I would be very interested to know who people think are the best players of the English league in the 1930s,40s,50s (I am aware only late 40s do to WWII). What were there best moments, seasons etc.....???
I think this link provides a good starting point (the list include players until the 90s) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_League_100_Legends
I will give this a shot. 1920s Charlie Buchan (Center Forward): Was one of the top players in the 10s and into the 20s. In 1923 led Sunderland to 2nd place with 30 goals and in 1924 to 3rd place with 26 goals. Helped Arsenal to 2nd place in 1926 with 19 goals and to the FA Cup final in 1927. Harry Chambers (Center Forward): Was the dominant player at Liverpool in the late 10s and early 20s, leading them to consecutive titles in 1922 and 1923 (leading scorer both seasons). Ephraim Longworth (Fullback): Was England's and Liverpool's captain during for Liverpool's consecutive titles in the early 20s. Clem Stephenson (Inside Forward): Was the key playmaker for the best team of the 1920s, Huddersfield Town, who won the FA Cup in 1922 (runners up 1928 and 1930) and the league in 1924, 1925, and 1926 (runners up 1927 and 1928). His best individual season were 1922 (48 appearances 15 goals all comps) and 1924 (43 appearances 12 goals all comps). He lacked pace, but was a very technical player and a great passer who controlled the game. Was the key player for the team in the early to mid 20s. Alex Jackson (Winger) and George Brown (Center Forward): They took over as the key players for Huddersfield in the mid 20s and from 26-28 led Huddersfield to a title and two runners up. George Brown averaged over 30 league goals a season in those three seasons and Alex Jackson, an integral part of the great Scottish national team at the time, had an amazing goalscoring record from the wing (1926-1930 all comps 16, 6, 24, 19, 17), as well as setting up many goals for Brown. Dixie Dean (Center Forward): Was probably the best player of the late 20s (also had one great season in the early 30s). Broke through in 1926 and 1927 showing his goalscoring prowess and breaking into the national team. Had the greatest scoring season in English football history in 1928 scoring 60 league goals and leading Everton to the title. Strangely Everton's results took a turn for the worse and they finished 18th in 1929 an were regulated in 1930. In 1931 Dean led them back to the first division scoring 39 league goals and then amazingly the next season led them to the First Division title as the leagues top scorer again with 45 goals. Hughie Gallacher (Center Forward): Along with Alex Jackson was one of the great Scottish internationals playing in England in the 20s. Famously led Newcastle to the title in 1927 scoring 36 league goals. David Jack (Inside Forward): Won two FA Cups with Bolton in 1923 and 1926. Kept Bolton in the top half of the league and sometimes competing for the league title until 1928 he was transferred to Arsenal, who would become the dominant team of the 1930s, commanding the largest transfer in league history (doubled the previous record). Was an important part of Arsenal first two titles (FA Cup 1930 and league 1931) before he was overshadowed by Arsenals other great offensive players. Will try to make more posts later for the 1930s, 40s and 50s
Jack Allen is another good one for the late 20s early 30s. Led Sheffield Wednesday to consecutive titles in 1929 and 1930 scoring 33 goals in both seasons.
Excellent start, thanks for that, some very faimilar and some not so familiar names. I look forward to the 30s/40s/50s post info too !!!
I will contribute with a poker of englishmen: Roy Goodall (fullback). One of the best world defenders from late 20s-early 30s playing for Huddersfield. He arguably would be the captain if England had participated in the first WC. Ernie Blenkinsop (fullback). A legend for Sheffield Wednesday, he was the most capped defender at the 20s. Billy Walker (inside forward). One of the best footballers at the 20s and a legend for Aston Villa. George Camsell (centreforward). He has the highest gpg ratio for an english player and would been a sure starter, if he hasn't the Dixie Dean's competition for the #9 spot.
