Forgettable XI

[Houston_Blade]

I may have overlooked it , but I've not seen Nicky Law mentioned which is something of a surprise .

I well remember his debut against Man. Utd. when he spent a great deal of time clapping , pointing and back pedalling but as for making contact with the ball , he gave the impression that he considered this to be entirely unnecessary .

The following week we were away at Wet Sham and ,remarkably , he had retained his place . Towards the end of the first half , one of the Radio Sheffield commentators remarked " I don't like to be critical of individual players but with Nicky Law in the team it feels like we're playing with ten men ".

Obviously a keen student of the Paul Thirwell coaching manual " How to Avoid Contact With the Ball in a Football Match " and fully deserving of of a place alongside him in our all time Forgettable XI .

He’s had a steady career for someone that has never really done that much. Had 4 seasons at Rangers, 2 at Motherwell and a couple at Bradford. Always thought he could have done with a kick up the arse as he was another one where we had the likes of Spurs sniffing around as a young player.

I know he hated Blackwell and pretty much blames him for the fact that he fell out with football a bit after his time at BDTBL.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Michael Boulding came on loan from villa i think.

Then ended up playing in the Meadowhall league and being a tennis coach before getting back into the pro game. I marked him one game and he was fast as fuck (a relative measure).

 

[coaxingstar71]

Tommy Mooney - played 3 league games for us on loan in 2003, however scored in a 5th Round FA Cup tie for us against Walsall that season.

 

[GallonofMagnet]

Simon Lappin - i'm sure his debut was the game where Clough played 5 left backs.

Name all 5 and which position they were played in.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Name all 5 and which position they were played in.

Think we had Andy Taylor at LB. Aidan White LM. Simon Lappin CM. Guessing we had another at CB? McGinty maybe? Not sure about a 5th.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Think we had Andy Taylor at LB. Aidan White LM. Simon Lappin CM. Guessing we had another at CB? McGinty maybe? Not sure about a 5th.

Not Taylor actually. Maybe Marcus Williams or Matt Hill? Or both?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Name all 5 and which position they were played in.

Ooooh.... Jasper Johns might have come on as a sub as well.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

Tommy Mooney - played 3 league games for us on loan in 2003, however scored in a 5th Round FA Cup tie for us against Walsall that season.

I was at that game. Required umpteen chances before he scored. I don't remember Walsall ever getting out of their half.

Andy Morrison (granted a loan player) - He cam out onto the pitch (me thinking, "who is that fat bastard?" as he looked more like a nightclub bouncer than footballer). He then did his hamstring (what it looked like) the first ball he chased. I don't think he ever got over that injury. Another one who liked the booze a bit too much.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

What about your avatar man Mr Longhorn

Id like to think that my presence (& avatar) on this 'forum' keep his memory very much alive - unlike his 'career' with us !

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Steve Faulkner

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Danny Philliskirk

 

[The Crab]

Have we mentioned Mervyn Day yet?

 

[Revolution]

Have we mentioned Mervyn Day yet?

Responsible for 2 of Wimbledon's 3 goals - and then saved a Fashanu penalty. One of the more colourful one game appearances.

 

[Bugboyblade]

Who was the Scottish striker we got from Bolton? He moved back to Scotland because his wife was poorly.

 

[GallonofMagnet]

Think we had Andy Taylor at LB. Aidan White LM. Simon Lappin CM. Guessing we had another at CB? McGinty maybe? Not sure about a 5th.

I specifically recall Daryll Westlake playing left wing in a home game and wondered if this might have been then.

I was in the Cricketers after and Kevin McCabe happened to walk in. As usual, most were in awe/humbled by his presence and the atmosphere was strange - almost as though we all had a turn to speak with him.y turn came and so I asked him why the manager he appointed is playing Daryll Westlake at left wing. McCabe replied “hmm, hey... well, that boy can play y’know”.

I left shortly after.

 

[benn5712]

For those 'fortunate' to be at a certain game at the sty boxing day 1979..

