Team of the Decade

[JJ1532]

I've seen a few of these knocking around. So go on then, who makes your own team's team of the decade? No rules, can be anyone, including loanees. Any formation you like. Interested to see some lists for sure.

Crewe's(4-3-3):

Steve Phillips(GK) - Played at the highest level of all keepers we had, was rock solid in his first few years here, even if age and immaturity caught up with him eventually. But he was an immense keeper on the whole.
Matt Tootle(RB) - Was excellent during the teams promotion run in 2012 and in the following 2 seasons in League One. Mental issues saw him lose form and he's never been the same player since. But at his peak, he was a top draw League One RB.
Eddie Nolan(CB) - Was brought in as a depth option, quickly turned into our best and most consistent CB. Been the stabilising force of the back line in the last few seasons whilst not having a stable partner for much of it.
Adam Dugdale(CB) - Ok, he was never a great player, but he at least had a good run of form. Probably the pick most Alex fans will disagree with. But he'll always be remembered for his goal in the 2012 play-offs. Heart and soul player.
Harry Pickering(LB) - Pickering is a decent L2 LB currently, with the potential to a bit higher, maybe the top of L1 at a push. His inclusion speaks for how slim the pickings are at this position.
Ashley Westwood(CM) - Always had bags of potential, never saw him turning into a consistent PL starter for several different clubs mind. He's forged a great career for himself. One of our best graduates.
Luke Murphy(CM) - Never kicked on after his move to Leeds, which is a shame. Very talented player and goalscorer, he was immense in 11-12 and 12-13, such a pivitol part of both those teams. Pretty much carried us by himself in 12-13. Sad that his career hasn't exactly taken off since he left.
Anthony Grant(CM) - Excellent player in his 2 seasons with us, shame his attitude was a bit suspect off the pitch, as he was superb on it. Think the club got pissed off with his antics, hence why they bombed him out. No surprise we turned to complete dogshit the moment he left mind.
Chuks Aneke(ST) - Such a talented player, can see why Arsenal liked him as a youngster and why he's back in the Championship right now. Big, powerful, got great feet, can finish. I hope he can realise his potential, he could easily boss the Championship if he puts it all together.
Nick Powell(ST) - Easily the most gifted player to ever grace an Alex shirt. Never seen such an incredible run of form as the one he showed during the 11-12 promotion season. Shame he doesn't seem to care about football, because if he was motivated, he would be in the PL now. Wasted ability.
Clayton Donaldson(ST) - Best goalscorer this club has had since Nicky Maynard and Luke Varney. Nobody has come close since. Won the golden boot in 10-11, shame his best season came in a year when he was out of contract. He's had an excellent career as a lower league goalscorer. I miss him.

 

[valefan16]

GK: Scott Brown - beats Chris Neal as he pretty much single handed kept us in the EFL whereas Neal played in the better Valiants sides. Great shot stopper and been a key player.

RB: Adam Yates - Local and part of the promotion side and Adams era, mr reliable but sadly career cut short after a training ground accident smashed his face and eye up.

CB: Nathan Smith - youth product who made his debut against Bradford away in 2016, impressively pocketed James Hanson that day and went on to make over 100 consecutive appearances from that debut... missed only once I believe excluding the FL trophy since.

CB: Lee Collins - excellent whilst with us and his run from left back position past the whole Hereford side before selflessly rolling it to Richards to knock home was a highlight. Strangely scored the goal to secure Vales promotion... an own goal whilst playing against us for Northampton!

LB: Carl Dickinson - Main stay of our relatively successful first three years back in league one, a rare player who crossed the divide and earnt the respect of both Potteries outfits.

RW: Jennison Marie-Williams - Jeno was outstanding in his time with Vale and integral in the promotion side, him and Vincent in the early months of that season were different gravy. Oddly lacked success elsewhere.

CM: Anthony Grant - superb in his time with us have struggled to replace him, the “judge” as he calls himself contributed to the relatively decent Page full season side.

CM: Doug Loft - beats Foley to this one due to longevity, superb engine and often played in a couple of positions. Sadly left Vale without a deserved farewell after a shocking incident with Dan Jones assaulting him in a cowardly attack... rare time Vale made the back pages of the national press!

LW: Dave Worrall - look at our form when he was out! Fitness levels on another planet, he runs players into submission, accurate with a cross and certainly in his first season had the goals to keep sometimes drag us through games.

