Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Broadlee on June 19, 2015, 09:29:35 AM
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With all the comments recently about Brad Guzan and Shay Given I got to thinking about the keepers I remember watching since I was gratefully taken by my uncle (1962 ish) to watch Aston Villa, bit of a roller-coaster ride but there is no alternative out there.
The names I could bring to mind were: (there may be others)
Nigel Simms, Colin Withers, John Dunn,Jim Cumbes, Jake Findley,John Burridge, Jimmy Rimmer, Nigel Spink, Michael Oaks, Mark Bosnich, Thomas Sorensen, Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Shay Given...
For me I like a keeper to dominate the 18 yard box, balls into it are his and the defence is organised and aware of his presence.. as well as a few forwards. But I can't really remember who filled that totally those stand out for me were Withers I recall as quite domineering, Cumbes was a big guy in his league was one of the better ones, Burridge was nuts!! but had some great moments, an entertainer, good keeper when he wasnt doing hand stands in the box and walking around on his hands ;D The we had Jimmy Rimmer, he was occasionally touching on being the best in the country, again a great shot stopper but needed Evans and McNaught, Nigel was a solid enough keeper, Bosnich was a step up and produced some great performances etc.... but in recent times Friedel has been the best and closest to my ideal keeper.
Brad G and Shay I'm not convinced and we need to move on. Guzan has made some great saves and some great gaffs as well but I'm always left a little frustrated by him and his decision making...frustrating...
So where do we go from here?
Tom Heaton? Jed Steer?, Big decisions by TS to be made here but with Tony Parks along side hopefully they can call it right.
Any thoughts any particular memories? I'd love to read your views
One Club, One Team, One ASTON VILLA Football Club 1874 est.
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Having watched them all from Rimmer onwards Bosnich was the best for me. Although, to put it politely, his kicking left a little bit to be desired.
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With all the comments recently about Brad Guzan and Shay Given I got to thinking about the keepers I remember watching since I was gratefully taken by my uncle (1962 ish) to watch Aston Villa, bit of a roller-coaster ride but there is no alternative out there.
The names I could bring to mind were: (there may be others)
Nigel Simms, Colin Withers, John Dunn,Jim Cumbes, Jake Findley,John Burridge, Jimmy Rimmer, Nigel Spink, Michael Oaks, Mark Bosnich, Thomas Sorensen, Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Shay Given...
For me I like a keeper to dominate the 18 yard box, balls into it are his and the defence is organised and aware of his presence.. as well as a few forwards. But I can't really remember who filled that totally those stand out for me were Withers I recall as quite domineering, Cumbes was a big guy in his league was one of the better ones, Burridge was nuts!! but had some great moments, an entertainer, good keeper when he wasnt doing hand stands in the box and walking around on his hands ;D The we had Jimmy Rimmer, he was occasionally touching on being the best in the country, again a great shot stopper but needed Evans and McNaught, Nigel was a solid enough keeper, Bosnich was a step up and produced some great performances etc.... but in recent times Friedel has been the best and closest to my ideal keeper.
Brad G and Shay I'm not convinced and we need to move on. Guzan has made some great saves and some great gaffs as well but I'm always left a little frustrated by him and his decision making...frustrating...
So where do we go from here?
Tom Heaton? Jed Steer?, Big decisions by TS to be made here but with Tony Parks along side hopefully they can call it right.
Any thoughts any particular memories? I'd love to read your views
One Club, One Team, One ASTON VILLA Football Club 1874 est.
Missed out David James and Peter Schmeichel in your list. High profile mistake in the FA Cup final aside, David James was good during his time with us. He had it all as a keeper - athletic, commanded his box well and very good kicking. He was just prone to the odd lapse of concentration and confidence, but didn't have too many of those during his time with us.
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I started from John Dunne.
Remember when Jimmy Cumbes his first kick left us gaping. We'd been used to Dunne just clearing half way and here was a guy who was putting it just outside the opposition area. Yes, Cumbes dropped a few clangers, but, generally was safe and commanding.
Jake Findley was never given a chance, which was a shame as he'd always looked pretty decent.
Budgie, as you say, was nuts. I think he was only 5'9" so was too small to dominate the area. Good reactions and a good shot stopper.
Jimmy Rimmer was brilliant. Unfortunate to be around when England had a few top drawer keepers.
Nigel Spink, again, brilliant. Underrated by many. He was unfortunate that the great team we had was broken up.
You forgot Les Seally. Understandable, because he was crap. How BFR preferred him to Spink still baffles me.
Mark Bosnich, was good, but not that good. A step up from Budgie, but well below Rimmer and Spink.
