Anybody remember Ian Rush playing for us?

[Revolution]

Probably. He won the 1984 European Cup along with many of the domestic honours. Four of Aston Villa's European Cup winning team of 1982 later played for us. Ken McNaught, Dennis Mortimer, Peter Withe and Gordon Cowans!

Jimmy Johnstone and Phil Thompson may have won more than Rush did. Thompson has certainly won more European trophies.

In terms of best honour, Martin Peters stands alone...

Edit: the comparison (major honours only):

Rush: 5 Leagues, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, 2 European Cups - 15
Thompson: 7 leagues, 1 Cup, 2 League Cups, 3 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups - 15
Johnstone: 9 Leagues, 4 Cups, 5 League Cups, 1 European Cup - 19

Thompson has won the most in Europe. Johnstone the most overall, though in a weaker league (though the gap between England and Scotland was not as great as it is today, as Celtic's European exploits showed at the time)

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

One of those signings that made you excited, up to about 15 minutes into their debut. That's when you realise we're the patsy again.

Jinky and big-nose were another pair. Dennis Mortimer was average, Ken McNaught slower than a disabled turtle, Peter Withe, meh!

The exceptions were Gordon Cowans and Paul McGrath. Quality personified both of them and at that point McGrath didn't train, didn't warm-up and didn't really run around much in a game, but still the best defender we had at the time.

 

[William Large]

Ian Rush was one of the greatest strikers around in the 80's, playing in one of Europe's greatest football teams. When he came to BDTBL it was one of the first times that I (mistakenly) thought that we were a proper team signing proper world class strikers, even though he was at the end of his career. Ian Fucking Rush playing for the Blades???? Unbelievable ! Sadly as many have pointed out before, he was a little bit wank. I recall his first touch and control being a class above anyone else, unfortunately his movement, finishing and effort was not.

I sometimes wonder if the likes of Rush, Dalgleish, and other great players from that era would be as good if they came through the ranks nowadays? Probably the majority would. Even so, Ian Rush played for the Blades and I for one was glad to see it.

 

[Silent Blade]

Jimmy Johnstone and Phil Thompson may have won more than Rush did. Thompson has certainly won more European trophies.

In terms of best honour, Martin Peters stands alone...

Edit: the comparison (major honours only):

Rush: 5 Leagues, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, 2 European Cups - 15
Thompson: 7 leagues, 1 Cup, 2 League Cups, 3 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups - 15
Johnstone: 9 Leagues, 4 Cups, 5 League Cups, 1 European Cup - 19

Thompson has won the most in Europe. Johnstone the most overall, though in a weaker league (though the gap between England and Scotland was not as great as it is today, as Celtic's European exploits showed at the time)

Phil Thompson 42 England Caps
Jimmy Johnstone 23 Scotland caps
Ian Rush 73 Wales Caps

 

[William Large]

Phil Thompson on the other hand, I barely remember playing for us and having checked wiki, I see that he was only 31 when he came to us so must have been a great signing at the time. I'm sure others on here can give a better insight as to how he played. In them Whenever I see him on sky, think he's a bit of a twat. Maybe my opinion is tainted from Robbie fowler's autobiography which gives him a bit of a slating.
His playing record at Liverpool speaks for itself though and he's always spoken of as one of the greats.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

Ian Rush was one of the greatest strikers around in the 80's, playing in one of Europe's greatest football teams. When he came to BDTBL it was one of the first times that I (mistakenly) thought that we were a proper team signing proper world class strikers, even though he was at the end of his career. Ian Fucking Rush playing for the Blades???? Unbelievable ! Sadly as many have pointed out before, he was a little bit wank. I recall his first touch and control being a class above anyone else, unfortunately his movement, finishing and effort was not.

I sometimes wonder if the likes of Rush, Dalgleish, and other great players from that era would be as good if they came through the ranks nowadays? Probably the majority would. Even so, Ian Rush played for the Blades and I for one was glad to see it.

