A list of all time great players, and the pantheon of greatest ever

At different points I have had interest in trying to rank the greatest players ever, but when any real effort is put forth it seems an impossible task.

I have settled on a more attainable goal. Designating players as "All Time Great" based on three criteria that transcend era and are based on comparing players to their peers. Then after designated a list of all time great players, drawing a more exclusive list based on more strict criteria designated the pantheon of the "Greatest Players Ever"

I evaluated 1,154 players of high reputation and achievement for inclusion across all time periods from 1869 to 2020. I classified 569 of those players as all time greats. After further evaluation of the 569 all time great players, I placed 109 of those in the pantheon of the greatest ever.

I will present players chronologically in "eras" that I will define in a future post. Each player will be presented in only one era although careers will span multiple eras. A players entire career is being evaluated despite him being associated with only one era.

I will also categorize players in quasi-positions that can translate across eras. I will also define these in a future post.

I will also have a post defining the criteria I used for both all time great and pantheon classification.

 

Criteria for "All Time Great" designation.

There are three categorizes I used to determine whether or not a player met this threshold. They are somewhat general and non-specific in part because of necessity in that more specific criteria are more difficult to apply across all eras, but also by design so there is some room for my own opinion and convictions and the list is not based on some type of mathematical analysis only.

1) Was the player a 'difference maker" or "game winner"?

The is a designation that is relatively subjective, and most players I analyzed passed this criteria, as most players with lots of achievement and reputation were difference makers. I included this criteria to weed out a group of players that have great longevity and lots of achievements, but were not the primary reason why their teams were excelling. These players are often very competent/good at what they do, and have done it for a long time, but other teams managers are not staying up the night before a game figuring out how to deal with them. Some examples of players I analyzed who passed the other two criteria but failed this one, players similar to those I described above are Jaroslav Burgr, Armand Penverne, Mario Zagallo, Sandor Matari, Wolfgang Weber, Terry Butcher, Roberto Donadoni, and Manuel Sanchis. All of these players were very good at their job on the pitch, had great longevity, and were on great teams that achieved great things , but in my opinion were not the reason or engine of the teams success. You may disagree with some of the examples above (and I hope to hear all of those disagreements in later posts showing my results as a way to help fine tune the list) but I hope they help illustrate what I am trying to get at.

2) Did the player sustain greatness?

I also kept this category relatively general but I looked at it in two ways. First a player needed at least 7-8 season of play with significant positive contribution. Second the player needed to have roughly three great seasons. This category is trying to weed out players who did not play for very long at a high level or players who had one or two great season then fell back to a lower level. Examples of players who passed the other two criteria but failed this one are Alex Jackson, Raich Carter, Oleh Kuznetsov, and Jari Litmanen.

3) Did the player a a complete career and high cumulative achievement?

This first part of this is two eliminate players who only excelled in one area, for example only were great domestically but not internationally, or players who only excelled for the national team but not the club team. The real key here is players need to have been great at an international level, that can be with a club team or national team. So a player like Jimmy Johnstone who does not necessarily have an all time great players national team career compensated by having an exceptional career in the European Cup. He proved himself repeatedly on a broader stage. Players who passed other criteria but failed this one are Jimmy McGrory, Orvar Bergmark, Waldo, Ademir da Guia, and Miroslav Klose.

 

Criteria for the pantheon of all time greatest

I wanted the criteria for this to be far stricter. For a player to reach this point I wanted them to have a resume without flaws. For players who made the designation of all time great five more criteria were applied to see if they made it into the pantheon. They are as follows.

1) Longevity

They must have at least 10 seasons of significant positive contribution. This disqualifies a number of players who place highly in many all time great lists in my analysis. For example: Van Basten, Garrincha, Best, and Ronaldinho.

2) Dominant Run

They need to have a near continuous run of four to five seasons where they are dominant and performing at a level that qualifies them as the best or one of the best in the world at their position. This disqualifies players listed high on all time great players lists in my analysis. For example Adolfo Pedernera, Stanley Matthews, Fritz Walter, Romario, and Fabio Cannavaro.

3) Peak level approaches best player in the world

The player needs to at his peak be considered the best player in the world or closely approaching that level. This criteria is relaxed a bit for non-attacking players. For example in the modern Ballon d'Or era, a goalkeeper or central defender finishing around 5-8 in voting would be enough, but if an attacking player only reaches fifth that would be insufficient in my eyes. Their are exceptions here especially in relation to Ballon d'Or voting which is a good guide in many cases but not all. This is one of the more difficult catagories to judge for older players. This is the category this disqualifies the most all time great players from reaching the pantheon. This disqualifies players listed high on all time great players lists in my analysis. For example Angel Labruna, Nils Liedholm, Danny Blanchflower, Francisco Gento, Gaetano Scirea, Jurgen Kohler, Cafu, and Ryan Giggs

4) Dominant at all levels

This is similar to the complete career criteria for all time great designation but more strict. They need to be great domestically, in continental competitions, and with the national team. This does not mean they cannot have a bad world cup, but they must on whole still have a great national team career. The previous example of Jimmy Johnstone passing the complete career criteria despite a weak national team career on the strength of his European Cup career will not pass this level. All levels must be great no exception. This disqualifies players listed high on all time great players lists in my analysis, for example Bobby Moore.

5) Career must be free of all other major flaws

This is a catch all for any other major flaws that bother me about a players career that are not quantified in the previous four categories. For example Sandor Kocsis inexplicably not being able to get playing time at Barcelona or Alain Giresse failing to earn any caps in the first two thirds of his career.

 

Some information on the positions I will be using. They are relatively broad so they can be applied across all eras. Most "positions" are defined by the part of the pitch they play in and also their style of play (Position-Style). These positions are a reflection of what best describes the totality of the positions they played throughout their career.

Forward-Goalscorer: Played the majority of his career in the final third of the pitch. Focused most of their effort on scoring goals.

Examples: Goalscoring center forwards like Gunnar Nordahl or Gerd Muller. Goalscoring inside forwards or second strikers like Steve Bloomer, Sandor Kocsis, or Jimmy Greaves.

Forward-Playmaker: Played the majority of his career in the final third of the pitch. Focused at least equal effort on playmaking and goalscoring, if not a majority to playmaking.

Examples: Playmaking center forwards like GO Smith, Matthias Sindelar, Florian Albert, or Lionel Messi. Playmaking inside forwards or second strikers like Juan Alberto Schiaffino, Zico, or Roberto Baggio.

Wide Forward: Played the majority of his career in the wide parts final third of the pitch. Focused effort on goalscoring and playmaking.

Examples: Direct goalscoring wingers from pyramaid of WM teams like Cliff Basten, Tom Finney, or Pepe. Direct wingers from more modern formations like Luigi Riva or Arjen Robben. Most wide forwards in modern three man attacks like Hristo Stoichkov or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Attacking Link: Played relatively equal amounts of time in the final and middle thirds of the pitch. Preformed all roles of a fowrard and midfielder throughout career: goalscoring, playmaking, and supporting.

Examples: Center forwards that continuously occupy very deep positions like Nandor Hidegkuit or Raymond Kopa. Inside forwards or second strikers that continuously occupy very deep positions like Robert Walker, Didi, or Gianni Rivera. Midfielders that continuously occupy advanced positions often joining the attack like Michel Platini or Frank Lampard.

Wide Attacking Link: Played relatively equal amounts of time in the wide parts of the final and middle thirds of the pitch. Preformed all roles of a fowrard and midfielder throughout career: goalscoring, playmaking, and supporting.

Examples: Pyramaid or WM wingers that were not involved in goalscoring or often tracked back: Felix Loustau, Mario Zagallo, or Stanley Matthews. Modern wingers who are quasi midfielders like David Beckham or Pavel Nedved.

Midfield-Playmaker: Played the majority of their career in the middle third of the pitch. Focused most of their effort on playmaking, advanced passing, and dribbling.

Examples: Not many good examples in pyramid formations. Some of the very attacking halfbacks from WM formations like Bozsik, Ocwirk, or Blanchflower. Players like Gerson, Deyna, or Xavi in more modern formations.

Midfield-Support: Played the majority of their career in the middle third of the pitch. Focused most of their effort on supporting both attack and defense through short passing, ball retention, tackling, and running to close down opponents and make themselves available to teammates.

Examples: In pyramid formations both center halves or wing halves could qualify depending on the style of play. In South America wing halves spent most of their time marking opposing wings while center halves were more true midfielders. In this system attacking center halves like Jose Maria Minella. In many pyramid systems in Europe the center half spends much of the time as a defensive link, half midfielder and half marker of opposing center forwards. In many of these cases the wings halves are more true midfielders, players like Ernest Needham or Walter Nausch. Most halfbacks in WM like Zlatko Cajkovski or Dave Mackay. All the more conservative midfielders in modern formations like Zito, Antonio Rattin, Valery Voronin, Graeme Souness, Dunga, or Schweinsteiger.

Defensive Link: Played relatively equal amounts of time in the middle and first thirds of the pitch. Preformed all roles of a midfielder and defender throughout career: playmaking,, supporting, and marking.

Examples: Most center halves in pyramid formations who both mark center forwards and move into the midfield when in possession like Luis Monti or Josef Smistik. Many players designated as "fourth backs" during the transition between WM and 4-2-4 like Bobby Moore in 66. Attacking sweepers like Vasovic, Beckenbauer, or Olsen. Also players who played both midfield and defense regularly like Wilson Piazza or Frank Rijkaard. Also some of the midfielders who play very deep in current systems often between the center backs or purely shield the defense in the space between midfield and defense like Makelele or Busquets.

Wide Defensive Link: Played relatively equal amounts of time in the wide parts of the middle and first thirds of the pitch. Preformed all roles of a midfielder and defender throughout career: playmaking, supporting, and marking.

Only a few examples from pyramid formations where exception players like JL Andrade both marked wingers and joined the attack. In a WM I do no think any fullbacks were attacking enough to qualify. Most modern attacking fullbacks from a four man back four like Roberto Carlos or Phillip Lahm.

Wide Back: Played the majority of his career in the wide parts of the first third of the pitch. Focused effort on marking and supporting.

In a pyramid system with an attacking center half and wing halves that focused on marking wings players like Pedro Arico Suarez or VR Andrade. Most fullbacks in a WM like Eddie Hapgood or Erik Nilsson. Fullbakcs from a modern back 4 with a more conservative style like Maldini or Bergomi.

Back-Supporting: Played the majority of his career in the first third of the pitch. Importance equally derived from marking attackers and being skillful on the ball and using passing and dibbling to support the midfield.

Examples: Skilled passing pyramid fullbacks (Josef Blum), skilled WM center backs (Ernst Happel), skilled passing center backs from modern back four formations (Rio Ferdinand).

Back-Marking: Played the majority of his career in the first third of the pitch. Focused most of effort on marking attackers.

Examples: Pyramid fullbacks focused on marking (Sesta), marking WM center backs (Santamaria), marking center backs from modern back four formations (John Terry).

Goalkeeper

 

Summary of eras

Eras are defined by important trends players and team and are a way to help me present my list in reasonable chunks. Players are assigned to eras based on when their most important accomplishments and/or prime years occur.

1) Early Football ~ 1869-1883

This era represents the beginning of football. It is played only in Britain and Ireland at this point. Formations are just beginning with a 6-2-2 being most common during this time. Football is strictly an amateur sport at this time. Queen's Park is the best club team of the era winning the Scottish Cup six times. Scotland's national which is dominated by Queen's Park players is significantly ahead of England. Despite this the FA Cup is the most important club competition of the era, and Scottish clubs enter the competition as well as English. Wanderers is the dominant club of the FA Cup in this era.