Didn't see much of Sorrenson.
Same for David James.
Brad Freidel, great keeper. Proved that if you look after yourself and train hard it will pay benefits.
Shay Given, past his best by the time we got him. Very good keeper, but, not great under crosses.
Brad Guzan. Underrated. Kicking let him down at times. Not given the credit he deserves at times.
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David James is the best keeper I've seen down at Villa in my 35 years.... I haven't seen a keeper since who has commanded the box.
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Mervyn Day hasn't had a mention. I thought he was pretty decent without being one of the best I've seen play for us.
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Bosnich the best since I started going in 94. His kicking was his only weak point. Oh, and his salute down at the lane.
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Remember John Gregory saying, when questioned about David James, "For every time he drops a ball he'll make 10 excellent saves. But you never see them!"
Unfortunately will always be remembered for dropping the ball on DiMateo's head
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Off the top of my head at the moment, (I'm about to go out) John Phillips and, for those of us drawing our pensions, who could ever forget Evan Williams?
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David James is the best keeper I've seen down at Villa in my 35 years.... I haven't seen a keeper since who has commanded the box.
Agreed, totally forgot about David and don't know why, probably blocked him following the FA Cup Final... but as you say thinking about it I agree must be one of the Villa best. Apologies David, probably the onset of dementia, it helps .. sometimes i.e. Arse 4 Villa 0 et al
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With all the comments recently about Brad Guzan and Shay Given I got to thinking about the keepers I remember watching since I was gratefully taken by my uncle (1962 ish) to watch Aston Villa, bit of a roller-coaster ride but there is no alternative out there.
The names I could bring to mind were: (there may be others)
Nigel Simms, Colin Withers, John Dunn,Jim Cumbes, Jake Findley,John Burridge, Jimmy Rimmer, Nigel Spink, Michael Oaks, Mark Bosnich, Thomas Sorensen, Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Shay Given...
For me I like a keeper to dominate the 18 yard box, balls into it are his and the defence is organised and aware of his presence.. as well as a few forwards. But I can't really remember who filled that totally those stand out for me were Withers I recall as quite domineering, Cumbes was a big guy in his league was one of the better ones, Burridge was nuts!! but had some great moments, an entertainer, good keeper when he wasnt doing hand stands in the box and walking around on his hands ;D The we had Jimmy Rimmer, he was occasionally touching on being the best in the country, again a great shot stopper but needed Evans and McNaught, Nigel was a solid enough keeper, Bosnich was a step up and produced some great performances etc.... but in recent times Friedel has been the best and closest to my ideal keeper.
Brad G and Shay I'm not convinced and we need to move on. Guzan has made some great saves and some great gaffs as well but I'm always left a little frustrated by him and his decision making...frustrating...
So where do we go from here?
Tom Heaton? Jed Steer?, Big decisions by TS to be made here but with Tony Parks along side hopefully they can call it right.
Any thoughts any particular memories? I'd love to read your views
One Club, One Team, One ASTON VILLA Football Club 1874 est.
As an older fan, how about Joe Rutherford, Alan Wakeman and Keith Jones (Welsh international I believe)
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No Geoff Crudginton or Tommy Hughes?
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No
Scott Frank Carson either but again understandable overlooking him. I've only just got my mattress dry after witnessing some of his performances.
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David James is the best keeper I've seen down at Villa in my 35 years.... I haven't seen a keeper since who has commanded the box.
Agreed, totally forgot about David and don't know why, probably blocked him following the FA Cup Final... but as you say thinking about it I agree must be one of the Villa best. Apologies David, probably the onset of dementia, it helps .. sometimes i.e. Arse 4 Villa 0 et al
I was also a big David James fan. Very commanding. Fantastic shot stopper. Was bitterly disappointed to see him leave.
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Best - Rimmer
Worst - Enckleman / Kiraly
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Loved James, and the cup final goal he actually got the ball but it bounced of Southgates back in the most cruel way. His performance at Everton when Merse scored a cracker was a real joy.
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Best in order (IMHO)
Bosnich
Spink
Rimmer
Guzan
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Best in order (IMHO)
Bosnich
Spink
Rimmer
Guzan
Wouldnt argue with that
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Top five:
Sam Hardy
Jimmy Rimmer
Billy George
Mark Bosnich
Nigel Spink
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Adam Rachel
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Bosnich on his day was the best I've seen. Bit erratic sometimes and lousy kicker but still a top keeper. Spinksy was good, James OK except for the final. Schmeichel made a lot of mistakes in the second half of his season. Friedel the best in recent years.
