Does as it says on the tin.
⇒ Not that obscure if you know your Austrian, German, Italian or Spanish football:
TONI POLSTER
Anton “Toni” Polster is a former Austrian football player and most recently coach of Admira Wacker. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Austria.He’s also the lead singer of the Austrian band Achtung Liebe.
Found this one via Bundesliga Fanatic which has a few other songs I’ve already featured on F&M.
This was released sometime in the 1990’s as ‘Toni Polster and Die Fabulösen Thekenschlampen‘ (The Fabulous Bar Skanks) and he sings about his goalscoring prowess in Toni, lass es Polstern (Tony, let’s cushion).
There’s a more in depth look here.
⇒ Back to the 80’s. Again if you follow continental european football the name might be familiar to you:
ENZO SCIFO
Vincenzo “Enzo” Daniele Scifo is a Belgian football midfielder. He was a member of the Belgian national team, for which he appeared in four FIFA World Cups, being one of three Belgian players ever to do so.
His most recent gig (2012-2013) was as the coach of R.A.E.C. Mons.
He released this single Gagné D’Avance (Foregone – as in – it’s not a foregone conclusion) in 1985.
⇒ Here’s a journeyman footballer who played in England and the USA:
TREVOR HOCKEY
Trevor Hockey (1 May 1943 – 2 April 1987) – His professional career spanned 16 years, twelve clubs and almost 600 appearances, plus nine international caps for Wales.
Trevor was in the USA at the height of the North American Soccer League, when there he played and/or managed at San Diego Jaws, Las Vegas Quicksilver and San Jose Earthquakes.
In all the pictures I found of Trevor he had a mighty beard. More here.
TERRY CURRAN
Edward Terence (Terry) Curran is a former English professional footballer. Curran was an attacking midfielder, who could also play as a winger and as an out and out striker. During his 13-year career Curran played for many clubs, although he is especially remembered by Sheffield Wednesday supporters for his part in the clubs revival during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
He recorded this cover version in 1980 whilst at Sheffield Wednesday.
» Terry Curran – Singing The Blues⇒ Saving the best until last:
COLIN GRAINGER
Colin Grainger is an English former footballer who played at outside left.
An England international, he played 325 league games in the Football League, scoring 55 goals. He began his career at Wrexham in October 1950. His last club in 1967 was at Macclesfield Town, after this he retired and became a professional singer.
He talks about how he began singing in this news article published in 2004:
And so good was the reaction to his Al Jonson impressions that bookings soon started to come in evening functions.
Colin, originally from Ryhill, near Barnsley, said: “It started in 1956 when I went to Finland with England. After a dinner we had one night Nat Lofthouse, the England striker, asked me to get up and sing.
“People started asking me to sing at weddings and parties. Then I started to get work in clubs too and it built up from there.
“I finished up singing in theatres and cabarets all over the country. I used to do all the theatres in the summer time when I wasn’t playing for six to eight weeks.”
For the last 10 years of his playing career Colin was combining his career as a footballer during the day with another one as a cabaret singer at night.
Another article: Singing-winger Colin Grainger is the sole survivor of the 1956 England side that beat Brazil.
Colin is a crooner as heard on this one:
Also have a listen to: Help Me Make It Through The Night – and – The Impossible Dream.
The above featured image is an archive pic of Colin Grainger at home with his wife listening to records.