OldStokie’s
Top Team.
To someone as old as me, and who has been watching Stoke for more than 50 years, asking me to pick a ‘best eleven’ is probably more difficult than asking a younger person. You see, when I started watching football, they played a 2-3-5 and not a 5-3-2 or 4-4-2 as they do today. In years gone by, a winger was just that, whereas today, a winger also has to be capable of defending too. So, I’ve abandoned the old fashioned way and tried to construct my team on today’s formations but also being aware that some of those I saw years ago may have been adaptable enough to play the modern role. Please bear that in mind when you want to ‘nit pick’ at ‘my’ team. I’ve also decided to draw a line at 1950 because, although there were many great players before that time, I really can’t remember in detail how good they were. I still remember gob stoppers being six inches in diameter, but in actual fact, they were about an inch in diameter. That’s how a child’s mind can lose sight of reality. So, I’ll chose from a time that I can talk about without exaggeration. A couple of typical instances would be the inclusion of Franklin and Mathews in my team. In truth, I can’t remember enough about them to compare them even though I know that they were, undoubtedly, better than any of those I’ve selected. So, here’s my team.
In goal would have to be the irrepressible and formidable figure of the best keeper we have ever had, Gordon Banks. Without doubt, he stands head and shoulders above the rest. I just wish some of the younger supporters could have seen this guy in action. He would make today’s keepers look like boys.
At right back, I’d plump for Lee Dixon. Not only was he an excellent defender, but he also had that rare ability to combine defensive duties with the skills of a right winger. Definitely the best attacking full back I’ve ever seen. He just pips Jackie Marsh for that spot because Jackie was a solid defender [probably a better one than Dixon].
Left back would be Mickey Pejic. Here was a guy who was a thorough professional in everything he did [and still continues to do]. Part of the super side of the 70’s and I’ve not seen a better one before or since.
Choosing two central defenders is a task in itself. Only Sergie Shtaniuk in recent times has shown the kind of ability we used to take for granted in our central defenders many years ago. We’ve had a glut of players who would lose most of those we’ve seen during that last ten or more years. If you look at Sergie and think how brilliant he is, we had quite a few who would make him look ordinary. Ken Thompson of the late fifties and early sixties was an excellent player. However, I’m going to choose two who were different in both quality and stature.
My first would always be Dennis Smith. Yes, we’ve had more skilful centre halves but we’ve never had one who was as hard or committed to Stoke City than Dennis. He would run through a brick wall for this club and is, without doubt, my greatest Stoke City hero of all time. He would always be the first name down on my team sheet.
Alongside Dennis, I would play the most complete centre half I’ve ever seen at Stoke. I’m sure the glaring omissions of people like Bluto and Doddy will surprise some people but, for me, Dave Watson was a colossus. On his day, he was supreme in every department. I remember Boothen Ender Bill and me talking about this very thing as we used to chat away while we were driving to away matches. The one thing we both agreed on was the ability of Dave Watson.
So, that would make up our back four. Dixon, Smith, Watson and Pejic.
Now to the midfield and what a minefield this is! [Remember that I’m putting old fashioned wingers into this class.] Consider the talent I’ve been fortunate enough to see! Players like Mathews [during his second spell], Hudson, Skeels, Thomas, Gleghorn, Violet, Dobing, Jimmy McIlroy, Sammy McIlroy, Chamberlain, Conroy, Gunnarson, Oscroft, Bowyer, Malkin, Eastham, Mahoney, George and Frank Mountford, Bracewell, Beagrie, Burrows and many, many more who would walk into today’s side with ease. However, I have to pick four and I’ll do my best.
On the right hand side, I’d choose Mark Chamberlain. Although he didn’t go on to fulfill his true potential, he was, on his day, a brilliant and talented player who would grace the best of sides.
On the left, I would choose Terry Conroy because, not only was he consistent, he was also a very good player both individually and as a team player. Part of the successful 70’s League cup winning team, he played a major role in the success of that side in its hey day.
Playing on the right hand side in the middle of the midfield would be the finest player I’ve ever seen in the red and white stripes, the fantastically talented Alan Hudson. In my opinion, there has never been a better player in the history of Stoke City except, perhaps, Mathews and Franklin at their peak. My memories of Huddy are ones that I cherish more than any other. His sublime skills are still vividly etched on my aging brain.
Alongside him in the middle would be my ball winner, Frank Mountford. Only those who have seen Frank play can vouch for his commitment in the middle of the park. This guy would come out at the beginning of a game and, in the first few minutes, he would be covered in so much mud that you couldn’t see the colour of his strip. I’ve never seen a player who could leap so quickly sideways to divert a ball with his head as he could. Nothing within five yard of him got past him. To my mind, I recall him as forever being horizontal as he flew through the air with his diving headers. He, too, was fully committed to the Stoke City cause. He could play too, as well as defend.
And now for the front two. Oh what a glut of players we have here. It breaks my heart to leave out players of the calibre of Johnny King, Bertie Biggins, Mike Sheron, Peter Dobing when he played up front before he went back to the midfield, Steino and many more who slip my mind but would equally grace this company. However, my two forwards were the easiest of the team for me to choose. Two players stand out above all others for me. John Ritchie and Jimmy Greenhoff. Steino almost got in there but the height of Big John and his legendary goal scoring feats in the highest league made me select him. As for Greenhoff, the uncanny working relationship between him and Huddy was something one only sees on rare occasions. They had an almost telepathic relationship. Also, Jimmy was the best volleyer of a ball I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen other players do volleys equally as good, but Jimmy used to do them in every game!
So, that’s it, my best ever eleven. Banks, Dixon, Smith, Watson, Pejic, Chamberlain, Hudson, Mountford, Conroy, Ritchie and Greenhoff. Now lets select five subs.
Shilton as sub goalie, Alan Bloor as defensive cover, Eric Skeels and Calvin Palmer for the midfield and Steino as the reserve forward.
That only leaves me to pick a manager of this side. Who else but the great man himself, Mr. Tony Waddington.