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Rimmer for consistency. Followed by Bosnich, who could pull off real top class saves, and then completely cock up something basic. Bosnich made the best save I ever saw, in the cup defeat at home to Cov, he seemed to turn in mid air, never seen anything like it.
No love from anyone for Budgie or Sealey?
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Top five:
Sam Hardy
Jimmy Rimmer
Billy George
Mark Bosnich
Nigel Spink
Agree with the first four but I would have Nigel Sims in before Spink every time. Colossal goalkeeper in his era. How he didn't play for England is one of life's mysteries.!
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My first ever game , as an 8 year old, drifted off from the game and looked down on Rimmer from the north upper. Meticulously marking his box out with his studs while the play was in the arsenal half. In his green velvety Jersey. I was mesmerised . The week after my grandad (God bless and rest his soul) took me down BH to watch them training and I was blown away when after they'd finished Jimmy came over and gave me a signature and said hello.
That was me pretty much hooked .
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Geoff Sidebottom, who was about 5' 6'' tall.
Sims, James and Bosnich for me, difficult to separate. Might have been because I was a young lad but Sims looked massive. I was behind the goal when Bobby Smith tried to shoulder charge him and just bounced off him, and Smith was tough.
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My first ever game , as an 8 year old, drifted off from the game and looked down on Rimmer from the north upper. Meticulously marking his box out with his studs while the play was in the arsenal half. In his green velvety Jersey. I was mesmerised . The week after my grandad (God bless and rest his soul) took me down BH to watch them training and I was blown away when after they'd finished Jimmy came over and gave me a signature and said hello.
That was me pretty much hooked .
I'm amazed he got away with marking his area like that. I remember him getting a few warnings from refs for it.
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Bosnich made the best save I ever saw, in the cup defeat at home to Cov, he seemed to turn in mid air, never seen anything like it.
I remember that save! Phenomenal.
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Having watched them all from Rimmer onwards Bosnich was the best for me. Although, to put it politely, his kicking left a little bit to be desired.
Agreed.
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Worst one for me was Gabor Kiraly.
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Apart from that fuck in the cup at The Theatre of Twats, I don't remember him doing anything wrong. Same as Encks, take away his derby feck ups and he was a perfectly adequate keeper.
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Rimmer for consistency, Bosnich for one-offs. That Coventry save and the Sunderland League Cup performance were from another world.
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Rimmer, James and Bosnich for me. Spink not far behind.
Though one of first Villa heroes was Colin Withers...I used to stand right behind the goal at the Holte End when I was a nipper and saw him close up...I thought he was a magnificent athlete and rescued us from getting hammered every week!
I actually wrote a letter to then manager Dick Taylor asking why Withers didn't play for England. Received a reply saying that Mr Ramsey was perfectly aware of how good Colin was and was always considering him for selection for the national team.
Somewhat gutted, when my cousin, who used to go to the Lions' Club on Saturday nights, told me that Colin was always in there after the game and accepting every drink that came his way and inevitably became rather "tired" before the end of the evening.
He was still my hero though. And still is.
Wonderful memories of him and John Sleeuwenhoek!
That was 50 years ago ffs!
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Not overly impressed with Jed Steer, either.
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Not overly impressed with Jed Steer, either.
Well, he did come to us via Norwich.
What did Norwich ever do for us...?
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Not overly impressed with Jed Steer, either.
Well, he did come to us via Norwich.
What did Norwich ever do for us...?
TOSM.
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Not overly impressed with Jed Steer, either.
Well, he did come to us via Norwich.
What did Norwich ever do for us...?
Delia's rant was quite funny.
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You are clearly clutching at wotsits Leeg!
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Rimmer he not only was a top class keeper he could read the game aswell and organised the defenders in front of him.
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Can someone settle an argument for me- did we or did we not have the ex bluenose keeper Jim Herriot on a short term loan around the late sixties?
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Yes. Definitely.
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Best for me would be Jimmy Rimmer, but most entertaining would have to be Colin Withers. Turning ordinary run of the mill saves into spectacular leaps & dives was normal behavior. Stand out game was against Man U in November 1966, fantastic show.
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Rimmer for consistency, Bosnich for one-offs. That Coventry save and the Sunderland League Cup performance were from another world.
His performance at Sunderland was as good from a Villa keeper as I can remember. I think I remember seeing him make his debut towards the end of BFR's first season at Luton. Enckelman never recovered from the derbies and Carson never recovered from being thrown into the England v Croatia game. I can't remember who it was but we left a more experienced international keeper on the bench that night and I commented at the fact I was surprised by this at the time.
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David James was the sub.
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Yes. Definitely.
