As an ex-goalie myself I was pleased to see Shilton make an appearance at Boothferry in the 90's, shame though that he only lasted about 15 minutes before getting sent off
One of the best I saw live was Ian Botham, just wasn't playing the game he was best at Maybe that doesn't count
Yes, otherwise limited to less skilful players doesn't really work IMO. When I was referring to only players you've seen, I was meaning in games live & on TV rather than trawling the Internet or DVDs!
For those scratching around for a goalkeeper how about Lev Yashin (Russia). ,the "BlackSpider" or "Black Panther".
Live - no order other than vaguely chronological: Raich Carter Tom Finney Johnny Haynes Bobby Smith Jimmy Johnstone Johnny Giles Eddie Gray Ken Wagstaff George Best John Toshack Matt Le Tissier On telly: No particular order...except for #1 Cruyff. Cruyff Bechenbauer Netzer Socrates Garrincha Cantona Pele Fontaine Hagi Gasgoine Maradona Maybe sub Maradona with Eusabio
Netzer .....good call. Seemed to be the best larker in the world in 1972 at Wembley v England, but was nowhere to be seen in WC74. Nearly all the players getting mentioned are attacking midfielders. Best I've seen live: Maradona and Gullit, who was fast, intelligent, scored goals and built like a brick ****house.
Agreed - no idea what happened to him - injury or fame screwed him up maybe ? He did go on to manage mind. I was trying to throw in Gullit...ran out of slots. However, everyone in both my lists were the kind of footballer who could show brilliance and change the course of a game at any time. Jimmy Johnstone did it in all 4 games I ever saw him play. Out of this world at times - just like Georgie Best when on song. Gullit was of the same ilk - great player.
A summary of the Trautmann neck incident- certainly no urban myth. " On presenting his medal to Bert Trautmann Prince Phillip commented on his crooked state. Trautmann attended that evenings post-match banquet despite being unable to move his head and went to bed expecting the injury to heal with rest. As the pain did not recede,the following day he attended hospital where he was diagnosed with a cricked neck and told it would go away. 3 days later and still in pain an X ray showed he had dislocated 5 vertebra the second of which was cracked in two. The 3rd vertebra had also wedged against the 2nd, preventing further damage which could possibly have cost Trautmann his life. Convalescence/ rehabilitation took several months and he never recovered his previous confidence." I never saw Yashin play a match but he would be my pick for best ever goalkeeper. In his memoirs he was asked about great world goalkeepers and he said there had only been two. Himself and the German that played for an English club.
Yes, excellent goalkeeper. Lets not forget Oliver Kahn, Peter Schmeichel and Englands own Bert Williams.
Best players I've seen live: Scholes De Gea Hazard Giggs Ozil Sanchez Aguero Kompany Yaya Toure Suarez
I have seen many brilliant players in my life having been at many of the 1966 World Cup games in London and at the third place and final in Pasadena in 1994. Whilst still living in England until 1975, I saw loads who have been mentioned by others but I'd like to add Frank Worthington, Rodney Marsh, Stan Bowles and Alan Hutchinson. I've also seen Beckham, Scholes, Giggs plus Gerrard and Owen. Aside from Chillo and Waggy, the two most exciting, heart stopping and spectacular players I've seen are Denis Law and ............. George (the) Best!
Some great players there tc..sadly I missed the younger ones in the flesh as I came over here in '72. You mention a few "cheeky chappies" in Stan, Rodney & Denis - who were all brilliant players who loved to take the piss out of the opposition. Don't really get that anymore in the modern game. Hard to name a real "character" player today who seems to have fun on the pitch. Gazza was the last of that breed imo !
If it's best players seen including on tele.... number one for me would be Zidane followed by, in any particular order Shearer Scholes Ronaldo (original) Ronaldo (current) Messi Xavi Maldini Henry Pirlo
