One for Yes I was there when he scored I remember it well also the Brian Drysdale goal from a free kick somewhere near the halfway line think he only ever scored a couple of goals for us and that one is the one I remember might have even been from inside our half near what is now the Dolman touchline and scored in the open end as was goal, was a quite windy but gusty day. God my head hurts remembering that far back.
People would have to be over forty to remember seeing Jan Moller play, in a team hurtling towards the bottom division watched by ever decreasing gates. He was a huge keeper at a time when smaller more agile keepers were in vogue. A class above the team he played in and a class above Basso and then some more. If he had stayed longer than eighteen months he would have had Gow status.
Yes Mike Gibson. And he was a pretty good postman for me while I lived in Ashton Vale during the late 70's.
Are you referring to the Ray Cashley wonder goal? I guess so. Also there sat in Dolman block G (?). Howling gale and throwing it down as Ray launched from hand at edge of his penalty area. Jeff Wealands was the Hull keeper stood on edge of his pen area and it went over his head from the first bounce and straight into the net. 3-1 to city that night.
Not a lot to choose from in forty years. A lot were just average. Quite liked Mercer and Welch. Watched City mid seventies and didn't see Gibson play and he went on to join a team lower down the league. Few did much of note before City or after. Hooper, James and Moller played for bigger, or more successful clubs, picked up caps [except] Hooper. James was past his best, Hooper played little at City, Moller is an easy choice. Great in a team that finished 23rd.
Can't believe that Ray Cashley is rated as No1 by some of the 'old uns'. He was called, very discourteously in the East End, the Flying Pig. Gibbo was a great keeper for his size. Welch and Basso were, in my opinion, better. Steve Phillips was my favourite though, not the best just a bloody good mate.
I remember the same 4 that Red Robin has listed (don't remember when Moller was so he obviously didn't make an impression on me). He may not have been the best of them in terms of consistency and ability but by a mile I would go for Basso. There was a real bond between him and the crowd I felt and he affected the whole atmosphere around the club. Also, I was trying to get my lad interested in City at the time and he took to Basso - even started playing in goal for his school team because of him. So definitely Oooh Basssooo! for me.
Moller was 80 - 82. Not many ex city players can say they played in a european cup final [Malmo v Forest]. Was sold same time as harford to balance the books.
I did say why I picked him Mr Redprintt, he was there when we reached the promised land and I can remember a fantastic save he made at West Brom (I was there!) that helped get us there.....plus IMO he was decent.
I would have to go for Mike Gibson, brilliant keeper for his size. (have to say that he was the wife's favorite)
If he was brilliant why did he play all his football at second and third division level for Bristol City and Gillingham?
Nobody is trying to make him what he was not; just that for just under ten years, Gibbo was an absolute rock in our team. What he did was give all City defences of his time, a security knowing that behind them was a keeper who rarely made mistakes, commanded his area very well and pulled off on a regular basis, some stunning shot stopping. Maybe he could have played higher league, but in the 60's, every league club had at least two excellent British born keepers, with many of them local boys. And also in those days, players were much more content playing for the same club season after season. It wasn't lack of ambition but just that the financial rewards for moving clubs were nothing like they are now. and contentment knowing they had a secure job at one club so long as they performed. And Gibbo performed. Gibbo was also responsible for keeping out several very good young keepers who eventually moved on to get their opportunities elsewhere. Barry Watling, Mike Mahoney among them. Gibbo was ever present for five seasons, except the last two league games of 1967-8 when AD gave one appearance to Watling and Mahoney and the last game of 69-9 when Mahoney got one game. The in 1969-70 he missed three games in the last few weeks with Mahoney deputising. Only in 1970-71 when he played 30 league games did he have serious competition from Ray Cashley. Mike Gibson an all time Bristol City GREAT!
You could say the same about John Atyeo - different time, different perspective on life!! Gibbo for me, closely followed by Basso for ability plus charisma!
Atyeo turned down bigger clubs. Gibson left City for Gillingham! Basso was just average and his carear history suggests it. Phillipps won more PFA awards from his peers.