Yes we had him on loan at the start of the seventies Dave but if my memory serves me well he never played a first team game
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Nigel Sims for me for a mixture of bravery, consistency and some outstanding saves. Mark Bosnich pulled off some amazing saves as well as committing a few blunders. Jimmy Rimmer was undoubtedly one of the best and made one of the finest saves I've seen from a Villa keeper, a Gordon Banks-like reaction at White Hart Lane.
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For verbal assaults on the opposition, and his own defenders, Les Sealey takes some beating.
I rated Rimmer above all I've seen - James, i thought, let opposition fans get under his skin.
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Yes. Definitely.
Yes we had him on loan at the start of the seventies Dave but if my memory serves me well he never played a first team game
No Ron he didn't. You could say it was one of the occasions when we knew what we were doing. Shocking goalkeeper but still managed to rack up international caps.
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Bosnich on his day was the best I've seen. Bit erratic sometimes...
Pedants corner: if you're erratic then you're erratic, you're not erratic "sometimes."
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Jimmy Rimmer Brad Fridel Mark Bosnich top three for me
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I cannot remember Jimmy Rimmer making a serious mistake in his time with our club.
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My first game at villa park v Bolton 67/68 season all I can remember was Colin withers tipping 3 goal bound shots over the bar.
Couldn't wait to get back to my grandads to do the same loved him ever since.
Bozzie could of gone on to be the best, rimmer never let us down and loved burridge for his practise saves etc during the game when the ball was down the other end
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Bosnich made the best save I ever saw, in the cup defeat at home to Cov, he seemed to turn in mid air, never seen anything like it.
Best save I saw was by Kevin Poole, from a David Speedie header as I remember, in front of the Holte.
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My first game at villa park v Bolton 67/68 season all I can remember was Colin withers tipping 3 goal bound shots over the bar.
Couldn't wait to get back to my grandads to do the same loved him ever since.
Bozzie could of gone on to be the best, rimmer never let us down and loved burridge for his practise saves etc during the game when the ball was down the other end
The word spectacular describes Colin Withers perfectly. He saved us time after time in the mid sixties. He is living either in Kettering or the surrounding area these days. The fans of that era loved him.
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My first game at villa park v Bolton 67/68 season all I can remember was Colin withers tipping 3 goal bound shots over the bar.
Couldn't wait to get back to my grandads to do the same loved him ever since.
Bozzie could of gone on to be the best, rimmer never let us down and loved burridge for his practise saves etc during the game when the ball was down the other end
The word spectacular describes Colin Withers perfectly. He saved us time after time in the mid sixties. He is living either in Kettering or the surrounding area these days. The fans of that era loved him.
True, Ron. My vivid memory is Withers and Slogger saving us time after time.
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Bosnich made the best save I ever saw, in the cup defeat at home to Cov, he seemed to turn in mid air, never seen anything like it.
Best save I saw was by Kevin Poole, from a David Speedie header as I remember, in front of the Holte.
If it's the one I'm thinking of it received a standing ovation - late in the 1985-6 season in a 3-1 win which helped keep us up.
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The best save I can recall was by Rimmer in front of the Holte at home to Anderlecht. I also have very fond memories of a Bosnich save from Mark Hughes late in the 1994 final v Manyoo.
Rimmer is probably my favourite keeper for consistency. He rarely let us down, though did have a poor game at home to Liverpool in a 4-2 defeat around Xmas 1982.
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There was another Bosnich save almost as good as the Coventry one, he saved a close range header from Gavin Peacock in 1995-96 when we lost 1-0 at home to them, Dennis Wise scored and ran along patting himself on the head.
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Rimmer and Bosnich for me, hard to separate them, both brilliant shot stoppers.
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The best save I can recall was by Rimmer in front of the Holte at home to Anderlecht. I also have very fond memories of a Bosnich save from Mark Hughes late in the 1994 final v Manyoo.
Rimmer is probably my favourite keeper for consistency. He rarely let us down, though did have a poor game at home to Liverpool in a 4-2 defeat around Xmas 1982.
The best save I can recall was by Rimmer in front of the Holte at home to Anderlecht. I also have very fond memories of a Bosnich save from Mark Hughes late in the 1994 final v Manyoo.
Rimmer is probably my favourite keeper for consistency. He rarely let us down, though did have a poor game at home to Liverpool in a 4-2 defeat around Xmas 1982.
The save from Rimmer against Anderlecht was brilliant, however unfortunately the best save i ever saw was from Shilton 1978 a free kick edge of the box by sid went hard through the wall and shilton got across full stretch to put it wide for a corner i still dont know how it was saved now it was a piledriver of a shot
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Mark Bosnich laughs like a girl.
