Do we have one? Just noticed Antonio Valencia has given up the no.7 shirt at Man Utd (previously worn by Best, Cantona, Beckham, Ronaldo etc) as he apparently feels haunted by the no.7 shirt: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs...r-being-haunted-united-legends-171327200.html It'd be nice to see if there has been a specific number associated with our best player(s) throughout history - I'm not old enough to know. Obviously 3 and 4 for Dawson and Ashbee are recent ones, Whittle wore 4 (and 15), But is there any number that continuously crops up throughout history? I'm sure some of you older fans can shed some light on this one?
I'd say no.9 because of Deano. Though Mclean really hasn't done it justice if so. But I don't think we have one yet. Another teams with iconic numbers I can think of are Ajax with 14 (Cruyff), Argentina with 10 (Maradona, Messi) and Newcastle with 9 (Shearer). You need someone who creates such a legendary status at the club to make a number iconic that everyone who follows them are compared back.
Didn't Shearer give up the no. 9 for Owen, or did he just offer to? I think Beverley Old Grammarians retired the number 3 shirt after I left. If they didn't, they ought to have done
He retired the season before Owen joined Newcastle, so he probably offered him it after his retirement.
I'd love to see us retire the number 4 for Ash, but because it's a vital squad number, we probably can't. Was Ashbee number 19 when he first joined? Or was he number 17? Maybe we could retire that one instead?
Originally Argentina retired the no.10 for the cheating bastard Diego. FIFA forced them to unretired because of competition rules (Your 23 man squad must have the numbers 1-23)
I only think numbers should be retired to honour the dead, in special circumstances too. I think it is much better to highlight the significance and greatness of that number - bit of a mockery if Alex Bruce gets the no.4 shirt though.
The only teams I can think of that has done that is Man City with Marc Vivien Foe - they retired 23 for him, and West Ham, who retired the no.6 when Bobby died. I have a feeling that Bolton would have retired the no.6 for Muamba had the worst happened that day.
If Ash had left on better terms Im sure 4 wouldve been retired. If we cant do that for the only player in British football hustory to do what he did then we cant do it for anyone. Loads of Italian teams do it, unless you meant British?
Actually, I did mean globally. I just remembered Facchetti at Inter (no.3), but that's the only Italian number I know that was retired due to death.
Glad that Maynor Figueroa will take over the No.3 shirt from Andy Dawson(club legend). A chalk and cheese change but very worthy of Dawsons shirt number imo.
Looking at the Tiger's history thread, perhaps Craig in Nottingham would be a good candidate to tell us more on significant numbers.
I've noticed the number 14 seems to end up with a creative, flair type player an awful lot. Is this just coincidence or something to do with Johan Cruyff?
It must be to do with Cruyff. He revolutionised the playmaker role through total football. (My favourite player after Zidane btw)
I think it is, Just like when i see a tough defender wearing the number 6 i always expect them to be the top dog And same reason valencias opted out of the number 7 shirt
1-11 numbers make sense because they date back to before squad numbers when your number actually meant the position you played in. 14 should have no affiliation with anything. Didn't Cruyff play well as a substitute wearing #14 and decide that was his number forever or something?
Most flair players now play in double figures Henry was number 14 at arsenal presumably because when he came he was a squad player and he stuck with that shirt at barcelona too, these players become known for their shirt number and it feels as part as their name almost Henry was my favourite player of all time Hooper plays with 88 so im wondering if he will stay the same Didn't totti choose a high shirt numer or was that someone else? I'd want to have the number 7 in my shirt but not a single 7 or 17, 77 would be my most favoured by far