2) Amateur/Professional Conflict ~ 1883-1890

This era is dominated by the conflict between amateurism and the rise of professionalism. The two best teams of the era are the two first prominent professional teams. First was Blackburn Rovers who won three consecutive FA Cups from 1884-1886, including defeating the top amateur team of the era Queen's Park in the 84 and 85 final. The other great team is Preston North End who won the first English Football League title undefeated and added the FA Cup to win the double They were the best team in the second half of the era. This era also saw the creation of Corinthians, what could be considered an amateur all star team of English players to combat the rise of strong professional team. As professionals become accepted in the game both the Scottish and English national teams are made of a roughly equal share of both amateur and professional players, and a relative competitive balance is reached between England and Scotland, unlike the previous era.

3) Anglo-Scots ~ 1890-1897

This era is dominated in two ways by the influence of the Anglo-Scots, Scottish players who play professionally in England and are therefore ineligible to play for the Scottish national team. Preston North End, Sunderland, and Aston Villa all win multiple titles in England with Anglo-Scots having a major influence on all three teams, with Sunderland being an entire team of exclusively Anglo-Scots winning three league titles in dominant fashion. The influence of Scotland losing top players to English clubs, then refusing to recall those players for internationals leads to English dominance in international football.

4) Golden Age of British Football ~ 1897-1903

This era is looked back on fondly by British football observers for a long time as a golden age in Victorian football, with some observers claiming English football never reached this level again until the great post WWII team. Scotland recalls Anglo-Scots playing abroad to the national team and a level of parity is reached between the two sides. Both sides are full of famous names, for England GO Smith, Steve Bloomer, and Ernest Needham and for Scotland Robert Hamilton, RS McColl, Alex Smith, and Neilly Gibson. Club football because more well balanced with many competitive teams. This era and players like GO Smith for Corinthians and RS McColl for Queen's Park represent the last stand for amateurism.

5) Professional Era ~ 1904-1915

This era losses some of the romance of the previous era and quality is thought by some to have declined. Professionals now dominate football in both Scotland and England. This era sees the rise of Ireland and Wales to relevance and both with British Home Championships. Newcastle is the dominant club team in the world with a mix of Scottish and English players. England and Scotland are once again on balance in this era, with Wales and Ireland also challenging. In the second half of the era football is emerging in other parts of the world, but British players remain dominant until the era is ended by WWI.

6) World Football ~ 1915-1928

This era is represented by the rise of football around the world and the fall of British Football from complete dominance. in South America football really takes hold in the late 1910s and peaks in the mid to late 1920s with the rivalry between Uruguay and Argentina in both South American competitions, and the first world wide competitions at the 24 and 28 Olympics and the first World Cup in 1930. Uruguay comes out on top of this rivalry and are one of the best team in the world. In Britain Scottish football hits a golden age and dominate England internationally, but neither Scotland or England test themselves against the best teams outside the British Isle. In Continental Europe Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Spain all have strong teams with Italy and Germany still lagging slightly behind.

7) Interwar Golden Age ~ 1928-1938

The inter war golden age is mostly a reference to the quality of football in Europe, while South America is in a bit of a lull. In Europe this era is defined by the rise of the Mitropa Cup as the predecessor to the European Cup which was played in be the best Central European club teams, some of the best footballing nationals in the world at this time. This era also sees Scotland and England regularly challenge themselves against the top continental teams with relative parity. Two world cups are played in Europe. In South America fewer Copa America's are played and many of the continents top players are lost to Europe.

8) WWII and South American Golden Age ~ 1938-1947

This era is defined by the interruption of football and lost careers in Europe due to WWII and a golden age in South America. In South America continental championships become regular again with all nations participating. Argentina has the best team and a wealth of talented players, with Brazil and Uruguay also having great players and providing a legitimate challenge to Argentina but never fully unseating them. Peru, Chile, and Paraguay are also competitive teams as well.

9) Post War ~ 1947-1956

This era is defined by the return of football to Europe and changes in South America. In Europe the era begins with English dominance followed by the rise of Hungary great team. This era also have strong Nordic teams who lose their top players to professional leagues, mostly Italy. The era ends in Europe with the beginning of the European Cup and dispersal of Hungary's great players abroad and the decline of the national team. In South America the era begins with the lose of Argentina's dominance as many of their top players move to Europe and Colombia. Colombia's league enter a period known as El Dorado when the league broke away from FIFA and attracted top footballers from all over the world, especially top players from Argentina. Argentina removes itself from major international competitions. Meanwhile Uruguay and Brazil have great teams that test themselves abroad.

10) Rise of Continental Competitions ~ 1956-1963

This era is defined in part by the rise of continental competitions in both Europe (European Cup) and South America (Copa Libertadores). In South America the top club teams in these competitions were Penarol and Santos. In Europe the competition was dominated by Iberian clubs, mostly Real Madrid with Barcelona and Benfica challenging. For national teams the era is defined by the dominant run of Brazil who won the 58 and 62 world cups.

11) British and Italian Dominance in the 60s ~ 1963-1970

In Europe this era is defined by dominance of British and Italian teams in both club and international competitions. In South America a strong Argentina team reappears, and Uruguay is still strong. Brazil fails in 66 to three peat but redeems themselves with an all time great performance in 1970.

12) Dutch and German Dominance in the 70s ~ 1970-1976

This era is defined by the domination of Dutch and German clubs and national teams. South America goes through a bit of a lull.

13) Zico, Platini, and English Club Dominance ~ 1976-1985

A number a megastar players arise and entrance world football in Zico, Platini, and Maradona. These three players lead dazzling national teams who play great football but fail to win the World Cup. More pragmatic teams in Italy and pre Maradona Argentina take the titles. Club football in Europe is dominated by English sides with the Italian league strengthened by a slew of imports challenging in the latter part of the era. In South America clubs are still strong and at similar levels to their European counterparts, but some top players are beginning to be lost.

14) Maradona and second Dutch/German Clash ~ 1985-1992

This era is defined by the the full realization of Maradona, Italian club footballs rise to dominance through massive player imports, England's banishment from European Competition, the dominance of the Dutch trio in national and club competition, and their rivalry with another strong German generation. This era also is the beginning of European club superiority over South America with almost all top players moving to Europe for club football.

15) Mid 90s Transition ~ 1992-1998

This era is a transition between the Maradona, Dutch trio, Germany dominance and the French/Brazilian era to follow. Defining teams and players are: a strong Italy led by Maldini and Baggio with Maldini's Milan being one of the best club teams, a strong Brazil led by Romario and Bebeto, and Cruyff's dream team in Barcelona.

16) Zidane and Ronaldo ~ 1998-2003

This era is defined by Ronaldo and Zidane and the dominance of there national teams. Italian and Spanish teams dominate the European Cup.

17) Mid 00s Transition ~ 2003-2008

This era is a transition from the Zidane/France Ronaldo/Brazil era to the Spain Ronaldo Messi era. This era features rise to dominance of English clubs and the failure of this golden English generation internationally. This era also features the Ronaldinho Barcelona and Kaka Milan teams and a greta Italian side that wins the European Cup.

18) Spain and first Messi/Ronaldo Era ~ 2008-2014

This era is defined by the dominance of Messi and Ronald in club football and Spain's dominance of international football followed by a great German team.

19) Second Messi/Ronaldo Era ~ 2014-Present

Messi and Ronaldo continue club dominance as both retool with new teammates. This era also feature English clubs rise back to club dominance. Spain and Germany have declined and are supplanted by France as the World's best.

 

1) Early Football ~ 1869-1883

Players Considered

Alcock, Charles (Forward-Goalscorer: Wanderers, England)
Bailey, Norman (Defensive Link; Clapham Rovers, England)
Campbell, Charles (Defensive Link; Queen's Park, Scotland)
Gardner, Robert (Goalkeeper: Queen's Park, Clydesdale, Scotland)
Highet, Thomas (Offensive Link: Queen's Park, Scotland)
Ker, George (Forward-Goalscorer: Queen's Park, Scotland)
Kinnaird, Arthur (Midfield-Playmaker: Wanderers, Old Etonians, Scotland)
MacKinnon, Billy (Forward-Playmaker: Queen's Park, Scotland)
McNeil, Henry (Offensive Link: Queen's Park, Scotland)
Mosforth, William (Wide Attacking Link: The Wednesdays, Sheffield United, England)
Smith, John (Forward-Goalscorer: Queen's Park, Corinthians, Scotland)
Taylor, Joseph (Back-Marking: Queen's Park, Scotland)
Vidal, Walpole (Wide Forward: Wanderers, Oxford, England)
Weir, James (Wide Forward: Queen's Park, Scotland)

Qualified All Time Great

Bailey, Norman (Defensive Link; Clapham Rovers, England)
Campbell, Charles (Defensive Link; Queen's Park, Scotland)
Kinnaird, Arthur (Midfield-Playmaker: Wanderers, Old Etonians, Scotland)
MacKinnon, Billy (Forward-Playmaker: Queen's Park, Scotland)
McNeil, Henry (Offensive Link: Queen's Park, Scotland)

Qualified Pantheon



In the early days of football careers were shorter, this was the major reason almost all considered players that failed to make all time great failed. No players qualified for the pantheon. Kinnaird's lack of an international career failed him, as did the uncertainty about how he compared to the best Queen's Park players. The Queen's Park player closest to the pantheon were McNeil and Campbell. Campbell had the longevity and complete career, but for me I did not ever really see him as the best player in the world. He seemed to be very good at what he did, and did it for a long time, but was never a dominating force. McNeil on the other hand was that dominant force, and had a run of six consecutive seasons where he was voted into the top three in the bigsoccer team of the year. He failed the ten season longevity requirement for the pantheon, but passed all other marks.

Overall the final selection appropriately reflects the era, three Queen's Park/Scotland players, the dominant player of the FA Cup, and England's best player.

