[ZeekLTK]

Instead of "worst" (the other thread)... What are some of the best stories in football's history?

One of my favorites is 1992 Euro Cup. Denmark gets called in to replace Yugoslavia after failing to qualify and then overcomes England and France in the group stage, gets past Holland in the semifinals, and then defeats the defending World Cup Champions Germany to win the tournament!

[Excape Goat]

Mine is Carlos Llamosa's story. He gave up soccer to move to the US and became a janitor in WTC. Slowly, he worked his way back to professional football and ended up with the USMNT.

[Cassano]

Fabio Grosso

He started out as an attacking midfielder in the lower amateur leagues of Italian football. He was picked up by Perugia and then converted to a left-back after being told he wasn't a good enough attacking midfielder to make it in the top levels. Transfered to Palermo, played his way onto the National Team, and then we all know the rest.

[Daniel from Montréal]

I like Uruguay defeating Brazil in 1950.

And of course the Greeks in 2004, the funniest thing I've seen happen in soccer (they were ranked 15th/16).

[Excape Goat]

Originally Posted by Daniel from Montréal

I like Uruguay defeating Brazil in 1950.

One of the best stories were actually a side story from the game. Brazil decided to redesign the color combination of their kit after the defeat because the old one was considered bad omen. They held a national competiation. The winner wasa young man from the border region next to Uruguay. The closest city in his hometown was actually in Uruguay. So he grew up as an Uruguayan, despite being Brazilian by birth. On the day of the 1950 game, he supported Uruguay. He called himself the only happy Brazilian that day.

[GavinZac]

Colin Healy, the nearly man.

His career began brilliantly for Glasgow Celtic, who nearly made an impact on the Champions League.
He was nearly called into the Ireland squad for the world cup, but Roy Keane took too long to go home.
He nearly was a success in the premiership until Youssef Safri nearly missed him with a tackle and broke his leg.
He was nearly ready to play again when his own manager, Mick McCarthy, the guy who nearly took him to Japan/Korea WC, broke his leg AGAIN.
He nearly got fit again for livingston but eventually he signed for Cork City.
He nearly got to play but FIFA decided he had been at too many clubs in one season, not recognising that Ireland play their seasons at a different schedule to England.
He took his case to the European Court of Arbitration for Sport who nearly overturned FIFA's decision, but didnt have the legal power.
He finally can play for COrk City and he nearly had a great game in his first important match but he scored an own goal when he nearly headed the ball clear.

Welcome home, Colin

[TheHun]

I've read many soccer stories over the years ...

I have to say the David Beckham saga is pretty good ... nearly dropped by Cappello at Madrid and fights his way back to win La Liga and recalled to the ENGLAND Team.

If you have the time, I recommend the book "The Greatest Player I Never Saw: The Robin Friday Story"

The other interesting tale is the story of Scotsman Willy Crilley ... yup its true.

[John Simkin]

In 1878 workers of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) depot at Newton Heath established a football team. They played their home games on a patch of land near the railway depot. The club's shirts were green and gold halves. These were the colours of the LYR. Their changing rooms were at the Three Crowns Public House on the Oldham Road. This was over half a mile away from their pitch at North Road.

In 1896 Harry Stafford was offered a job working for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) as a boilermaker in on the understanding he would play for Newton Heath. Stafford was appointed captain and became the dominating force at the club. Garth Dykes pointed out in The United Alphabet that Stafford was "noted for his snappy dressing, which included a liking for white hats and brilliantly-hued waistcoats."

Newton Heath continued to have financial problems. In 1901 the club staged a four-day grand bazaar in St James Hall, Oxford Street, Manchester. The club needed to raise £1,000 in order to avoid bankruptcy. Even though Manchester City even made a donation, by the end of the third day it seemed that the venture would prove unsuccessful.

Harry Stafford had the idea of using his St. Bernard dog, Major, to raise money. He wandered amiably between the stalls with a collection box strapped to his back. It was hoped that the dog would attract donations. On the fourth day of the grand bazaar Major escaped from St. James Hall. He eventually found his way to the home of a rich businessman, John Henry Davies, who owned a successful brewery in Manchester. Davies liked the animal and decided to buy the dog for his daughter. When he traced the dog's owner, Stafford told Davies about the financial position of Newton Heath. The two men became friends and decided to make a takeover bid for the club.

By 1902 Newton Heath was £2,670 in debt and faced a winding-up order. At a shareholders' meeting in the New Islington Hall, Harry Stafford announced that he and four local businessmen, including John Henry Davies, were willing to takeover the club's debts. The Football League approved the plan and Newton Heath now became Manchester United. It was also decided that the club would now play in red shirts and white shorts.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FmanchesterU.htm

[Excape Goat]

I think the name was Ze Marie. He was selling water melons in Brazil one summer. The next summer, he started a game in the 1998 World Cup Finals for Brazil.

garrincha was told not to do sport when he was kid. we all know what happened.

[dgpro]

What football really is... watch this video
http://www.digitalphotoframeonline.com/vidoes