The Dream City Team??

[adycrean]

As I was out running the other day – my mind wandered onto the best players I’ve seen in a City shirt since I first went down the Lane in about 1976 (at the age of 10). So – and yes this is a bit sad – but I thought I’d share my best ever side (and the next best)….

Strikers for some reason were the hardest – can’t think of many standout players (I never got to see Roger Davies for example)

Who have I missed? Any big disagreements?

GK: Jim Cumbes – great presence; could throw the ball to any player’s feet! (2nd choice: Danny McDonnell)
RB: John Barton – best player I have seen down the Lane (Graham Selby)
LB: John McGrath – very composed (Ralph Punsheon)
CB: Kevin Tudor – rock solid (Des Lyttle)
CB: Steve Fergusson – classy, could play anywhere (Kenny Lawrence)
CM: Barry Williams – a legend (Joe Jackson)
CM: Kevin O’Connor – a class above our level (Barry Lowe)
LM: Bobby Shinton – amazing crossing ability (Graham Allner)
RM: Steve Crompton – real grafter (Ian Cottrill)
STR: Paul Moss - superb finisher (Mick Tuohy)
STR: Mark Owen – great potential before injury (Mike Symons)

MANAGER: Nobby Clark – for track record, if not his unblemished character (Carl Heeley – for producing the best City side in years)

[The Verner]

For me, not really being old enough to know some of the players listed would put in:

Danny McDonnell
Ian Cottrill
Joe Jackson
Carl Heeley
Chris Smith
Harry Knowles (before my time but what a legend)
Steve Fergusson
Kevin Tudor
John McGrath
Paul Molloy
Mark Owen

Graham Ward
Kevin O'Connor
Paul Moss
Phil Mason

Theres probably a few other favorite players over the years but Id be here all day.

We should have a ' SGL Hall Of Fame' - Induct the best eleven players ever seen down the lane, then for the Chester game have those players still alive and kicking get invited along and come out onto the pitch.

Would make that day even more special.

All the club would need to do is put out a list of 3 keepers, 8 defenders, 8 midfielders and 4 or 5 strikers and take in the votes, the player that crops up the most in each positions is then inducted.

[andy]

An SGL Hall of Fame - wasnt something done at the time of the Centenary?

With Ealing's classic photo? And appearances on the pitch?

[auldreekie]

While researching Scots who have played for City I had put together a Scottish XI (qualification 40 apps) based on what I have learnt although I have only seen John Inglis play! It plays in a traditional 2-3-5 formation.

Hugh Long is thought to be the second oldest living Scotland international.

GK: John Kirkwood
RB: Jack Lindsay
LB: Frank Williams
RH: Sammy Bryceland
CH: Harry Lawrie
LH: Hugh Long
OR: Jimmy Frame
IR: John Inglis
CF: Alex Hair
IL: Eddie Follan
OL: John Summers
Mgr: Bill Thompson

[jupu]

I think Ealing's photo is on display in the Legends Bar.

Danny McDonnell is the best goalkeeper I've ever seen in a City shirt.

I suppose the benchmark is whether any of the players that have appeared for us over the last 30 years would have made it into Nobby's SL championship winning side.

Danny, John McGrath, Mark Shail, Steve Fergusson, Paul Moss would all be contenders.

[Deleted]

Agreed, you have to take that team as the benchmark and look at who would have broken through there. And yes, undoubtedly Danny McDonnell has been the best City keeper I have ever seen, although Mark Gayle and Shane Higgs were pretty good. Paul Moss would stroll into any City side in any generation, as would Steve Ferguson. I'd put Martyn Gill in there too, he was far too good for the City team he played in. Gerry Hichens was also pretty useful!
Ady, there have been some decent strikers, John Muir and Les Ebrey formed a good partnership, Steve Norris was a gifted twinkletoed goalscorer, Barry Kelcher, Morys Scott

[Tim Munslow]

John Inglis just has to be in there for his proven scoring ability.

