Zerouali

[El Padre™]

Five years ago today 

 

[Reekie_Red]

With the right mentoring, I think he could've been one of the true Pittodrie legends.

[amp]

Can't believe that happened five years ago. One of my favourite ever Dons players. I had  'Zerouali 47' printed on the back of my Dons shirt.

 

Loved watching him play - shame he picked up a couple of nasty injuries during his time at Pittodrie which stopped his progress. The free kick against St Mirren, the hat trick v Dundee, walking the ball from the half way line to an empty net Vs Hibs, the cool goal celebrations - all great memories.

[Reekie_Red]

My favourites were probably his first game vs St Mirren in the CIS Cup, cos it was then that we saw how devastating his attacking-runs were. Also the free-kicks against Motherwell and Kilmarnock in successive weeks.

[mizer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cDvzbszq6U

[BobbyBiscuit]

To be honest, I thought it was longer than 5 years ago.

 

The guy had just about all the ability you could ask for, but I'm not sure he had the right outlook or mental strength to consistently get the best from himself.

 

And I know it won't be a popular opinion, but I didn't really give a toss when he left us.  His time at Pittodrie was largely frustrating (not always his fault, of course) punctuated with moments of petulance with fleeting glimpses of brilliance.  In a different time he could have been so much better for us and could have been the focal point of our team.  The epitome of a cult hero, in my opinion.

 

RIP Zero.

[Reekie_Red]

To be honest, I thought it was longer than 5 years ago.

 

The guy had just about all the ability you could ask for, but I'm not sure he had the right outlook or mental strength to consistently get the best from himself.

 

And I know it won't be a popular opinion, but I didn't really give a toss when he left us.  His time at Pittodrie was largely frustrating (not always his fault, of course) punctuated with moments of petulance with fleeting glimpses of brilliance.  In a different time he could have been so much better for us and could have been the focal point of our team.  The epitome of a cult hero, in my opinion.

 

RIP Zero.

 

Yeah, that's what I reckon BB. As I say, with the right mentoring, he could've been a true legend of AFC (and that's saying something, given the caliber of some of our legends!). He had all the ability to match the best that AFC's ever had. He just didn't have the attitude to show that ability when it counted.

 

I was quite happy when he left as he was an expensive player to have sitting on the subs bench. But I'll always thank him for those rare moments of pure brilliance that he gave us.

[Ptayles]

I remember the first game after he died. Away to Hibs was an absolute shambles HIV's taking the piss of a minute silence

[El Padre™]

Yep, that wasn't the most pleasant but then I expected as much, sadly.

[willie_millers-barmyarmy]

him and jess are probably the two best players ive seen in my time going to pittodrie!! was gutted when he left, and hoped he would return!...unfortunately didnt!!

 

brilliant memories!...

 

 

[CtS]

I remember the silence being disturbed but only by a couple of eejits coughing to start with, then some of us dandies started getting restless and reacted, and it degenerated from there.

 

Red card for David Preece and the "who's the poofter in the pink" chant at a hibs minker are the other abiding memories of that day.

 

My favourite Zerouali moment was the break away goal aginst hibs at Pittodrie.  He was a wee star.

[Tyrant]

I remember the silence being disturbed but only by a couple of eejits coughing to start with, then some of us dandies started getting restless and reacted, and it degenerated from there.

 

Red card for David Preece and the "who's the poofter in the pink" chant at a hibs minker are the other abiding memories of that day.

 

My favourite Zerouali moment was the break away goal aginst hibs at Pittodrie.  He was a wee star.

 

 

Poofter in the pink was classic. However I don't remember the minute's silence being all that poorly observed? And I don't remember the score that day.

[tlg1903]

I was right behind the wall when he pinged in the free kick against St Mirren, it was a doozer.  I agree with what BB said, wasnt too fussed when he left as he hadnt been playing much and when he had he was disappointing, the reason i think he is remembered so fondly is because they were dark days and often he was the only ray of hope we had in the side, even though he was so inconsistent.  I had always hoped he might come back though, when he died my friend summed it up quite well. 

Its like some estranged family member who you dont really talk to or about but still care about has just died

When i play pro evo or football manager and get a really good young prospect coming through i always give them the 47 shirt in tribute to zero

 

RIP Hicham, you succeeded where so many others failed, you made a trip to paisley worthwhile.

[Ptayles]

 

Poofter in the pink was classic. However I don't remember the minute's silence being all that poorly observed? And I don't remember the score that day.

Think we got beat 2-1 Garry O Conner should have got sent off aswell for kicking someone but cant remember who

[Tyrant]

Think we got beat 2-1 Garry O Conner should have got sent off aswell for kicking someone but cant remember who

 

 

Foster I believe.

[BobbyBiscuit]

Think we got beat 2-1 Garry O Conner should have got sent off aswell for kicking someone but cant remember who

 

Despite the scoreline that was a cracking game, brilliant midfield scrap between Seve/Heikkinen v Rocastle/Beuzelin.

[BigAl]

Another year has passed, now six years since the little man was taken.

 

Gone, but not forgotten

 

RIP Zero

[Graeme_S]

Had the "zerouali" shirt with "0" as the number, initially had hopes of another Gillhaus type signing. I remember as he signed being emailed a clip of him scoring a peach of a volley for morocco, which had me well excited.

alas it all petered out in the end and for that I agree with those that were less bothered when he left.

 

I remember one of the few 'positives' of the 4-0 scottish cup final drubbing against the huns, was the reasoning for his tantrum on the sideline when he booted the ball into the dugout. He said afterwards in his apology something like he was hurting to see Rangers beat us that way and he wasn't given the chance to help change it. if only we had that attitude in our team now!

(or indeed if Hicham had shown that fight his whole dons career)

 

RIP.

[xGav8]

Aye, 6 years ago.

 

True hero. 

 

RIP

[Dandy_Don]

Aye, RIP Zero.

 

Makes me realize just how far AFC have fallen - we honestly don't have a player anywhere near his ability at the club anymore, and I don't really see us signing one any time soon.