 

2) Amateur/Professional Conflict ~ 1883-1890

Players Considered

Anderson, William (Wide Attacking Link: Queen's Park, Scotland)
Arnott, Walter (Back-Supporting: Queen's Park, Scotland)
Bambridge, Charlie (Wide Forward: Swifts, England)
Brown, James (Forward-Playmaker: Blackburn Rovers, England)
Cobbold, Nevill (Forward-Goalscorer: Corinthians, England)
Dewhurst, Fred (Forward-Goalscorer: Preston North End, England)
Forbes, John (Back-Marking: Vale of Level, Blackburn Rover, Scotland)
Forrest, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Blackburn Rovers, England)
Gordon, Jack (Wide Attacking Link: Preston North End)
Hunter, Archie (Forward-Goalscorer: Aston Villa)
Kelly, James (Defensive Link: Renton, Celtic, Scotland)
Kelso, Robert (Midfield-Supporting: Renton, Preston North End, Everton, Scotland)
Lindley, Tinsley (Forward-Goalscorer: Nottingham Forest, England)
McAuley, James (Goalkeeper: Dumberton, Scotland)
Ross, Nick (Defensive Link: Preston North End)
Russell, David (Defensive Link: Preston North End)
Walters, Arthur (Back-Marking: Corinthians, England)
Walters, Percy (Back-Supporting: Corinthians, England)

Qualified All Time Great

Arnott, Walter (Back-Supporting: Queen's Park, Scotland)
Forrest, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Blackburn Rovers, England)
Hunter, Archie (Forward-Goalscorer: Aston Villa)
McAuley, James (Goalkeeper: Dumberton, Scotland)
Ross, Nick (Defensive Link: Preston North End)
Walters, Percy (Back-Supporting: Corinthians, England)

Qualified Pantheon

Arnott, Walter (Back-Supporting: Queen's Park, Scotland)



This era has far more diversity and balance among sides that the previous one and the players considered/qualified reflect that. Forrest was the star player for Blackburn who won three straight FA Cups in the mid 80s, and was one of the first professional players. He won five FA Cups in total, captaining Blackburn to two more in 1890 and 91 and had a respectable record for England. We have two examples of some of the first prominent "Anglo-Scots" in this era, a trend that will define the next era. Nick Ross is the star player on the best team in the world in the late 1880s, Preston North End. He, like Archie Hunter are not recalled by Scotland because of a policy not to call Scottish players playing for English clubs. I ranked Ross as a defensive link instead of a back-supporting despite him playing most of his career at fullback because of the many descriptions of him "covering every blade of grass" and because of the fact he played a whole season very successfully as a center forward. Hunter was probably the best forward of the era and was the star player for Aston Villa who were one of the top teams in the world. McAuley was the first great goalkeeper and a key to Scotland's success during this time. He also had success with upstart club Dumberton winning a Scottish Cup and making another final. Percy Walters was one of the Walters brothers who made a very successful fullback partnership for Corinthians and England. Having one qualify without the other may seem strange, but Percy had more caps and earned them over is brother in England's most successful time of the era, the 1888 home championship. He also had a reputation as a more skilled footballer. Percy just barely made it in with a few requirements while Arthur barely missed a few. Cobbold may be the most famous player of this era, but he does not have enough longevity to qualify. He was only capped in four different years and had light club schedule playing with amateurs Corinthians who only played challenge matches. Bambridge is another big name who missed. His longevity is great and he was a difference making player, but the fact that he has no club achievements of an kind leave his overall level of achievement and career completeness too low for me.

Arnott is first player to make the pantheon. His career is flawless. Set the Scotland Cap record, and played in ten consecutive England/Scotland matches. He is considered by some to be the greatest footballer of the entire Victorian Era. He was a superbly skilled fullback and had a career of high achievement and longevity with Queen's Park and Scotland. There are no holes I can poke in his career. Ross was the other player with the reputation that made me think he might make the pantheon before this exercise, but he only had seven seasons of significant positive contribution, which made him borderline but acceptable to make the all time great list, and well short of the ten seasons needed to make the pantheon.

This era and the next split the Preston North End team in half to a degree, so some of their great players are still to come.

 

3) Anglo-Scots ~ 1890-1897

Players Considered

Auld, John (Defensive Link: Third Lanark, Sunderland, Scotland)
Bassett, Billy (Wide Forward: West Bromwich, England)
Bell, Jack (Wide Forward: Dunbarton, Everton, Celtic, Scotland)
Campbell, John (Forward-Goalscorer: Sunderland)
Chadwick, Edgar (Forward-Playmaker: Everton, England)
Cowan, James (Defensive Link: Aston Villa, Scotland)
Doig, Ned (Goalkeeper: Sunderland, Scotland)
Doyle, Dan (Back-Marking: Everton, Celtic, Scotland)
Goodall, John (Forward-Playmaker: Preston North End, Derby County, England)
Holt, John (Defensive Link: Everton, Reading, England)
Holmes, Robert (Defensive Link: Preston North End, England)
Howarth, Robert (Back-Marking: Preston North End, Everton, England)
McMahon, Alexander (Forward-Playmaking: Celtic, Scotland)
Millar, James (Forward-Playmaker: Sunderland, Rangers, Scotland)
Reynolds, Jack (Midfield-Supporting: West Bromwich, Aston Villa, Ireland, England)
Ross, Jimmy (Forward-Goalscorer: Preston North End)
Southworth, Jack (Forward-Goalscorer: Blackburn Rovers, Everton, England)
Spiksley, Fred (Wide Forward: Sheffield Wednesday, England)
Trainer, James (Goalkeeper: Preston North End, Wales)
Wilson, Hughie (Midfield-Supporting: Sunderland, Scotland)

Qualified All Time Great

Bassett, Billy (Wide Forward: West Bromwich, England)
Bell, Jack (Wide Forward: Dunbarton, Everton, Celtic, Scotland)
Chadwick, Edgar (Forward-Playmaker: Everton, England)
Cowan, James (Defensive Link: Aston Villa, Scotland)
Doig, Ned (Goalkeeper: Sunderland, Scotland)
Doyle, Dan (Back-Marking: Everton, Celtic, Scotland)
Goodall, John (Forward-Playmaker: Preston North End, Derby County, England)
Ross, Jimmy (Forward-Goalscorer: Preston North End)
Trainer, James (Goalkeeper: Preston North End, Wales)
Wilson, Hughie (Midfield-Supporting: Sunderland, Scotland)

Qualified Pantheon

Bassett, Billy (Wide Forward: West Bromwich, England)
Doig, Ned (Goalkeeper: Sunderland, Scotland)
Goodall, John (Forward-Playmaker: Preston North End, Derby County, England)

There era see the beginning of league football in Scotland and England, giving us more chances to better assess players. The teams that are dominated by Anglo-Scots dominate the English league. Preston North End win two league titles and an FA Cup with heavy Anglo-Scot influence, especially from the Ross brothers. Sunderland win three league titles with a team of all Anglo-Scots. Aston Villa, between this era and the next win five league titles and two FA Cups with James Cowan as their center piece. Everton won the league title once, with Anglo Scot Doyle as their captain. Because Anglo Scots are not recalled to the Scottish national team England dominates internationally, going undefeated for 20 straight games when only three games are played per year. The qualified players contain six Anglo Scots (Bell, Cowan, Doig, Doyle, Ross, and Wilson). Bell, Cowan, Doig, and Wilson were all part of the first generation of Anglo Scots recalled to national team for the first time in 1896 where they ended England's unbeaten run, and defeated them again in 97 leading to the next era of competitive balance. Doyle played for Everton only in 90 and 91 before returning to Scotland for most of the era, but was on the wrong side of some tough losses to England, although he did persist long enough to have the other Anglo Scots rejoin the team and defeat England.

Three players made the pantheon this period. Goodall checks all the boxes. As a playmaking center forward he was the star player of Preston's Invincible side leading the league in scoring and serving as the orchestrator and playmaker. He also was the architect of some of England's most devastating defeats of Scotland, first in the previous era in 1888 he was part of the 5-0 victory in Glasgow scoring one goal, then in this era was part of three decisive victories in the unbeaten 20 game run, scoring four goals. He had great longevity with caps spanning 11 years. Bassett was the other major star of the 20 game unbeaten run. He had excellent longevity and was an unplayable wing, with fantastic dribbling and the ability to score goals. His club career was not as prestigious as Goodalls, but he did lead West Brom to two FA Cup titles against the two best teams of the previous era and this one. In 1888 he led West Browm to defeat Preston one year prior to their invincible run. It was a huge upset as Preston was already thought to be unbeatable and had advanced to this stage of the competition with a goal differential of 39-3, that included beating defending champions Aston Villa. Bassett went head to head against the great Nick Ross, setting up both his teams goals and outplaying him decisively. The in 1892 he won a second FA Cup, this time against the great Aston Villa side that won 5 leagues and 2 cups. He again set up two goals and terrorized Villa's great half and full backs, which were the strength of the team. Doig was the best goalkeeper of the entire span pre WWI football. He was one of the best players in the world from 1893 when Sunderland won its first title all the way until 1903. He was great in the Anglo-Scot era and was part of the group of players recalled to the national team and defeated England. His longevity is amazing and he reached highs rarely seen by other goalkeepers.

 

4) Golden Age of British Football ~ 1897-1903

Players Considered

Athersmith, Charles (Wide Attacking Link: Aston Villa, England)
Bloomer, Steve (Forward-Goalscorer: Derby County, Middlesbrough, England)
Campbell, Johnny (Forward-Goalscorer: Celtic, Aston Villa, Third Lanark, Scotland)
Crabtree, James (Defensive Link: Burnley, Aston Villa, England)
Drummond, John (Back-Marking: Rangers, Scotland)
Forman, Frank (Defensive Link: Nottingham Forest, England)
Gibson, Neilly (Midfield-Supporting: Rangers, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Hamilton, Robert (Forward-Goalscorer: Rangers, Dundee Untied, Scotland)
McColl, Robert (Forward-Goalscorer: Queen's Park, Newcastle, Rangers, Scotland)
Needham, Ernest (Midfield-Supporting: Sheffield United, England)
Oakley, William (Back-Marking: Corinthians, England)
Raisbeck, Alex (Defensive Link: Hibernian, Liverpool, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Robertson, John (Midfield-Supporting: Everton, Southampton, Rangers, Scotland)
Robinson, John (Goalkeeper: Derby County, Southampton, England)
Smith, Alex (Wide Attacking Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Smith, Gilbert (Forward-Playmaker: Corinthians, England)
Smith, Nicol (Back-Marking: Rangers, Scotland)
Spencer, Howard (Back-Supporting: Aston Villa, England)
Walker, Bobby (Forward-Playmaker: Hearts, Scotland)

Qualified All Time Great

Bloomer, Steve (Forward-Goalscorer: Derby County, Middlesbrough, England)
Campbell, Johnny (Forward-Goalscorer: Celtic, Aston Villa, Third Lanark, Scotland)
Gibson, Neilly (Midfield-Supporting: Rangers, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Hamilton, Robert (Forward-Goalscorer: Rangers, Dundee Untied, Scotland)
Needham, Ernest (Midfield-Supporting: Sheffield United, England)
Raisbeck, Alex (Defensive Link: Hibernian, Liverpool, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Robertson, John (Midfield-Supporting: Everton, Southampton, Rangers, Scotland)
Smith, Alex (Wide Attacking Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Smith, Gilbert (Forward-Playmaker: Corinthians, England)
Walker, Bobby (Forward-Playmaker: Hearts, Scotland)

Qualified Pantheon

Needham, Ernest (Midfield-Supporting: Sheffield United, England)
Raisbeck, Alex (Defensive Link: Hibernian, Liverpool, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Walker, Bobby (Forward-Playmaker: Hearts, Scotland)

This era can be considered the peak of the Pre WWI era. Both Scotland and England have robust league and cup competitions. Both sides call all their best players to the national team and their is parity between England and Scotland. Scotland has more qualified players because a smaller group of players occupy all the national team spots. For English players there is more weight in a few truly great players and the cast around them rotates more regularly. This is the first era where pantheon selections might go against the standard thought on players of this time, with Bloomer and GO Smith, possibly the two most famous pre WWI players missing out.

The major issue I have with Smith is the lack of a club career, and subsequently the lack of total games he played. He was considered by the best sources we have one of the three best players of the pre WWI era, and in an absolute sense I do not doubt this assertion. The problem is his entire career is based on his success with England, and that is only three games a year. At this point his club career at Corinthians is a few challenge games per year, there is no comparable schedule to the players playing for professional teams. I just feel like someone should not be in the pantheon based on a few games every year. The club career is to sparse. With Bloomer the issue is his status as the best or one of the best players in the world. His production and longevity are amazing but contemporary sources clearly show he was never thought of as the best player of his time, because of what his detractors would call a selfish lazy style. This is exacerbated by the fact he never had that signature season of dominance, specifically he never won a trophy at the club level.