CF: Tom Pope - the pontiff, the local die hard Vale fan who broke most records going and is a goal away from the outright post war goal scoring record. 33 goals in 2012/13 and at one point had better stats than Messi and Ronaldo that season! Winds the lardies up on twitter too. Love you Tom. Player of the decade by a mile.

CF: Marc Richards - pips Hughesy, scored 20 goals three seasons in a row as was key prior to Popes arrival. Highly respected after turning down Cheltenham to stay at Vale when we were a league below... undid some of his legend status by always scoring against us since!

Manager: Micky Adams - easy... gave us one of the great promotion sides and rebuilt the mess left by Glover than Gannon in the six months between his spells with us. The second coming of the messiah saw him initially deal with the club being an admin and practically ran it. Then the promotion and making us a solid L1 club and even taming Smurf.

His interviews and general hatred of Steve Evans and taunting of Gradi added some entertainment too.

 

[kieran_vale]

Based on a 4-3-3 I’d go with the following. I dare say many other teams will outshine us considerably but that just shows how bad this decade has been for much of it.

Chris Neal (GK) probably the toughest one as there are three who could easily lay claim to this with Alnwick and Brown being the other two. Neal edges it out as he was a key to us being promoted at the start of the decade and keeping us in League One when we first went up.

Adam Yates (RB) - Only real competition for us would be Gibbo but not really played long enough to put him over Yates.

Carl Dickinson (LB) - Can’t event think of anyone else.

Nathan Smith (CB) - Still young but seems like he’s been playing forever. Developing into a really good player for us now.

John McCombe (CB) - tougher one but he was ever present in our promotion team so will credit him for that.

Michael O’Connor (CM) - Brilliant player if somewhat hot headed. Was really good on set pieces.

Anthony Grant (CM) - Didn’t end well but he kept that team managed by Bruno above water until he left in January and we collapsed afterwards.

Sam Morsy (CM) - Would have made us some serious cash if Adams wasn’t a complete bellend towards him. Now in the Championship.

Tom Pope (ST) - Not really a debate that one.

Lee Hughes (ST) - Only with us a short space of time but still scored as many goals as anyone not named Tom Pope during that.

Mark Marshall (ST) - As above only with us a season but was brilliant in League One. Left us citing wanting to move back to London and ended up in erm Bradford..

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

GK: James McKeown - Prone to mistakes and not someone that will particularly lift a bad atmosphere but when things are good, he's capable of producing a world class performance and that's not an overstatement. Has himself a highlight reel of some of the best saves I have ever seen anywhere.

RB: Richard Tait - Didn't go as much during the season he was here but I'm pretty sure this is unanimous. Only rivalled by Carl Magnay probably.
CB: Nathan Pond - Only a couple of months on loan but was immense. Scored an overhead on what I think was his debut. Far too good for non league.
CB: Shaun Pearson - Legend in the making before Slade binned him off for Nathan fucking Clarke. Often limited in his play but he would head bricks for fun and occasionally say fuck it and make some crazy run with the ball. Should've been captain after Disley.
LB: Conor Townsend - Far, far too good for non league at the time and probably the league above. Very athletic with a brilliant cross on him. Still believe we'd have won the league if we managed to keep him all season, he was that good.

CM: Craig Disley - Legend. Ginger Pirlo. Captain Fantastic. Time slowed down whenever he got the ball, he ran games when he was on it. He cried when we made it to Wembley, what a man.
CM: Jake Hessenthaler - Won't be here much longer sadly as he's too good to be in an underperforming team. Covers ever blade of grass, can tackle, can pass. Very good all round midfielder and would get into most sides at this level and a lot in League 1.
CM: Elliott Embleton - Talented kid. Creative, good on the ball, scores goals but will also put in a hell of a shift when needed. Should develop into a decent Championship level midfielder.

ST: Omar Bogle - Took Hurst a good few seasons to sign him but totally worth it. Absolute powerhouse. Big, strong, quick, good in the air, good on the ground, even scored set pieces. He could do everything on his day. Shame he hasn't kicked on since he moved but if he ever made it back to League 2 he would take the absolute piss.
ST: Padraig Amond - Think we can all see what Podge is capable of. Immense finisher, extremely intelligent in the box. We'd have not gone up without him. Not offering him a 2 year deal and thus allowing him to leave was one of the biggest mistakes this club has made, probably THE biggest this decade.
ST: Liam Hearn - Ah Liam. What could have been. A shame his prime season was also the season Vardy went to Fleetwood as he would have been the absolute standout player in non league. I've never seen a player single handedly murder defences like Hearn did. Pace, power, flair, skill and a top finisher to boot. If not for major injuries, we'd not only have gotten promoted sooner but he would have had a solid shot at the Championship.