Paul McGrath, for me, stands out as the best ex-best big time player (if that makes any sense?) to play for us.
The way he could read the game and defend was fantastic and considering his training routine consisted on being in the Pub and bookies every day......

As for Ian Rush.....Rubbish!

 

[Darren]

Phil Thompson on the other hand, I barely remember playing for us and having checked wiki, I see that he was only 31 when he came to us so must have been a great signing at the time. I'm sure others on here can give a better insight as to how he played. In them Whenever I see him on sky, think he's a bit of a twat. Maybe my opinion is tainted from Robbie fowler's autobiography which gives him a bit of a slating.
His playing record at Liverpool speaks for itself though and he's always spoken of as one of the greats.

Players tended to retire earlier in those days. He had been out of the Liverppol team for a year and originally came on loan in Dec 84. He did ok enough for us to sign him permanently on a free and he played centre back and was instrumental in our rise up the table in the latter half of 84-85.

Next season he was made captain and played in centre midfield. He played most of the first half of the season, got injured and then barely featured. We released him at the end of 85-86 and went back to Liverpool to be reserve team coach.

 

[Revolution]

One of those signings that made you excited, up to about 15 minutes into their debut. That's when you realise we're the patsy again.

Jinky and big-nose were another pair. Dennis Mortimer was average, Ken McNaught slower than a disabled turtle, Peter Withe, meh!

The exceptions were Gordon Cowans and Paul McGrath. Quality personified both of them and at that point McGrath didn't train, didn't warm-up and didn't really run around much in a game, but still the best defender we had at the time.

I don't agree on Mortimer and McNaught. I think they both played well, though of course Mortimer was only on loan. Jeff Eckhardt in particular benefitted from playing next to McNaught when Stancliffe was injured.

Peter Withe played for England in the season before we signed him. I was amazed that he signed for us. When I saw him play I saw why we'd managed to get him...plus of course his signing caused Porterfield to drop Keith Edwards. Never drop Keith Edwards. Withe did get the odd good headed goal.

You're right about Cowans and McGrath. I swear that when we won 4-2 at Oxford in Spetember 1997 McGrath never ran once in the whole game. His positional sense and timing was something else.

 

[Wapping Blade]

Phil Thompson on the other hand, I barely remember playing for us and having checked wiki, I see that he was only 31 when he came to us so must have been a great signing at the time. I'm sure others on here can give a better insight as to how he played. In them Whenever I see him on sky, think he's a bit of a twat. Maybe my opinion is tainted from Robbie fowler's autobiography which gives him a bit of a slating.
His playing record at Liverpool speaks for itself though and he's always spoken of as one of the greats.

Phil Thompson was appalling for us and his whole game consisted of niggly fouls all the time.

 

[Gavlar]

Got to be honest i though this thread was a wind up at first, I had no idea he played for us! in fairness i was in the middle of my a levels in 1998 and didnt care much for footie but sorry for my ignorance!

 

[Revolution]

Phil Thompson on the other hand, I barely remember playing for us and having checked wiki, I see that he was only 31 when he came to us so must have been a great signing at the time. I'm sure others on here can give a better insight as to how he played. In them Whenever I see him on sky, think he's a bit of a twat. Maybe my opinion is tainted from Robbie fowler's autobiography which gives him a bit of a slating.
His playing record at Liverpool speaks for itself though and he's always spoken of as one of the greats.

The only person I have heard say a good word about Thompson in his time at United is Tony Kenworthy in his autobiography. No one else speaks well of him. Even Denis Clarebrough in the who's who book says he was unpopular at the Lane.

 

[shorehamview]

Slow as fuck big nosed taffy shitbox.

Yep, this. I remember him stood in the centre circle for quite a while but never managing more than a shambling effort at movement. He's one of the best strikers to have ever played for us in that when he was at his best he was brilliant, but was so far over the hill at the time that his "best" couldn't be seen with a fucking telescope.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I don't agree on Mortimer and McNaught. I think they both played well, though of course Mortimer was only on loan. Jeff Eckhardt in particular benefitted from playing next to McNaught when Stancliffe was injured.

