Ten most iconic post war English footballers.

[Albionic68]

I considered Edwards. Put him on the honourable mentions list. The fact he played so few games was the reason I left him out. Keegan, Gascoine & Lineker all great players but not iconic, well not to make the 10. It's al about opinions though isn't it?

True, but if yours is the only opinion which counts it kind of defeats the object of the thread in the first instance. I'd counter that Keegan was very much an icon of his time, as were the candidates which you provided. Did they all transcend the post war period? Clearly not as Cyrille was only born in '58 and Beckham didn't make it out of his mom until the mid 70's.

Although very fine players in their own right, and achieving legendary status for a variety of reasons (I absolutely worshiped Cyrille as a lad, a genuine iconic figure), I don't think many challenged themselves by playing abroad for instance, thus enhancing their iconic status with a wider audience while also winning two Ballon d'Ors as did Keegan.

Then again playing abroad may not have been an option which was open to many of those listed. The obviously exempt Welsh man John Charles managed it, as did Greaves, although despite having a good goal return he just couldn't settle in Milan and came home after less than fifteen games.

There are many ways of defining iconic status and I'm not saying I'd exclude any from your original list. But perhaps limiting it to ten was a bit restrictive.

Still as you say Chris, it's all about opinions isn't it ?

[holmleighchris]

True, but if yours is the only opinion which counts it kind of defeats the object of the thread in the first instance. I'd counter that Keegan was very much an icon of his time, as were the candidates which you provided. Did they all transcend the post war period? Clearly not as Cyrille was only born in '58 and Beckham didn't make it out of his mom until the mid 70's.

Although very fine players in their own right, and achieving legendary status for a variety of reasons (I absolutely worshiped Cyrille as a lad, a genuine iconic figure), I don't think many challenged themselves by playing abroad for instance, thus enhancing their iconic status with a wider audience while also winning two Ballon d'Ors as did Keegan.

Then again playing abroad may not have been an option which was open to many of those listed. The obviously exempt Welsh man John Charles managed it, as did Greaves, although despite having a good goal return he just couldn't settle in Milan and came home after less than fifteen games.

There are many ways of defining iconic status and I'm not saying I'd exclude any from your original list. But perhaps limiting it to ten was a bit restrictive.

Still as you say Chris, it's all about opinions isn't it ?

I wasn't saying only my opinion counts, merely stating why I chose those 10.
Does playing abroad strengthen or diminish their standings?

[Albionic68]

I wasn't saying only my opinion counts, merely stating why I chose those 10.
Does playing abroad strengthen or diminish their standings?

Hang on Chris, I think we may be at cross purposes.

Holmleigh: a. “Keegan, Gascoine & Lineker all great players but not iconic (in your opinion Chris), b. well not to make the 10”.

Albionic68: a. “There are many ways of defining iconic status and I'm not saying I'd exclude any from your original list. b. But perhaps limiting it to ten was a bit restrictive”.

Holmleigh: “Does playing abroad strengthen or diminish their standings?”

Albionic68: As stated above there are many ways of defining iconic status. Steve Bull for instance is an icon for some and I can appreciate why, but just not for me. I would suggest Keegan and Laurie broadened their appeal to a wider audience by plying their trade abroad. Cyrille did not, but he is clearly a footballing icon (in our shared opinion). Greaves may be an icon to you, but given his short career perhaps not to the average AC Milan supporter; swings and roundabouts.

I highlighted in my OP that Keegan was one of the main men around when I were a lad. You discounted Keegan from your reckoning regarding your own top ten. We agree it’s all about opinion and as Des’ suggests it’s a great topic for the pub, just as it is for a football forum.

[mickd1961]

Hang on Chris, I think we may be at cross purposes.

Holmleigh: a. “Keegan, Gascoine & Lineker all great players but not iconic (in your opinion Chris), b. well not to make the 10”.

Albionic68: a. “There are many ways of defining iconic status and I'm not saying I'd exclude any from your original list. b. But perhaps limiting it to ten was a bit restrictive”.

Holmleigh: “Does playing abroad strengthen or diminish their standings?”

Albionic68: As stated above there are many ways of defining iconic status. Steve Bull for instance is an icon for some and I can appreciate why, but just not for me. I would suggest Keegan and Laurie broadened their appeal to a wider audience by plying their trade abroad. Cyrille did not, but he is clearly a footballing icon (in our shared opinion). Greaves may be an icon to you, but given his short career perhaps not to the average AC Milan supporter; swings and roundabouts.

I highlighted in my OP that Keegan was one of the main men around when I were a lad. You discounted Keegan from your reckoning regarding your own top ten. We agree it’s all about opinion and as Des’ suggests it’s a great topic for the pub, just as it is for a football forum.

As a 10 year old Keegan was my first football hero in 1971 so I do feel he warrants a place.










I also ended up with a perm.











Possibly this detracts from his merits.