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The People's Chimp

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The People's Chimp

Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto (born August 25, 1971) is a former Spanish football goalkeeper. He started his career in Real Zaragoza, and played for various Spanish clubs (most notably Villarreal CF, CD Castell?n and M?laga CF) before heading to Scotland, where he played for Airdrieonians F.C., Livingston F.C. and Celtic F.C..

 

Early life

Born in the hills of Extremadura, Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto was the only child of a carpenter and his wife. Having overcome an attempt on his young life, made by enemies of his father, young Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto grew into a strong, agile man, joining the Real Zaragoza academy at 14. His failure to make an impression as an attacking force led to His being used as a goalkeeper, and it was here that his talent was recognised; his ability in dealing with crosses marking him out as something special.

 

While at Zaragoza, he dabbled in local politics, gaining a name as a radical. Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto always held, however, that he spoke purely for a christian democratic programme. His opponents labelled Him a divisive figure, however, and though a mass political rally held in the Pyrenees brought fame, Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto was destined for greater things - football.

 

Scottish Premier League

In Scotland, Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto's popularity was notable, particularly during his time at Airdrionians and Livingston, where he was made club captain after a long-term injury to Christopher Reeve. His virtuoso performances and affable personality made him a firm favourite of the clubs fans, who sing songs about "God" to this day. He was selected as player of the year on no less than 4 occasions. [1] It is believed that the Scottish Football Association did not even count the official votes for player of the year on two of the four occasions. They were entirely certain that Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto would prevail. The only contender to come close to challenging him was Mark Kerr of Falkirk F.C..

 

A big-money move to Celtic in 2002 caused violent protests outside Livingston's Almondvale ground, fans angered by then chairman Oliver FitzGerald's acceptance of "7 pieces of silver" for the star, drawing parallels with the betrayal of Jesus by Judas in the Bible. It drew the condemnation of the media also, as the player himself did not want to leave, and Glasgow Rangers chairman David Murray described the deal as "scandalous".

 

 

Achievements

Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto was an important member of the Scottish first divison-winning Livingston side in 2001, earning himself the SPFA Player of the Season Award. He was dubbed "a man for all seasons" by the respected France Football magazine, and was awarded the freedom of Wesr Lothian. He broke several Scottish football records, keeping 22 clean sheets in a season, and being the only goalkeeper ever to score more than ten goals from the penalty spot.[2] His adaptability and awareness allowed manager Gerry McCann to use Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto as an occasional emergency striker, and it was a role in which He excelled as usual.

 

Outside of football Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto's influence extended to many fields, most notably politics. He is said to have been a driving force behind the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland in 1998. George J. Mitchell, the U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, who is not to be confused with the Scottish referee George Mitchell, praised Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto as being inherently instrumental to peace in Northern Ireland. This praise has angered some commentators, most notably former Lord Mayor of Dublin Alexis FitzGerald, Jnr, who constantly demands clarification on the exact role played by Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto in the peace negotiations. However the vast majority of the Irish and British public dismiss such criticisms and believe in Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto as being a major driving force.

 

Philanthrophy

While gainfully employed in the lucrative Scottish league, Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto showed his heart by donating a pair of goalkeeper gloves to every aspiring young goalie in Spain. [3] His motivation was questioned by some, and the entire thing has been written off as an elaborate practical joke on his part. However, other experts argue that the act was consistent with a history of extravagant philanthropy, which included aid relief efforts in Czechoslovakia and Rhodesia. The Dublin Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto Day Parade proceeds this year will be donated to a special foundation for awareness.

 

Cult Popularity

It was during his time in Scotland and at Airdrie particularly that a powerful, yet difficult to rationalise, wave of popularity began to engulf Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto. The chief manifestation of this came in 2004 in Ireland when a vote was held to name the new LUAS light rail bridge in Dundrum. The name "Blessed Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto Bridge" was nominated, and was held by some to be the overwhelming choice of the people, but the Railway Procurement Agency dismissed the result as a joke and chose the name Dargan Bridge instead. Protests followed, particularly since some had also mooted naming the bridge after Irish martyr Trevor Deely. The bridge's signs were removed by masked vandals and its plaque was defaced.