The player who did make it I feel good about. Needham along with Smith was considered one of the top pre WWI players. He has the complete club and national team career with a high peak and dominant seven season run. He cuts thing a little closer on the ten years of longevity but with a sixteen year career I feel ok about it. Raisbeck has a very similar resume with a complete club and national team career, a high peak where he was clearly seen by contemporaries at the best player int he world, and a dominant mutli-year run. He also cuts the longevity close but makes the cut. Walker has no issues with longevity, holding the Scottish records for total caps and caps vs England until he was overtaken by Alan Morton after the WWI when there were more opportunities for caps. His national team career is without question, with famous performances throughout the length of the 14 year career. Hid club career is similar to Bassett in that he was not on a dominant team but had his moments in some famous Scottish Cup wins. His style of play as a forward dropping deep and running the whole game with dribbling and passing was considered revolutionary and named after him. The descriptions of his style of play and reliance on skill, technique, and vision over physicality remind very much of those of GO Smith.

 

Made a mistake, Athersmith should have qualified for all time great.

 

4) Golden Age of British Football ~ 1897-1903

Players Considered

Athersmith, Charles (Wide Attacking Link: Aston Villa, England)
Bloomer, Steve (Forward-Goalscorer: Derby County, Middlesbrough, England)
Campbell, Johnny (Forward-Goalscorer: Celtic, Aston Villa, Third Lanark, Scotland)
Crabtree, James (Defensive Link: Burnley, Aston Villa, England)
Drummond, John (Back-Marking: Rangers, Scotland)
Forman, Frank (Defensive Link: Nottingham Forest, England)
Gibson, Neilly (Midfield-Supporting: Rangers, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Hamilton, Robert (Forward-Goalscorer: Rangers, Dundee Untied, Scotland)
McColl, Robert (Forward-Goalscorer: Queen's Park, Newcastle, Rangers, Scotland)
Needham, Ernest (Midfield-Supporting: Sheffield United, England)
Oakley, William (Back-Marking: Corinthians, England)
Raisbeck, Alex (Defensive Link: Hibernian, Liverpool, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Robertson, John (Midfield-Supporting: Everton, Southampton, Rangers, Scotland)
Robinson, John (Goalkeeper: Derby County, Southampton, England)
Smith, Alex (Wide Attacking Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Smith, Gilbert (Forward-Playmaker: Corinthians, England)
Smith, Nicol (Back-Marking: Rangers, Scotland)
Spencer, Howard (Back-Supporting: Aston Villa, England)
Walker, Bobby (Forward-Playmaker: Hearts, Scotland)

Qualified All Time Great

Athersmith, Charles (Wide Attacking Link: Aston Villa, England)
Bloomer, Steve (Forward-Goalscorer: Derby County, Middlesbrough, England)
Campbell, Johnny (Forward-Goalscorer: Celtic, Aston Villa, Third Lanark, Scotland)
Gibson, Neilly (Midfield-Supporting: Rangers, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Hamilton, Robert (Forward-Goalscorer: Rangers, Dundee Untied, Scotland)
Needham, Ernest (Midfield-Supporting: Sheffield United, England)
Raisbeck, Alex (Defensive Link: Hibernian, Liverpool, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Robertson, John (Midfield-Supporting: Everton, Southampton, Rangers, Scotland)
Smith, Alex (Wide Attacking Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Smith, Gilbert (Forward-Playmaker: Corinthians, England)
Walker, Bobby (Forward-Playmaker: Hearts, Scotland)

Qualified Pantheon

Needham, Ernest (Midfield-Supporting: Sheffield United, England)
Raisbeck, Alex (Defensive Link: Hibernian, Liverpool, Park Thistle, Scotland)
Walker, Bobby (Forward-Playmaker: Hearts, Scotland)

 

5) Professional Era ~ 1904-1915

Players Considered

Aitken, Andy (Midfield-Supporting: Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Leicester, Scotland)
Bache, Joe (Forward-Goalscorer: Aston Villa, England)
Bennett, Alex (Wide Attacking Link: Celtic, Rangers, Scotland)
Crompton, Bob (Back-Marking: Blackburn Rovers, England)
Fleming, Harold (Forward-Playmaker: Swindon Town, England)
Hampton, Harry (Forward-Goalscorer: Aston Villa, England)
Hardy, Sam (Goalkeeper: Liverpool, Aston Villa, England)
Hay, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Celtic, Newcastle, Scotland)
Holley, George (Forward-Goalscorer: Sunderland, England)
Howie, James (Forward-Playmaker: Kilmarnock, Newcastle, Scotland)
McCraken, Bill (Back-Marking, Newcastle, Ireland)
McMenemy, Jimmy (Offensive Link: Celtic, Scotland)
McNair, Alec (Back-Marking: Celtic, Scotland)
McWilliam, Peter (Midfield-Supporting: Newcastle, Scotland)
Meredith, Billy (Wide Forward: Manchester City, Manchester United, Wales)
Pennington, Jesse (Back-Marking: West Bromwich, England)
Quinn, Jimmy (Forward-Goalscorer: Celtic, Scotland)
Roberts, Charles (Defensive Link: Manchester United, Oldham, England)
Roose, Leigh (Goalkeeper: Stoke City, Everton, Sunderland, Wales)
Rutherford, Jock (Wide Forward: Newcastle, England)
Simpson, Jock (Wide Forward: Falkirk, Blackburn Rover, Scotland)
Templeton, Bobby (Wide Forward: Aston Villa, Arsenal, Celtic, Kilmarnock, Scotland)
Thomson, Charles (Defensive Link: Hearts, Sunderland, Scotland)
Veitch, Colin (Offensive Link: Newcastle, England)
Wall, George (Wide Attacking Link: Manchester United, England)
Warren, Ben (Midfield-Supporting: Derby County, Chelsea, England)
Wedlock, Billy (Defensive Link: Bristol City, England)
Woodward, Vivian (Forward-Playmaker: Tottenham, Chelsea, England)

Qualified All Time Great

Aitken, Andy (Midfield-Supporting: Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Leicester, Scotland)
Crompton, Bob (Back-Marking: Blackburn Rovers, England)
Hardy, Sam (Goalkeeper: Liverpool, Aston Villa, England)
McMenemy, Jimmy (Offensive Link: Celtic, Scotland)
McWilliam, Peter (Midfield-Supporting: Newcastle, Scotland)
Meredith, Billy (Wide Forward: Manchester City, Manchester United, Wales)
Pennington, Jesse (Back-Marking: West Bromwich, England)
Roberts, Charles (Defensive Link: Manchester United, Oldham, England)
Roose, Leigh (Goalkeeper: Stoke City, Everton, Sunderland, Wales)
Thomson, Charles (Defensive Link: Hearts, Sunderland, Scotland)

Qualified Pantheon

Crompton, Bob (Back-Marking: Blackburn Rovers, England)
Meredith, Billy (Wide Forward: Manchester City, Manchester United, Wales)

This era is longer and has more players I considered, but fewer qualified. Many players in this area get inconsistent caps here and there and never dominate a position the way players had in past eras. This might be indicative of the perceived lack of quality in this era. Also some of the greats from the previous era still dominate caps in part of this era (Walker, Bloomer, Raisbeck, A Smith). I feel very good about the qualified players. The only one with any questions is Roberts, who was not capped most of his career because of his Union activities, although it appears he was clearly the best English center half of the era. I was unsure about how to deal with this, but the fact that he had the best club career of the era alongside Meredith and Crompton that I felt decent about including him. Crompton and Meredith don't have any major issues reaching the pantheon. They basically have perfect careers, great longevity, high peak, dominant run, great club and international careers.

 

From here on out the post will be more extensive, as the number of players per era will be much larger. It will probably take a few posts to get through each era. For a while it will probably make sense to split each era into a Europe and South America posts, as the eras are defined slightly differently in each continent. Maybe one summary post for both afterward similar to what I have been posting to this point.

I might also go back and summarize the last set of post, any input would be welcome @peterhrt @elegos7 @comme

 

6) World Football ~ 1915-1928

South America: This era for South America really begins with the establishment of the South American Championships. It is dominated by the Uruguay and Argentina’s rivalry. Uruguay got the better of the conflict which culminated in clashes at the 1928 Olympic final and the 1930 World Cup final. Brazil was not a major factor during this era, they win two home SACs in 1919 and 1922 but fail to win any others, and do not participate in any editions of the tournament after 1925. Many of the best players of this era carry on to the 1930 World Cup and beyond, especially for Uruguay (Andrade, Castro, Scarone, Fernandez, Petrone, and Nasazzi) while some players from the next era start to mix in especially for Argentina (Orsi, Monit, Peucelle, and Varallo).

Players Considered

Amilcar (Midfield-Playmaker: Corinthians, Brazil)
Andrade, Jose Leandro (Wide Defensive Link: Bella Vista, Nacional, Penarol, Uruguay)
Bidoglio, Ludovico (Back-Marking: Eureka, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Bossio, Angel (Goalkeeper: Talleres, River Plate, Argentina)
Cea, Pedro (Forward-Playmaker: Central Atletico, Bela Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Cherro, Roberto (Forward-Playmaker: Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Evaristo, Juan (Wide Back: Sportivo Palermo, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Fernandez, Lorenzo (Midfield-Supporting: Capurro, Penarol, Uruguay)
Fortes, Agostinho (Wide Back: Fluminense, Brazil)
Foglino, Alfredo (Back-Marking: Nacional, Uruguay)
Gradin, Isabelino (Wide Forward: Penarol, Olimpia, Uruguay)
Ferreira, Manuel (Forward-Playmaker: Estudiantes, River Plate, Argentina)
Friedenriech, Arthur (Forward-Goalscorer: Ypiranga, Paulistano, Brazil)
Libonatti, Julio (Forward-Goalscorer: Newell’s Old Boys, Torino, Argentina, Italy)
Mazali, Andreas (Goalkeeper: Nacional, Uruguay)
Nasazzi, Jose (Back-Marking: Bella Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Neco (Forward-Goalscorer: Corinthians, Brazil)
Petrone, Pedro (Forward-Goalscorer: Charley, Nacional, Fiorentina, Uruguay)
Piendibene, Jose (Forward-Playmaker: Penraol, Uruguay)
Romano, Angel (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Scarone, Hector (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Seoane, Manuel (Forward-Goalscorer: Independiente, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Somma, Pascual (Wide Attacking Link: Nacional, Uruguay)
Tarasconi, Domingo (Forward-Goalscorer: Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Tesoriere, Americo (Goalkeeper: Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Urdinaran, Santos (Wide Attacking Link: Nacional, Uruguay)
Zibechi, Alfredo (Midfield-Supporting: Wanderers, Nacional, Uruguay)

Qualified All Time Great

Andrade, Jose Leandro (Wide Defensive Link: Bella Vista, Nacional, Penarol, Uruguay)
Bidoglio, Ludovico (Back-Marking: Eureka, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Cea, Pedro (Forward-Playmaker: Central Atletico, Bela Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Evaristo, Juan (Wide Back: Sportivo Palermo, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Fernandez, Lorenzo (Midfield-Supporting: Capurro, Penarol, Uruguay)
Libonatti, Julio (Forward-Goalscorer: Newell’s Old Boys, Torino, Argentina, Italy)
Nasazzi, Jose (Back-Marking: Bella Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Petrone, Pedro (Forward-Goalscorer: Charley, Nacional, Fiorentina, Uruguay)
Romano, Angel (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Scarone, Hector (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Tesoriere, Americo (Goalkeeper: Boca Juniors, Argentina)

Qualified Pantheon

Nasazzi, Jose (Back-Marking: Bella Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Scarone, Hector (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)

There are a lot of Uruguay players here, but I think it is warranted. They were clearly the best team in South America through the entire length of this era, the longest era as they are currently delineated. They won six SACs and two Olympics (most of their top players also won the 1930 World Cup). They won three of those SACs away from home, while Argentina only won one away from home, and Brazil none.