[JohnInglisIsGod]

Have to agree with John Inglis being included.... well you would expect that wouldn't you. A lot of my favs are similar to AdyCreen as of a similar age. The composition of the squad is not necessarily the best players who have played at SGL but characters and footballers who I have seen and liked their attitude to both the game and the club.

My squad would be something like
'Keepers.
Danny McDonnell
Bob Knight
Jim Cumbes

Defenders
John Barton
Andy Awford
Kevin Tudor
Graham Ward
Carl Heeley
Graham Selby

Midfield
Lionel Martin
Barry Williams
Tom Thorley
Ian Cottrill
Steve Fergusson (Captain)
Bobby McEwan


Forwards
John Inglis
Mark Owen (or Harry Knowles (but never saw him play ))
Sam Bowen (or Roger Davies)
Norman Pemberton
Paul Moss

[auldreekie]

Mostly the same names as others

GK: Jim Cumbes
FB: John Barton
FB: George Bassett
CB: Kevin Tudor
CB: Howard Madley
MF: Barry Williams
MF: Kevin O’Connor
MF: Lionel Martin
F: Jimmy Williams
F: John Inglis
F: Roger Davies

MANAGER: Nobby Clark

[The Verner]

Could easily put an eleven together of players that haven't impressed over the years also

[f39]

But you all missed the greatest ever ..........












J O H N N Y F A I R B R O T H E R

[Deleted]

Like many others I found myself pondering my own SGL top 11 last weekend. I suppose it's inevitable given the situation.

A forward line of Inglis; Fairbrother; Davies? Could that work?

In a team of SGL legends I'd have to include myself at left back, just edging out Selby and McGrath.

Nobby or Brooksider as manager? Tricky decision.

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2012 7:05:32 GMT f39 said:

But you all missed the greatest ever ..........

J O H N N Y F A I R B R O T H E R

I can't include him as I never saw him play for City, although I do remember my dad mentioning him playing for possibly Mansfield or Torquay at Edgar Street many moons ago.

[adycrean]

Oct 25, 2012 6:11:50 GMT The Verner said:

Could easily put an eleven together of players that haven't impressed over the years also

That's an interesting one.! A few players came to mind who I had in the bucket of..." I can't work out whether they were really good or really bad" e.g.

- Darren Bullock
- Norman Pemberton (think I'm influenced by his knee diverting the ball into the net for that tragic own goal v Newport in 1978)
- Roger Shaw - the laziest player I ever saw

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2012 14:09:08 GMT adycrean said:

Oct 25, 2012 6:11:50 GMT The Verner said:

Could easily put an eleven together of players that haven't impressed over the years also

That's an interesting one.! A few players came to mind who I had in the bucket of..." I can't work out whether they were really good or really bad" e.g.

- Darren Bullock
- Norman Pemberton (think I'm influenced by his knee diverting the ball into the net for that tragic own goal v Newport in 1978)
- Roger Shaw - the laziest player I ever saw

plus Jason Wolverson, Colin Caddick, Tommy Daly, Andy Ellis

[B*ue dragonstander]

No one has mentioned the hero of Plymouth at home - Malcolm Phelps. Defender / striker. In short all round quality.

Oh and Nippy Norman Pemberton was a good 'un.

[Deleted]

Agreed. Phelps got better and better. Norman was a good player who had the misfortune to be at the club when the competition was fierce.

How about a team of players we spent big fees on only to find that they needed an operation; only had one leg; had never played football before etc.?

[jupu]

You mean Jai Stanley?

[Deleted]

Ken Lawrance too, which gives me a problem of having to play 3 centre halfs! Lawrance, Phelps and Tudor!

[canalender]

No mention of three great players who also represented their countries in the 1958 World Cup?
Peter McParland, Gerry Hitchens and Ivor Allchurch.

