Your clubs Mt Rushmore

[spireite]

It's something they were talking about on TalkSport and I thought it might be an interesting discussion point. So it's just your 4 most important or influential players or managers in your clubs history in your opinion. Not necessarily just the best players you've had, but those people who have had most impact.

I think for us mine would be;

Jack Lester. Obvious really, the guy just took the piss week after week.
Kevin Davies. Really important player in the clubs history.
John Duncan. How can you leave out the guy that took us to 1 horrendous referring decision away from a FA Cup final, in an era where it actually meant a lot.
Paul Cook. Two titles with us, L1 playoffs and built probably the best team the club's had in it's history.

 

[Scum.]

Dean Lewington - do I need to explain?

Karl Robinson - longest serving manager. Helped establish us as a dominant L1 side and took us up to the Championship.

Dele Alli - our homegrown highest profile player ever so far.

I think I’d just settle with those 3 on the playing side and then I feel as we are unique, Pete Winkelman would have to be there for obvious reasons as our 4th.

 

[Si Robin]

I like this idea, two jump out immediately, but there can be a lot of discussion with the other two.

The easy two first then:

Steve Cotterill
It goes without saying that without this guy, we would still be a mediocre non-league team. He took us from the Southern League to the third tier and took us to Wembley for the first time in our history when we won the FA Trophy in 1998. If we ever built a statue at Whaddon Road, it would be of this man.

Michael Duff
He could be here as either a player or a manager. As a player he started as a kid in our youth team before making his first team debut in the Southern League. He then nailed down his place in the starting 11 in the Conference and seemed to improve with every promotion. Left a sour taste in the mouth when he forced a move to Burnley (other clubs were offering more money, but he refused to go to them) but then came roaring back as manager. Saved us from relegation in 18/19, took us to the League 2 playoffs in 19/20 (I still believe if the season wasn't curtailed we'd have gone up automatically), then won our first ever EFL title in 20/21. Not satisfied with that, he then led us to our highest ever finishing position the following season before leaving as a legend both as player and manager.

Now for the contentious two, in which I suspect age would play a part in the decision making:

Neil Grayson
Anyone Cheltenham fan who saw Grayson play will class him in their top 5 players for the club. He'd run through brick walls, but also had that bit of class. He didn't sign for us until he was 33, but he was arguably still the best player at the club when he was released 4 years later. If only his shot against Rushden in the 2002 playoff final went in instead of cannoning back off the post.

John Finnigan
The only player to play in both of our Playoff wins in 02 and 06. The second one he was captain for and if ever there was a player who you didn't realise how important they were until they weren't there then it was him. Finners was absolutely class, he would tackle anything that moved, he built a fantastic partnership with Grant McCann (arguably our greatest technical player of all time) and he would pop up with important goals out of nowhere - including scoring the rebound following the Grayson shot that hit the post mentioned above. One of those players who is constantly overlooked by Cheltenham fans on this sort of thing - again proving that you don't know what you've got until he's gone.

Honorable Mentions:

Alfie May - this generation's Neil Grayson
Alan Bennett - My favourite player of all time, a real captain, he doesn't get on the Mt Rushmore because he was only with the club for 18 months
Jamie Victory and Lee Howells - two of the others who played from Southern League right up to the third tier.

 

[valefan16]

John Rudge - Legendary manager who took us from perennial League Two strugglers to at one point knocking on the door of the Premier League, with giant killings, promotions and Wembley trips in the Halcyon days of the late 80's and 90's.

Roy Sproson, well before my time but played over 800 times for us (plus 100's by his Nephew and Brother IIRC), part of the legendary 1954 side which cruised to the Division 3N Title and more famously made the FA Cup Semi Finals beating Blackpool the holders en route.

Tom Pope - More recent but in terms of impact he scored 33 to give us our first automatic promotion in 20 years, then scored the goals to keep us in the football league almost dragging us through, add in a boyhood Vale fan and record goal scorer post war.

Micky Adams - The Messiah, club was heading one way when he was appointed by some surprise but immediately made the club hard to beat and had us flying in L2 when we lost him to his boyhood club Sheffield United, however 6 months later the "second coming" happened and he steered the club through administration on the field to build a promotion side which one of the most entertaining sides I have seen, top scorers in the land, battered promotion rivals Rotherham 6-2 and Burton 7-1 before a top 9 finish in our first season back in League One, after starting to go Vale in 2001 it was the first time I'd seen the decline stop in the direction the club was heading.

