Category Archives: Players

Born Elmswell, September 19, 1949; died 2003 Steve Death is a true Reading legend. In truth he is a true footballing legend. While he never played for Reading outside the bottom two divisions he gave the club magnificent service for over a decade and provided every Royals fan who saw him with a store of wonderful memories and a hero to worship long after he had stopped pulling on the… Read Article →

Born Inverness, January 8, 1947 It is not often that a man who played international football and also spent a season as the leading goalscorer in England’s top flight ultimately comes to be remembered for his feats in the lower divisions but this is possibly the case with Ted MacDougall. Despite gaining seven caps for Scotland in 1975 and heading the first division scoring charts the following year, netting 23… Read Article →

born Fitzwilliam. September 30, 1945. There is no question that the story of Peter Knowles is one of English footballs’ most unusual, even without the dramatic decision that brought a premature end to a career that was just about entering its prime. Peter Knowles was the son of a Wakefield Trinity rugby league player and his principal interest as a youngster had been the 13 a side code in the… Read Article →

Born Llansamlet, November 19, 1929; Died 1992. Considering that Jack Kelsey was Arsenal’s goalkeeper for a decade it is surprising that his career should have brought so little in the way of honours. The Welshman was between the posts at a time of unusual mediocrity at Highbury but his performances ensured the club enjoyed real quality in one position at least. Kelsey’s excellence was such that it is possible to… Read Article →

born Washington, January 21, 1918, died 1998. There are two major reasons why Jimmy Hagan is not a better known name from the past, one is World War II, the other that he spent the whole of his post war career with Sheffield United. Hagan was born in the North East towards the end of the First World War and was really the rightful property of one or other of… Read Article →

Born North Shields: September 28, 1963 Ray Walker – Port Vale Legend Ray Walker is one of those players whose football career was defined by one moment. The wonderful curling 25 yard shot which he sent crashing into the Tottenham Hotspur net, which in turn sent them crashing out of the FA Cup, in 1988 is something which a whole generation of football fans can instantly associate him with. His… Read Article →

Born Bristol, July 18, 1927. Geoff Bradford was the jewel in Bristol Rovers’ crown as the club enjoyed the finest spell of their history in the 1950’s.A product of the city, Bradford was spotted by Rovers playing for Soundwell, a local team, and signed in 1949. His bravery, commitment and eye for goal quickly made him a favourite with the crowd at Eastville and he played an important part in… Read Article →

Richard “Dixie” McNeil: born Melton Mowbray, January 16, 1947. Dixie McNeil was an honest, strong, brave forward of the 1970’s who made such a habit of putting the ball in the back of the net that he became an idol at a string of lower league clubs. That he never got the chance to prove his worth at a higher standard can probably be attributed to his somewhat belated entrance… Read Article →

Born Kinsley; March 20, 1955. Terry Curran is a player who possibly wouldn’t have made it today as a footballer but he remains a shining example of why football was surely more enjoyable twenty years ago and beyond. Curran’s problem now would not be a lack of ability, he had that in abundance, but his individuality would not be tolerated by many modern day coaches and his outspoken, impulsive temperament… Read Article →

Born Glasgow, September 23, 1953 It is not often that a player owes his claim to greatness to exceptional ugliness but, according to Brian Clough, his manager at Nottingham Forest, that is the case with Kenny Burns. When Clough was looking to build a side capable of prospering in the First Division after Forest’s promotion the previous season he decided to find the two ugliest centre halves around in order,… Read Article →