Past players

[Gary]

Would it be possible mr Biggs to come up with a pen pic for some of our past players so some of us youngsters can read about who they were where they played how many games/goals etc from say the 70s onwards the likes of Malcolm hird mick Bennett etc etc I know you would love it. When people talk of some of the greats that have played it would be nice in my personal opinion to know who they were

[clipper]

This could be a suggestion for the website via the survey that's currently on-going: a section entitled "Legends" or some such.
There are frequent references on here to players such as those mentioned by Gary, Dick "The King" Smith, Crawford Potter etc who a lot of people who come on this site never saw and weren't even born when they played so I think it's a good idea.

If Jeremy was to do this as a series then I'd put money on his first entry being Gerry Fell.

[jeremy]

Gary - surely you can remember Mick Bennett!! It would only have been about 1998 when he last played.

Clipper - Yes, Gerry Fell was my first Dannies hero! Went on to have a good pro career and turned me into a Brighton fan for a few years while he was playing for them. Used to love him scoring regularly against Posh when Anglia TV's 'Match of the Week' cameras usually seemed to be in attendance!

[markward]

Under the picture of Mick Bennett, just put the word "Legend" - nothing else needs to be said about him. My favourite all time SAFC player!

He was a big scouse unit who had clearly been around abit. Was great at winning the ball in the air and holding up play but probably his biggest attribute was getting under the skin of the opposing centre halves, so much so, it would detract from their game and Mick and his team mates would come on top.

I also really used to like Mark Drake. He scored a great volley against Blackstones (I think it was on a Boxing Day) - one of the best goals I've seen (it would have been THE best but him wearing a daft headband that made him look like the missing member of an 80's rock group!). I see him most days the Virgin Experience Gym - still looks like he could play abit Gresh!

The term Legends won't apply to many modern day players that have represented SAFC but would hope to see Darron Clyde listed. Alongside Mick, Steve Collins and Ludek!

[Gary]

I can remember benno but some might not just thought this might be a great idea looks like there might be a few who agree

Wardy benno is also probably one of my favourites alongside Steve Collins and Barry the legend Hand

[Marc]

Mick Bennett what a player!

Let's not forget Steve Kuhne, didn't stay long but scored a hatful of goals to get us promoted. Let's also mention Steve Corry (mainly because most of us would be too scared not to!)

Ludek, Steve Collins and one vital missing link...Dennis!!!

[markward]

Dennis might be pushing it!!

What about Paul Bryant. I used to give John Burrows so mush stick about him, "he's useless" etc but I have to say on reflection - I was wrong. He was a very classy right back.

Milton Graham and what about Trevor, Trevor Quow "got no hair, we don;t care" Trevor, Trevor Quow!

Blimey, this thread has got me taking a stroll down memory lane!

We have certainly seen some very good players at SAFC (mainly under Steve Evans and Billy Jeffreys it has to be said). Mark Clifford, Jason Bowler, Steve Williams (? - I hope thats right - from Kettering I believe), Hamish, Deano, Warren Donald (pants to begin with but by-christ did his quality show through in the end), Carl Holmes and of course Andy Eastell !!

[clipper]

Most of the names mentioned by you youngsters ;D are from the Evans and Jeffrey era although Dennis straddles the decades and possibly merits inclusion for his longevity and the fact that he played in every position on the park.

Usually legendary status comes with the passing of time so the more recent great players might get missed off. However, I do have to agree about Ludek and Clydie but I'm not sure that Hamish Curtis and Warren Donald can be classed as "legends". Admittedly after a very poor start to his career with us Wozza seemed to suddenly click during the defeat of Scunthorpe in the Lincs Cup and was a much better player afterwards but a legend?

However, that's the whole point of this, it's all about opinions and a player can surely achieve legendary status for more than just outstanding performance, although obviously this helps!

Agree with Mark about Andy Eastell, I'm surprised Phil Bee's not been on to nominate him already.