Pretty straightforward to me unless I'm blatantly forgetting someone. A few standout ommissions include Dean Henderson (tiny loan spell), Danny Andrew, Toto N'siala, Jon Nolan, Jamey Osborne, Alan Connell. That would make a tidy bench.

Making our worst team of the decade would be a lot more in depth and interesting. We signed some absolute frauds in non league.

 

[F!RTHY]

GK: Matt Duke

RB: Stephen Darby
CB: Rory McArdle
CB: Andrew Davies
LB: James Meredith

RW: Mark Marshall
CM: Josh Cullen
CM: Gary Jones (C)
LW: Kyel Reid

ST: James Hanson (as much as I can’t stand him)
ST: Nahki Wells

 

[Indian Dan]

GK: Matt Duke

RB: Stephen Darby
CB: Rory McArdle
CB: Andrew Davies
LB: James Meredith

RW: Mark Marshall
CM: Josh Cullen
CM: Gary Jones (C)
LW: Kyel Reid

ST: James Hanson (as much as I can’t stand him)
ST: Nahki Wells

No Doyle?

 

[Chris FGR]

No Carbone either. Shocking.

 

[LS Bantam]

Doyle definitely going into Swindon’s after all five minutes of the last ten years and Carbone retired from playing in 2010, would’ve been 38.

 

[Chris FGR]

Doyle definitely going into Swindon’s after all five minutes of the last ten years and Carbone retired from playing in 2010, would’ve been 38.

I remember getting a Panini sticker of him at Bradford. That was 20 years ago. Fucking hell I'm getting old.

Edit. Actually think it must have been Merlins. Was a superstar one.

 

[LS Bantam]

I remember getting a Panini sticker of him at Bradford. That was 20 years ago. Fucking hell I'm getting old.

Edit. Actually think it must have been Merlins. Was a superstar one.

Great player, wrote off a lot of money owed to him that realistically could’ve seen us go bust.

 

[LS Bantam]

Duke
Darby McArdle Davies Meredith
Thompson Jones Doyle Reid
Wells Hanson

The ‘12/13 History Makers. The best squad we’ve had since the one promoted to the Premier League. We’ve had better individuals than some of those, Pickford, Cullen, Stead, but that side had everything, leaders, pace, height, aggression, desire, the perfect balance, everything you want from a side lead by Parkinson. Promotion and the League Cup final as a League 2 side, all legends.

 

[F!RTHY]

No Doyle?

Aye, Nathan Doyle almost pipped Cullen, tbf.

 

[Chris FGR]

So Swindon have got the ginger Pele, and Grimsby had the ginger Pirlo.

What others have there been. Any 'ginger Messi's' or 'ginger Sol Campbell's' knocking about? Could build a team of them.

 

[Indian Dan]

You’ve got old Ginger Whinger

 

[Chris FGR]

You’ve got old Ginger Whinger

Chris Evans doesn't work for us afaik.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Agree with most of what Clarkey said.

James McKeown - Henderson was unreal and far better but what’s 6 games to 9 years of service.

Carl Magnay - loved Richard Tait but Magnay was pure class and a fantastic player anywhere at the back. Should have stayed.
Shaun Pearson - as has been said, passion and effort at the top level. Good on the ball and was gutted when he was released.
Nathan Pond - Mickey Mellon must’ve been dense to let him go to the Conference. Solid at L1 level for 3 years after that says it all.
Conor Townsend - L1 player loaned to the Conference. Was everywhere.
Craig Disley - everything a captain needed to be and scored some vital goals over the years.
Jon Nolan - only here 6 months but Hurst brought out the sublime quality he had. We’d have done well in League 2 if he’d stayed.
Jamey Osborne - if he had the right attitude, he’d be playing much higher than the Conference. Wizard on the ball.
Podge Amond - natural goalscorer and clever player. Great foil for any other striker.
Omar Bogle - decent in non-league, unplayable in League 2. Should have stayed longer. People know what he’s capable of.
Liam Hearn/Alan Connell - can’t choose. Hearn could walk through a defence and dribble round the keeper whereas Connell could consistently hit top bins from 30 yards. We’ve been lucky with strikers this decade tbf.

