[Laurence]

:P My favourite - ( not the necessarily the best ) In order of appearance for Bury.

1) Les Hart - Centre half early fifties late 40s - I remember him getting some stick from the supporters on the coach coming back from Bramhall lane after a 4 4 draw in 1949
2) Big Norman Nielsen - South African huge man scored from the half way line.
3) John McGraph - Possibly the best defender ever to play in a Bury shirt
4) Bob Stokoe - so good so well balanced
5) Colin Waldron - competant quick
6) Eddie Colquoun strong
7) Billy Tucker saved our bacon at a time when we needed a solid defender
8) Peter Valentine - I really liked him - But did get in the book too often
9) Alan Knill - Not great but one of the best headers of a ball
10) Chris Swailes - Bury's record signing - Dr P would not like me incuding him - but I put him befor lucketti and Butler. Especially Butler who I thought was too slow. *** Just to get a response***

seeing as I always leave myself open

[tommy]

Laurence
You've put a few names in there to wind us up a bit and at the same time left Chris Lucketti out. Where's Harry Bunner and Brian Turner.
Alan Knill certainly could get his head to a ball but he could only head in the direction that he was going. I certainly can't agree with Tucker. I don't remember Les Hart playing, but I thought he was a wing half not centre half.
For my money Bob Stokoe was THE best followed by John McGrath. Then Chris Lucketti has to be included, Peter Swan (ex Sheff Wed) short time but good and Peter Valentine who was very consistent.

[Laurence]

I don't disagree - Didn't say they were the best - Remember I was only a boy when Les was playing - Bill Griffiths was about then so maybe he played wing half more of the time - Harry Bunner I loved. Got kicked in the replay at Bolton dripping blood he played a blinder. Billy Tucker fair enough , boot him out. The sod went to Hereford under freedom of contract - Do you remember Terry Alcock, he was a class act too. Brian Turner I think as a wing back - still see him head down. Teddy boy haircut to the fore. I once spoke to him in Kay Gardens he was over the moon they had just beaten Rotherham 5 0. great bloke

[frogtop]

Too young to remember most, but thought Billy Tucker was solid, Valentine was consistent, Lucketti was excellent


Saw Spider have a few good games at centre half also.

[Stevo]

My memory doesn't go back that far :wink: so I can't comment on most of those names, but in Recent Years, PV was right up there, along with Lucketti/Swailes/Butler, who I rate pretty even - I think Lucketti edges it for me for his attitude. Michael Jackson was another good un.

What about Spiderman (Paul Hilton)?

Of the last couple of seasons, only Nelson would come anywhere near the list.

On the other side - worst centre halves, I would list:

John Bramhall - remember a heavy defeat at Blackpool (5-0 I think) when we were all chanting Off Off Off when he was about to get sent off.
Alan Higgins - can't fully remember why, just remember not liking him at the time! :?

I'm struggling now, I don't have the best memory in the world!

[Laurence]

Was it not Mark Higgins - I can recall this guy who played for Man U who was written off due to injury. He played for Bury for a while. Played really well. Then the inevitable happenned a bigger club came in and he was sold. He was a good player though.
Paul Hilton was tipped to get to the top but he got injured and was never heard of again pity.

[Gandalf]

Don't forget you will be nominating four of them for election into the Hall of Fame in September.

[Stevo]

Mark Higgins - that's right, I thought I'd got his name wrong!

I vaguely remember Alan Whitehead - (at least I think he was called Alan!), didn't he have a HUGE head? Seem to remember he was reasonable as well.

Andy Hill played a few games at Centre Half as well, he was another great servant to the club.

[Laurence]

Talking of Hall of Fame
According to my Dad

The best Bury player ever was a centre Half

Tiny Bradshaw - Now my Dad said he was the centre Half when the shakers got to 4th in Div 1 in 1924/25 cica - and he played for Scotland and he was transferred to Arsenal. Now I have trawled all the records I can find, Nothing - I have looked at Scottish players nothing. As both my Dad and Grandad are long since departed, Does any body know of this centre half . Or in any event who was the pivot in the middle 20s when Bury did so well.

[Gandalf]

According to Peter Cullens book Tom "Tiny" Bradshaw was born in Bishoptown in 1904. We signed him from Hamilton Academicals and he was sold to Liverpool. Played 208 games and scored 8 league goals. He was selected to play for Scotland in the team that defeated England 5-1

[Gordon]

Billy Tucker

What a legend he was, ably assisted by John Thomson

[Fred White]

Tom Bradshaw was a member of the Scottish "Wembley Wizards" team that beat England. I think we sold him to Liverpool.

[Fred White]

Tony Bailey? John Hulme? Peter Swan? Dave Hatton? Lawrence McMahon?

[buryboy]

I used to love it when Paul Hilton got the ball in his own half and went on the mazy runs up field.He only became a centre half due to injuries and until then was a centre forward.

[Chip]

Knill was a big gangly bugger but fairly effective at times. I can recall a match against Stockport when they had the huge attacker, can't remember his name but he was a 6'7" donkey who would score if the ball deflected off him in the right direction. Knill was clearly told to mark him out of the game which he did by splitting the guy's eyebrow in the first 10 mins, then dominating him completely afterwards. I'm not defending the cut eyebrow tactic but he kept the guy out for much of the game

[1-0Butler54]

lawrence, i dont like ur dissing of Butler, whatever faults he may have had. he will still be remembered by me for a long time for a certain goal on valentines day 1998! :lol:

[Sir Vic Alsmear]

Knill was a big gangly bugger but fairly effective at times. I can recall a match against Stockport when they had the huge attacker, can't remember his name but he was a 6'7" donkey who would score if the ball deflected off him in the right direction. Knill was clearly told to mark him out of the game which he did by splitting the guy's eyebrow in the first 10 mins, then dominating him completely afterwards. I'm not defending the cut eyebrow tactic but he kept the guy out for much of the game

It was Kevin Francis. I'll never forget that game, Knill showed what man marking was about!

