Tony Elsby
New Member
Thinking about City's best-ever player made me realise that despite all the ups and downs of seasons past, the mind tends to retain the most wonderful cameos.
Like shooting at a teenaged Peter Shilton after midweek training with a lad called Tony Mathers who was later hurt in a car crash. The "goal" (the width of a gymnasium under the Filbert Street main stand) was, or certainly seemed, much wider than a normal goal but Shilts seemed to fill it and the two of us were in awe even then as we waited on the big man to fulfil an England destiny that was certain even then, when he was 15 or 16.
...Like watching Frank Large portray the definition of heart. Frank never looked a footballer and most on the forum will never have heard of him. Dobbin would have appeared more skillful with a ball at his feet. But Frank in the penalty box would run through concrete for the cause and somehow the ball would so often bounce off three or four legs onto his knee and into the net.
Fans laughed at his style but just loved the guy...more like a JCB than a footballer and just as effective when there was need to dig in.
Then there was Derek Dougan. Hemmed in by three defenders one wet and windy day he retreated further and further towards the corner flag...left the ball on the corner spot and casually walked away leaving the bewildered defenders looking completely dumb as the decided what on earth he was doing and why.
Doog set the trend as captain that day when he went to toss the coin for kick off. The centre circle was a quagmire and as he approached his opposite number to shake hands he missed completely and went sliding on his way.
Finally there was Frank Worthington. Frank was so closely marked from behind by Sunderland's England centre-half of the time that he'd have been glad to get home to his missus.
Anyway, the ball was punted upfield, Frank, in one movement flicked it over his own head and over the centre-half and then, with a quick turn and sprint he latched onto the falling ball and volleyed it 30 yards into the net. The goal of a lifetime.
Great days. But what do others recall by way of City anecdotes?
Like shooting at a teenaged Peter Shilton after midweek training with a lad called Tony Mathers who was later hurt in a car crash. The "goal" (the width of a gymnasium under the Filbert Street main stand) was, or certainly seemed, much wider than a normal goal but Shilts seemed to fill it and the two of us were in awe even then as we waited on the big man to fulfil an England destiny that was certain even then, when he was 15 or 16.
...Like watching Frank Large portray the definition of heart. Frank never looked a footballer and most on the forum will never have heard of him. Dobbin would have appeared more skillful with a ball at his feet. But Frank in the penalty box would run through concrete for the cause and somehow the ball would so often bounce off three or four legs onto his knee and into the net.
Fans laughed at his style but just loved the guy...more like a JCB than a footballer and just as effective when there was need to dig in.
Then there was Derek Dougan. Hemmed in by three defenders one wet and windy day he retreated further and further towards the corner flag...left the ball on the corner spot and casually walked away leaving the bewildered defenders looking completely dumb as the decided what on earth he was doing and why.
Doog set the trend as captain that day when he went to toss the coin for kick off. The centre circle was a quagmire and as he approached his opposite number to shake hands he missed completely and went sliding on his way.
Finally there was Frank Worthington. Frank was so closely marked from behind by Sunderland's England centre-half of the time that he'd have been glad to get home to his missus.
Anyway, the ball was punted upfield, Frank, in one movement flicked it over his own head and over the centre-half and then, with a quick turn and sprint he latched onto the falling ball and volleyed it 30 yards into the net. The goal of a lifetime.
Great days. But what do others recall by way of City anecdotes?
