottawa]

He didn't take the job to lose games ... but sometimes despite your best efforts things just don't work out.
What with team injuries and his dad's passing the season was difficult in so many ways.

I wish you better things in the future Paul.

[OgtheDim]

His vocal enthusiasm was a nice, if brief, breath of fresh air after the Iceman calm of his predecessor.

[manitou22]

Paul's been fired from his job three months after his father passed away. It must be a difficult time for him and I wish him all the best.

[ensco]

He had passion and was in a difficult situation. He deserves respect for his huge career in football. In case you don't know it, this was his big moment as a player

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1219624/Paul-Mariner-The-ball-just-hit-foot-goal-took-Spain-1982.html

[Initial B]

I was fortunate enough to see the 3-0 thrashing TFC gave the L'Impact at Stade Saputo. That alone was the best moment for me of last year, so thank you, Paul, for coaching the team to that win. Good luck in your future endeavors.

[Gringo Starr]

I give Mariner credit for taking the stage at the 90th minute and addressing fans after a tough season and difficult personal times. I'm sure he knew he would take flak but he didn't duck out. He managed with heart and a passion that unfortunately has been lacking in many of those who have passed through TFC's ranks. I may not have agreed with his tactics but but appreciate that he gave us his best effort and wanted to be part of the solution. As a former player of some repute the losing must have been very difficult on him as well.

Wish him the best

[TFC OZZ]

Passionate character. He wasn't the best coach in the world, but he certainly wasn't the worst either - although he was often treated that way by many TFC fans. I enjoyed having him around, and would have liked to see him have more time. It's unfortunate, but I can't fault him for taking a career risk, and joining what is probably the worst perennial team in MLS history in order to try and turn the club around.. I wish him the best of luck, and truly hope he finds success somewhere else.

[Yohan]

going to miss his antics. very passionate about the game, but that's not enough to be success in MLS.

[Huyton]

He gave everything he had. I enjoyed the passion he brought to the field every game. I enjoyed the sudden rekindling of hope in the middle of a huge run of games.

I loved winning 3 games in a row, against Vancouver, New England and then Colorado...and doing it in 7 days!


For that run of 9 games between June 20 and July 18, playing two games a week and getting four wins and four draws to a single loss. Ye gods...there were players who were smiling on the field!

Thanks for caring, Paul...you're welcome in the seat beside mine anytime.

[CommradePolski]

He had hair and glasses, thats a plus right?

[TOBOR !]

He has a good name for anagrams.

[Wombat]

He had passion and was in a difficult situation. He deserves respect for his huge career in football. In case you don't know it, this was his big moment as a player

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1219624/Paul-Mariner-The-ball-just-hit-foot-goal-took-Spain-1982.html

Thanks for that Ensco - I remember seeing Mariner play for Ipswich at Leicester a few times in the 80's and many games for England as a classy but powerful centre forward. He was a great player and after the lack of touchline passion shown by Winter, his animated response to goals for and against showed he cared about Toronto FC. He was like a fan, which I appreciated. Mariner's a bit like the football version of Rob Ford - a bit rough & ready, but speaks honestly and wears his heart on his sleeve. Good luck in the future Paul, thanks for all your efforts at TFC.

[denime]

:leaving:

[Morlesio14]

I have to admit, I respect mariner, he would put his heart and soul into every game. I don't believe he's the right man moving forward therefore we need a change like Nelsen.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Bye Mariner. It was entertaining while you were winning. I hope you can find your niche elsewhere.

[Derko]

Good Luck Paul

[tfcleeds]

He'll turn up somewhere in the game, whether in MLS, or back in England. Wish the guy all the best going forward. He did bring a certain level of entertainment to the sidelines, and he was good for quips in the pressers too.

[Toronto Funk]

As someone else mentioned, he didn't take this job to lose games - he just couldn't make it work here. On a side note, I met him at the Kia Training Ground tour with my kids and he was very friendly and made me realize that he wants TFC to win, but he just can't do it. He even let us use the coaches private washroom when my kids had to go!

He has a big heart that was in the right place (no one likes to lose). I didn't agree with many of his decisions - but I wish him well.

[Phil]

It was fun while it lasted. What a train wreck of a year.

All the best to the guy.

[nfitz]

He was probably the best coach we've had since Carver. It's a shame to see him go without giving him a chance to live up to his potential. He was always passionate and involved. He never phoned in a performance.

And like Carver, he's got a future somewhere. Hopefully we won't have him rubbing our nose in it in MLS.

[Super]

I wish him all the best in the future. Personality aside, he just wasn't able to produce the results required to stay in the seat. Different results, different story. That's life as a manager. He was a newbie at the gig (like every other manager we've had except Preki) so at least he had a chance to learn a few things here.

[Detroit_TFC]

He tried to turn the club around at a very low point for us and that remains a tall order for any manager.

[flatpicker]

Best of luck to him.
Hopefully things go better at his next gig.

[cmonyoureds]

Wins the trophy for best ever "up yours" gesture to the fans EVER. That's a compliment right?

[JayMolly]

He tried to turn the club around at a very low point for us and that remains a tall order for any manager.
Couldn't have said it any better. A coach is hired to be fired.
We had a great discussion on October 20/12. TFC always was in your best interest. Thanks.
All the best Paul . . .

J&M

[tfcleeds]

Like it or not, he was a part of TFC history (whether that's good or not) - I spewed enough vitriol about Mariner when he was here, now that he's gone, I can surely offer him best wishes. Even if the best part of his tenure was the "dead cat bounce" after Winter's firing. He tried to make this club better, just as every manager does. He just wasn't the right person at the right time - can't fault him for that.

[MartinUtd]

I appreciated how he brought to the sidelines both the temperament and fashion sense of Ricki from Trailer Park Boys.