 

[Dan Phillips]

John Rudge - Legendary manager who took us from perennial League Two strugglers to at one point knocking on the door of the Premier League, with giant killings, promotions and Wembley trips in the Halcyon days of the late 80's and 90's.

Roy Sproson, well before my time but played over 800 times for us (plus 100's by his Nephew and Brother IIRC), part of the legendary 1954 side which cruised to the Division 3N Title and more famously made the FA Cup Semi Finals beating Blackpool the holders en route.

Tom Pope - More recent but in terms of impact he scored 33 to give us our first automatic promotion in 20 years, then scored the goals to keep us in the football league almost dragging us through, add in a boyhood Vale fan and record goal scorer post war.

Micky Adams - The Messiah, club was heading one way when he was appointed by some surprise but immediately made the club hard to beat and had us flying in L2 when we lost him to his boyhood club Sheffield United, however 6 months later the "second coming" happened and he steered the club through administration on the field to build a promotion side which one of the most entertaining sides I have seen, top scorers in the land, battered promotion rivals Rotherham 6-2 and Burton 7-1 before a top 9 finish in our first season back in the Championship, after starting to go Vale in 2001 it was the first time I'd seen the decline stop in the direction the club was heading.

League One, not the Championship.

 

[valefan16]

League One, not the Championship.

Yeah meant L1, think Micky would be even higher in our legend status had he done that!

Talking of that forgot to include Ryan Burge in there of course!

 

[jacobncfc]

It’s hard for us because really it would have to all be people who are long before someone like me’s memory. The only person from the modern era who could stake a claim would be Neil Warnock, who was the last person to take us to the top flight, but even that was just before I was born.

The non-negotiable would be Jimmy Sirrel, our legendary manager who took us from the fourth tier to the old division one, and even though it’s way beyond living memory, Jimmy Logan was the first person to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup final when we won it. My dad and most people I’ve asked who can remember the Sirrel era would regard Don Masson as the best player we ever had

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

John Rudge - Legendary manager who took us from perennial League Two strugglers to at one point knocking on the door of the Premier League, with giant killings, promotions and Wembley trips in the Halcyon days of the late 80's and 90's.

Roy Sproson, well before my time but played over 800 times for us (plus 100's by his Nephew and Brother IIRC), part of the legendary 1954 side which cruised to the Division 3N Title and more famously made the FA Cup Semi Finals beating Blackpool the holders en route.

Tom Pope - More recent but in terms of impact he scored 33 to give us our first automatic promotion in 20 years, then scored the goals to keep us in the football league almost dragging us through, add in a boyhood Vale fan and record goal scorer post war.

Micky Adams - The Messiah, club was heading one way when he was appointed by some surprise but immediately made the club hard to beat and had us flying in L2 when we lost him to his boyhood club Sheffield United, however 6 months later the "second coming" happened and he steered the club through administration on the field to build a promotion side which one of the most entertaining sides I have seen, top scorers in the land, battered promotion rivals Rotherham 6-2 and Burton 7-1 before a top 9 finish in our first season back in League One, after starting to go Vale in 2001 it was the first time I'd seen the decline stop in the direction the club was heading.

One of my favourite Gills players of all time, Micky Adams.
I remember years ago when he was your gaffer, it was getting a bit silly after the game, I just wandered over to a group of your lads who obviously thought I was after a tear up. I just said “Micky Adams is a legend here mate, look after him”.
They simply smiled and shook my hand.
Promotion buddies after that.

 

[Son of Cod]

Probably Alan Buckley, Clive Mendonca, John Mcdermott and Matt Tees (for the older fans) with a tiny miniature statue of Paul Hurst cupping his ears to them at ground level. Matt Tees up for debate as my knowledge runs solely from 1990 onwards. You could probably argue a case that there needs to be more of a nod to the olden days when we were top flight but I don't know enough about those days and I can't entertain the idea of ditching one of Buckley, Mcdermott or Mendonca. We'll build ours next to Chesterfield's too so we can have Lester and Mendonca side by side again.

 

[valefan16]

One of my favourite Gills players of all time, Micky Adams.
I remember years ago when he was your gaffer, it was getting a bit silly after the game, I just wandered over to a group of your lads who obviously thought I was after a tear up. I just said “Micky Adams is a legend here mate, look after him”.
They simply smiled and shook my hand.
Promotion buddies after that.

