Highest achieving Pools XIs

poolieinnottingham · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:36 pm

I was talking with a fellow Poolie the other day about how quick thinking Beardsley was when he played for us, and it got us on to the topic of which players achieved the most success either before or after they played for us.

Obviously you've got the likes of Andy Linighan, John McGovern who left us to go on to better things.

Anyone fancy a crack at naming the best XI of players who achieved after they played for us and also one where their glory days were behind them (like Beardsley)?

Anyone mentioning Steve Howard will be disqualified.

yloop · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:37 pm

Steve Howard.

Yubep · **Joined:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:35 pm **Posts:** 25266

Don hutch
Jeff smith
Jermaine Easter
Pederson
Jordan mellish

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yloop · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:00 pm

Ian Thomas-Moore

derwent · **Joined:** Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:59 pm **Posts:** 12368

Les Green (GK) left us for Derby County.
Jack Howe (LB) Derby County and England.
Rob McKinnon (LB) Motherwell and Scotland.
Bryan Drysdale(LB) Bristol City.
Andy Linighan (CB) Arsenal
George Luke (OL) Newcastle
John McGovern (MF) Derby and Forest and Scotland.
Tony Parry ( MF) Derby
Keith Houchen ( CF) Coventry (FA Cup winner)
Don Hutchinson (MF) Liverpool
Adam Boyd ( STR) Luton.

There's a start.

born toulouse · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:46 pm

Bill Green went to Carlisle when they were good and then West Ham - good centre half. Ambrose Fogarty and Ernie Phythian both deserve a mention too, more for their names than anything else though.

Kevin Poole in goal if loanees are allowed.

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 4:25 pm **Posts:** 4198

Joe Allon - Chelsea
Malcolm Poskett - Brighton, Watford and Carlisle - when they were in the old 2nd Division (Championship)

thomas1974 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 22, 2018 6:53 pm **Posts:** 60

John brownlee, Newcastle& hibs
Peter Carr, Newcastle
John trewick, Newcastle, wba.
Ray Kennedy, Arsenal, Liverpool

Montpoolier · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 5:58 pm

I've said this before so why not again.
John McGovern did not impress me at Pools.
It was round about the era of our first ever promotion, and there were a lot of stand-out names. He wasn't one of them.

Yes, I know it's irrelevant to the question.

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22670

Ray Kennedy wins by a country mile surely. At the time he played for Pools he was the top of all list of honours still playing in the English league.

Even with his illness at the time you could clearly see the gulf in class. Similar to Beardsley, half the time it looked like he was kicking the ball into nowhere because the rest of the team weren't thinking on the same level.

horden · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 6:22 pm

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

Ray Kennedy wins by a country mile surely. At the time he played for Pools he was the top of all list of honours still playing in the English league.

Even with his illness at the time you could clearly see the gulf in class. Similar to Beardsley, half the time it looked like he was kicking the ball into nowhere because the rest of the team weren't thinking on the same level.

Good shout that ! European cup winner and member of side that won the double.

horden · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 6:33 pm

Copying off Derwent cos I cant be arsed to think. No loan signings. Bit of a Bates team with 2 left backs and numerous central midfielders but hey ho!

Les Green (GK) left us for Derby County.
Rob McKinnon (LB) Motherwell and Scotland.
Bryan Drysdale(LB) Bristol City.
Andy Linighan (CB) Arsenal
John McGovern (MF) Derby and Forest and Scotland.
Tony Parry ( MF) Derby
Tommy Miller MF Ipswich Town
Keith Houchen ( CF) Coventry (FA Cup winner)
Don Hutchinson (MF) Liverpool
Peter Thompson CF Derby County and Blackhall lad
Joe Allon CF Chelsea

Ray Kennedy

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 4:25 pm **Posts:** 4198

Going for a team of players that I've seen regularly:

Dimi (GK) - AEK Athens, Middlesbrough

Micky Nelson - Norwich, Kilmarnock
Andy Linighan
Bill Green
Rab C. McKinnon

Tommy Miller
Don Hutchison
Joel Porter - Gold Coast United (Australian A League - that'll do for me!)

Keith Houchen
Joe Allon
Adam Boyd -Luton (when they were in the Champioship)

Lack of a natural right back might be a bit of a problem, but this Pools side would score goals for fun, so who cares?