One of the most interesting things to puzzle through was the inside forward trio from 1923 to 30 for Uruguay. Scarone was definitely going to make all time great, but I was unsure about all three of Petrone, Castro, and Cea. Petrone seemed to have the highest peak of those three around 23/24 based on how many goals he scored and how primary sources viewed him. But after Petrone got hurt on the 1925 tour of Europe he seemed to lose many caps to Cea and Castro. One thing he also had going for him was going to Italy and being top scorer, and as late as 34 he was still excellent on the club level for Nacional. Castro arrives later in 1926 and immediately has a great SAC. After that he seems to be a bit muted in major tournaments, with some important contributions but no more dominant tournaments in this era. He only plays two of five games in both the 1928 Olympics and 1930 WC, despite being younger and closer to his prime age than the other forwards he is losing caps to. The thing he has going for him is being one or Uruguay’s best players in the 1935 SAC and excellent for Nacional in the early 30s, but as I said before he was younger than the others. Cea was initially the odd man out for me, on the surface he had less caps, didn’t seem to have the peak of Petrone or the longevity of Castro. Closer inspection showed he was Uruguay’s only player to play in every match in both Olympics and the World Cup, in fact he had more caps than Petrone or Castro when only looking at tournament caps (SAC, Olympics, WC). In the 1928 Olympics Cea played every game while all the other forwards, including Scarone were rotated and only played every other game. I ended up leaving Casto out. Him not being first choice during his prime for the big tournaments hurts in 28 and 30. Petrone is also in and out of the team in 28 and 30 tournaments, but he makes the most of his time playing in 1928, scoring a hat trick against Germany and scoring in final against Argentina while Castro does not make an impact. Petrone also has a higher peak in 1924 than Castro reached, and proved himself in the Italian league.

A few big names failed to make all time great, specifically some of the famous forwards of the time in Ferreira, Piendibene, Seoane and Friedenriech. Ferreira’s run was just too short. From 1927 to 1930 he is great, but there are no caps outside of those four year. Piendibene’s prime appears to have come before this era. Once this era really gets going, he only plays a few SACs and is left out of most. He just did not prove enough vs good enough competition. Pre 1916 the competition is not good enough for him to really prove himself in my eyes and after 1916 he is left out of most SAC up until 1924, his last cap. Seoane I think gets overrated for a number of reasons. His domestic achievements, and all of those in Argentina with two separate leagues do not hold much weight for me. He is great in the 1925 SAC but with Uruguay absent that does not really mean much. In 1927 he is part of the winning team and seems to be one of the better players. Then he is left out in the 1928 Olympics and only plays one game in 1929 SAC. His national team career is just not extensive enough for me. Friedenriech, similar the Seoane, has a lot of reputation derived from him domestic production. But as with Seoane I do not value domestic production much during this time. Both Argentina and Brazil and have not national league and Uruguay as usual only have a few good teams. Once Argentina merges into one national league they then in my view have enough competition to be looked at more seriously. Friedenriech’s national team career does not match his reputation. He is not capped in many SACs, and his goal scoring record leaves something to be desired, especially vs Uruguay and Argentina where he only score 3 times in 10 games.

The other thing that might be surprising on the surface was Andrade’s exclusion from the pantheon. In an absolute sense he was the best player and had the highest peak of any Uruguay player above Scarone and Nassazi. But his longevity is significantly short of 10 seasons of significant positive contribution. He was only capped between 23 and 30. Within that eight-year run he misses basically of whole year after getting Syphilis and does not play in the 1924 SAC after the Olympics and barely plays in the famous 1925 tour of Europe. After 1930 he gets no more caps but does win some domestic titles with Penarol. Looking for information about those seasons I could not find any evidence he played an important role. He is missing from team pictures I saw of the title winning seasons. Scarone checks all the boxes for the pantheon: peak, run, longevity, and complete career. At first, I was unsure of Nassazi having a high enough peak to make the pantheon. Match reports from the Olympics that were posted here do not make it seem as if he is one of the teams most impactful players. Andrade and Scarone occupy that position, and even Petrone at some points. I think the point in his career when he does reach that level of recognition being considered the best or very close to the best player in the world is in the 1930s when Andrade and Scarone have declined and he takes over as the most influential player of the team. He is great at the World Cup, then his arrival at Nacional is much heralded and leads them to back to back titles after a long drought and then is one of the best players of the 1935 SAC win.

I will post Europe for this era next with some discussion, then a summary of the whole era combined.

 

6) World Football ~ 1915-1928

Europe: This era kicks off with Britain’s fall from dominance with WWI and other teams rise to a closer competitive balance. Scotland become the dominant team of the British Isles, with Wales also having a good squad. You could make a legitimate argument based on results that England was the third best British team in the 1920s. Scotland’s players created a strong Scottish League, and also had many of the dominant players in the English League. Some of the best players in the English league could not even get caps for the Scottish National Team. In Continental Europe this era does not have a single dominant country. The Czechs are strong throughout as are Austria. Hungary has famous players and club sides but the national team’s performance does not match the reputations of the players in the side. Italy is lagging well behind the other Central European teams until the end of this era when they improve greatly. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Denmark are all competitive with Spain probably leading the bunch.

Player Considered

Abegglen, Max (Forward-Playmaker: Lausanne Sport, Grasshopper, Switzerland)
Alcantara, Paulino (Forward-Goalscorer: Barcelona, Spain)
Baloncieri, Adolfo (Forward-Playmaker: Alessandria, Torino, Italy)
Bernardini, Fulvio (Defensive Link: Lazio, Internazionale, Roma, Italy)
Blum Josef (Back-Supporting: First Vienna, Austria)
Brandsatter, Josef (Defensive Link: Rapid Vienna, Austria)
Braun, Jozsef (Wide Forward: MTK, Hungary)
Buchan, Charles (Forward-Goalscorer: Sunderland, Arsenal, England)
Davies, Len (Forward-Playmaker: Cardiff City, Wales)
Davies, Stan (Forward-Playmaker: Preston North End, Everton, West Bromwich, Wales)
De Bie, Jean (Goalkeeper: Racing Bruxelles, Belgium)
de Natris, Jan (Wide Forward: Ajax, Netherlands)
De Vecchi, Renzo (Back-Supporting: AC Milan, Genoa, Italy)
Denis, Harry (Back-Marking: HBS, Netherlands)
Dewaquez, Jules (Wide Forward: Olympique Paris, Marseille, Nice, France)
Fogl, Karoly (Back-Marking: Ujpest, Hungary)
Friberg, Sven (Back-Marking: IFK Goteborg, Orgryte IS, Sweden)
Gallacher, Hughie (Forward-Goalscorer: Airdrieonians, Newcastle, Chelsea, Derby County, Scotland)
Gallagher, Patsy (Forward-Playmaker: Celtic, Ireland)
Gamborena, Francisco (Real Union, Spain)
Gillespie, Billy (Forward-Playmaker: Sheffield United, Ireland)
Gordon, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Rangers, Scotland)
Hirzer, Ferenc (Forward-Playmaker: Torekves, Juventus, MTK, Hungary)
Hojer, Antonin (Back-Supporting: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Horvath, Johann (Forward-Playmaker: Simmeringer, Rapid Vienna, Wacker Vienna, Austria)
Jack, David (Forward-Goalscorer: Bolton, Arsenal, England)
Jackson, Alex (Wide Forward: Aberdeen, Huddersfield, Chelsea, Scotland)
Janda, Antonin (Forward-Goalscorer: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Janni, Antonio (Midfield-Playmaker: Torino, Italy)
Kalb, Hans (Defensive Link: Nurmberg, Germany)
Keenor, Fred (Midfield-Supporting: Cardiff City, Wales)
Kelly, Bob (Forward-Playmaker: Burnley, England)
Kertesz, Vilmos (Midfield-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
Kock, Rudolf (Wide Forward: AIK, Sweden)
Kolenaty, Frantisek (Midfield-Supporting: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Konrad, Kalman (Forward-Playmaker: MTK, Austria Vienna, Hungary)
Lacey, Bill (Wide Attacking Link: Everton, Liverpool, Ireland)
Levratto, Virgilio (Wide Forward: Verona, Genoa, Internazionale, Lazio, Italy)
McMullan, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Park Thistle, Manchester City, Scotland)
McStay, Willie (Back-Marking: Celtic, Scotland)
Meiklejohn, David (Defensive Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Morton, Alan (Wide Attacking Link: Queen’s Park, Rangers, Scotland)
Nicolas, Paul (Forward-Goalscorer: Red Star, France)
Nielsen, Poul (Forward-Goalscorer: KB Kobenhavn, Denmark)
Nitsch, Leopold (Midfield-Supporting: Rapid Vienna, Austria)
Orth, Gyorgy (Forward-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
Pena, Jose Maria (Midfield-Supporting: Arenas, Real Madrid, Spain)
Pesek, Karel (Defensive Link: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Petit, Rene (Offensive Link: Real Madrid, Real Union, France)
Plattko, Ferenc (Goalkeeper: Vasas Budapest, MTK, Barcelona, Hungary)
Ramseyer, Rudolf (Back-Supporting: Young Boys, FC Bern, Switzerland)
Rydell, Svan (Forward-Goalscorer: Orgryte IS, Sweden)
Samiter, Josep (Offensive Link: Barcelona, Spain)
Schaffer, Alfred (Forward-Goalscorer: MTK, Nurmberg, Austria Vienna, Hungary)
Schlosser, Imre (Forward-Goalscorer: Ferencvaros, MTK, Hungary)
Scott, Elisha (Goalkeeper: Liverpool, Ireland)
Stuhlfauth, Heinrich (Goalkeeper: Nurmberg, Germany)
Swartenbroeks, Armand (Back-Supporting: Racing Bruxelles, Belgium)
Swatosch, Ferdinand (Forward-Goalscorer: Simmeringer, Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, Austria)
Tarp, Fritz (Back-Supporting: Boldklubben 1893, Denmark)
Vizard, Ted (Wide Attacking Link: Bolton, Wales)
Walker, Billy (Forward-Goalscorer: Aston Villa, England)
Wesely, Ferdinand (Wide Attacking Link: Rapid Vienna, Austria)
Wieser, Gustav (Forward-Goalscorer: Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, Austria)
Zamora, Ricardo (Goalkeeper: Barcelona, Espanyol, Real Madrid, Spain)

Qualified All Time Great

Abegglen, Max (Forward-Playmaker: Lausanne Sport, Grasshopper, Switzerland)
Baloncieri, Adolfo (Forward-Playmaker: Alessandria, Torino, Italy)
Blum Josef (Back-Supporting: First Vienna, Austria)
Denis, Harry (Back-Marking: HBS, Netherlands)
Gallacher, Hughie (Forward-Goalscorer: Airdrieonians, Newcastle, Chelsea, Derby County, Scotland)
Horvath, Johann (Forward-Playmaker: Simmeringer, Rapid Vienna, Wacker Vienna, Austria)
Keenor, Fred (Midfield-Supporting: Cardiff City, Wales)
Kertesz, Vilmos (Midfield-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
McMullan, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Park Thistle, Manchester City, Scotland)
Meiklejohn, David (Defensive Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Morton, Alan (Wide Attacking Link: Queen’s Park, Rangers, Scotland)
Orth, Gyorgy (Forward-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
Pesek, Karel (Defensive Link: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Rydell, Svan (Forward-Goalscorer: Orgryte IS, Sweden)
Samiter, Josep (Offensive Link: Barcelona, Spain)
Swartenbroeks, Armand (Back-Supporting: Racing Bruxelles, Belgium)
Tarp, Fritz (Back-Supporting: Boldklubben 1893, Denmark)
Wesely, Ferdinand (Wide Attacking Link: Rapid Vienna, Austria)
Zamora, Ricardo (Goalkeeper: Barcelona, Espanyol, Real Madrid, Spain)