While we're on that area, maybe we could have a concurrent thread of anti-legends ie legends for all the wrong reasons? If so, I nominate Carl Tallents and Sherman Finnimore for starters!

[markward]

Wow, wow, wow, don't go putting words in my mouth Mr Leveson, sorry Farrow. I merely said they were very good players.

Mick, Steve, Darron and Ludek are my legends. Not the others....

Would be interested in a "Room 101" thread. Players that, erh, didn't fulfill their potential shall we say!..

[Marc]

I wondered how long it would take for Tallents to get a mention!

Dale to be fair I couldn't include many of the players from the late 80's to the Evans era on my list.

As for Trevor Quow, well Yaxley away will always merit him legendary status! I can still see it and laugh every time I think about it!

I forgot about Jason Bowler, a superb player on his day. Imagine him and Tyrone Kirk on the wings.

[northern uproar]

Great idea in the first place Gary...already some decent suggestions (albeit mainly from the Evans / Jeffrey era) and some fantastic recollections!

Mark's post about Benno pretty much says it all - although one shouldn't forget his constant chirping at the ref and his ability to fall to the floor at the merest whiff of a challenge - often leading to him winning a free kick around the edge of the box (which would be converted by Drakey or Bryant). I will never forget that FA Cup replay against Newmarket, a once in a lifetime burst of pace from the big man saw him racing down the Railwayside touchline with the ball at his feet,opposing full back gets within two feet of him and he falls to the floor like he'd been harpooned.

I have to say though that my favourite Benno/Drakey moment has to be the Hinchingbrooke Cup game at home to Biggleswade when they formed a makeshift central defensive partnership - pure comedy. I'm sure regular centre back Dean Elston played in goal that night.

Oh, and Benno once got fined for turning up late for an away game at Desborough - his excuse? He went to Wothorpe Road first, thinking it was a home game.

As for Quow at Yaxley - hilarious, and he wasn't even playing at the time!

Steve Corry - FA Cup v Tamworth - drew on the Saturday, replay at their place on the Tuesday. Corry starts a new job on the Monday and has to tell them he needs to leave early to get to Tamworth for the replay. They refuse, he leaves early anyway and is sacked.

Talking of that game v Tamworth and despite his terrible miss in the first game, you'd have to bestow legendary status upon Malcolm 'That Man' Ndekwe!!

Others to throw in to the mix that haven't already been mentioned? (Big) Keith Alexander? Dick Kwiatowski? Kevin Johnson?

[pompeywalt]

Great idea Gary

relative to the era you recall most fondly and so for me

Kevin Johnson
Dick Kwiatowski
Mr Hird
Dick Walpole
Dick Smith
Crawford Potter
Keith Alexander
Andy McGowan
John Mackin

"off field Riverside" legends

Steve Ward
Barry Hand
Mark Heeley

[jeremy]

Have been to the funeral of Peterborough Northern Star chairman Paul Arthur today.

Paul was manager of Baker Perkins in the 80s and those present in the church included a 'who's who' of local football in Peterborough in that era.

Despite the sad circumstances it was good to catch up with a number of ex-Daniels players including Jan Czarnecki, Dom Genovese, Steve Bliszczak, Glenn Beech and Dave 'the finger' Bonner. Needless to say reminisced with Dave about his most memorable Stamford goal in a 7-2 win at Irthlingborough. Fed up at getting only a throw in not the free kick he thought he should have had, he collected the ball from the throw, lashed it into the top corner of the net from 35 yards and ran round the pitch finger aloft pointed at the skies! That night was possibly the best half I've ever seen from a Stamford team, 6-1 up at half time i think.

This week's 'Peterborough Telegraph' has a Posh Reserves photo from 1972-73 featuring a young, skinny, long haired Czarnecki, as well as the 'pass master' Pud Russell!

[pompeywalt]

Sad day for local football

Recall Pauls Impressive BP's team in 80s.

Blossom Burgess could play