 

[TimeyWimey]

I've seen a few of these knocking around. So go on then, who makes your own team's team of the decade? No rules, can be anyone, including loanees. Any formation you like. Interested to see some lists for sure.

I've seen a few of these knocking around. So go on then, who makes your own team's team of the decade? No rules, can be anyone, including loanees. Any formation you like. Interested to see some lists for sure.

Crewe's(4-3-3):

Steve Phillips(GK) - Played at the highest level of all keepers we had, was rock solid in his first few years here, even if age and immaturity caught up with him eventually. But he was an immense keeper on the whole.
Matt Tootle(RB) - Was excellent during the teams promotion run in 2012 and in the following 2 seasons in League One. Mental issues saw him lose form and he's never been the same player since. But at his peak, he was a top draw League One RB.
Eddie Nolan(CB) - Was brought in as a depth option, quickly turned into our best and most consistent CB. Been the stabilising force of the back line in the last few seasons whilst not having a stable partner for much of it.
Adam Dugdale(CB) - Ok, he was never a great player, but he at least had a good run of form. Probably the pick most Alex fans will disagree with. But he'll always be remembered for his goal in the 2012 play-offs. Heart and soul player.
Harry Pickering(LB) - Pickering is a decent L2 LB currently, with the potential to a bit higher, maybe the top of L1 at a push. His inclusion speaks for how slim the pickings are at this position.
Ashley Westwood(CM) - Always had bags of potential, never saw him turning into a consistent PL starter for several different clubs mind. He's forged a great career for himself. One of our best graduates.
Luke Murphy(CM) - Never kicked on after his move to Leeds, which is a shame. Very talented player and goalscorer, he was immense in 11-12 and 12-13, such a pivitol part of both those teams. Pretty much carried us by himself in 12-13. Sad that his career hasn't exactly taken off since he left.
Anthony Grant(CM) - Excellent player in his 2 seasons with us, shame his attitude was a bit suspect off the pitch, as he was superb on it. Think the club got pissed off with his antics, hence why they bombed him out. No surprise we turned to complete dogshit the moment he left mind.
Chuks Aneke(ST) - Such a talented player, can see why Arsenal liked him as a youngster and why he's back in the Championship right now. Big, powerful, got great feet, can finish. I hope he can realise his potential, he could easily boss the Championship if he puts it all together.
Nick Powell(ST) - Easily the most gifted player to ever grace an Alex shirt. Never seen such an incredible run of form as the one he showed during the 11-12 promotion season. Shame he doesn't seem to care about football, because if he was motivated, he would be in the PL now. Wasted ability.
Clayton Donaldson(ST) - Best goalscorer this club has had since Nicky Maynard and Luke Varney. Nobody has come close since. Won the golden boot in 10-11, shame his best season came in a year when he was out of contract. He's had an excellent career as a lower league goalscorer. I miss him.

Crewe's(4-3-3):

Steve Phillips(GK) - Played at the highest level of all keepers we had, was rock solid in his first few years here, even if age and immaturity caught up with him eventually. But he was an immense keeper on the whole.
Matt Tootle(RB) - Was excellent during the teams promotion run in 2012 and in the following 2 seasons in League One. Mental issues saw him lose form and he's never been the same player since. But at his peak, he was a top draw League One RB.
Eddie Nolan(CB) - Was brought in as a depth option, quickly turned into our best and most consistent CB. Been the stabilising force of the back line in the last few seasons whilst not having a stable partner for much of it.
Adam Dugdale(CB) - Ok, he was never a great player, but he at least had a good run of form. Probably the pick most Alex fans will disagree with. But he'll always be remembered for his goal in the 2012 play-offs. Heart and soul player.
Harry Pickering(LB) - Pickering is a decent L2 LB currently, with the potential to a bit higher, maybe the top of L1 at a push. His inclusion speaks for how slim the pickings are at this position.
Ashley Westwood(CM) - Always had bags of potential, never saw him turning into a consistent PL starter for several different clubs mind. He's forged a great career for himself. One of our best graduates.
Luke Murphy(CM) - Never kicked on after his move to Leeds, which is a shame. Very talented player and goalscorer, he was immense in 11-12 and 12-13, such a pivitol part of both those teams. Pretty much carried us by himself in 12-13. Sad that his career hasn't exactly taken off since he left.
Anthony Grant(CM) - Excellent player in his 2 seasons with us, shame his attitude was a bit suspect off the pitch, as he was superb on it. Think the club got pissed off with his antics, hence why they bombed him out. No surprise we turned to complete dogshit the moment he left mind.
Chuks Aneke(ST) - Such a talented player, can see why Arsenal liked him as a youngster and why he's back in the Championship right now. Big, powerful, got great feet, can finish. I hope he can realise his potential, he could easily boss the Championship if he puts it all together.
Nick Powell(ST) - Easily the most gifted player to ever grace an Alex shirt. Never seen such an incredible run of form as the one he showed during the 11-12 promotion season. Shame he doesn't seem to care about football, because if he was motivated, he would be in the PL now. Wasted ability.
Clayton Donaldson(ST) - Best goalscorer this club has had since Nicky Maynard and Luke Varney. Nobody has come close since. Won the golden boot in 10-11, shame his best season came in a year when he was out of contract. He's had an excellent career as a lower league goalscorer. I miss him.