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I cannot remember Jimmy Rimmer making a serious mistake in his time with our club.
No mistakes and as a few have said, only one memorable save. Maybe it's the boots and balls that now make keeping more about theatricals, but back then they seemed more reliable and relied on positioning rather than reflexes.
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I cannot remember Jimmy Rimmer making a serious mistake in his time with our club.
No mistakes and as a few have said, only one memorable save. Maybe it's the boots and balls that now make keeping more about theatricals, but back then they seemed more reliable and relied on positioning rather than reflexes.
The save after the penalty miss in Berlin? I can't remember another one either.
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My wife's mate was the 'star' of the Bosnich/Yorke threesome pictures a few years back, I used to live and work in the Canary Islands with Kevin Poole's cousin Sean and Jimmy Rimmer is my Godfather.
Okay, I admit I made the last one up.
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Who here could ever forget Mike Pinner ??
Well, all of us apparently - 54-57 - 4 appearances - anyone ever see him play ??
An amateur in the true sense !
I think he was the one who used to cut off the feet part of his socks before a game....or was that Budgie?
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Who here could ever forget Mike Pinner ??
Well, all of us apparently - 54-57 - 4 appearances - anyone ever see him play ??
An amateur in the true sense !
I think he was the one who used to cut off the feet part of his socks before a game....or was that Budgie?
Mike Pinner was the last amateur to play for us..Went on to become a top class lawyer down the smoke.Brian Green saw him play for us.l remember him playing for QPR in the early sixties.he is still alive and well by all accounts.
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Can someone settle an argument for me- did we or did we not have the ex bluenose keeper Jim Herriot on a short term loan around the late sixties?
Yes we signed Jim Herriot on loan from Blues as cover.
He played in a reserve game at VP under floodlights and had this habit of smearing mud around his eyes because he reckoned it stopped he glare!
I kid ye not he looked like a Panda on acid.
Thank god he never made a first team appearance.
Evan Williams was a good shout earlier, on loan from Wolves he looked good as di Graham Moseley on loan from Derby.
John Dunn's kicking was awful, much worse than even Bosnich.
Colin Withers made great saves but was prone to gaffes, Spink has to be number one for me with Rimmer, the bst I've seen.
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Re Jim Herriot and the 'mud' under his eyes. As bad as a goalkeeper he was, he was before his time with that. That is common in American Football. It's anti-glare from floodlights IIRC.
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Evan Williams was a good shout earlier, on loan from Wolves he looked good
No, no, no, no. Evan Williams was completely useless and was a key reason why we were relegated to the third division.
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I agree. Evan Williams and John Phillips were second rate most of the time as was John Gavan in the early sixties.
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The first keeper I remember was Burridge, I think that the best keeper for consistency was Rimmer but greatest one off game was Spink in Rotterdam.
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I remember Simms and (occasionally) Sidebottom, but Colin Withers was my favourite goalie until Rimmer came along. Didn't worry me he'd come from Blues, he made some great saves (let's face it he needed to) and created a real impact as he trotted towards the Holte End because he stank of liniment.
Rimmer's my overall favourite because he was so solid (also had a great defence in front of him), and he succeeded a number of deeply flawed goalies, though who knows what his kicking would have been like?
Bosnich comes close for the sheer number of world class saves he made (though he too had a very good defence n front of him), only the dreadful kicking marks him down.
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Oh, and some time in late 77 I'd been down to Bodymoor to watch that stellar team train, took a few pictures, got autographs, then they buggered off leaving us to watch some chump goalie being put through his paces. He was terrible - didn't stop a single shot. Talking to a fellow spectator I voiced my expert opinion which went something along the lines of "God help us if we ever have to rely on him". He agreed, but added that as we'd only just signed him as a kid from non-League he had time to learn.
Four and a half years later he showed me a) not to judge too quickly b) he'd learned, and how.
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Evan Williams was a good shout earlier, on loan from Wolves he looked good
No, no, no, no. Evan Williams was completely useless and was a key reason why we were relegated to the third division.
No confidence at times but some acrobatic saves at others. Went on to play in a European Cup final for Celtic
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Anybody the Tommy Hughes calamity performance in the table topper vs Notts County in 1971/72 at home - he'd had an absolute howler of a game but topped it off with a late penalty save from was it Don Masson to preserve our 1-0 win (courtesy of a Ray Graydon header)
Incidentally didn't Don Masson miss a penalty for Scotland in the 1978 World Cup against the mighty Peru ? If memory serves me right it would've put the Jocks 2-1 up in a game they went on to lose 3-1. This from a team that was going to "Win" the World Cup and yet could afford not to even include Andy Gray in their squad.