Qualified Pantheon

Morton, Alan (Wide Attacking Link: Queen’s Park, Rangers, Scotland)
Pesek, Karel (Defensive Link: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Zamora, Ricardo (Goalkeeper: Barcelona, Espanyol, Real Madrid, Spain)

This was a pretty balanced era for Europe with no real dominant team, and I tried to have that reflected in the qualified players. Scotland had the most selections with four. Austria and the Czechs were the two best continental teams based on results. Austria had three players make it while the Czechs only had one, but he was a pantheon player. The Czechs had some other high-quality players who were missing either longevity or peak to qualify. There are a few players that might be surprising to some who did not qualify, and I will address those. Alex Jackson has peak levels high enough to qualify for the pantheon, but he only has six seasons of significant positive contribution, which is not enough for all time great status. Renzo De Vecchi has a big reputation, but Italy are one of the poorer continental teams while he is being capped in this era (1919-25). Their defensive record is really poor. It also does not help that after 1925 when he leaves the team, their results improve tremendously with Rosetta and Cagliaris the two starting fullbacks from 26-28. Imre Schlosser is a case similar to Piendebene. They were both the best players of their nationality from 1910 to 1915, but South American and Continental football were so far behind the British at this time it is hard for me personally to give that part of their career to much weight. During this era, post 1916, they both are just a little short on achievement. I did not include any English players, which might be a bit unfair to them, as even though they are possibly third place in Britain, they are still significantly better than some of the mid-level continental teams they played who did get a player in this era. In this era, they played these continental matches 1921: 2-0 at BEL; 1923: 6-1 vs BEL, 4-1 at FRA, 4-2 at SWE, 2-2 at BEL; 1924: 3-1 at FRA, 4-0 vs BEL; 1925: 3-2 at FRA; 1926: 5-3 at BEL; 1927: 9-1 at BEL, 5-2 at LUX, 6-0 at FRA; 1929: 5-1 at FRA, 3-1 at BEL. This is a very closely curated list of opponents and England are clearly not facing the top continental sides. England’s bizarre capping policy in this era makes it very difficult to identify the team’s best players. For example, in 1924 in five games played 40 different players are capped. The most capped player of the entire era (1919 to 1928) is Billy Walker who gets 17 of 44 possible caps. Some of the most famous players of the era with the most successful club careers do not reach double digit caps with players like David Jack (4 caps), Charlie Buchan (5 caps), and Clem Stephenson (1 cap). David Jack and Billy Walker where the two players I was closest to adding.

 

6) World Football ~ 1915-1928

Full Results for both continents (Also decided to move Hector Castro to the next era)

Players Considered

Abegglen, Max (Forward-Playmaker: Lausanne Sport, Grasshopper, Switzerland)
Alcantara, Paulino (Forward-Goalscorer: Barcelona, Spain)
Amilcar (Midfield-Playmaker: Corinthians, Brazil)
Andrade, Jose Leandro (Wide Defensive Link: Bella Vista, Nacional, Penarol, Uruguay)
Baloncieri, Adolfo (Forward-Playmaker: Alessandria, Torino, Italy)
Bernardini, Fulvio (Defensive Link: Lazio, Internazionale, Roma, Italy)
Bidoglio, Ludovico (Back-Marking: Eureka, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Blum Josef (Back-Supporting: First Vienna, Austria)
Bossio, Angel (Goalkeeper: Talleres, River Plate, Argentina)
Braun, Jozsef (Wide Forward: MTK, Hungary)
Buchan, Charles (Forward-Goalscorer: Sunderland, Arsenal, England)
Cea, Pedro (Forward-Playmaker: Central Atletico, Bela Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Cherro, Roberto (Forward-Playmaker: Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Davies, Len (Forward-Playmaker: Cardiff City, Wales)
Davies, Stan (Forward-Playmaker: Preston North End, Everton, West Bromwich, Wales)
De Bie, Jean (Goalkeeper: Racing Bruxelles, Belgium)
de Natris, Jan (Wide Forward: Ajax, Netherlands)
De Vecchi, Renzo (Back-Supporting: AC Milan, Genoa, Italy)
Denis, Harry (Back-Marking: HBS, Netherlands)
Dewaquez, Jules (Wide Forward: Olympique Paris, Marseille, Nice, France)
Evaristo, Juan (Wide Back: Sportivo Palermo, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Fernandez, Lorenzo (Midfield-Supporting: Capurro, Penarol, Uruguay)
Ferreira, Manuel (Forward-Playmaker: Estudiantes, River Plate, Argentina)
Fortes, Agostinho (Wide Back: Fluminense, Brazil)
Fogl, Karoly (Back-Marking: Ujpest, Hungary)
Foglino, Alfredo (Back-Marking: Nacional, Uruguay)
Friberg, Sven (Back-Marking: IFK Goteborg, Orgryte IS, Sweden)
Friedenriech, Arthur (Forward-Goalscorer: Ypiranga, Paulistano, Brazil)
Gallacher, Hughie (Forward-Goalscorer: Airdrieonians, Newcastle, Chelsea, Derby County, Scotland)
Gallagher, Patsy (Forward-Playmaker: Celtic, Ireland)
Gamborena, Francisco (Real Union, Spain)
Gillespie, Billy (Forward-Playmaker: Sheffield United, Ireland)
Gordon, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Rangers, Scotland)
Gradin, Isabelino (Wide Forward: Penarol, Olimpia, Uruguay)
Hirzer, Ferenc (Forward-Playmaker: Torekves, Juventus, MTK, Hungary)
Hojer, Antonin (Back-Supporting: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Horvath, Johann (Forward-Playmaker: Simmeringer, Rapid Vienna, Wacker Vienna, Austria)
Jack, David (Forward-Goalscorer: Bolton, Arsenal, England)
Jackson, Alex (Wide Forward: Aberdeen, Huddersfield, Chelsea, Scotland)
Janda, Antonin (Forward-Goalscorer: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Janni, Antonio (Midfield-Playmaker: Torino, Italy)
Kalb, Hans (Defensive Link: Nurmberg, Germany)
Keenor, Fred (Midfield-Supporting: Cardiff City, Wales)
Kelly, Bob (Forward-Playmaker: Burnley, England)
Kertesz, Vilmos (Midfield-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
Kock, Rudolf (Wide Forward: AIK, Sweden)
Kolenaty, Frantisek (Midfield-Supporting: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Konrad, Kalman (Forward-Playmaker: MTK, Austria Vienna, Hungary)
Lacey, Bill (Wide Attacking Link: Everton, Liverpool, Ireland)
Levratto, Virgilio (Wide Forward: Verona, Genoa, Internazionale, Lazio, Italy)
Libonatti, Julio (Forward-Goalscorer: Newell’s Old Boys, Torino, Argentina, Italy)
Mazali, Andreas (Goalkeeper: Nacional, Uruguay)
McMullan, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Park Thistle, Manchester City, Scotland)
McStay, Willie (Back-Marking: Celtic, Scotland)
Meiklejohn, David (Defensive Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Morton, Alan (Wide Attacking Link: Queen’s Park, Rangers, Scotland)
Nasazzi, Jose (Back-Marking: Bella Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Neco (Forward-Goalscorer: Corinthians, Brazil)
Nicolas, Paul (Forward-Goalscorer: Red Star, France)
Nielsen, Poul (Forward-Goalscorer: KB Kobenhavn, Denmark)
Nitsch, Leopold (Midfield-Supporting: Rapid Vienna, Austria)
Orth, Gyorgy (Forward-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
Pena, Jose Maria (Midfield-Supporting: Arenas, Real Madrid, Spain)
Pesek, Karel (Defensive Link: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Petit, Rene (Offensive Link: Real Madrid, Real Union, France)
Petrone, Pedro (Forward-Goalscorer: Charley, Nacional, Fiorentina, Uruguay)
Piendibene, Jose (Forward-Playmaker: Penraol, Uruguay)
Plattko, Ferenc (Goalkeeper: Vasas Budapest, MTK, Barcelona, Hungary)
Ramseyer, Rudolf (Back-Supporting: Young Boys, FC Bern, Switzerland)
Romano, Angel (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Rydell, Svan (Forward-Goalscorer: Orgryte IS, Sweden)
Samiter, Josep (Offensive Link: Barcelona, Spain)
Scarone, Hector (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Schaffer, Alfred (Forward-Goalscorer: MTK, Nurmberg, Austria Vienna, Hungary)
Schlosser, Imre (Forward-Goalscorer: Ferencvaros, MTK, Hungary)
Scott, Elisha (Goalkeeper: Liverpool, Ireland)
Seoane, Manuel (Forward-Goalscorer: Independiente, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Somma, Pascual (Wide Attacking Link: Nacional, Uruguay)
Stuhlfauth, Heinrich (Goalkeeper: Nurmberg, Germany)
Swartenbroeks, Armand (Back-Supporting: Racing Bruxelles, Belgium)
Swatosch, Ferdinand (Forward-Goalscorer: Simmeringer, Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, Austria)
Tarasconi, Domingo (Forward-Goalscorer: Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Tarp, Fritz (Back-Supporting: Boldklubben 1893, Denmark)
Tesoriere, Americo (Goalkeeper: Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Urdinaran, Santos (Wide Attacking Link: Nacional, Uruguay)
Vizard, Ted (Wide Attacking Link: Bolton, Wales)
Walker, Billy (Forward-Goalscorer: Aston Villa, England)
Wesely, Ferdinand (Wide Attacking Link: Rapid Vienna, Austria)
Wieser, Gustav (Forward-Goalscorer: Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, Austria)
Zamora, Ricardo (Goalkeeper: Barcelona, Espanyol, Real Madrid, Spain)
Zibechi, Alfredo (Midfield-Supporting: Wanderers, Nacional, Uruguay)

Qualified All Time Great

Abegglen, Max (Forward-Playmaker: Lausanne Sport, Grasshopper, Switzerland)
Andrade, Jose Leandro (Wide Defensive Link: Bella Vista, Nacional, Penarol, Uruguay)
Baloncieri, Adolfo (Forward-Playmaker: Alessandria, Torino, Italy)
Bidoglio, Ludovico (Back-Marking: Eureka, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Blum Josef (Back-Supporting: First Vienna, Austria)
Cea, Pedro (Forward-Playmaker: Central Atletico, Bela Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Denis, Harry (Back-Marking: HBS, Netherlands)
Evaristo, Juan (Wide Back: Sportivo Palermo, Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Fernandez, Lorenzo (Midfield-Supporting: Capurro, Penarol, Uruguay)
Gallacher, Hughie (Forward-Goalscorer: Airdrieonians, Newcastle, Chelsea, Derby County, Scotland)
Horvath, Johann (Forward-Playmaker: Simmeringer, Rapid Vienna, Wacker Vienna, Austria)
Keenor, Fred (Midfield-Supporting: Cardiff City, Wales)
Kertesz, Vilmos (Midfield-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
Libonatti, Julio (Forward-Goalscorer: Newell’s Old Boys, Torino, Argentina, Italy)
McMullan, Jimmy (Midfield-Supporting: Park Thistle, Manchester City, Scotland)
Meiklejohn, David (Defensive Link: Rangers, Scotland)
Morton, Alan (Wide Attacking Link: Queen’s Park, Rangers, Scotland)
Nasazzi, Jose (Back-Marking: Bella Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Orth, Gyorgy (Forward-Playmaker: MTK, Hungary)
Pesek, Karel (Defensive Link: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Petrone, Pedro (Forward-Goalscorer: Charley, Nacional, Fiorentina, Uruguay)
Romano, Angel (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Rydell, Svan (Forward-Goalscorer: Orgryte IS, Sweden)
Samiter, Josep (Offensive Link: Barcelona, Spain)
Scarone, Hector (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Swartenbroeks, Armand (Back-Supporting: Racing Bruxelles, Belgium)
Tarp, Fritz (Back-Supporting: Boldklubben 1893, Denmark)
Tesoriere, Americo (Goalkeeper: Boca Juniors, Argentina)
Wesely, Ferdinand (Wide Attacking Link: Rapid Vienna, Austria)
Zamora, Ricardo (Goalkeeper: Barcelona, Espanyol, Real Madrid, Spain)