 

 

National Holiday

A 2004 petition to make August 25th a national holiday in Ireland received over 20,000 signatures, and "Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto Day" has been celebrated by an enthusiastic core of followers since 2003. .

 

 

International

Despite being called up for international duty by Spain a total of 3 times, Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto never once featured for his home country, only ever appearing amongst the substitutes. Approached by the Pa?s Vasco for a non-FIFA-recognised friendly against Jan Mayen, He refused to participate.

 

Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto's time in Scotland qualified him for Scottish nationality, and when at Livingston, respected commentators such as Alan Hansen and Pat Dolan suggested he could become a Scottish international. However, finding himself behind Scottish number 1 Rab Douglas while at Celtic put such a prospect to bed. As with many of his failures, Hans Hubert Vogts' refusal to select Francisco Javier Sanchez Broto ahead of Allan McGregor to supplement his squads sparked supporter protests, and contributed to the pressure which eventually forced Vogts from the Scotland Manager's post.

 

 

Controversy

 

Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto incurred the wrath of Queen Elizabeth II when he refused an honorary Knighthood of the British Empire in 2004. This rejection further boosted his popularity in Ireland and elsewhere. Parties were held in the streets of Enniscorthy, where tar barrels were set alight on the pier to celebrate.

 

Trivia

In a 1994 interview with the Irish Press newspaper, Iron Maiden songwriter Steve Harris admitted that the inspiration for his hit single "Hallowed Be Thy Name" had partly come from from a chance encounter with a Spanish schoolboy who had told him a tale of a man sent to the gallows, which had left him "touched, as if by a higher force". This schoolboy later transpired to be Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto. Dave Murray recounted to the newspaper that Harris would frequently speak of the memories the song evoked every time it was played.

 

Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto's favourite movie is Monty Python?s Life of Brian. In an interview with Inside film magazine He said "it's pure genius, and works on so many levels". Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto's grandfather Pepe Sanchez Broto played the part of a French resistance fighter in the cult soccer movie "Escape To Victory" which also starred Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone and the legend that is Pele[5]. Pepe only appeared in one scene which was to beckon the players into a sunken bath at half time to escape the clutches of their Nazi captors. After starring in a series of failed Spanish 'B' movies, Pepe relocated to the remote Pacific island of Vanuatu where he lived as a recluse, he subsequently died there in 1995 in a bizarre banana plantation accident.

 

An expos? in the Spanish tabloid Diez Minutos revealed the vast extent of Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto's philanthropic donations[6]. Significant sums of money were donated each year, however, the details of the recipients were not revealed. Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto has indicated in the past that He often gives to community based projects such as the cleaning of canals and rivers, the search for missing people, and awareness.

 

Former team-mate and Livingston vice-captain, Marvin Andrews noted that Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto was an inspirational figure for him in their years together at the West Lothian outfit. Andrews, a noted faith healer, said his religion was strengthened by Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto's example, remarking "when I'm faced with a choice, i just ask myself - what would Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto do?" Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto failed to comment upon His friend's 2006 labelling of homosexuals as "an abomination"[7] however, and His views on the subject remain unknown.

 

Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto once saved a penalty for Livingston against Dundee United whilst still an unused substitute. Scotsport commentator Jim Delahunt described the incident as "regrettable"

 

Autobiography

According to a recent press release [9], Bild-Zeitung, Germany's most popular daily newspaper has secured the rights to serialise the autobiography of Francisco Javier S?nchez Broto, which is to be entitled ?Ich hab's allen gezeigt? and which will appear in the summer of 2008. A paperback edition will later also be released, which is expected to serve as a veritable Bible for anyone interested in his fascinating life's work.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Francisco_Javier_S%C3%A1nchez_Broto&oldid=155354097

 

cheers to the WSC howl for the head up. ;)

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