Can’t argue too much with that. I’d probably include Ng over Tootle and Artell over Duggy. Love Dugdale for what he gave in his time here but Artell was the better player at the same time. I remember how he was “ruled out” prior to the second leg at Southend in the play-offs, then was suddenly named in the team. Momentus moment imo.

The entire playing side of the 2010’s are defined by Nick Powell. Absolutely incredible performances in a Crewe shirt and to finish with that goal at Wembley was also like a film script.

 

[Bottega Don]

GK: Luke Daniels - Very solid keeper for a few years in our L1 play-off campaigns, kept more clean sheets then anyone in L1 across those seasons.

RB: Jordan Clarke - We've had a lot of RB's this decade, a lot of them playing a few games filling in for Clarke while he was injured. Clarke is one of the best RB's i've ever see play for Scunny when he's fully fit, it's a shame it rarely ever happens anymore. Cliff Byrne could have got in here too as he's a legend but most of his best years came last decade.
CB: Murray Wallace - Best CB i've seen supporting Scunny, he was just different gravy and was a big part of why we made the play-offs in back to back years.
CB: David Mirfin - Another great CB, played loads of games across a few spells for us and was class in every spell.
LB: Conor Townsend - Just an outstanding LB, not a surprise he's in the championship now.

CM: Duane Holmes - Played RM, RB, CM, LM, CAM, he was brilliant wherever he played. Glad to see him starting for Derby.
CM: Stephen Dawson - Captain for one of our play-off campaigns, real midfield general.
CM: Ryan Yates - Only played half a season but is the best player I've seen play for Scunny this decade, he was outstanding in every match he played.

RW: Paddy Madden - Our top scorer this decade and an Iron legend, miss him. Still angry at Alexander for selling him for nothing.
ST: Sam Winnall - Only played one season for us but he was unplayable, 23 goals in L2.
LW: Josh Morris - Scored some of the best goals I've seen as a Scunny fan apart of one of the best teams.

 

[Vanni]

So Swindon have got the ginger Pele, and Grimsby had the ginger Pirlo.

What others have there been. Any 'ginger Messi's' or 'ginger Sol Campbell's' knocking about? Could build a team of them.

Ginger Messi = Rory Gaffney (according to the Brovers fans)

White Pele = Luke Berry (so say the Camb and Luton fans)

God = Rakish B (everybody)

 

[E10rifle]

This is a tricky one for various reasons, but having spanned three divisions over the decade and enjoyed/suffered a cavalcade of talented loanees/has-beens here for the pay check, I’ve picked two teams. I don’t care if it’s cheating.

One Team To Destroy Them All: A side full of notable short-term wearers of the shirt. Some of them did the square root of fuck-all, but it looks sexy on paper. (4-4-2).

GK: Eldin Jakupovic - A short 3 month loan towards the end of 2013-14, the Swiss international is the best keeper I’ve ever seen in Orient colours. Gigantic, commanding and a brilliant shot-stopper, he sadly seems content to sit on his arse as a reserve keeper in the EPL. Currently at former 2019/20 title challengers Leicester City.

RB: Jens Janse - Probably the best player you’ve never heard of, former Dutch U-21 international Janse has plied his trade in the upper eschelons of the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and, er, Georgia. He remains the stuff of legend. Sent off 14 minutes into his debut, he was actually the second Orient player to receive his marching order that day. Halcyon times. After disappearing from the first team at the start of November, Janse magically reappeared 6 months and four managers later. Playing in our final football league game up at Blackpool, 900+ O’s regaled our hero with a continuous chorus of “If Janse can play for Orient, so can I”. After he ridiculously scored a wundergol just after half time, we spent the second half singing: “We all dream of a team of Jens Janse.” And I still do.