Peter Withe played for England in the season before we signed him. I was amazed that he signed for us. When I saw him play I saw why we'd managed to get him...plus of course his signing caused Porterfield to drop Keith Edwards. Never drop Keith Edwards. Withe did get the odd good headed goal.

You're right about Cowans and McGrath. I swear that when we won 4-2 at Oxford in Spetember 1997 McGrath never ran once in the whole game. His positional sense and timing was something else.

Well remembered Revolution, I'd forgotten the effect McGrath had on Eckhardt, amongst several others. Eck raised his game, probably due to McGrath's promptings and general standard of play. As for Cowans, a quality player whose contribution while signed to us was on another level to those who played alongside him. Cultured, as was McGrath, he had that oh so rare quality, guile, and played as if working to another time-scale, he always seemed to have time to control, decide, and pass, at which he was immaculate.

 

[Selly]

One of those signings that made you excited, up to about 15 minutes into their debut. That's when you realise we're the patsy again.

Jinky and big-nose were another pair. Dennis Mortimer was average, Ken McNaught slower than a disabled turtle, Peter Withe, meh!

The exceptions were Gordon Cowans and Paul McGrath. Quality personified both of them and at that point McGrath didn't train, didn't warm-up and didn't really run around much in a game, but still the best defender we had at the time.

Stuart McCall?

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Stuart McCall?

He was great for us, but I was concentrating on signings with a bit of a 'wow' factor. Multiple League title winners, European Cup Winners and that sort of thing. Good though he was, McCall never quite got to those heights

 

[Silent Blade]

Well remembered Revolution, I'd forgotten the effect McGrath had on Eckhardt, amongst several others. Eck raised his game, probably due to McGrath's promptings and general standard of play. As for Cowans, a quality player whose contribution while signed to us was on another level to those who played alongside him. Cultured, as was McGrath, he had that oh so rare quality, guile, and played as if working to another time-scale, he always seemed to have time to control, decide, and pass, at which he was immaculate.

You mean McNaught! McGrath has never played in the same team as Eckhardt!

 

[itsinyerblood]

You mean McNaught! McGrath has never played in the same team as Eckhardt!

Silent, I doff my wotsit to your knowledge, oldish bloke getting confused I'm afraid. Probably too far back to correctly remember, so thanks for the nudge. Whoever played alongside McGrath was bound to benefit.

 

[Latters]

Remember when we signed Bebeto, Paul Gascoigne, Mark Hughes, Georgi Kinkladze and Michael Laudrup? Oh wait, they never happened, although the Star said we were interested.

 

[Kenilworth]

I remember seeing Ian Rush score against us at the Lane when playing for Chester before he signed for Liverpool. He was a threat all game and made some very good runs. You could see he was major talent then. Not spectacular - just that knack.

Agree he was well beyond his use by date when he pulled on the red and white stripes.

The other one I remember showing great talent before he really hit the lime light was Andy Cole - for Bristol City. The purple and green away kit they wore at the Lane first game brought back memories for me as I recall Cole scoring an equaliser for Brizzle at the lane in a cup match (league cup?) I think we won the match 2-1 or won the replay. Darren will let me know what I actually witnessed

 

[Darren]

I remember seeing Ian Rush score against us at the Lane when playing for Chester before he signed for Liverpool. He was a threat all game and made some very good runs. You could see he was major talent then. Not spectacular - just that knack.

Agree he was well beyond his use by date when he pulled on the red and white stripes.

The other one I remember showing great talent before he really hit the lime light was Andy Cole - for Bristol City. The purple and green away kit they wore at the Lane first game brought back memories for me as I recall Cole scoring an equaliser for Brizzle at the lane in a cup match (league cup?) I think we won the match 2-1 or won the replay. Darren will let me know what I actually witnessed

The Rush/Chester game was 26th Feb 1980. We drew 1-1 Cottam (og) for us.

