Speedracer
Active Member
The recent thread on Mel Rees brought on memories of goalkeepers that have plied their trade at BDTBL in my time of watching United, so I invite all viewers to give us their own memories through the years.
I started watching United properly in 1967/8 season, when the incomparable Hodgy reigned supreme even though he was nearing the end of his career, & I knew that whoever followed him would have a tough act to follow. Since then we have had many goalkeepers, some good, some bad, some ugly, & some superb. In no particular order of ability the ones that stand out for me were John Hope, Tom McAlister, Simon Tracey, Keith Waugh, Alan Kelly, Mel Rees, Kenny, Jim Brown maybe. There are of course many more, some you might prefer over the ones mentioned, & if so why?
For me, & I know he didn't have a long career with us, but John Hope began in style, was big & commanding & capable of making stunning saves. It is said a back injury hampered him from '74, & a loss of form & confidence meant he just sort of faded away, but for our promotion winning season & our first back in the top division, he was superb.
Alan Kelly was almost an identikit 'keeper, tall & athletic, brave too, & I couldn't fault him in any way in his time here, well deserving of legendary status.
Simon Tracey was a bit different, not particularly tall for a 'keeper, he often looked disinterested in games & was so laid back it is a wonder he didn't nod off leaning against a post sometimes, but he was also wonderfully athletic, in fact I think his best was fractionally better than Kelly's best, but Kelly was more consistent. another legend for me.
Keith Waugh, probably the most calming keeper I have seen, if we were under pressure he could keep the ball for what seemed like minutes, aided by the old rules of course, but still. He was organised himself, & demanded the same from his defence, & had a good all round game, rather than being spectacular.
Much has been said already about Mel, of which I concur, but I will leave it at that for now.
What say you?
I started watching United properly in 1967/8 season, when the incomparable Hodgy reigned supreme even though he was nearing the end of his career, & I knew that whoever followed him would have a tough act to follow. Since then we have had many goalkeepers, some good, some bad, some ugly, & some superb. In no particular order of ability the ones that stand out for me were John Hope, Tom McAlister, Simon Tracey, Keith Waugh, Alan Kelly, Mel Rees, Kenny, Jim Brown maybe. There are of course many more, some you might prefer over the ones mentioned, & if so why?
For me, & I know he didn't have a long career with us, but John Hope began in style, was big & commanding & capable of making stunning saves. It is said a back injury hampered him from '74, & a loss of form & confidence meant he just sort of faded away, but for our promotion winning season & our first back in the top division, he was superb.
Alan Kelly was almost an identikit 'keeper, tall & athletic, brave too, & I couldn't fault him in any way in his time here, well deserving of legendary status.
Simon Tracey was a bit different, not particularly tall for a 'keeper, he often looked disinterested in games & was so laid back it is a wonder he didn't nod off leaning against a post sometimes, but he was also wonderfully athletic, in fact I think his best was fractionally better than Kelly's best, but Kelly was more consistent. another legend for me.
Keith Waugh, probably the most calming keeper I have seen, if we were under pressure he could keep the ball for what seemed like minutes, aided by the old rules of course, but still. He was organised himself, & demanded the same from his defence, & had a good all round game, rather than being spectacular.
Much has been said already about Mel, of which I concur, but I will leave it at that for now.
What say you?