CB: Eric Lichaj - Capped 16 times by the USA, Lichaj has carved out a solid career in the Championship after leaving Aston Villa. Currently playing for Hull after a spell as Nottingham Forest captain.

CB: Syam Ben Youssef - Signed way back in 2011, it was widely considered that SBY was NVG, especially by manager Russell Slade. 40-odd caps for Tunisia and spells in the top divisions of Romania, France and Turkey later, it seems that wide consideration may indeed have been a tad wrong.

LB: Andrea Dossena - Former Italy international left back (10 caps) and part-time Harrods shoplifter. Having once scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League, it was frankly in£xplicabl£ wh¥ $uch a tran$c€nd£nt tal€nt £nd€d up at th€ O$. Indirectly got manager/Director Of Football/Sideshow Bob Mauro Milanese sacked after he refused to play Dossena up front when the Mad Titan B******i told him to.

RW: Paul-José M’Poku - As a Spurs loanee, M’Poku was of course brilliantly talented on the ball and soft as s**t off of it. A tricky winger with a blooter of a shot and a penchant for the impossible, PJM has been capped numerous times by the DRC and enjoyed a successful career with Chievo, Panathanaikos and particularly Standard Liege.

CM: Tom Carroll - As a Spurs loanee, Carroll was of course brilliantly talented on the ball and soft as s**t off of it. A deep-lying playmaker, Carroll could dictate games despite possessing the flimsy body of Keira Knightley. Has gone on to make over 100 appearances in the top two tiers of English football, despite spending most of that time in the pretend country of Wales.

CM: Kevin Anthony (Jens) Jance Nolan - The player-manager of this side, ‘Noles’ (as no-one called him) enjoyed a superb career as a prolific attacking midfielder for Bolton and Newcastle before a disastrous switch to a pathetically-run, minuscule East London football club. In a desperate attempt to revive and re-mould his career, he left West Ham and moved to near-neighbours Orient instead. His masterful displays in central midfield were matched only by his ability to drunkenly abuse supporters and his former teammates at the end of season awards. Allegedly. Cough.

LW: Andros Townsend - As a Spurs loanee, Townsend was of course brilliantly talented on the ball and soft as s**t off of it. Very good at running, he was simply too fast for League One right backs. He would regularly meep meep them before crossing the ball to an empty box because no-one could keep up with him. Still a Premier League regular with 13 England caps to his name, Townsend has yet to successfully complete a cross.

CF: Gianvito Plasmati - The world’s only fully tame giraffe, Plasmati was the poster boy for the Bechetti era. Having scored his first and second Serie A goals against Inter Milan and Juventus respectively, the definitely-not-just-here-because-he-was-Franco’s-drinking-buddy-fuck-me-are-we-paying-him-10k-a-week striker netted his first two Orient goals against Gillingham and Crewe. However the pinnacle of his Orient career came during a home game when, spotting the keeper off his line, the Lamppost of Lecce side-footed a pea-roller of a shot from inside of his own half. It just about made it to the goal line, roughly a metre inside of the corner flag. Oh how we laughed. LMAOhfucktheclubisdyingitsdyingsomebodystopthislunatichahaha.

CF: Harry Kane - As a Spurs loanee, Kane was of course brilliantly talented on the ball and soft as s**t off of it. Quite good.

 

[Chris FGR]

You forgot Ebou Adams.

Forgot Harry Kane played for you. Should have made the move permanent, would have done quite well for you I reckon.

 

[Si Robin]

GK - Scott Brown - A lot of Cheltenham fans will have Jack Butland, and whilst there's no doubt Jack is a better goalkeeper, he played less than 40 games for the Robins and achieved the grand total of fuck all at the club. Scotty was twice player of the year and after leaving in 2014, came back to keep us in the Football League in 2017.

DR - Sido Jombati - He was raw and needed constant coaching from Alan Bennett, but there's no doubting this lad's talent. Which has since been evident at Wycombe as well.

DC - Steve Elliott - When he signed some thought it was for one last payday - the guy was an absolute rock for us though and was crucial in the 11/12 playoff season.

DC - Alan Bennett - Captain Fantastic, my favourite Cheltenham player of all time. Wore his heart on his sleeve and was treated appallingly by Mark Yates when sold after 18 months.

DL - Chris Hussey - Really difficult this position because we've not been blessed at Left-back. Huss has been outstanding for us when fit though and will be crucial to any lingering playoff hopes we have in 2020.