Qualified Pantheon

Morton, Alan (Wide Attacking Link: Queen’s Park, Rangers, Scotland)
Nasazzi, Jose (Back-Marking: Bella Vista, Nacional, Uruguay)
Pesek, Karel (Defensive Link: Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Scarone, Hector (Forward-Playmaker: Nacional, Uruguay)
Zamora, Ricardo (Goalkeeper: Barcelona, Espanyol, Real Madrid, Spain)

 

6) World Football ~ 1915-1928

All Time Greats by Nation

Uruguay (7), Scotland (4), Argentina (4), Austria (3), Italy (2), Spain (2), Hungary (2), Switzerland (1), Netherlands (1), Wales (1), Czechoslovakia (1), Sweden (1), Belgium (1), Denmark (1)

All Time Greats by Position

Forward-Goalscorer (4)
Forward-Playmaker (7)
Wide Forward (0)

Offensive Link (1)
Wide Attacking Link (2)

Midfield-Playmaker (1)
Midfield-Supporting (3)

Defensive Link (2)
Wide Defensive Link (1)

Wide Back (1)
Back-Marking (3)
Back-Supporting (3)

Goalkeeper (2)

When looking by nation I think the two teams that are underrepresented based on there results are probably Czechoslovakia and England as mentioned before.

I feel ok about the breakdown by position, with not to large of a bias towards the forward positions.

I am open to suggestions and revisions on all these qualifications. If you have any questions about a players inclusion/exclusion and can give some information about how that player did or did not meet the criteria posted above.

I would like to get at least one English player and another Czech in but I am at somewhat of a roadblock with how the nominated players meet the qualification criteria.

 

To match the language from here on out I will call "Offensive Link" instead "Attacking Link".

 

been working on it, free time is low right now.

 

First I will give a kind of progression of his career in three stages as I see it.

1) 1919 to 1923 "Iron Sparta"

Pesek started his career for Sparta Prague in 1913, which was quickly interrupted by the war. This era immediately post war both Pesek's club Sparta Prague and the Czech national team establish themselves as possibly the strongest in Europe, with Pesek as captain and one of the star players of both teams. The Czech national team was essentially made up of all Sparta Prague players plus Jan Vanik.

During this period Sparta Prague won national titles or equivalent in five straight seasons 19-23, only losing one game in 1919, going four and a half seasons undefeated in the Czech/Bohemian league. They also gained continental acclaim with a number a challenge matches against other top teams in Europe. In 1921 they specifically challenged a number of the top teams on the continent. They played a home and away tie vs Numrberg, Germany's multiple consecutive champions with their own undefeated streak. The teams drew 0-0 in Germany and Sparta won 5-2 in Prague. Sparta then toured Western Europe. They defeated the two best teams in Spain, defeating Barcleona 3-2 and Athletic Bilbao 3-1 and 4-1. After the matches against reigning Copa del Rey champions Bilbao the local paper La Gaceta del Norte commented on the matches: “Seeing Káďa, Janda, Pilát, Mazal and the rest of those amazing football prodigies play means to a sports fan the same thing the city of Naples means to a traveler – you need to see it with your own eyes before you die!”

https://sparta.cz/en/historie/

They also defeated Italy's top team of the time Genoa 8-0. In 1922 they had a chance to prove themselves against British opposition touring Czechoslovakia. They defeated Aberdeen 6-2, and then defeated Scottish Champions Celtic twice 2-1 and 2-0. In 1923 they again returned to Spain to challenge Barcelona defeating them 1-0 and 2-1. This run of games, and their undefeated domestic record led many to believe they were the best team in Europe. The list of great players conquered during this run is a who’s who of top European players in the early 1920s: Kalb, Stuhlfauth, Samiter, Zamora, Alcantara, Sesumaga, Pichichi, Belauste, Acedo, and De Vecchi.

I think their domestic record during this time has some merit, as other Czech sides including Slavia Prague are also having very successful runs against high profile teams around the continent.

https://www.xtratime.org/threads/international-results-of-czechoslovak-clubs-in-1920s.258647/

On the international level Czechoslovakia has a very successful run during this time.

1919

WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 1 Belgium: Paris June 24 (Inter-Allied Games)
WIN Czechoslovakia 8 – 2 United States: Paris June 26 (Inter-Allied Games)
WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 2 Canada: Paris June 28 (Inter-Allied Games)
WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 2 France: Paris June 29 (Inter-Allied Games Final)

1920

WIN Czechoslovakia 7 – 0 Yugoslavia: Antwerp August 28 (Olympics)
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 0 Norway: Forest August 29 (Olympics)
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 1 France: Antwerp August 31 (Olympics)
Loss Czechoslovakia 0 – 2 Belgium: Antwerp August 31 (Olympic Final)

1921

WIN Czechoslovakia 6 – 1 Yugoslavia: Prague October 28
Draw Czechoslovakia 2 – 2 Sweden: Prague November 11

1922

Draw Czechoslovakia 1 – 1 Italy: Turin February 26
WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 0 Denmark: Copenhagen June 11
Loss Czechoslovakia 3 – 4 Yugoslavia: Zagreb June 28
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 0 Sweden: Stockholm August 13

1923

WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 0 Denmark: Prague May 5
WIN Czechoslovakia 5 – 1 Italy: Prague May 27
WIN Czechoslovakia 6 – 0 Romania: Cluj July 1
Draw Czechoslovakia 4 – 4 Yugoslavia: Prague October 28

Including the Inter-Allied Games the Czechs were 13-3-2 over this period despite only playing four of these games at home. Pesek played in 15 of the 18 matches, captaining all of them, with he team having a 12-2-1 record when he played. They won the Inter-Allied Games held in Paris. In the Olympics they cruised to the final before Pesek took his team off the pitch after 39 minutes in a violent and controversially refereed gold medal match against the host nation. Because of this decision they where disqualified from the tournament and did not receive any medal. Pesek was names Team of the Tournament by the IFFHS.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/best-players-at-1924-and-1928-olympics.1999630/#post-33459918

He was named the best midfielder in Europe from 1920 to 1924 by Mala Encyklopedie Fotbalu, ed K Vanek, 1984.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/g...ootball-history.2088557/page-20#post-38160599

The strength and most iconic part of this era for both Sparta and Czechoslovakia are its famous midfield with Pesek flanked by Kolenaty (As I read more about Pesek I am reconsidering his case as well. Kolenaty has the resume and longevity, I was just unsure if he was a real difference making player, or just a good one on successful teams. More things I am reading are making me lean towards a possible revision for him to be included as all time great) and Perner. But I think the reason why this era is so successful is that midfield is paired with and excellent attack featuring great players like Janda, Vanik, and Pilat. Some of these players I considered for my list and appeared to have a very high peak, especially Janda who Barcleona attempted to aquire, but they lacked longevity. They all fall out of the team by 1924 and the Czechs have a more middling period from 24-26 before the great midfield for the Czechs and Sparta is joined by a new generation of great forwards (Puc, Silny, and Svoboba) in 1927 and Pesek and his teams experience another era of major success.

https://sparta.cz/cs/historie/historicke-ery/zelezna-era

Interesting video here if anyone could translate.



Another video that would be fun to get a translation.

2) 1924 to 1926 Transitional Period

In this Sparta continue to have some success in high profile friendlies but only win the league in 1926, with Slavia winning the league in 24 and 25. Highlights of the friendly matches against other clubs are as follows. They lose 3-2 in Prague to one of the best Britain’s best teams in Cardiff City. They then have another very successful tour of Western Europe beating Barcelona twice 1-0 and 2-1, splitting a pair of games with Valencia, and winning three of four games in Portugal by a 18-2 goal differential. In 1925 one of the most famous and successful European tours ever by Uruguay side Nacional came to Prague where Sparta defeated them 1-0. In 1926 Sparta had both European and North American tours. In the European tour they were undefeated facing top Portuguese, Spanish, Yugoslavian, and Swiss sides.

Benfica - Sparta 1:5
Sporting - Sparta 0:3
Athletic Bilbao - Sparta 0:0
Athletic Bilbao - Sparta 1:2
CF Barcelona - Sparta 2:2
Real Zaragoza - Sparta 1:6
CF Barcelona - Sparta 2:7
Red Star Paris/Olympique - Sparta 3:11
Grasshoppers - Sparta 1:7
Young Fellows Zurich - Sparta 0:13

The national side had mixed results starting with the 1924 Olympics. They were co favorites heading into the tournament because of their success in the previous time period.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/best-players-at-1924-and-1928-olympics.1999630/#post-31110245

The lack of top forwards and the Czechs inability to score against well organized sides can be seen.

1924

WIN Czechoslovakia 5 – 2 Turkey: Paris June 25 (Olympics)
Draw Czechoslovakia 1 – 1 Switzerland: Paris June 28 (Olympics)
Loss Czechoslovakia 0 – 1 Switzerland: Paris June 30 (Olympics)
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 1 Romania: Prague August 31
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 0 Yugoslavia: Zagreb September 28

1925

WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 1 Austria: Prague May 24
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 0 Hungary: Prague October 11
WIN Czechoslovakia 7 – 0 Yugoslavia: Prague October 28

1926

Loss Czechoslovakia 1 – 3 Italy: Turin January 17
Loss Czechoslovakia 0 – 2 Austria: Vienna March 14
Loss Czechoslovakia 1 – 2 Hungary: Budapest June 6
Draw Czechoslovakia 2 – 2 Sweden: Stockholm June 13
WIN Czechoslovakia 6 – 2 Yugoslavia: Zagreb June 28
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 2 Sweden: Prague July 3
Loss Czechoslovakia 1 – 2 Austria: Prague September 28
WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 1 Italy: Prague October 28

Despite the lack of good forwards in the team during this time the results from 1924 and 25 are similar to previous years. There was no great shame in losing to Switzerland in the Olympics, who were excellent throughout. The home stand in 1925 is excellent. In 1926 results are poor by previous standards. Pesek is hurt in 1926 and only plays twice in these games. Pesek plays in 8 of the 16 games this period, captaining the team in all of them to a 4-1-3 record. Despite the relatively early exit from the 1924 Olympics, he is named to the team of the tournament by the contemporary press. It is also mentioned he may not have been fit for the tournament.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/best-players-at-1924-and-1928-olympics.1999630/#post-31191305

3) 1927 to 1931 later career peak

Pesek is 32 to 36 years old during this time period that ends his career. Despite that he still reaches massive heights especially in 1927. This period is important for Sparta Prague’s success in the Mitropa Cup and the Czech national teams return to dominance in 27 and 28 with a new group of great young forwards to match the still potent midfield from the Iron Sparta time period. On the domestic side, Sparta only win one league title (27), as Slavia is the dominant side with Puc, Svoboda, and Planicka emerging and winning three league titles in a row (29-31). Braine and Nejedly do not arrive in the Sparta team until 31/32. During this period Sparta win the Mitropa Cup in 1927 and are runners up in 1930. Using the IFHHS match reports I went back through each addition of the Mitropa Cup summarized them and awarded best players. When I did this exercise, I was not really aware of Pesek as a player, so I was not subconsciously seeking his name out. I rated him the second best player of the 1927 tournament which Sparta won, behind only his teammate Silny.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/mitropa-cup-1927-1940.1998671/#post-29293383

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/mitropa-cup-1927-1940.1998671/#post-29304687

It is really either way for which of them where the teams most important player and best player of the tournament. In the 1930 edition, with Pesek 35 years old he is clearly Sparta’s best player, and honestly the only reason I did not rate him as the best player of the tournament, but the second best was because I wanted to give that position to a player from the winners Rapid Vienna (Smistik).