[DJAsh]

There was also the occassion when Knill marked Ruud Gullitt out of the game when playing for Wales vs Holland in the late 80's. :shock:

[Ulstershaker]

In my time in no particular order...

Dave Hatton, Paul Hilton, Mark Higgins, John Hulme, Peter Swan, Chris Lucketti, Paul Butler, Alan Whitehead, Peter Valentine, Alan Knill.

[eric]

Big Ben Anderson, Jim Clunie.

[DJAsh]

What about John Bramhall?

Consistent player in mid 80's, one of Iley's better signings and promotion winner.

[DR_PAUL]

Tiny Bradshaw as well as being a great footballer was one of the most prominent bandleaders of the '30s and '40s who led groups of essentially jazz-trained musicians into the developing (and more commercial) field that came to be known as rhythm & blues. A vocalist with other bands early in his career, Bradshaw formed his own band in 1934 and kept it going through the early '50s, enjoying five Billboard hits (and also recording the original "Train Kept A-Rollin'") with King Records (where he was a labelmate to many of the other leading jump blues performers of the era).

[PeterROwen]

Youv'e got to be impressed with Laurence's selection. But I can't help asking myself the question: "Would any of them stood an earthly against Sir John Charles?"

[gameplan]

By far the best centre back over the last 10 years, what a legend.

My mate know Colin Murdock and when they were out big Chris joined them for a drink, when he told me I was gutted, to have a beer with a legend....... maybe one day .

[steve_pilko]

Youv'e got to be impressed with Laurence's selection. But I can't help asking myself the question: "Would any of them stood an earthly against Sir John Charles?"

Pete . Why don't you start you own thread on John Charles instead of hijacking threads about Bury players? :? :? :? :?

[Old Fozzie]

Big Ben Anderson, Jim Clunie.

I agree with you Eric, these two were the worst.

Eddie Colquhoun doesn't seem to get much of a mention above, though its fair to say he did better at WBA & Sheff Utd than with us.

As a group, Jackson Butler Lucketti were unbelievable.

[PeterROwen]

Thanks steve_pilko, point well taken. Sorry to intrude!

[Cocktail_Shaker]

My favourite was Les Hart.

Followed by Bob Stokoe.

Both did stints as managers.

Both were excellent servants of the club.

[Laurence]

I'd just like to remind a few about John Waddington. We signed him from Blackburn at the end of his career. Although he was getting on a bit he masterminded two sensational cup runs under Dave Conner. He was absolutely outstanding at Anfield in the 5th round. Remember Liverpool were at the time unbeatable. Waddy held out for over an hour. Untill they brought on Fairclough. Who scored the winner. So lets not forget this magnificent big guy.

[coxsapples]

Laurence don't be so sensitive , if you want to advertise your book website, go ahead and do it!
My fave centrehalf is Sam Collins -the slimmest fastest most dedicated of players in the history of the Shakers!

[DJAsh]

2 SENSATIONAL CUP RUNS UNDER DAVE CONNOR??????????????

You're seeing double Laurence. :spin:

Waddington might not make many people's list because of the beard?

[Laurence]

:) Was there not 2 last 16 of league cup and 5th round of F A cup or as my memory finally given up. I remember going round to his paper shop in Blackburn to get a ticket for Anfield. His mother had become a rampant Bury fan over night after years of supporting the Rovers.
We also got Fazackerly about the same time I think he took over team afairs when Martin Dobson was sacked.

[PeterROwen]

Laurence, I echo coxapples. Tell us about your book and about you website. I would like to know!

[shiney]

PAUL BUTLER!!!!! BEST DEFENDER I'VE SEEN AT BURY. REMEMBER HIM BEATING KEVIN FRANCIS TO EVERY HEADER AT GIGG WHEN FRANCIS PLAYED FOR OXFORD. GLAD HE'S BACK IN THE PREM. WERE HE BELONGS

[buryboy]

Butler was a very good player but not premiership quality.He was found wanting for pace at Sunderland.Top first division player though.

[Laurence]

He was slow at Rochdale - I was talking to a Rochdale supporter before we signed him , his words not mine " he's slower than a donkey"

[BoSox]

Alan Knill is the only player I remember to say in the programme that he joined Bury to enhance his international prospects.

I still hold Jackson & Lucketti with high regard - and Bishop at wing back.

[PeterROwen]

Shiney,
I know that my eyesight leaves something to be desired but I could swear that it was, more often that not, Chris Lucketti who did the job on Kevin Francis.

[DJAsh]

Laurence, the League Cup run was not under Connor, the FA Cup run was , in 1979-80 season.

Fazackerley was at Bury sometime around 1988, he did take over for about one game after Dobson left.

"I think I'll manage Bristol Rovers one day, Terry."

- " no...you'll be there at least a week, Dobbo." :)

[DJAsh]

Oh and by the way...what do Rochdale fans know about ANYTHING?

They specialise in talking complete claptrap in the belief that it somehow gives them some unique, existential importance.

[PeterROwen]

DJAsh,
Do you mean "existential importance" wrt Rochdale fans or is it "existential impotence"? Sorry, couldn't resist it!