Everton - Alex Young, 'The Golden Vision',was possibly the most idolised player in the club's history. Wearing the famous No.9 jersey, he was majestic in the air and glided across the turf possessing a sublime, delicate touch as he drifted past opposing defenders. He was a legend in every sense of the word.A deep-lying centre-forward, he was never in the same mould as traditional Everton number nines like Dean, Lawton and Hickson, but he possessed incredible spring and could hang in the air to meet crosses before dispatching bullet headers with one flick of his blond halo.
More than 40-years after he last gracefully glided a ball across Goodison Park, the memory of The Golden Vision is still crystal clear amongst a legion of Blues.
Chelsea - Ian Hutchinson was the original long throw expert and a magnificent header of the ball. Brave beyond belief, he was the hard working part of an impressive partnership with the gifted Peter Osgood in one of Chelsea's finest teams. Unfortunately, many broken limbs and injuries cut short the career of a well respected player.
In 1968 he was playing non-league football for Cambridge United when the Chelsea manager Dave Sexton bought him for a modest £5,000.
He adapted with remarkable speed to the demands of the First Division, in which Chelsea then figured, in his first season, making 26 appearances and scoring no fewer than 16 goals. He was a physically challenging and courageous player, formidable in the air and, perhaps, more formidable still with his huge throw-ins, reminscent of the prewar Chelsea left-half Sam Weaver, a renowned specialist.
Tottenham - John White was an ever present in the famous double winning team. His unnoticed runs into the box gave him the nickname of 'The Ghost' and his passing and ball control orchestrated this illustrious period in the clubs history. The team was never the same after his untimely death when struck by lightning aged 27 years.
John White was a part of a very special midfield with Mackay and Blanchflower that was instrumental in Tottenham winning the 'Double' in the early 1960's.
If you’re going to talk about the original midfield dynamo who connected with the defence and the forward line, that was John. Bill Nicholson was one for midfield graft and skills and John had that in abundance. He was great with the ball and he also got his fair share of goals.
John White was a part of a very special midfield with Mackay and Blanchflower that was instrumental in Tottenham winning the 'Double' in the early 1960's.
If you’re going to talk about the original midfield dynamo who connected with the defence and the forward line, that was John. Bill Nicholson was one for midfield graft and skills and John had that in abundance. He was great with the ball and he also got his fair share of goals.
Arsenal - George Armstrong was one of Arsenal's most consistent players as he breached the Billy Wright - Berty Mee eras. Standing at only 5' 6" he was a tireless runner, a tremendous crosser of the ball from either wing, setting up chances for others as Arsenal ended their long trophy drought.
Armstrong excelled on both flanks as an industrious team-player and salient goal-creator. Scoring only 68 times for the Gunners, he was an inspired exponent of precision crossing - it was estimated that the wide-man had a hand in more than half of the goals scored in the Double season of 1971.In a playing career at the Club which spanned almost two decades, 'Geordie', as he was affectionately known, accumulated 621 appearances, a record surpassed only by David O'Leary and Tony Adams.
Blackburn Rovers - Ronnie Clayton was captain for club and country and was a one club man as he served Blackburn for 16 years making almost 600 appearances. He made his debut against QPR in 1951 and lies second in the number of appearances for this famous club.
A powerhouse but stylish 'right half' he was comfortable on the ball and a player opposing fans would admire and applaud as he strode around the pitch with an air of authority.
He played in the 1958 World Cup and was also tasked to mark Pele in front of a 187,000 crowd in Rio de Janeiro
West Ham United - Alan Devonshire came in the footsteps of the triumvirate of Moore, Peters and Hurst which was a hard act to follow. However he set Upton Park alight with his skillful displays down the left hand side of midfield and was not afraid to run at defenders.
He soon became a fans' favourite, who referred to him by his nickname "Dev" and enhanced his rapport with supporters by travelling to home games on the London Underground from his West London home. One of the most exciting players in the 1970's the tricky winger was labelled as 'one of the most exciting spectacles in British football' and was an integral part of West Ham’s victorious 1980 FA Cup winning side.
He made 446 appearances and scored 32 goals in all competitions during his 14 years in east London and was also capped by England.
Fulham - Johnny Haynes was not only the original Brylcream Boy but was undoubtedly Fulham's greatest ever player and was the first player to be paid £100 a week. Known as ‘The Maestro’, he was idolised by Fulham supporters and remained at the Cottage throughout his career despite offers from bigger clubs. He was the best passer of a ball of his time, and arguably since and made a record 658 appearances for Fulham and scored more goals than anyone else until the 1990's.
Haynes dictated most games he played in with his magnificent tactical brain, control and passing ability. He was a perfectionist who was as hard on himself as he was on others and was famous for his withering looks to colleagues when they had failed to read his play on the field.
He was also captain for club and country.
A powerhouse but stylish 'right half' he was comfortable on the ball and a player opposing fans would admire and applaud as he strode around the pitch with an air of authority.
He played in the 1958 World Cup and was also tasked to mark Pele in front of a 187,000 crowd in Rio de Janeiro
West Ham United - Alan Devonshire came in the footsteps of the triumvirate of Moore, Peters and Hurst which was a hard act to follow. However he set Upton Park alight with his skillful displays down the left hand side of midfield and was not afraid to run at defenders.
He soon became a fans' favourite, who referred to him by his nickname "Dev" and enhanced his rapport with supporters by travelling to home games on the London Underground from his West London home. One of the most exciting players in the 1970's the tricky winger was labelled as 'one of the most exciting spectacles in British football' and was an integral part of West Ham’s victorious 1980 FA Cup winning side.
He made 446 appearances and scored 32 goals in all competitions during his 14 years in east London and was also capped by England.
Fulham - Johnny Haynes was not only the original Brylcream Boy but was undoubtedly Fulham's greatest ever player and was the first player to be paid £100 a week. Known as ‘The Maestro’, he was idolised by Fulham supporters and remained at the Cottage throughout his career despite offers from bigger clubs. He was the best passer of a ball of his time, and arguably since and made a record 658 appearances for Fulham and scored more goals than anyone else until the 1990's.
Haynes dictated most games he played in with his magnificent tactical brain, control and passing ability. He was a perfectionist who was as hard on himself as he was on others and was famous for his withering looks to colleagues when they had failed to read his play on the field.
He was also captain for club and country.
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