Derek Richardson and we paid 60k for him (lot of cash then)

One of the 'fortunate ' here.
Harry Haslam signing from QPR ??? I think.
Must admit to feeling a bit sorry for Derek. Saw him one friday night in the Royal Oak, bottom of Cemetery road. A popular haunt for Blades fans and the players after matches. He was on his tod small glass in hand. Never said owt to him.
Anyone remember a friendly one night ? might have been a testimonial or charity match. Close season. I was stood on John st terrace. Derek was in goal for one team, couldn't begin to tell you who the other goalie was. Anyways. The ball was crossed or it may have been a shot, and this GK dealt with it without drama.
A voice behind me boomed, "THA WATCHIN' - DEREK ?" Ripples of laughter from the small crowd.
Big man just raised his hand in acknowledgement.
Other goalie kept catching and parrying, blocking, and the like. Every time, "THA WATCHIN' -DEREK ?" laughter.
Big Dek would just nod or wave. Never got flustered.
Takes broad shoulders does that.

 

[The Crab]

Who was the Scottish striker we got from Bolton? He moved back to Scotland because his wife was poorly.

Andy Walker?

 

[Minty]

Not read the whole thread (it's 13 pages!) but has anyone mentioned Li Tie yet?

 

[Revolution]

This seems a good place to mention the Jamie Hoyland Black Hole, where forgettable players go to hide.

Jamie Hoyland came to the Lane in the summer of 1990 with a good reputation. He was the son of a former Blade and had looked good in the third tier for Bury so there were some high hopes for him.

Hoyland stayed with us for 4 and a half seasons and did some good things occasionally (most notably scoring when we knocked Man Utd out of the cup; I also remember a superb header in 1991-2 against Palace, finishing a move he began) but mostly he was a bit invisible, despite playing in the centre of the park, and found it hard to hold down a place.

This started a 25 year run where almost every season we had someone in the Jamie Hoyland Black Hole, a central midfielder who we signed, often with a good reputation, who didn't really do much of anything. They usually didn't look bad, like, say Ian Hamilton or Jonathan Hunt could look bad, or as Monty could often look bad: he wasn't hiding at least. You just didn't really notice them.

The black hole occupants:

1990-94 Jamie Hoyland
1995 Paul Holland

(Gap when we had Gordon Cowans, amongst others)

1996-7 Nigel Spackman
1998-2002 Bobby Ford

(Gap for the Brown/McCall years)

2004-5 Paul Thirlwell
2005-6 Gary Flitcroft (mercifully brief spell)
2006-7 Mikel Leigertwood
2007-8 Lee Hendrie
2008-9 Brian "Fordy" Howard
2009-10 James Harper
2010-11 Leon "Emperor's New Clothes" Britton

(2011-12 didn't have a player like this in the middle, though Ryan Flynn hid out on the wing a lot)

2012-13 Barry Robson
2013-14 Stephen McGinn
2014-15 Louis Reed
2015-16 Dean Hammond

The Black Hole disappeared after Paul Coutts went on the transfer list.

If I had to pick the most anonymous season, I'd choose Dean Hammond and his unseen work in 2016, a season so colourless that Paul Coutts could play 32 games of what Deadbat memorably called "neat and tidy nothingness" and was arguably more influential.

In second place I'd have Paul Thirlwell: 30 games and 1 goal, and zero memories of anything he did aside from score that goal.

Stephen McGinn takes third for his 30 league and 7 cup appearances in 2013-14. A memorable season for so many reasons, and yet I can't bring to mind a single thing he did.

It's tough to leave Bobby Ford out of the top 3 but he did pop up with the odd goal and he scored against the Pigs, so he has that going for him. It is not a coincidence we stopped being good when he signed and started being good again when he went.

Isn't it nice that we have midfielders who all do things? More evidence Wilder knows what he's doing.

 

[Lane Ender]

One of the 'fortunate ' here.
Harry Haslam signing from QPR ??? I think.
Must admit to feeling a bit sorry for Derek. Saw him one friday night in the Royal Oak, bottom of Cemetery road. A popular haunt for Blades fans and the players after matches. He was on his tod small glass in hand. Never said owt to him.
Anyone remember a friendly one night ? might have been a testimonial or charity match. Close season. I was stood on John st terrace. Derek was in goal for one team, couldn't begin to tell you who the other goalie was. Anyways. The ball was crossed or it may have been a shot, and this GK dealt with it without drama.
A voice behind me boomed, "THA WATCHIN' - DEREK ?" Ripples of laughter from the small crowd.
Big man just raised his hand in acknowledgement.
Other goalie kept catching and parrying, blocking, and the like. Every time, "THA WATCHIN' -DEREK ?" laughter.
Big Dek would just nod or wave. Never got flustered.
Takes broad shoulders does that.