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Bosnich,James and Rimmer but I'm not sure in which order I would rank them.Withers made spectacular saves but stayed on his line for crosses.Why was his fall from grace so sudden ?
The other disappointment was Mercer letting go of Kevin Keelan who was outstanding for the youth team and played against us in the 75 League Cup final.
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Anybody the Tommy Hughes calamity performance in the table topper vs Notts County in 1971/72 at home - he'd had an absolute howler of a game but topped it off with a late penalty save from was it Don Masson to preserve our 1-0 win (courtesy of a Ray Graydon header)
Incidentally didn't Don Masson miss a penalty for Scotland in the 1978 World Cup against the mighty Peru ? If memory serves me right it would've put the Jocks 2-1 up in a game they went on to lose 3-1. This from a team that was going to "Win" the World Cup and yet could afford not to even include Andy Gray in their squad.
To be fair,though,Scotland had a strong looking squad on paper. It's difficult to see who would have made way if Gray had been selected. Talk of them actually winning the Cup was way OTT although a decent run shouldn't have been beyond them.
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It would have to be between Rimmer and Bosnich for me - both superb keepers in their own era - indeed Rimmer was probably a little unfortunate to have around in pretty much a golden era for English goalies; first of all Banksy, followed by Bonetti (until the 1970 WC), Everton's Gordon West always seemed ahead of him as well. In the 2nd half of the 70s the England managers seemed to rotate between Shilton and Clemence who( apart from one major blunder each) consistently turned in decent performances for England.
JR was certainly a major piece in Ron Saunders' jigsaw to building the 1981 team and was always reliable.
MB - terrific keeper and indeed didn't make a save from Mark Hughes at 2-1 in the 1994 LCF ?
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To be fair,though,Scotland had a strong looking squad on paper. It's difficult to see who would have made way if Gray had been selected. Talk of them actually winning the Cup was way OTT although a decent run shouldn't have been beyond them.
Fully agree Failsworth - they had a strong squad (on paper) and they did have Jordan and Dalglish up front - but in 1978 Andy was at his best ever for us - I can't remember exactly how many goals he'd scored at the time but in 76-77 & 77-78 he was dynamite - I still think it was a major blunder by Ally McLeod not even taking him. I still remember the day the squad was announced and I thought I'd misread it not seeing his name there - still managers know best - who would've thought Tony Morley would've been left of England's 1982 WC squad when in the end 2 goal-less draws cost us a place in the semis
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Jimmy Rimmer and then Nigel Sims with a very special mention for Nigel Spink, mostly for 82. It really is hard to remember their bad games or any points that they cost us. Bosnich delivered heroics at times but also some discomforting non saves at others.
Colin Withers was a strange one. Consistently looked absolute class and had some storming games, yet when he decided he was too big for us no-one was interested and he ended up at Lincoln. Odd.
The other hero of the time mentioned above, Sleeuwenhoek, similarly looked absolute class in a dross Villa side but did nothing afterwards. Oh for the day when Small Heath helped themselves to our best player. And some people think the Delph saga makes us look bad.
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Bosnich on his day was the best I've seen. Bit erratic sometimes and lousy kicker but still a top keeper. Spinksy was good, James OK except for the final. Schmeichel made a lot of mistakes in the second half of his season. Friedel the best in recent years.
Am starting to wonder if I should go back and re-watch some of James' performances for us as I remember him being very sloppy at the time, better post-Villa IMO, but then maybe the mistakes just got highlighted too much and were made at crucially bad times for us. The rest I agree with. I like Schmeichel as a signing, but I think he was signed more for his personality and actually seemed to be cruising a lot of the time. Guzan could go on to be the next Friedel fingers crossed.
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Ron Manager helped me out with the Christian name of goalie Mike Pinner, the very last amateur ever to play for our first XI. He played most of the time for Pegasus which was the team of the combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities. He was rubbish, straight out of Brideshead Revisited. Nigel Sims (one M) was hugely popular with the fans and the two true legends about him, both seen by me as a youth were the game against Tottenham when hotshot tearaway cockney centre forward Bobby Smith ran from the half way line at full speed to try to shoulder barge Nigel over his own line. Nigel assumed the railway buffers position, all twenty stone of him. It took a full five minutes of cold water and smelling salts to get Smith back on his feet. The second legend was when Nigel got injured but rather than go off he played centre forward and Stan Lynn went in goal. Nigel had an old tatty Villa shirt under his jersey and it was full of great big holes. He charged around the field like a demented hippo, flattening everybody in sight, including his own players.