[Deleted]

Well I mentioned Gerry Hitchens, but he was the only one of those three I saw play. I guess not many who frequent this board are old enough to have seen some of the earlier greats play. I think I only saw Hitchens play once, in the first game I ever saw against Rugby town, and the only reason I remember him was because he got sent off. I was only 3 or 4, didnt understand anything about football, but really enjoyed sitting in the stand on a Monday night (I think it was in the old floodlit cup) with a blanket over my legs drinking minestrone soup from a flask. All I remember about the game was that City lost 4-2, Hitchens got sent off, and Andrew wet himself walking back to the car along flagmeadow walk. I remember how the heating in the Morris 1000 just started to kick in as we turned into Broadway Grove!!

[Deleted]

Colin Trench anyone??

[Deleted]

Out of Peter McParland, Gerry Hitchens and Ivor Allchurch I'd say only Ivor shone. He may have seen better days, but the class was still there. He offered himself as manager, but was turned down. One of those "might have been" moments?

Also don't forget Colin Webster, a Welsh international. Ex Man Utd he missed the Munich crash due to illness - but I still think it left its scars.

[simples]

Not surprisingly most of the players are from the mid-70s to mid-80s era which I am pleased to say I witnessed. I will only mention a few with my reasons.

One player who has not been mentioned was goalkeeper John Taylor who I believe played in the record breaking season Division 1 North when only a single game was lost, unfortunately the last one.

The best player to have played for Worcester was Barry Williams, a real presence in mid-field and a prolific scorer. He has to be the most consistent scorer from outside the box.

Then there are Kenny Lawrence and Malcom Phelps who could both play as defenders or forwards and both equally effective in their own ways, although Lawrence was perhaps considered classier. Phelps had that knack of scoring goals, not a bad habit.

Others who were crucial to the team in their day were John Inglis who led the attack and was again a consistent goalscorer. There was more to his game than goals and he would often keep the opposition defence occupied with his strong running and he was a team player.

Another player I would like to mention is Lionel Martin who made the mid-field tick in the early 70's. He was the player you new was going to receive the ball and get it across and yet the opposition seemed powerless to stop him. If he had a weakness I'd say he wasn't the greatest finisher from 12 yards - but he carried that team before the reinforcements from the mid-70s arrived.

As for players like Roger Davies he was only here for 7 games but enough time to impress Brian Clough. Not sure whether 7 games is enough for him to be included. I still recall his hat-trick on debut vs Wimbledon, back in the day.

John Barton was with the City for 3 years or so and contributed significantly in the above mentioned season in Div 1 North and the cup run 2 years later. He made the right hand side his own - you did not need a winger as he would often bring the ball up on his own - and similar to todays modern full backs who are noted more for their attacking threat.

And finally, Kevin Tudor was a rock at the heart of the defence. No frills, but you don't need that from a centre half, just keep their centre forward quiet and pass the ball on.

[Bstander]

Nov 1, 2012 13:49:39 GMT simples said:

Not surprisingly most of the players are from the mid-70s to mid-80s era which I am pleased to say I witnessed. I will only mention a few with my reasons.

One player who has not been mentioned was goalkeeper John Taylor who I believe played in the record breaking season Division 1 North when only a single game was lost, unfortunately the last one.

The best player to have played for Worcester was Barry Williams, a real presence in mid-field and a prolific scorer. He has to be the most consistent scorer from outside the box.

Then there are Kenny Lawrence and Malcom Phelps who could both play as defenders or forwards and both equally effective in their own ways, although Lawrence was perhaps considered classier. Phelps had that knack of scoring goals, not a bad habit.

Others who were crucial to the team in their day were John Inglis who led the attack and was again a consistent goalscorer. There was more to his game than goals and he would often keep the opposition defence occupied with his strong running and he was a team player.

Another player I would like to mention is Lionel Martin who made the mid-field tick in the early 70's. He was the player you new was going to receive the ball and get it across and yet the opposition seemed powerless to stop him. If he had a weakness I'd say he wasn't the greatest finisher from 12 yards - but he carried that team before the reinforcements from the mid-70s arrived.

As for players like Roger Davies he was only here for 7 games but enough time to impress Brian Clough. Not sure whether 7 games is enough for him to be included. I still recall his hat-trick on debut vs Wimbledon, back in the day.

