The Club Legends Thread.

[Bunty Ferguson Smythe]

Christian Jolley

His contract has been paid off and there's no mention of another club just yet hence the new thread and why I'm not using the transfer thread.

Anyway, all of that is b*ll*cks.

Christian fired Newport back into the league and is a nice guy to boot.

It appears he's been paid off today after failing to maintain his conference form. I think this happened at the Dons too. So perhaps he's not cut out to be a league footballer after all. I hope he proves me wrong.

I'll never forget him scoring at Wembley against Wrexham in the dying minutes to send us up. Those last few minutes before O'Connor added the second in added time were proper 'we'll still blow it' and 'sh!t yourself' moments only footy fans understand.

He turned down a bigger deal at Luton to come to us after a loan spell and that says it all. It wasn't the money it was the club and Edinburgh.

A 'Legend' and that's an understatement.

ps if your club picks him up I hope he scores a sh!tload of goals for you.

 

[Meadow]

I liked Jolls, but he'd lost his confidence with us.

Apparently he's gone to Wrexham.

 

[Wombletom]

I also like Christian Jolley. Thought he was a terrific play at conference level, but seem to lose his way a bit once in the league.
Have heard rumours of him being linked to Grimsby.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Legend really is a term branded about far too often in this game.

We of course have Adam Murray who for some reason can't stay away from this club, 2 promotions with us, 1 being a Championship which he captained us too. He made his debut for us in the very first game I attended.

I remember after the York game, when they beat us in the Play off semi finals he was on the verge of tears after what IMO was his best performance in a Mansfield shirt, he promised the fans that day that the following season we would go one better and when Matt Green scored the winner at Hereford that night, all I can recall was Adam Murray falling to his knees in tears infront of the travelling Stags fans. As loyal and honest as they come, sadly something else lacking from the modern game.

That scream at 2.30!

 

[Calstag]

Oh Christ , that night was one I'll never forget even tho I wasn't there , I nearly launched the radio into the tele and the tele out the window when that went in , that was the moment when you just new we'd done it !

 

[Laker]

I think "legend" is a tough term to define - for us, we only have a handful of players who have been with us for more than 2 or 3 years, and this us common in the lower leagues.

I guess Josh Coulson, Liam Hughes or Ryan Donaldson have potential to become club legends but all three have a fair way to go yet.

 

[1884 Belmont]

There are a lot of people who I could pick in relation to the word 'legend' at Tranmere. Whether that be record signing John Aldridge, top scorer Ian Muir, record appearance maker Ray Mathias or the manager who recently had a statue paid for and erected by the fans, John King, they all rightly have the status of icons at Tranmere. But for those of us too young to remember them (Aldridge and Mathias were our manager by the time I started regularly watching Rovers), I think there can be only 3 names that could even come close.
1. Jason Koumas.
One of the best players we ever produced, Jason was a key part of the team that was causing shocks in the cups in the early 2000's. His goal at Goodison in a 0-3 win over Everton is probably his most famous but he scored some crackers. He was brilliant on the pitch, but off it signed a new deal to ensure we got a good fee for him when he was sold. Came back out of retirement last season to play for us on a bare minimum wage as he knew we couldn't afford anything like what he was used to. Had a very good career even if he didn't quite live up to his full potential - multiple Premier League teams and numerous Welsh caps.
2. John Achterberg
Signed from FC Utrecht, Achterberg was a class above. He was far too good to play for us in League 1, but did so even after our relegation from the Championship. His penalty saves (Millwall away in the FA Cup Quarter Final in particular), his near ever presence for close to 8 years and his total of 10 years service (injuries caught up with him towards the end) were a testament to not only his ability, but his willingness to put himself on the line for the cause. In my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the bottom 2 divisions during the time he was active.
3. Ian Goodison
When Brian Little signed Goodison, he had previously played for him at Hull. He came in with a good pedigree - captain of his country (Jamaica) in the 1998 World Cup no less! Played at left back, he looked a bit of a liability to be honest. But when he was moved to centre back - wow. The guy was unstoppable. He is, without doubt, the best player to play for us in my lifetime (in my opinion). He would fight, battle and leave it all on the line every game. Injuries? Ian Goodison doesn't do injured. Bullies? Ian Goodison doesn't get bullied. His positioning was class and he got better with age. It says a lot that he was still our best defender last year at 41 years old after 10 years of service - he didn't need to be there, but he wanted to be. That says a lot about him.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[dolph]

No mention of John Morrissey Belmont ? I thought he`d be in there for you lot

 

[1884 Belmont]

No mention of John Morrissey Belmont ? I thought he`d be in there for you lot

Oh yes, without a doubt there are a lot missing, but I didn't want to take over the whole thread by posting about 20+ names and explanations. It's probably easier to say Dixie Dean, 'Bunny' Bell, John King and team (Nixon, Morrissey, Nevin, Muir, Irons, etc) and the three I posted about. Older fans than me will probably name a few that I have missed out, but I wanted to keep it to players I have personally seen play for us.
Also, 'legend' doesn't have to include playing staff. I'd say Warwick Rimmer and Les Parry would qualify too (that last one will go down well!) for their work in the youth setup and physio departments respectively.

 

[Pablosammy]

It's got to be Pat Nevin for me. One of the nicest chaps in football, and took a lot of time out for the fans. I remember him saying in one impromptu speech in the old club shop that he got more letters from Tranmere fans when he left us than he did from Chelsea and Everton fans. Oh, he was great to watch too!

 

[RedRedWine]

Jim Bentley; commanding centre back and captain of the side that gained promotion at Wembley. 300+ games for the club having arrived from Telford United in 2002.

He became player manager in 2011 following the departure of Sammy McIlroy. Bentley never selected himself for the first team (didn't feature much in Sammy last season either) and officially hung up his boots in 2013. Now into his fourth year as boss, Jim is the sixth longest serving of all managers in their current roles.

13 years and counting at the club.

 

[Habbinalan]

Our true legends did not feature on the pitch. We have Dion of course and a list of players like Wanless, Wolfie Smith and Lionel Perez - mostly before my time. I started regularly at the Abbey in the days when legend John Taylor was featuring.

As I looked at the United Trinity statue this week and wondered which U's would feature in our own version, the legends in waiting would be Dave Doggett, Jez George and Richard Money. I probably hear as many fond and respectful reminiscences of Bill Leivers (former Workington manager who took us into the league in 1970), Reg Smart (chairman for rise and decline 1990-2002) and even Chris Turner as I do of Dion. John Beck splits the fanbase and I saw more of his antics at Histon than I did at Cambridge.

My main conclusion - from Harry Habbin to Colin Proctor, from John Beck to Richard Money, we are a club that seems to attract and embrace characters both on and off the pitch.

 

[hellogregory]

The Carlisle United legend of my time supporting is Peter Murphy.

• Was with us about 10 years.
• Scored the winning goal to get us promoted back to League 2 at the first attempt.
• Scored the goal that won us the league 2 title in 2006.
• Scored the winning goal against Brentford at Wembley in 2011.