While the conventional wisdom is that technique and creativity aren't as valued in Britain as elsewhere, there's still been a handful of players who have underrated ball skills that can be especially deadly in the fast-paced, direct game taught in Britain and Ireland.
Robbie Keane is not British. You're missing (among others) Tom Finney, Wilf Mannion, Jim Baxter, Jimmy Johnstone and Johnny Haynes.
I'm using the more loose 'British' definition as in the British Isles. I think most people consider Ireland to be part of the British football culture, especially considering most of their top players are in the UK.
I will apologize for not having much knowledge of the game before the late '60s. Feel free to mention players I missed.
I voted for George Best. He's the most skilfull British player I've ever seen. As far as English players, Mathews or Finney going by reputation. But as far as players I've actually seen, I'd pick Glenn Hoddle. Whenever I watched him play, I was very impressed. The guy had amazing skills, he didn't look like an English player to me. But I haven't seen enough British football as some other fans here. How does Hoddle rank for the English fans?
Hoddle was a true legend for Spurs. Widely considered in England to be the best passer we have produced since Johnny Haynes. There is in England always a slight suspicion of skill. Hence Hoddle's (relative) lack of love.
Some that lanman hasn't already mentioned would be Len Shackleton, Raich Carter, Liam Brady, Jamie Weir, G.O. Smith, Billy Meredith, Billy Bassett.
No Matt Le Tissier? Steve McManaman was a good player and underrated in some quarters, but not the all-time anything of British players. Ditto Robbie Keane if you count him as British.
Anyway my opinion is 1) George Best 2) Matt Le Tissier 3) Paul Gascoigne 4) Wayne Rooney 5) John Barnes 6) Ryan Giggs I'm only rating players who I've seen plenty of, with the exception of George Best who've I've seen a lot of footage of.
I'm talking players who use guile and trickery on the ball. Keegan, Charlton, Law, Gerrard, Dalglish, Lineker, Bell, etc. are/were all incredible players in their own right, but they had pretty straight-forward games.
Jimmy Johnstone would have got my vote. Although I always thought Hoddle's ability shone above most, if not all others on the pitch.
If you believe the legends then it is Duncan Edwards. Otherwise, it would probably be George Best and if you want to be more modern, Le Tissier.
A great quote about Hoddle: "I heard Glenn Hoddle found God. That must have been one hell of a pass."
Where the heck is Joe Cole on the list? His technical ability is phenomenal. Anyways I pick George Best. His name explains it all.
Dangerous assumption. As for in my lifetime, best technique has to be Gascoigne or Le Tissier, and Paul Scholes (as un-British a British player ever was if there ever was one) as the most intelligent/creative.
Yeah that's one of Jasper Carrot's I think. The thing is that if anyone could then it would have been Hoddle. His passing was sublime.
le tissier for me for pure skill and entertainment. For skill and consistancy I would go for Giggs. Out of every player in the list he has the best trophy cabinet. I cant see anyone on the list that has won as much as him. From footage I have seen Best is best!! Never saw a live match with him at Man U though. Who is the most skillful Scot of all time? Noticed none made the list here.... Archie Gemmil anyone?????