MR - Ryan Broom - Our next big sale, with Peterborough likely to spend £250k on him in January. Class player on his day, and may be playing number 10 at the moment, but spent last season on the right.

MC - Marlon Pack - Could have been any one of the three who played in the 11/12 season, but Marlon had that bit of class that Luke Summerfield and Russ Penn didn't.

MC - Harry Pell - The glue that held our title winning 15/16 team together. Absolutely outstanding on and off the pitch. Gutted to see him go last season, although his time really was up.

ML - Kaid Mohamed - He only really performed well in one of every four or five games, but when he played well he was bloody terrific, completely unplayable sometimes.

CF - Mo Eisa - Probably the easiest pick of the lot for me. Truly outstanding in breaking our season goals record in the Football League. Not only that, he became our first ever £1m sale when signing for Bristol City in the summer of 2018. He was treated appallingly there, but you only have to see what he's done at Posh this season to truly appreciate his talent.

CF - Dan Holman - This may seem an odd call because he only really played well for half a season. But his half season in the Conference he was unbelievably good. Got injured in the last Pre-season friendly before our return to the Football League and I genuinely believe that destroyed his confidence. Was never able to find a way back, even after dropping back down a level or two, and his career really hit the skids. Such a shame because he is probably one of the most talented finishers I've ever seen at Whaddon Road, playing for or against the Robins.

Manager - Gary Johnson - Yes it ended in animosity, he undoubtedly stayed too long, but absolutely nothing in this World could have prepared me for what he did in the summer of 2015. 11 players who had never played together before started the 15/16 season at Lincoln, by April we were the Champions - the first team to be relegated from the Football LEague and go straight back up as champions since Lincoln in 1988. Yates' 11/12 team was better, Duff has turned us around completely from the mess we ended up in under Johnson, but 15/16 will never be forgotten.

 

[Chris FGR]

Kaid Mohamed was pretty average in the Conference for us, scored the odd cracker and was good at running very fast in straight lines, but other then that was pretty ineffective. Surprised he made it in to your team of the decade. Fair play to him he must have really improved after leaving us.

 

[Si Robin]

I think it says more about the lack of talent we've had play left wing this past 10 years than anything else. As i said, he was a 1 in 4/5 game player. But that 1 game he was unstoppable. His performance away at Bristol Rovers in Sept 11 was truly outstanding.

 

[The Terminator]

You forgot Ebou Adams.

Forgot Harry Kane played for you. Should have made the move permanent, would have done quite well for you I reckon.

There was no chance of that happening He was 17 years old when playing for us and more than held his own in League One.

 

[Andy Proctor]

Chris neal won promotion with us shrewsbury and salford
Adam yates another promotion winner for us
Carl dickinson only real regular reliable left back we have had
Anthony grant superb player shame he wasnt here for longer
Nathan smith solid centre half never misses a game only 23 and made nearly 200 appearances for the club
Remie streete was superb for a season for us shame he got injuries and dont think he has a club now
David worrall playing superbly this season probably our player of the year
Doug loft captain another promotion winner chipped in with the odd goal
Tom pope club legend vale fan still scoring goals and drinking pints in his local another promotion winner
Louis dodds another promotion winner scored some superb goals for the club against Fleetwood and rotherham away
Jennison myrie William's another promotion winner scored 10+ goals 2 seasons running good winger bit of a journey man

 

[GTFCfish]

Can’t believe there was no special mention from either Grimsby or Orient fans for both clubs best ever forward James Alabi.

 

[E10rifle]

You forgot Ebou Adams.

He’s not fit to lick the boots of the CMs in this side:

The Side I Should Actually Have Picked But I Was Too Busy Unsuccessfully Trying To Be Funny (4-4-2):

GK: Alex Cisak - The most difficult position in this side to pick, because we’ve had bloody loads. Jamie Jones made by far the most appearances over the decade, but he is a bit of a c*** who loved bottling it in big games. Cisak on the other hand was absolutely superb. Sure, he was a bit of a chubber, but he kept us vaguely in games time and again. Being our #1 during the B*******i era gave him plenty of practice.

RB: Moses Odubajo - A youth product who scored a winner with his wrong foot from 25 yards on his debut, Mo was equally comfortable at right back and right midfield. Part of the inimitable 2013-14 League One playoff final squad, Odubajo has absolutely everything going for him except luck with injuries. Flogged for £1 million and cheap at the price, he now plies his trade at Sheffield Wednesday.