If we want to look at the 30s we have to start with Arsenal, by far the dominant team of the decade. They won the 1st division 5 time (31,33,34,35,38) and finished top 5 three time (32,37,39). They won the FA Cup in 1930 and 1936 and were runners up in 1932. Eddie Hapgood (Fullback) - Was the constant for Arsenal, and was England captain throughout the 30s including the Battle at Highbury (England started 7 Arsenal players) when England defeated Italy after the 1934 world cup, declaring themselves the best team in the world. Was especially good in 34 and 38 when Arsenal won titles without there high powered offense clicking. Alex James (Inside Forward) - Was an amazing passer of the ball, but not a goalscorer. But was they key cog in Arsenals attack. The difference in goals scored between seasons he was healthy (1931: 127 goals, 1933: 118 goals, 1935: 115 goals) and seasons he was injured (1932: 90 goals, 1934, 75: goals) are astounding. He provided the ammunition for the great scoring seasons of David Jack, Jack Lambert, Cliff Baston, and Ted Drake. He had the type of seasons (especially 1931) where he would have set records for assists if the stat was kept at that time. He was a key figure for Scotland's great international sides of the time when he was allowed to play by his club teams. Scotland were undefeated when he and Hughie Gallacher were both selected, include the famous Wembley Wizards (the team also included Alex Jackson and Alan Morton). Cliff Baston (Outside Left) - Along side Puc, Jackson, and Morton was the one of the greatest wingers of his time, maybe the greatest. Was a prolific scorer from the wing for Arsenal, and was their all time leading scorer until Henry came along 60 years later. Was the teams top scorer in 1933 with 33 goals, an amazing number for a winger. He was also a key international for England. Jack Lambert (Center Forward) - Was Arsenals star center forward in the early 30s, leading them in scoring in 30, 31, and 32. Scored at that time a club record 39 domestic goals in 1931. Ted Drake (Center Forward) - Took over for Lambert as the star center forward and was the teams leading scorer for 5 straight season (35-39). Broke Lambert's club record scoring 44 goals in 1935, leading the league and setting a record that still stands for Arsenal. Raich Carter (Inside Forward) - The extremely talented playmaker and goal scorer led Sunderland to the title in 1936, runners up in 1935 and the FA Cup in 1937. He was the youngest player to ever captain a 1st division side to the title, scoring 31 times in 1936. He way a key England international before WWII robbed him of his best years. Peter Doherty (Inside Forward) - The North Ireland international is most famous for leading Manchester City to the 1937 league title scoring 32 times. Considered one of the top attackers in the world in the late 30s. Tommy Lawton (Center Forward) - Was the successor to Dixie Dean at Everton and England. Was a prodigious striking talent, leading Everton to the title and as the league top scorer in 1939 (34 goals) at the age of 20. Broke into the English international team before the war, scoring in his first 6 games, a record that has never been equaled. He along with Raich Carter were part of the great group of English attacking players that saw their primes taken by WWII. Joe Mercer (Left Half) - Was the other key player in Everton's 1939 title winning side. Went on to have a very good career after the war.
Thanks for the feedback, some big names there and some I am less familiar. My Grandad was a huge Tommy Lawton fan but was an Arsenal fan so was obviosuly spoilt in the 1930s with there success !!!
I noticed a lack of goalkeepers thus far. Here are 4 outstanding ones : Harry Hibbs (Birmingham / England) Frank Swift (Manchester City / England) Howard Baker (Corinthians, Chelsea) Elishia Scott (Liverpool / Ireland)
I don't hear about Baker Here are some names: Joe Bradford (England / Birmingham) Andrew Nesbit Wilson (Scotland / Chelsea) Jimmy McMullan (Scotland / Manchester City) Billy McCracken (N.Ireland / Newcastle) McCracken was the master of the offside trap, in the old rule.
Jack Crayston of Arsenal and England: http://www.blog.woolwicharsenal.co.uk/archives/3736 http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ARSENALcrayston.htm
Possibly the biggest player of his day not mentioned yet... Eric Brook of Manchester City & England: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MANCbrookE.htm http://www.bluemoonovermanchester.com/man-city/2012/3/15/eric-brook-the-record-holder.html A good bio for a computer game profile: http://pcsd.forumfree.it/?t=60649910
Sammy Crooks of Derby County and England: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/DERBYcrooks.htm http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/latest/10792170.Crooks____tour/
"The Prince of the Centre-Halves"; T.G. Jones of Everton and Wales: http://www.evertonfc.com/history/thomas-george-jones.html http://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/mar/13/guardianobituaries.football http://www.toffeeweb.com/history/players/obituaries.htm http://www.dixies60.com/2010/05/14/top-60-everton-players9-thomas-gwynfor-t-g-jones/
One player from that time who is often overlooked is Dave Halliday. A prolific goal scorer in both Scotland and England, including almost a goal a game for Sunderland in just over 4 seasons. I think he is one of only two players to have topped the scoring charts in both countries (along with Andy Gray) and from a bit of basic research it looks like his career tally of 336 league goals would be in the top 10 of a combined English-Scottish ranking. Despite this, he never played for Scotland. He later guided Aberdeen to their first league title and is their longest serving post war manager.
He scored in each of his 9 games for England (spread over 7 years). The only player to score in more consecutive games for England was Steve Bloomer, who netted in each of his first 10 matches. Camsell also had one spell at Middlesbrough where he scored 29 goals in 12 matches, which included 14 in 4 at one point.
Another competitor of Camsell and Dean for the England centre-forward position... "Pongo" Waring of Aston Villa and England: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ASTONwaring.htm http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2805585,00.html http://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=18195
What about Hughie Ferguson? He had the second highest goalscoring season in UK before the change of the offside rule. Also, he's one of the all time goalscorers in the scottish league. Sadly, as his contemporary, Dave Halliday, he hadn't any cap for Scotland, maybe for the competition of Andy Wilson and Gallacher in the CF role.
A tribute to Tom Finney ... RIP Remembering Tom Finney, the 'Preston Plumber Sir Tom Finney died in his home town of Preston on Friday, at the age of 91. "To dictate the pace and course of a game, a player has to be blessed with awesome qualities. Those who have accomplished it on a regular basis can be counted on the fingers of one hand – Pele, Maradona, Best, Di Stefano, and Tom Finney." Sir Stanley Matthews was writing from experience. He was just such a player but Sir Tom Finney, Matthews’ contemporary and England colleague, has significant claims to be England’s greatest player. Capped 76 times in an era where England was coming to terms with the realisation that creating the game was no guarantee of dominance, Finney remained one of the world’s most admired talents. His death on Friday, at the age of 91, saw football lose one of its finest.