Best football I have ever seen live played under him, and Keegan.
Probably lost a load of respect when he had to sack SBR, but was not afraid to make some big decisions, and drop some big howlers as well.
Have 2 memories of him :-
1. In Monaco for the CL game, walked into a restaurant / bar for a beer, and he was in with club officials. Told the bar staff not to serve us, we were bad news, had never met the bloke before. About to walk out and 2 beers appeared courtesy of the club.
2. Playing in a Fawdington BMW day at City of Newcastle Golf Club, he was in group in front of us. Freddie was desperate at golf, for all he tried. Allowed him to get on green, 330 yards away, down wind, hit a beauty, that bounced once on the green, hit the clubhouse window, and came back into play behind green in a patch of rough. Come presentation longest drive was on 18, and some drip got awarded the longest drive. Stood up in front of 200 people, pointed me out, and said, "he hit longest drive", not him, to which compere, said, it did not end up on the fairway. Freddie, quick as a flash, asked what the prize was, "a wedge and a dozen balls", come with me he said, went into pro-shop, and he said "you got £300" to spend, Fuck them, the tight bastards he said, , chose something, a driver I think, and he did his own presentation.
None of that would happen now................