Jimmy Cumbes followed in the footsteps of Gil Merrick and was a county standard wicket keeper but the most remarkable goalkeeper we ever produced was Con Martin, equally good at centre half or goalkeeper and capped by Ireland in both positions in his own right. Joe Rutherford was pants but Keith Jones was competent but too small for the game as it was played back in the day. The immortal John Charles was a competent goalkeeper, but then again he was the ultimate footballer so that is no surprise.
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I remember being at West Ham in the early 90s and it was one of Bosnich's first games, he messed up a back-pass ( surprise surprise ) but managed to keep the shot out while being on the seat of his pants. I was at the Spurs game when he made two penalty saves. He could be erratic, but he made saves I've never seen before or since.
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Ron Manager helped me out with the Christian name of goalie Mike Pinner, the very last amateur ever to play for our first XI. He played most of the time for Pegasus which was the team of the combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities. He was rubbish, straight out of Brideshead Revisited. Nigel Sims (one M) was hugely popular with the fans and the two true legends about him, both seen by me as a youth were the game against Tottenham when hotshot tearaway cockney centre forward Bobby Smith ran from the half way line at full speed to try to shoulder barge Nigel over his own line. Nigel assumed the railway buffers position, all twenty stone of him. It took a full five minutes of cold water and smelling salts to get Smith back on his feet. The second legend was when Nigel got injured but rather than go off he played centre forward and Stan Lynn went in goal. Nigel had an old tatty Villa shirt under his jersey and it was full of great big holes. He charged around the field like a demented hippo, flattening everybody in sight, including his own players.
Jimmy Cumbes followed in the footsteps of Gil Merrick and was a county standard wicket keeper but the most remarkable goalkeeper we ever produced was Con Martin, equally good at centre half or goalkeeper and capped by Ireland in both positions in his own right. Joe Rutherford was pants but Keith Jones was competent but too small for the game as it was played back in the day. The immortal John Charles was a competent goalkeeper, but then again he was the ultimate footballer so that is no surprise.
Peter McParland played in goal as well, for part of a match. Against Everton I think it was. Or Liverpool maybe.
Wrong about Jim Cumbes Im afraid. Jim was a fast bowler. Fast medium anyway!
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I bow to your superior knowledge Ron. Could have sworn I saw him keep wicket at New Road.
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Definitely a bowler Brian although he could have stood in in an emergency at the match you attended.
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A bowler and the funniest man you could wish to meet.
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Definetly a bowler - played his last season with Bears as a one day cricketer in 1982 taking 21 wkts in the season. He retired at the end of that season probably due in some part to him somehow puncturing his lung at Grace Rd.
Thinking about Brians post about him keeping wkt for Pears....is it at all possible that Brian is getting confused with Phil Neale who was Pears captain at around that time, i know he was a generally regarded just as a middle order batsman but he could maybe have gone behind the stumps in an emergency. I honestly don't know if he did or not.
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Spink was the first regular keeper I remember - always think of the casual way he used to catch the shots above his head & getting lobbed by Teale vs Forest I think
Bosnich could have been the very best in the world had he been a dedicated pro & learnt to kick even adequately - the two saves mentioned vs Cov & the Coca Colas final were magnifique
Les Sealey, barking mad, chicken dance & thinking he was gonna chin someone when a controversial winner was given to Sheff Weds when it obv (one eyed!!) didn't cross the line
James - thought he was the best, don't see keepers nowadays who are anything but shot stoppers, my memory was the day he came flying out of goal to clear a ball and ended up gambolling over the hoardings into Trinity Rd to pop up after about a seconds delay
Schmeichel - bloody hopeless, great goal, seem to remember he dived over one in front of Holte vs Ipswich, looked like he needed winching down.
Enckleman - did fine until the night David Elleray decided to make himself centre of attention for a change. Great shot stopper...the bottle job on Horsefield didn't help endear
Sorensen - another decent shot stopper, Rob Green reminds me of Sorensen, will make the great saves but terrifies you if someone dribbles one at him from 20 yards.
Friedel - another one who did fine largely.
Given - stay at home keeper, only time he left his 6 yd box was half time....frustrates me when he is described as a great keeper...no, he's a shot stopper not an all round keeper.
Guzan - not as good last season, another who needs to work on kicking.
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You forgot Postma and the dodgy sex shenanigans
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Bosnich was my favourite, a truly outstanding goalkeeper. Yes his kicking was poor but some of the saves he made were amazing, and I liked the fact that he had a bit of character too. I remember being gutted when he left us for Man Ure.
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A bowler and the funniest man you could wish to meet.