The Bristol City game was indeed in the League Cup on 7/10/92, We won 4-1 (Whitehouse, Bradshaw, Deane 2). Whitehouse broke his leg and was out until March.

 

[South London Blade]

Yep, this. I remember him stood in the centre circle for quite a while but never managing more than a shambling effort at movement. He's one of the best strikers to have ever played for us in that when he was at his best he was brilliant, but was so far over the hill at the time that his "best" couldn't be seen with a fucking telescope.

Same mould as Peter Withe, without the fucking sweatbands.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Read in the latest Howard Kendall autobiography that Rushy had agreed to sign for us (as a permanent signing) in summer '96 but overnight Leeds had got wind of what was happening and he changed his mind to sign for the scum instead. Think he had a half decent season at Leeds in 96-97 before going down hill fast the season after.

With regards to Mortimor and Thompson I thought they both did well for us in 84-5, steadying a fast sinking ship. The following season Thompson was very poor, although McNaught was perhaps the best of Porterfield's Dads Army signings.

 

[lawlessdan]

Played in my first ever Blades game I believe. 1-0 against Crewe with a second half winner from Fjortoft!

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Remember seeing him at QPR away.

Slow as fuck big nosed taffy shitbox. Probably in the top 10 wankest players the blades have ever had grace the red and white, and he has plenty of competition.

Ashley Ward, Davy Gysbrechts, Chris Guthrie, Jostein Flo, Chris Porter, Laurent D'Jaffo, Laurens ten Heuvel. All as bad as Rush, yet he was the big nosed Scouse twerp , a media hero unlike the other lads.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Quiz question of the day...

How many times, including friendlies, have Brian Deane and Tony Agana played between them against us for other clubs?

Off top of my head, Agana Sept 94, 3 1 to County, dreadful match. Deane played for Leeds in 93 94 at Lane, possibly for the same team later that season, he also played for West Sham and Leicester against us.

 

[Erad]

Ashley Ward, Davy Gysbrechts, Chris Guthrie, Jostein Flo, Chris Porter, Laurent D'Jaffo, Laurens ten Heuvel. All as bad as Rush, yet he was the big nosed Scouse twerp , a media hero unlike the other lads.

Bit harsh on Porter and D'jaffo-cake I think, what about Nosworty?

 

[United Aren't Back.]

One of those signings that made you excited, up to about 15 minutes into their debut. That's when you realise we're the patsy again.

Jinky and big-nose were another pair. Dennis Mortimer was average, Ken McNaught slower than a disabled turtle, Peter Withe, meh!

The exceptions were Gordon Cowans and Paul McGrath. Quality personified both of them and at that point McGrath didn't train, didn't warm-up and didn't really run around much in a game, but still the best defender we had at the time.

Darius Henderson sprung to mind after your first sentence.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Read in the latest Howard Kendall autobiography that Rushy had agreed to sign for us (as a permanent signing) in summer '96 but overnight Leeds had got wind of what was happening and he changed his mind to sign for the scum instead. Think he had a half decent season at Leeds in 96-97 before going down hill fast the season after.

With regards to Mortimor and Thompson I thought they both did well for us in 84-5, steadying a fast sinking ship. The following season Thompson was very poor, although McNaught was perhaps the best of Porterfield's Dads Army signings.

Not to worry..an even worse Thompson was just a few short years away..he nearly screwed the defence up totally in latter end of Div 3 promotion season 88 89, then came back as a pretty poor manager in 97 98.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Bit harsh on Porter and D'jaffo-cake I think, what about Nosworty?

I thought tinman was dire but he did score v the pigs at swillsborough I suppose. Nosworthy you are right, must be the worst I ever saw.

 

[Selly]

Not to worry..an even worse Thompson was just a few short years away..he nearly screwed the defence up totally in latter end of Div 3 promotion season 88 89, then came back as a pretty poor manager in 97 98.

That was Steve Thompson...