He had a real stinker last game of the season at Grimsby late 70s heavy defeat.
Haslam came over to applaud us.

 

[benn5712]

This seems a good place to mention the Jamie Hoyland Black Hole, where forgettable players go to hide.

Jamie Hoyland came to the Lane in the summer of 1990 with a good reputation. He was the son of a former Blade and had looked good in the third tier for Bury so there were some high hopes for him.

Hoyland stayed with us for 4 and a half seasons and did some good things occasionally (most notably scoring when we knocked Man Utd out of the cup; I also remember a superb header in 1991-2 against Palace, finishing a move he began) but mostly he was a bit invisible, despite playing in the centre of the park, and found it hard to hold down a place.

This started a 25 year run where almost every season we had someone in the Jamie Hoyland Black Hole, a central midfielder who we signed, often with a good reputation, who didn't really do much of anything. They usually didn't look bad, like, say Ian Hamilton or Jonathan Hunt could look bad, or as Monty could often look bad: he wasn't hiding at least. You just didn't really notice them.

The black hole occupants:

1990-94 Jamie Hoyland
1995 Paul Holland

(Gap when we had Gordon Cowans, amongst others)

1996-7 Nigel Spackman
1998-2002 Bobby Ford

(Gap for the Brown/McCall years)

2004-5 Paul Thirlwell
2005-6 Gary Flitcroft (mercifully brief spell)
2006-7 Mikel Leigertwood
2007-8 Lee Hendrie
2008-9 Brian "Fordy" Howard
2009-10 James Harper
2010-11 Leon "Emperor's New Clothes" Britton

(2011-12 didn't have a player like this in the middle, though Ryan Flynn hid out on the wing a lot)

2012-13 Barry Robson
2013-14 Stephen McGinn
2014-15 Louis Reed
2015-16 Dean Hammond

The Black Hole disappeared after Paul Coutts went on the transfer list.

If I had to pick the most anonymous season, I'd choose Dean Hammond and his unseen work in 2016, a season so colourless that Paul Coutts could play 32 games of what Deadbat memorably called "neat and tidy nothingness" and was arguably more influential.

In second place I'd have Paul Thirlwell: 30 games and 1 goal, and zero memories of anything he did aside from score that goal.

Stephen McGinn takes third for his 30 league and 7 cup appearances in 2013-14. A memorable season for so many reasons, and yet I can't bring to mind a single thing he did.

It's tough to leave Bobby Ford out of the top 3 but he did pop up with the odd goal and he scored against the Pigs, so he has that going for him. It is not a coincidence we stopped being good when he signed and started being good again when he went.

Isn't it nice that we have midfielders who all do things? More evidence Wilder knows what he's doing.

Got to put a good word in for Jamie Hoyland. Stood in the queue at supermarket once and chatted with him, like yer do. Reyt as rain he was.
Proper Blade too. He went to Burnley and they beat us 4-2. Summert must have gone off when he was here, as he really enjoyed that win.

 

[Bugboyblade]

Andy Walker?

That's the lad.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

He had a real stinker last game of the season at Grimsby late 70s heavy defeat.
Haslam came over to applaud us.

From (painful) memory 4-0 - Drinkell hat-trick
& reminded me of possibly the ultimate forgettable tosser who played (well he was Wearing the jersey) that day - Tony Moore who 'chased' (followed) Joe Waters half the length of the field but wasn't quick enough, dirty enough nor smart enough to stop him netting

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

Ian Hamilton. I remember him being naff but also scoring a few...

 

[Grappler]

Keith Treacy

 

[Lane Ender]

From (painful) memory 4-0 - Drinkell hat-trick
& reminded me of possibly the ultimate forgettable tosser who played (well he was Wearing the jersey) that day - Tony Moore who 'chased' (followed) Joe Waters half the length of the field but wasn't quick enough, dirty enough nor smart enough to stop him netting

Tony Moore what can you say about him
He’s got to be in the OP line up

 

[benn5712]

From (painful) memory 4-0 - Drinkell hat-trick
& reminded me of possibly the ultimate forgettable tosser who played (well he was Wearing the jersey) that day - Tony Moore who 'chased' (followed) Joe Waters half the length of the field but wasn't quick enough, dirty enough nor smart enough to stop him netting

Drinkell always scored against us whoever he played for. Relieved when he went to Rangers, me.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Drinkell always scored against us whoever he played for. Relieved when he went to Rangers, me.