Proper manager, used to absolutely beast the players in pre season, not afraid to roast them if needed. Remember we lost to a heavily financed Notts County side and he was so angry he wen't on radio and put the whole team on the transfer list! Hated Steve Evans, when we played Crawley in their first ever EFL game Evans upset him with his comments on the side lines about having to spend more money etc so Adams went on a radio rant about "Wishing I had the career of Steve Evans!"

Then the long running spat with Gradi.

Fun times, proper team of battlers and old school but probably would not be able to manage that way these days! His autobiography is a very good read.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Proper manager, used to absolutely beast the players in pre season, not afraid to roast them if needed. Remember we lost to a heavily financed Notts County side and he was so angry he wen't on radio and put the whole team on the transfer list! Hated Steve Evans, when we played Crawley in their first ever EFL game Evans upset him with his comments on the side lines about having to spend more money etc so Adams went on a radio rant about "Wishing I had the career of Steve Evans!"

Then the long running spat with Gradi.

Fun times, proper team of battlers and old school but probably would not be able to manage that way these days! His autobiography is a very good read.

Cheers, I will read that
If you like a football autobiography I can heartily recommend Tony Cascarino’s.
Best one I’ve ever read.

 

[GEORGE]

It's something they were talking about on TalkSport and I thought it might be an interesting discussion point. So it's just your 4 most important or influential players or managers in your clubs history in your opinion. Not necessarily just the best players you've had, but those people who have had most impact.

I think for us mine would be;

Jack Lester. Obvious really, the guy just took the piss week after week.
Kevin Davies. Really important player in the clubs history.
John Duncan. How can you leave out the guy that took us to 1 horrendous referring decision away from a FA Cup final, in an era where it actually meant a lot.
Paul Cook. Two titles with us, L1 playoffs and built probably the best team the club's had in it's history.

Would of thought Kevin Randall & Ernie Moss would have made your list?

 

[GEORGE]

It’s hard for us because really it would have to all be people who are long before someone like me’s memory. The only person from the modern era who could stake a claim would be Neil Warnock, who was the last person to take us to the top flight, but even that was just before I was born.

The non-negotiable would be Jimmy Sirrel, our legendary manager who took us from the fourth tier to the old division one, and even though it’s way beyond living memory, Jimmy Logan was the first person to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup final when we won it. My dad and most people I’ve asked who can remember the Sirrel era would regard Don Masson as the best player we ever had

Tommy Lawton, Tony Hately and Deano

 

[EnglishRed]

Arfon Griffiths, Joey Jones, Mickey Thomas and Humphrey Ker

 

[jacobncfc]

Tommy Lawton, Tony Hately and Deano

Lawton is a funny one - we broke the world transfer record to sign him (!), he played more for us than anyone else, and later managed us. But I think he is quoted as saying he regretted the mad move from Chelsea down to division three, which his wife wanted, saying he wishes he’d transferred her instead.

In terms of impact on the club he would probably have to be there, though.

 

[David Curries Mullet]

Cyril Knowles, Brian Little, Alan Walsh, David Currie (obviously)

 

[Coalite]

It's something they were talking about on TalkSport and I thought it might be an interesting discussion point. So it's just your 4 most important or influential players or managers in your clubs history in your opinion. Not necessarily just the best players you've had, but those people who have had most impact.

I think for us mine would be;

Jack Lester. Obvious really, the guy just took the piss week after week.
Kevin Davies. Really important player in the clubs history.
John Duncan. How can you leave out the guy that took us to 1 horrendous referring decision away from a FA Cup final, in an era where it actually meant a lot.
Paul Cook. Two titles with us, L1 playoffs and built probably the best team the club's had in it's history.

Can’t leave Ernie Moss off, so I’d replace KD for him. Other than that I agree.

 

[Coalite]

Would of thought Kevin Randall & Ernie Moss would have made your list?

I’d definitely have Ernie on there but Kev Randall is also a great shout. If I think right, his involvement with CFC as player, assistant manager, manager then again as assistant spans something daft like forty years and thousands of matches.

Definitely one worthy for consideration.

 

[Cloudy]

Probably Alan Buckley, Clive Mendonca, John Mcdermott and Matt Tees (for the older fans) with a tiny miniature statue of Paul Hurst cupping his ears to them at ground level. Matt Tees up for debate as my knowledge runs solely from 1990 onwards. You could probably argue a case that there needs to be more of a nod to the olden days when we were top flight but I don't know enough about those days and I can't entertain the idea of ditching one of Buckley, Mcdermott or Mendonca. We'll build ours next to Chesterfield's too so we can have Lester and Mendonca side by side again.

