STANLEY BOWLES is my all-time favourite footballer. A true maverick and magician on the pitch possessing an outstanding left foot wand.
He is the reason why I started supporting Queens Park Rangers as a young child growing up in North-West London during the 1970’s.
Thousands of other similar vintage R’s fans can say the same reflecting a period where Loftus Road housed one of the best teams in England.
Anyway I decided to ask my social media followers for recollections of their own favourite footballers.
And I received some wonderful replies concerning players who would have attracted interesting football odds in the goalscoring online betting stakes…
CardiffCityProgramme @CCFCProgrammes
Peter Whittingham. Class on every level RIP Whitts.
Brin Jones @CliffordBucks
Bobby Tambling of Chelsea. Watching from the Shed end back in the 60’s, I used to love watching him run with his big shoulders and arms pumping.
The number 10 on his shirt kept moving all over the place.
Barry St Germain @BarryStGermain1
Paul Mariner. As an England and Ipswich fan there were a few options but a rough, tough, goalscoring old fashioned centre forward was exactly the sort of player I wanted to be.
FOOTBALL THE DADS TALK @footballtripper
Johan Cruyff .Too much to say on why this guy is my hero and is a big part of my life now with my love of the game and my own approach to coaching.
Love to speak about him.
Adrian Hollands @adiehollands3
Kerry Dixon because…well I don’t really know?
Maybe because when I first fell in love with Chelsea he was the new King of Stamford Bridge, looked good in the greatest kit they’ve ever had and obviously scored all those goals so that could be it.
G @gdh_1999
Eric Cantona. Came into a club constrained by its past. Puffed out his chest and took us to the promised land where a new volume was created.
Guevara @fdr170220
For my team Rangers it has to be Brian Laudrup - world class footballer who could do anything.
Outside that - Andres Iniesta who has to be the best midfielder ever yet was always outshone by Messi.
Vin LK @VinLK3
My club boyhood hero was Trevor Senior. He had a massive impact on me. All my friends were Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool fans.
In the 83-84 season he was the top striker across all divisions. Boy did I gloat!
SPENCE @mitchandharri
Stuart Pearce went through a brick wall for whoever he played for.
Mick.fulker @mickfulker
Brady at Arsenal but Cruyff on the world stage - both absolute class.
Mal Dickenson @MalDickenson
Tough this: Keegan was my first hero. Maradona was the greatest I have ever seen, that’s a no contest. Hoddle because he was who I wanted to be.
Mike Ward @MikeWard2911
Colin Todd when he played for the Rams. Absolute class central defender.
Rob Finney @RobFinney_Dream
Eric Cantona - the guy who made me fall in love with football.
Bren Clarke @brenclarke67
Alan Hansen…Grace, passing, reading the game and an unbelievable footballer.
Simon Laidler @SimonLaidler
Alan Hudson and I am a Newcastle fan, but have lived in Stoke for 36 years. Huddy could sit defenders down in 6 inches of mud - incredible.
Chris Fink @Essexbricks
My all-time fav at West Ham was Peter Butler. Although he didn’t have the class of Bishop or the image or popularity of Dicks.
His hard working and never say die attitude just made me want to play like him more than anyone else.
Dave Salisbury @Scrumpydave66
Would have to be Gordon Davies, or ‘Ivor’ as we knew him at Fulham. Consistent goalscorer who really should have played at a higher level than he did.
We were a third tier club and he was first choice striker for Wales. A lovely, modest bloke as well.
Simon Shuter @SimonShuter
A Blackpool player called Eamonn O’Keefe. He came along and scored wonder goals for fun but then got injured and that was that.
He later helped fundraising for the club when we were in dire financial distress.
Steve Walker @toon_mentalist
Peter Beardsley. I was lucky enough to see him in both spells at NUFC. He played the modern number 10 role before it had been thought of.
So unselfish and created so many chances for others. The quality of goals he scored as well. An absolute genius.
Ryan @RyLee89
Robbie Fowler. Early years Fowler was an unstoppable force. The Kop loved him. He was one of us.
He was living out our dream. And the way he stuck a ball with no back lift was beautiful. He’s who I wanted to be every lunchtime on the playground.
John Austin @JohnAustin75
Got to say Paul McGrath. I’ve never seen anyone read the game as well. And to have prime Roberto Baggio in his pocket.
Scott Williams @ScottWills91
Francesco Totti. Used to watch the European football highlights on S4C around the time of Roma being good and winning the title. I was always in awe of Totti…. Still am.
James @James56664826
Has to be Marc Bircham at QPR. As a young fan at the time seeing him with his blue and white hair and the love and passion he has for the club. It will always be him.
Matt Richards @MattRich1969
Kevin Keegan. In a sea of international disappointment throughout the 70’s he was the one shining English light, deservedly winning the European Footballer of the Year twice.
Tynan is God @ChrisEv92765650
Thomas Edward Tynan. Journeyman striker who scored so many goals for my team Plymouth Argyle. Now a local cabbie.
M @mikejt67
Ricky Hill at Luton. Saw him make his debut as a sub and saw him grow over the years into one of the finest midfielders in the country.
Be worth millions if he played today. Non-Luton would have to be Gazza. Just a genius, end of.
Neil Bright @NeilBright
Chris Powell - Charlton, not just us of course, other clubs, management, England call ups and an absolute gentleman.
Matt48 @Matt48Mattvinyl
Grew up watching Wimbledon FC so John Leslie, Alan Cork and Nigel Winterburn. My favourite has to go to Alan Cork. Scored goals in four divisions and so pleased for him he won an FA Cup medal.
Mawsley Ranger @Boblar1968
QPR’s Dave Thomas. My dad was the announcer at Loftus Road in the mid-60's and started taking me in 1973 when I was five.
Rodney, Stanley, Gerry and co were brilliant. But socks down running at defenders, Dave Thomas was a sight to behold. What I would give to meet the man.
Shambles @andyhamilton10
Davie Cooper. One of the best players from Scotland.
steven rolf @steven_rolf
I grew up watching Alan Ball at Southampton. Footballing genius who was born into the game and lived and breathed it all his life.
John from Saddleworth @guyfoxy
When I was a youngster my favourites for Oldham were Fryatt, Bryceland and Shaw. Our own Holy Trinity promotion after years of decline. Lots of wins and goals galore under the stewardship of Jimmy Frizzell.
Andrew Donald @eddiefarren13
Diego Armando Maradona. His second goal against my proud country could never ever be scored by anybody else. Look past the handball. No contest.
Andy Wood @AndyWood23
Harry Dunn – Scarborough. A pleasure to watch, dedicated to his home town club and a Wembley winner on three occasions.
Luniverse @al_da_drone
Any footballer who would smoke a cigarette at half-time. Johan Cruyff comes to mind.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adobe*