John Barton was with the City for 3 years or so and contributed significantly in the above mentioned season in Div 1 North and the cup run 2 years later. He made the right hand side his own - you did not need a winger as he would often bring the ball up on his own - and similar to todays modern full backs who are noted more for their attacking threat.

And finally, Kevin Tudor was a rock at the heart of the defence. No frills, but you don't need that from a centre half, just keep their centre forward quiet and pass the ball on.

Agree with this posting in it's entirety.........my era

[auldreekie]

Nov 1, 2012 15:36:27 GMT Bstander said:

Nov 1, 2012 13:49:39 GMT simples said:

Not surprisingly most of the players are from the mid-70s to mid-80s era which I am pleased to say I witnessed. I will only mention a few with my reasons.

One player who has not been mentioned was goalkeeper John Taylor who I believe played in the record breaking season Division 1 North when only a single game was lost, unfortunately the last one.

The best player to have played for Worcester was Barry Williams, a real presence in mid-field and a prolific scorer. He has to be the most consistent scorer from outside the box.

Then there are Kenny Lawrence and Malcom Phelps who could both play as defenders or forwards and both equally effective in their own ways, although Lawrence was perhaps considered classier. Phelps had that knack of scoring goals, not a bad habit.

Others who were crucial to the team in their day were John Inglis who led the attack and was again a consistent goalscorer. There was more to his game than goals and he would often keep the opposition defence occupied with his strong running and he was a team player.

Another player I would like to mention is Lionel Martin who made the mid-field tick in the early 70's. He was the player you new was going to receive the ball and get it across and yet the opposition seemed powerless to stop him. If he had a weakness I'd say he wasn't the greatest finisher from 12 yards - but he carried that team before the reinforcements from the mid-70s arrived.

As for players like Roger Davies he was only here for 7 games but enough time to impress Brian Clough. Not sure whether 7 games is enough for him to be included. I still recall his hat-trick on debut vs Wimbledon, back in the day.

John Barton was with the City for 3 years or so and contributed significantly in the above mentioned season in Div 1 North and the cup run 2 years later. He made the right hand side his own - you did not need a winger as he would often bring the ball up on his own - and similar to todays modern full backs who are noted more for their attacking threat.

And finally, Kevin Tudor was a rock at the heart of the defence. No frills, but you don't need that from a centre half, just keep their centre forward quiet and pass the ball on.

Agree with this posting in it's entirety.........my era

I agree! Simples has six players from my team and the other players he mentions were all close to selection. I included Roger Davies with only 7 games (and of course 7 goals!) because he was truely "discovered" by City and I couldn't ignore him. The story I heard of Wilf Grant seeing him playing for the opposition in a reserve team pre-season friendly a full year before he eventually signed for City and Wilf recognising the raw talent is the stuff of football legend!

[prestonwcfc]

Ok here goes

GK Jimmy Cumbes
RB Graham Selby
LB John McGrath
CB Kevin Tudor
CB Carl Heeley
MF Barry Williams
MF Joe Jackson
MF Steve Fergusson
MF Steve Crompton
S Paul Moss
S Mike Symons (best two footed big striker i have seen at the lane - perfect for Mossy)

Subs
Malcolm Phelps
Barry Lowe
Peter Gocan
Martyn Gill
Jacob Rowe (best young talent for years)
Mark Owen
Danny McDonnell (although give it time and Matt Sargeant could make it in)

Worst would have to include Ollie Barnes !

[andy]

We all obviously get drawn to the players we know, dont we.

I think there has to be a place in any legend side for Alec Hair, and his goal-scoring record of 118 goals in 88 games.

He scored 13 goals against Colwyn Bay in just four games.

[Deleted]

Well yes of course we get drawn to players we know, after all this thread is about the best players we have seen in a City shirt.
Did you really see Alex Hair in a city shirt?

[andy]

Nov 2, 2012 16:01:36 GMT Down The Pan said:

after all this thread is about the best players we have seen in a City shirt.

For some, yes. For others, no.