Best City XI

Hi all. I'm new to the forum although I've been visiting the place for quite a while now. I've noted a refreshing sense of humour amongst the posters, which of course is a vital attribute when following this lot.
So I'd just like to say hello and, by way of introduction, hopefully kick off a thread about following city in happier times.
So here's my perfect city team. Made up of the best servants I've seen don the claret an amber since my first game, a 1-1 draw against Brighton in 1992.
So here goes. .
1. Gary Walsh - Came down to Walsh and Matt Clarke. Mark schwarzer would have been a cert had he played more games for the club. Being a member of the promotion team and the best season of my city supporting career edged it for the ex-Manchester United stopper - the beginning of a pattern you might notice emerging.
2. Simon Francis - one of the most assured defenders I've seen at such a young age. Have followed his career closely since leaving the club and was glad to see him make it as the premier league regular he later became at Bournemouth.
3. Wayne Jacobs - finest free transfer we ever made. Great club servant and first team left back from division 2 to the premiership. Perfect foil for Beags down the left. Don't think he ever received the ball off beags but was always making them selfless runs just in case.
4. Stuart McCall - No explanation necessary
5.Dean Richards - RIP. Was THE outstanding player at vp during my formative years following city. Top class. A rolls royce of a defender who literally had the lot. I still have his autograph on the back of a packet of lambert and Butler that my dad acquired for me one time at a Bradford nightclub.
6. Andy O'Brien - Another home grown lad who went on to play regular premier league football deservedly. The 'rash' was his nickname apparently as he was all over you just like one once you had the ball.
7. Chris Waddle - Couldn't resist it! Unfair on Jamie Lawrence that he doesn't get that right wing spot but I'm hoping to entertain with this team. Cultured world class footballers have been few and far between at city and you certainly recognise one when you see one in city colours. Only a fleeting spell but again, an early favourite of mine and I admit that an element of romantic sentiment guarantees his inclusion.
8. Dean Windass - Could play an attacking midfield role with aplomb. Could play further up if needed too. What a footballing brain! An entertainer who constantly gave 100% and guaranteed you goals.
9. Lee Mills - For that one season alone he's earnt the number 9 jersey. Ideal in a big man small man front line and would keep the heat off of beni to allow him to work his magic. Wasn't happy about the way he just faded out of the club and always feel he was treat a little unfairly in that regard.
10. Benito Carbone - Hate leaving Blakey out but benny was something else. Quite simply the most naturally gifted footballer that has ever played for the club.
11. Peter Beagrie - How I miss those days. "Beagrie Beagrie take the piss!" You could sense the excitement rippling thru the stadium every time he got the ball.

So there ye go, just a bit of fun. I imagine something similar to this thread has already been done, but if not, I hope the subject is worthy of the forum!

 

Thanks for the warm greetings! On reflection, I should have had Mills and Blake, aye, hands down the most lethal strike force we've had... I was very fortunate in that I began following City during such prosperous times. From my first full season in 1994/95 it was continuous progress right through to the second season in the premiership. My dad would tell me to not take the success for granted. He had began supporting City in the early 70s and it is to his eternal credit that he chose City over L**ds, considering that his uncle and cousins were season ticket holders and it was they who had taken him to his formative live games.

Another interesting eleven would be the greatest, most successful players we've had albeit at different clubs. Take for example the amount of titles and European successes amongst this lot ...
1. Neville Southall
2. Dan Peterscu
3. Steve Staunton
4. Stuart McCall
5. Dean Richards
6. David Wetherall
7. Chris waddle
8. Gordon Cowan
9. Stan Collymore
10. Dean Saunders
11. Lee Sharpe

These would be the best in my era, preceding this, the likes of Roy mcfarland pop to mind...

 

Aye, David 'Bronco' Lane, record holder of the most goals in one season to this day... Also ended up embroiled in the match fixing scandal of the early 60s. The incidents had an effect on Jimmy Hills successful attempt to abolish the maximum wage I believe as it exposed the lengths some players were having to go to in order to supplement their meagre wages of the time.
I'm a keen student of footy and just love to read up on the history of our beautiful game. My own username is a player I doubt nobody on this forum can remember in the flesh, but by all accounts one of the greatest to play for us. My father was the warden at an old people's home when I was growing up and there was one old gentleman, Mr Frank O'Connor who had watched City since the early 20s... It was truly a privelidge to listen to the man's stories and memories of those days. He talked about Cairns with such glowing admiration that it has remained with me to this day. He was in his late 30s I believe and had all but chosen to retire before he changed heart and decided to take the trip down to Bradford from Glasgow to wind down his career. A bald, overweight giant of a man apparently, completely belying the fleet footed grace he was blessed with. The 1927/28 season still ranks as one of City's most successful years as we completely blew apart the old 3rd division north, breaking records for goals scored and points gained in the process. My old chum Frank waxed lyrical about old tommy Cairns, saying he was the linchpin of that great side..