Roy Keane makes several references to it in his autobiography. “Teddy is cool,” he writes. “Teddy is from London.”
But Teddy doesn’t get it.
“After playing with him (Keane) for a year at Forest and four years at United, it was strange for him to say that,” he observes. “Because if you take the time to think about it, then you know that’s not the case.”
Taking time to think about it means spending a day with Sheringham when the shutters open up in the company of friends.
Is he (Henry) the best in England?”
“Van Nistelrooy,” Sheringham replies. “He’s clinical. Chance! Bang! Goal! He doesn’t get sloppy. When he’s got two, he’ll put the third one in. When he’s got three, he’ll get four. A lot of players get sloppy. He just wants to score goals. He’s the classic striker.”
The interview has ended. He leads me outside towards his Mercedes and offers a lift to the nearest Tube station.
“Have you started dyeing your hair yet?” I inquire.
“Just a tint now and again,” he smiles.
“Why? Have you noticed?”