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/mitropa-cup-1927-1940.1998671/#post-29321184

In the 1927 tournament Sparta beat Admira Vienna, MTK, and Rapid Vienna. In the 1930 version they defeated First Vienna and Inter Milan before losing to Rapid Vienna in a rematch of the 27 final.

The national team had a strong run during this time, especially in 1927 and 28.

1927

WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 2 Belgium: Liege January 2
Draw Czechoslovakia 2 – 2 Italy: Milan February 20
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 1 Austria: Vienna March 20
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 1 Hungary: Prague April 24
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 0 Belgium: Prague May 26
Draw Czechoslovakia 1 – 1 Yugoslavia: Belgrade July 31
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 0 Austria: Prague September 18
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 1 Hungary: Budapest October 9
Draw Czechoslovakia 2 – 2 Italy: Prague October 23
WIN Czechoslovakia 5 – 3 Yugoslavia: Prague October 28

1928

WIN Czechoslovakia 1 – 0 Austria: Vienna April 11
Loss Czechoslovakia 0 – 2 Hungary: Budapest April 22
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 0 France: Colombes May 13
WIN Czechoslovakia 6 – 1 Hungary: Prague September 23
WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 2 Poland: Prague October 27
WIN Czechoslovakia 7 – 1 Yugoslavia: Prague October 28

1929

Loss Czechoslovakia 2 – 4 Italy: Bologna March 3
Draw Czechoslovakia 3 – 3 Austria: Prague March 17
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 1 Switzerland: Luasanne May 5
Draw Czechoslovakia 3 – 3 Yugoslavia: Zagreb June 28
Draw Czechoslovakia 1 – 1 Hungary: Prague September 8
Loss Czechoslovakia 1 – 2 Austria: Vienna September 15
WIN Czechoslovakia 5 – 0 Switzerland: Prague October 6
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 3 Yugoslavia: Prague October 28

1930

Loss Czechoslovakia 0 – 1 Spain: Barcelona January 1
Loss Czechoslovakia 0 – 1 Portugal: Lisbon January 12
Draw Czechoslovakia 2 – 2 Austria: Prague March 23
Draw Czechoslovakia 1 – 1 Hungary: Prague May 1
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 1 France: Colombes May 11
WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 0 Spain: Prague June 14
WIN Czechoslovakia 3 – 2 Belgium: Antwerp September 21
Draw Czechoslovakia 1 – 1 Hungary: Budapest October 26

1931

WIN Czechoslovakia 2 – 1 France: Colombes February 15
Draw Czechoslovakia 3 – 3 Hungary: Prague March 22
Loss Czechoslovakia 1 – 2 Austria: Vienna April 12
WIN Czechoslovakia 7 – 3 Switzerland: Prague June 13
WIN Czechoslovakia 4 – 0 Poland: Warsaw June 14
Loss Czechoslovakia 1 – 2 Yugoslavia: Belgrade August 2
Loss Czechoslovakia 0 – 3 Hungary: Budapest September 20
Draw Czechoslovakia 2 – 2 Italy: Rome November 15

The teams record during this time is 21-11-8. The team in great in 27 and 28, but far closer to middling from 29 to 31 where they fail to record wins against the other top Central European teams. Pesek plays 25 of the 40 games with the team having a significantly superior record when he plays at 15-5-5 despite him being rested against inferior teams like Poland. It would have been great to see the Czechs enter the 28 Olympics and face off vs Uruguay and Argentina when the Czech team was in great form.

Some more quotes and information about Pesek in a more general sense and then I will explain specifically how he addresses my criteria.

In the 1960 book called Association Football he was one of nine Czech players listed in the “great overseas” group.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/g...ootballs-history.1381429/page-2#post-21998774

He is also described in that book as “a centre-half in the John Charles class”

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/g...ootball-history.2088557/page-20#post-38160551

In a 2009 vote by Czech Journalists he was named the 8th best Czech player ever, ahead of relative contemporaries like Puc and Nejedly.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/g...ootball-history.2088557/page-20#post-38160599

In the IFHHS Ranking of Interwar (20s and 30s) outfield players created in 1999 he is rated in 10th place and is the highest rated 1920s player on the list ahead of Hughie Gallacher. Orth, Samiter, and Morton who are not in the top 15. All of the 10 players above him are 1930s players except for Alex James and Dixie Dean who are equally in both eras.

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/g...ootball-history.2088557/page-20#post-38160599

Some quotes about Pesek from a 1941 special issue of Kicker post by Gregoriak

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/all-time-greatest-players-kicker-july-1941.2080788/page-2

“In the years after the War we witnessed the heyday of Czechoslovakian football. It is basically linked with Sparta Praha. The centre half of Sparta and the Czechoslovakians was Kada. He was at least equal to Kalb and the two faced each other in great fights on club level in those years. Within the Czech team Kada was without competition for about 10 years. While he was not outstanding physically, his technique and tactical understanding were of high class and he was a great leader of his team.”

“One of the best centre halves of his time was Kada from Prague, known from the years of the great club fights between Sparta and Nürnberg. A player of mid-size height appeared as unique master of the industrious and precise style of classic centre halves, pivotal for his team and almost always his team's best player. His style was refined but still inspirited with combativeness. Kada looked for the high pace of his team although he almost exclusively preferred the low pass, if not necessarily an excessive short passing game.”

https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/prvni-l...arta-125-let-vyroci.A181115_115306_fotbal_par

Interesting interview with older historian of Czech Football, Pesek is mentioned a few times.

https://www.eurofotbal.cz/clanky/dneska-hraje-kada-168847/

Good article here, it may be a little over the top, but it has some good quotes from contemporary journalists/players and books. A few examples from the article.

S. Bernabeu: "I've spent my whole life with football. I've seen countless players. Now I know I've only seen three really big footballers. One was di Stéfano, the other Pelé and the third Czechoslovak, Káďa. "

Heroes of the Soccer Ball: "And do you know what is most interesting about Kád? Even the greatest aces in the world used to have weak moments at the time of their greatest glory, and nothing strange, man is not a machine, while Kada was like a Swiss watch, always accurate and reliable, maybe ten years, match by match, in any situation, in any weather, in Prague, in Barcelona, in New York ... Of course, he has not always dazzled, but never disappointed. "

An equally important task of the centrhalva was to work on the defensive, when with the support of one of the defenders he covered the opponent's inner offensive trio. Kada fulfilled all this in a way that, in a vote of experts sometime in the 1940s, brought him to the top interwar eleven (along with Plánička and Bican). "He played like you thought he was everywhere," Pepi Bican recalled.

Looking a little more specifically at how I thought he fit the criteria I laid out.

All Time Great Criteria: He appears to satisfy these relatively easily so I will move quickly.

1) Was the player a 'difference maker" or "game winner"?

I think he satisfies this pretty easily based on information we have on how he was perceived, he is clearly thought of as one of the most important players on one of the best teams in the world.

2) Did the player sustain greatness?

He appears to have a relatively clean run from 1919-1931 where he is at very high level. Specifically mentioned for his consistency. On of the best players from the early 1920s all the way into the Mitropa Cup era.

3) Did the player a complete career and high cumulative achievement?

Achieved very high levels for both club and country. High levels of achievement.

Pantheon Criteria: These are obviously more stringent, but I think he passes them.

1) Longevity

“They must have at least 10 seasons of significant positive contribution. This disqualifies a number of players who place highly in many all time great lists in my analysis. For example: Van Basten, Garrincha, Best, and Ronaldinho.”

With a 13 year run from 1919 to 1931 as undisputed starter in the national team and evidence of very high levels of play as late as the 1930 Mitropa Cup I think it is a safe deduction that he passed this criteria. No appearance of major injuries where whole seasons were lost, but there is some evidence he had a few issues in 1924 and maybe 1926.

2) Dominant Run

“They need to have a near continuous run of four to five seasons where they are dominant and performing at a level that qualifies them as the best or one of the best in the world at their position. This disqualifies players listed high on all time great players lists in my analysis. For example Adolfo Pedernera, Stanley Matthews, Fritz Walter, Romario, and Fabio Cannavaro.”

The five year run from 1919-1923 seems to satisfy this well. We have multiple quotes from these times talking about how great this team was and him being one of the clear standout performers. I feel like it is a safe assumption based on the limited quotes we have and the success of his teams over this time at multiple levels with broad exposure he was considered the top center half in Continental Europe. You could probably make a case that this run stretched even further and that he held this high of a level all the way through 1928 with little to no interruption.

3) Peak level approaches best player in the world

“The player needs to at his peak be considered the best player in the world or closely approaching that level. This criteria is relaxed a bit for non-attacking players. For example in the modern Ballon d'Or era, a goalkeeper or central defender finishing around 5-8 in voting would be enough, but if an attacking player only reaches fifth that would be insufficient in my eyes. Their are exceptions here especially in relation to Ballon d'Or voting which is a good guide in many cases but not all. This is one of the more difficult catagories to judge for older players. This is the category this disqualifies the most all time great players from reaching the pantheon. This disqualifies players listed high on all time great players lists in my analysis. For example Angel Labruna, Nils Liedholm, Danny Blanchflower, Francisco Gento, Gaetano Scirea, Jurgen Kohler, Cafu, and Ryan Giggs.”

This is always a tough one to decide on for early players. From what I have read and based on the teams reputation and results I think that during the early 20s or in 1927 that a significant enough portion of educated soccer observers from those times might have considered him the top or among the top players in the world. There are a number of quotes and polls that I feel reflect this.

4) Dominant at all levels

“This is similar to the complete career criteria for all time great designation but more strict. They need to be great domestically, in continental competitions, and with the national team. This does not mean they cannot have a bad world cup, but they must on whole still have a great national team career. The previous example of Jimmy Johnstone passing the complete career criteria despite a weak national team career on the strength of his European Cup career will not pass this level. All levels must be great no exception. This disqualifies players listed high on all time great players lists in my analysis, for example Bobby Moore.”

Everything seems to work here. With the club had great domestic success, great success in high profile matches against worldwide competition, and great success in the Mitropoa Cup. With the national team they played at a high level and he was great with them. I guess you could point out that they did not win the Olympics where the competition was beatable, but it seems they may have been the best team in 1920. 1924 is disappointing to a degree, but one disappointing tournament as a team should not disqualify a player from this criterion, especially when the individual performance is good. Overall, the national team career has longevity and is played at a very high level.

5) Career must be free of all other major flaws

“This is a catch all for any other major flaws that bother me about a players career that are not quantified in the previous four categories. For example Sandor Kocsis inexplicably not being able to get playing time at Barcelona or Alain Giresse failing to earn any caps in the first two thirds of his career.”

I personally do not see any red flags with his career that bother me. He was successful at all levels presented to him for competition.