Greatest Ever Footballer

[Cogidubnus]

Alas 1958

Hi Colin

I'm afraid I never saw Duncan Edwards play, though since Munich he's been almost beatified...I was only four when he died...I've seen a little film footage since though (which I admit does make him look rather special)...

I have also to admit I'm deeply impressed by the tribute at:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr75rgusNJU

So yes...if someone of the stature of Bobby Charlton concedes this man was greater, then who am I to dispute it?

Every good wish

Dave

[jason_c]

Best defender ever: Franz Beckenbauer would have to be near the top, as would Bobby Moore.

I didn't include Bobby Charlton because Charlton himself reckons he wasn't half the player that Duncan Edwards was. Duncan Edwards must have been some talent. I'm told Edwards was the first person Jimmy Murphy (Busby's No.2) enquired about after Munich.

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Regards, Bridewell.

Its hard to remove fact from fiction when it comes to Duncan Edwards. Most of what we now have are second hand accounts. All that can be said is that he was promising. Its difficult not to believe there is some romanticism going on with the Edwards legend. He may indeed have been as great as people say. I will however take his reputation with at least a pinch of salt. The world is full of "could have been" greats.

I hope the above doesnt sound too harsh. When it comes to old time sportsmen talking of other old time sportsmen I become wary.

[Bridewell]

Best defender ever: Franz Beckenbauer would have to be near the top, as would Bobby Moore.

I didn't include Bobby Charlton because Charlton himself reckons he wasn't half the player that Duncan Edwards was. Duncan Edwards must have been some talent. I'm told Edwards was the first person Jimmy Murphy (Busby's No.2) enquired about after Munich.



Regards, Bridewell.

[Barnaby]

Somebody has to do it...I'll go with Tom Brady.

[Robert]

Depends how far he could run and how big his head was.

[Cogidubnus]

Wilf Mannion could run with the ball on his head.

So presumably, once he got it up there, he could score every time, unless someone tackled him illegally?

All the best

Dave

[Robert]

I am indeed, Monty. I think that once they'd won it, they played a special match against their own dons, but lost.

[Monty]

Kinda wobbly aintcha?

The Ice Kings Robert,

Its the only thing I can think of.

Monty


PS of course you are now going to say University challenge.

[Robert]

Monty, quick question for you which won't derail the thread : which non-sporting title was won by a team from Leicester in 1963 - the first team to win this particular title?

Clue : Bamber.

[Monty]

Robert,

Never saw Banks play but yeah, the video footage speaks for itself. We have been lucky at Leicester, we have had 2 of the greatest keepers ever play for us, Banks and Shilton.

Monty

[jason_c]

Of course, as usual people are mentioning the attacking and midfield players, but there's no reason why the honour shouldn't go to a defender or even a goalkeeper. In fact, I'm surprised Monty hasn't mentioned Gordon Banks.

Your correct that defenders, and to an extent midfielders get overlooked in these discussion. However, I will say that the market(so I assume managers too) tend to price strikers ahead of defenders. There arent too many defenders sold for 30 million plus Pounds/Euros. A number of strikers have been sold for this much though.

In some ways it is easier to defend in football than it is to attack.

[Robert]

Of course, as usual people are mentioning the attacking and midfield players, but there's no reason why the honour shouldn't go to a defender or even a goalkeeper. In fact, I'm surprised Monty hasn't mentioned Gordon Banks.

[FrankO]

A bit of a chauvinist perhaps, but I'd have to say Johan Cruijff. Like Maradonna and Messi, he was a difficult player to keep up with on the pitch: as agile and quick as a snake, moving ahead of the game. Almost as difficult as he is to keep up with when he talks, really - whether that be about soccer or anything else.

[Robert]

Wilf Mannion could run with the ball on his head.

[Monty]

The best live performance I ever saw was by the late great Laurie Cunningham when he played for Leicester against Man utd.

He did a sublime pass with his chest, disecting the centre halves in the process.

You had to see it to believe it.

Sublime.

Monty