Aye - he was one (of many) around that time that in the post match ale house appraisal I'd (routinely) advocate we should sign after they'd contributed / facilitated a(mother) grubbing-
others included the afore mentioned Joe Waters; Ray Houghton; & some other f @ Oxford - ? Aldridge ? Stuart McCall; John Hendrie; any / all of Chesterfields m/f Birch Bonnyman Wilson;; Marwood; Billy Hamilton; etc etc
In hindsight it was anyone better than who we'd got at the time which didn't really take much doing !
We actually took my 'advice' on a couple - Heffernan ; Stevie Neville - not sure whether they prove or refute my talent spotting abilities ?

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

This seems a good place to mention the Jamie Hoyland Black Hole, where forgettable players go to hide.

Jamie Hoyland came to the Lane in the summer of 1990 with a good reputation. He was the son of a former Blade and had looked good in the third tier for Bury so there were some high hopes for him.

Hoyland stayed with us for 4 and a half seasons and did some good things occasionally (most notably scoring when we knocked Man Utd out of the cup; I also remember a superb header in 1991-2 against Palace, finishing a move he began) but mostly he was a bit invisible, despite playing in the centre of the park, and found it hard to hold down a place.

This started a 25 year run where almost every season we had someone in the Jamie Hoyland Black Hole, a central midfielder who we signed, often with a good reputation, who didn't really do much of anything. They usually didn't look bad, like, say Ian Hamilton or Jonathan Hunt could look bad, or as Monty could often look bad: he wasn't hiding at least. You just didn't really notice them.

The black hole occupants:

1990-94 Jamie Hoyland
1995 Paul Holland

(Gap when we had Gordon Cowans, amongst others)

1996-7 Nigel Spackman
1998-2002 Bobby Ford

(Gap for the Brown/McCall years)

2004-5 Paul Thirlwell
2005-6 Gary Flitcroft (mercifully brief spell)
2006-7 Mikel Leigertwood
2007-8 Lee Hendrie
2008-9 Brian "Fordy" Howard
2009-10 James Harper
2010-11 Leon "Emperor's New Clothes" Britton

(2011-12 didn't have a player like this in the middle, though Ryan Flynn hid out on the wing a lot)

2012-13 Barry Robson
2013-14 Stephen McGinn
2014-15 Louis Reed
2015-16 Dean Hammond

The Black Hole disappeared after Paul Coutts went on the transfer list.

If I had to pick the most anonymous season, I'd choose Dean Hammond and his unseen work in 2016, a season so colourless that Paul Coutts could play 32 games of what Deadbat memorably called "neat and tidy nothingness" and was arguably more influential.

In second place I'd have Paul Thirlwell: 30 games and 1 goal, and zero memories of anything he did aside from score that goal.

Stephen McGinn takes third for his 30 league and 7 cup appearances in 2013-14. A memorable season for so many reasons, and yet I can't bring to mind a single thing he did.

It's tough to leave Bobby Ford out of the top 3 but he did pop up with the odd goal and he scored against the Pigs, so he has that going for him. It is not a coincidence we stopped being good when he signed and started being good again when he went.

Isn't it nice that we have midfielders who all do things? More evidence Wilder knows what he's doing.

Excellent piece of work .

 

[Lane Ender]

Aye - he was one (of many) around that time that in the post match ale house appraisal I'd (routinely) advocate we should sign after they'd contributed / facilitated a(mother) grubbing-
others included the afore mentioned Joe Waters; Ray Houghton; & some other f @ Oxford - ? Aldridge ? Stuart McCall; John Hendrie; any / all of Chesterfields m/f Birch Bonnyman Wilson;; Marwood; Billy Hamilton; etc etc
In hindsight it was anyone better than who we'd got at the time which didn't really take much doing !
We actually took my 'advice' on a couple - Heffernan ; Stevie Neville - not sure whether they prove or refute my talent spotting abilities ?

We should have signed Duffy years before we did