Category Archives: Players

Rodney Marsh – Your memories of the English Soccer Legend: Did you watch Rodney play, or go to school with him, or meet him after his playing days? Let us know your stories and personal memories…

Football Englands profile of Bonzo Born Woolwich, September 17, 1946. Billy Bonds, Mr West Ham – looking decidedly like Jesus. In the summer of 1967 Ron Greenwood, the West Ham United manager, laid out £50,000 to prize a competitive, enthusiastic full back away from Charlton Athletic. 21 years and 793 appearances later Billy Bonds could retire safe in the knowledge that the investment on him had proved value for money…. Read Article →

Born Stapleford; October 5, 1946 At first glance the career of Dave Watson doesn’t look that unusual. It might appear that the only thing distinguishing Watson from the thousands of other stopper centre halves to have played league football is that he was a lot better than almost all of them. Watson’s story is surely a unique one, however. How many other players can you name who made their league… Read Article →

Born Hackney, November 26, 1965. Generally all football supporters favour the attacking members of their team when looking for their heroes and popular terrace chants mainly honour the players who put the ball in the net most often or those who show the most individual flair. The Nottingham Forest fans of the late 1980’s and early 90’s were different, however, and the two refrains most likely to be heard ringing… Read Article →

Born Liverpool, January 10, 1954 A career which promised much but ultimately delivered little of note, certainly in the way of honours, was that of the stylish full back John Gidman. Having been released by Liverpool, the city of his birth, Gidman was snapped up by Aston Villa, at the time a third division club. He stayed with the club as they worked their way back into the first division… Read Article →

Born Preston, April 5, 1922; Died 2014. Has there ever been a footballer more synonymous with one club than Tom Finney is with Preston North End? Finney spent his entire footballing career with his home town club but the association runs far deeper than that. Finney lived in the town all his life and also established his plumbing business there. The road on which North End’s Deepdale ground stands now… Read Article →

Franny Lee – Player profile Born Westhoughton, April 29, 1944 One of the most enduring images of the 1960’s and 70’s is that of the barrel chested Francis Lee surging at the heart of an opposition defence and unleashing a tremendous drive for goal. Instantly recognisable, impossible to ignore, Lee was one of those players who you just had to either love or hate. Although short and stocky Lee combined… Read Article →

Born Bremen, Germany. October 22, 1923. The story of Bernhard Carl Trautmann is obviously not a run of the mill tale of your average Football League custodian. From a remarkable, and extremely belated, introduction into league fotball, Bert Trautmann would go on to enjoy an impressively long and accomplished career. Born in Germany between the wars Trautmann was brought up as one of the Hitler Youth and subsequently became a… Read Article →

born Kingston, Jamaica. November 7, 1963. Few players have made as big an impact on English football as John Barnes. His career was full of exciting highs but still managed to fuel a never ending debate about the extent of his ability. If it wasn’t his talent that people wanted to question then it was his attitude. And as the highest profile black footballer ever to grace the English game… Read Article →

Career Profile: Born Hasleden, February 26, 1946. There is no doubt that Colin Bell is recognised as the best player Manchester City have ever had by the vast majority of the teams’ supporters and there seems little reason to question this consensus. Bell was, after all, the top man in the clubs’ greatest ever side and went on to establish himself as a fixture in the England team, eventually taking… Read Article →