Although I am considerably older than you, I think if it is of all time then you have to pay homage to the team of the 1930’s- two FA Cup semi finals and finishing In the top echelons of the Top tier. Pat Glover 180 league goals in 227 appearances, Hall, Betmead and Buck. George Tweedy etc

In my own time watching the Mariners, then, I’d go for ( in no particular order)
Matt Tees
Joe Waters
Kevin Moore
John McDermott

I have left out the classiest player I have ever seen in a Grimsby shirt, Trevor Whymark, as he was only with Town for about 2.5 seasons.

 

[F!RTHY]

Stuart McCall - one of our own. 443 appearances, 52 goals. Also managed 260 games for the club. Mr. Bradford City.

Cess Podd - our most appeared player - 574 games.

Bobby Campbell - highest all-time goalscorer. 143 goals for the club over 2 spells.

Jimmy Speirs - Joined in 1909 and captained us to our FA Cup win in 1911. During the First World War, he was fatally shot in the thigh - this ended an illustrious football and military career - aged just 31.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I'm only going to do a Mount Rushmore of players or managers during my lifetime as a fan:

Jimmy Sirrel - our greatest ever manager (albeit I only witnessed his football during his second tenure).

Neil Warnock - back to back promotions from old 3rd to old 1st division via not one but two unforgettable Wembley playoff victories will never be matched in my lifetime.

Lee Hughes - greatest finisher I've ever seen at Notts. Was a class above almost all he faced, was a constant menace for defenders and opposition fans and could score a goal out of nothing or what looked a half chance at best.

Mark Draper - my generations Don Masson, so composed, so stylish, so much talent. Knew he would play higher up and he did.

Of all time it's probably

Sirrel
Lawton
Bradd
Masson

 

[Jimmy Anderson]

John rudge the best manager the club has ever had and he's now got his statue at the ground.

Tom pope clubs 2nd all-time club goalscorer helped us win promotion and also scored goals keep us in the football league.

The shanahans without them buying the club at an over the top price there wouldn't be a port vale now to support.

 

[spireite]

Can’t leave Ernie Moss off, so I’d replace KD for him. Other than that I agree.

I did consider Ernie after and thought yea maybe he should be included, and he probably deserves a spot, it's just harder to include someone I've not actually seen with my own eyes you know. He's still the club's top scorer right?

 

[saddler78]

Ray Graydon
Chris Nichol
Alan Buckley
Jimmy Walker

 

[northstandexile]

Would have thought Kevin Randall & Ernie Moss would have made your list?

Two Mansfield players I fondly remember as being leading lights in our third tier title winning squad of 1977.

 

[Coalite]

I did consider Ernie after and thought yea maybe he should be included, and he probably deserves a spot, it's just harder to include someone I've not actually seen with my own eyes you know. He's still the club's top scorer right?

He is yes. Crazy really. We've had nearly forty years of football played since he finished playing for us.

I only caught his third spell at CFC really. My first game was in 1980 but I was a mere nipper and can't really remember him while he was playing for us during that period.

I guess he's so revered because he's a Chesterfield lad, a supporter who lived his dream and gave absolutely everything to the cause when he played. He wasn't easy on the eye but he knew where the onion bag was.

And Moss and Miller was a fantastic sports shop!

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Alick Jeffrey, before my time but still hailed as the best player for us.
Jamie Coppinger
Sean O’Driscoll
Ian Snodin

 

[lordofthepies]

Hated Steve Evans

I never thought I'd say this, but I think I like Micky Adams?

 

[lordofthepies]

Then the long running spat with Gradi.

I'm not sure you can call something so one-sided a spat

 

[Dan Phillips]

Probably Alan Buckley, Clive Mendonca, John Mcdermott and Matt Tees (for the older fans) with a tiny miniature statue of Paul Hurst cupping his ears to them at ground level. Matt Tees up for debate as my knowledge runs solely from 1990 onwards. You could probably argue a case that there needs to be more of a nod to the olden days when we were top flight but I don't know enough about those days and I can't entertain the idea of ditching one of Buckley, Mcdermott or Mendonca. We'll build ours next to Chesterfield's too so we can have Lester and Mendonca side by side again.

Barry Conlon absolutely robbed here.