Jim used to drink in The Sportsman in Harborne occassionaly.He was going through a bad spell with catching high balls at the time.Anyway this bloke asked him if he would mind signing his autograph for his son,He handed Jim a pen which our goalie immediately dropped on the floor amid howls of laughter! I think he did it on purpose! Always had a smile on his face.
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A bowler and the funniest man you could wish to meet.
In the 70s my mom used to work for a company selling trinkets on Soho Rd and the 2 bosses were Albion fans. They were mates with Cumbes and John Osborne, who used to pop in to the office once a week. My mom said they were both two of the most genuine and down to earth lovely men you could ever meet.
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Talking of goalkeeping wicket keepers, Andy Goram is the only man to play first class cricket (four games for Scotland including two in the Nat West Trophy) and win a Scotland cap in football.
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Talking of goalkeeping wicket keepers, Andy Goram is the only man to play first class cricket (four games for Scotland including two in the Nat West Trophy) and win a Scotland cap in football.
Are you sure it was one and the same, Dave? Rather famously, "two Andy Gorams, there's only two Andy Gorams"......
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Darts commentator was saying that Gary Anderson has made three 147 breaks in snooker as well as various 9 Darters.
That's showing off being good at both sports like that.
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Burridge most expensive keeper in our history he cost us a championship in 76-77. With rimmer we would have won a double or even treble I am convinced
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Darts commentator was saying that Gary Anderson has made three 147 breaks in snooker as well as various 9 Darters.
That's showing off being good at both sports like that.
Just noticed that I posted this on the wrong thread, only 5 months later....
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I see you haven't got any better at maths in the meantime.
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John Burridge was the goalkeeper when i started going but Jimmy Rimmer is my favourite. He would take several pairs of gloves onto the pitch and would be changing them throughout the game.
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Bosnich on his day was the best I've seen. Bit erratic sometimes and lousy kicker but still a top keeper. Spinksy was good, James OK except for the final. Schmeichel made a lot of mistakes in the second half of his season. Friedel the best in recent years.
Am starting to wonder if I should go back and re-watch some of James' performances for us as I remember him being very sloppy at the time, better post-Villa IMO, but then maybe the mistakes just got highlighted too much and were made at crucially bad times for us. The rest I agree with. I like Schmeichel as a signing, but I think he was signed more for his personality and actually seemed to be cruising a lot of the time. Guzan could go on to be the next Friedel fingers crossed.
James was fantastic. Superb shot stopper and was always in control of his pentalty area. Great at coming for crosses.
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A bowler and the funniest man you could wish to meet.
In the 70s my mom used to work for a company selling trinkets on Soho Rd and the 2 bosses were Albion fans. They were mates with Cumbes and John Osborne, who used to pop in to the office once a week. My mom said they were both two of the most genuine and down to earth lovely men you could ever meet.
Saw Jim Cumbes the other week, still a very jovial guy with a big booming laugh.
Anyone remember John Osborne coming to wards the Holte End and bowing, I think it was an Albion defeat 4-0 springs to mind but he made some great saves and was applauded by the Holte at the end.
He played with no teeth in, and looked completely knackered, always going down injured in games I seem to remember.
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Opinions will differ on this topic depending on your era. For me Rimmer by a country mile. Bossie more spectacular but more risky and distribution was shit. James generally very good but I keep remembering the Chelsea game sorry.
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1. Rimmer
2. Bosnich
3. Spink
4. James
5. Day
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Opinions will differ on this topic depending on your era. For me Rimmer by a country mile. Bossie more spectacular but more risky and distribution was shit. James generally very good but I keep remembering the Chelsea game sorry.
Totally agree with you, you knew with Rimmer there was never going to be a massive error and he was just so good. I liked Bosnich, but not in same class and Jimmy never tried to do anything spectacular.
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A bowler and the funniest man you could wish to meet.
In the 70s my mom used to work for a company selling trinkets on Soho Rd and the 2 bosses were Albion fans. They were mates with Cumbes and John Osborne, who used to pop in to the office once a week. My mom said they were both two of the most genuine and down to earth lovely men you could ever meet.
Saw Jim Cumbes the other week, still a very jovial guy with a big booming laugh.
Anyone remember John Osborne coming to wards the Holte End and bowing, I think it was an Albion defeat 4-0 springs to mind but he made some great saves and was applauded by the Holte at the end.
He played with no teeth in, and looked completely knackered, always going down injured in games I seem to remember.
Oscar Arce, it was definitely the 4-0 win in the last home game of the season (Andy Gray hat trick). My mom was with us at that game and was laughing about it with Osborne when he popped into work for his weekly cups with her bosses.