CB: Matt Baudry - Just edging Scott Cuthbert out of the side, Matty B is class in a glass at centre back. Quick, comfortable on the ball and the perfect partner for Nathan Clarke.

CB: Nathan Clarke - A brilliant leader and dependable rock at the back. Head it, kick it, foul it. Very good at shouting at anyone not living up to the high standards he set himself. Pity his legs went towards the end of his time with us.

LB: Charlie Daniels - Initially arrived on loan from Spurs, so Daniels was of course brilliantly talented on the ball and soft as s**t off of it. After signing permanently, Charlie worked hard at the defensive side of his game and eventually moved on to two promotions and impressing in the Premier League with Bournemouth. Excellent on the overlap and formed a superb partnership with Dean Cox.

RM: Jobi McAnuff - One of my two token nods to last year’s Conference title-winning bunch, Jobi has been there, seen it, done it as a pro, and his class shone through last season. Comfortably the best player in the 5th tier last term, he would be in our first team this season if he wasn’t crocked. Even at the grand old age of 38 he would improve the side.

CM: Stephen Dawson - All energy, tenacity and intelligence. Everywhere on the pitch for the full 90 minutes every week. The driving force behind the 2013-14 side.

CM: Romain Vincelot - Part midfield dynamo, part existential philosopher. Great beard.

LM: Dean Cox - Indisputably our player of the decade, the Lilliputian left winger was the heart and soul of our best side(s) of the decade. Having managed just over 200 appearances, 47 goals and 70ish assists before being shamefully binned-off by B******i, Deano established himself as one of the modern greats of the club. Plus we got to sing “We’ve got Tiny Cox” every game.

CF: Macaulay Bonne - Just pips Jay Simpson to this accolade. In 2016 Simpson became the first Orient player to score 20 league goals in a single season since Peter Kitchen in 1978 (breaking the EFL’s longest active streak of clubs without a 20-goal striker). Over the course of 2017-2019, Bonne scored over 20 goals in two consecutive seasons. Allied to his superb work rate and solid link-up play, his goal scoring ability is beginning to shine for Charlton in the Championship.

CF: Kevin Lisbie - A complete player at League One level. A good enough footballer to ply his trade in the divisions above, but it was when he dropped to the third tier that he finally added consistent goal scoring to his undoubted all-round ability. A truly top-drawer forward and human being.

Subs: Jamie Jones, Scott Cuthbert, Dan Happe, Liam Kelly, Josh Koroma, Jay Simpson, Beast Mode Téhoué

 

[SELatic]

In a decade where our highest position in any league has been 14th, it’s unsurprising most of these players had no more than a short spell with us:

(3-5-2)

Connor Ripley - made league one team of the season in a side that finished in the bottom few. Joint record clean sheet holder in one season.

Anthony Gerrard - very good in his first spell rescue season. Shame he’s a gobshite.

Peter Clarke - a travesty we allowed him to go in summer. Unbelievable pro and captain. Kept our club together the past couple of years.

James Tarkowski - youth product who oozed class from the start. Now an England international.

Jonny Forte - Scored a lot of goals one year for us (most by anyone in one season this decade?) Would have been more if he wasn’t crocked.

Korey Smith - only played one season I think but was ace. Gone on to play Championship every year since.

Kieran Lee - played RB for us but now in his rightful CM position at Sheff Weds. Great player.

Jose Baxter - untouchable in this first spell with us. Will always love JBB.

Chris Taylor - was best for us in the decade preceding this one but there’s not much else to choose from. Quality winger a few years back.

Matt Smith - an absolute donkey until the 2012/13 FA Cup came about and then he turned into a world beater. Complete heroics in that tournament and he’s played championship since.

Eoin Doyle - BP is the strikers graveyard but in our league one relegation season for a spell we looked ace largely due to Doyle scoring freely. Most natural finisher we’ve had for yonks.

Special mentions for:
Dale Stephens
Dean Furman
Matt Palmer
Curtis Main
Jack Byrne
Callum Lang
George Edmundson

 

[PaulHaddock]

So Swindon have got the ginger Pele, and Grimsby had the ginger Pirlo.

What others have there been. Any 'ginger Messi's' or 'ginger Sol Campbell's' knocking about? Could build a team of them.

Always disliked the Ginger Pirlo thing about Disley because he was nothing like him as a player. Ginger Scholes is definitely more apt.