Smithy1 · **Joined:** Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:33 pm **Posts:** 570

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father wrote:

Going for a team of players that I've seen regularly:

Dimi (GK) - AEK Athens, Middlesbrough

Micky Nelson - Norwich, Kilmarnock
Andy Linighan
Bill Green
Rab C. McKinnon

Tommy Miller
Don Hutchison
Joel Porter - Gold Coast United (Australian A League - that'll do for me!)

Keith Houchen
Joe Allon
Adam Boyd -Luton (when they were in the Champioship)

Lack of a natural right back might be a bit of a problem, but this Pools side would score goals for fun, so who cares?

Still gets a game dimi doesn't he?

When he was with us he was in the Travs every weekend.

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22670

Barry Watling a nose in front of Dimi.

Potter
Goad
Dawes
Green
Smith
Waddle
Smith
Veart
Young
Warnock

Nelly · **Joined:** Tue Jan 23, 2018 1:10 pm **Posts:** 103

Keeper-wise, how about Steve Harper?
Definitely McGovern has to be in - he lifted the European Cup. Don Hutchinson too. Beardsley, Solano...Humphreys when he burst on the scene at Sheff Wed. Didn't John Macphail play in the top division? Houchen for the cup final winner should be in.

Face Paint Army · **Joined:** Sun Oct 22, 2017 1:31 pm **Posts:** 226

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

Ray Kennedy wins by a country mile surely. At the time he played for Pools he was the top of all list of honours still playing in the English league.

Even with his illness at the time you could clearly see the gulf in class. Similar to Beardsley, half the time it looked like he was kicking the ball into nowhere because the rest of the team weren't thinking on the same level.

Alan Kennedy scored the winning goal in the European Cup Final twice. Same Liverpool team as Ray. Both played for Pools. I remember my old man who was massive Liverpool fan taking me to see them both to the Vic when I was still at school. Ray Kennedy debut was the first Pools match I went to then my old man made me wait outside ground after game to get his autograph.

thetownendfaithful · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 10:37 pm

Solano? Alan Thompson

Pitlad · **Joined:** Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:43 pm **Posts:** 224

Marlon Harewood, a bit like Solano had a very good career but very dissappointing at pools.

balltofeet · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:08 pm

I like Mr Irrelevant grew up on that side. We could name it every week. Watling was some keeper followed Ashurst to Gillingham and Sheff Wed. They key is the players went on to better things after Pools not those who were once high and dropped down to Pools. So here goes:

Dimi trumps Watling although nothing in it for me in terms of ability.
Right back unsure sarcastically Jack Ross but Tony Parry i think made 1 appearance at Derby
Left back Mckinnon
Centre backs Bill Green and Andy Linighan
Right Wing tough one Paul Proudlock played for the Boro we have had a dearth of progression in that area if only Brian Honour had never got footballer's knee!
Left Wing: Neil Warnock anyone or Paul Dalton
Centre Mids: McGovern and erm Chris Beech or Kevin Johnson
Strikers Has to be Houchen and Poskett

Smithy1 · **Joined:** Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:33 pm **Posts:** 570

phil wrote:

Marlon Harewood kept us in the football league with his header against Accrington Stanley, Pools legend.

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Didn't mind Marlon me used to get the crowd going.

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 4:25 pm **Posts:** 4198

Nelly wrote:

Keeper-wise, how about Steve Harper?
.

Loved Harper's spell with us - he was absolute quality, but he wasn't at the Vic long and he was only on loan from the Geordies.

horden · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:40 am

Just remembered a keeper, Alan Stevenson, played in old 1st div for a good Burnley side, England U23 and arguably one of top 5 keepers in country at one stage.

charco · **Joined:** Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:24 am **Posts:** 885

No Beardsley?

Fensy · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:15 pm **Posts:** 6476

horden wrote:

Just remembered a keeper, Alan Stevenson, played in old 1st div for a good Burnley side, England U23 and arguably one of top 5 keepers in country at one stage.

If we're talking goalkeepers surely Martin Hodge has to be mentioned, he should have been in the England World Cup squad in Mexico 1986, but Gary Bailly declared himself fit to go and took his place

Stomper409 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:00 am

A few "seen better days when they joined us" players:

Ray Kennedy
Alan Kennedy
Peter Beardsley
David McCreery
John Bird
Terry Cochrane
Ambrose Fogarty
Martin Hodge
Bobby Kerr
Mark Proctor
John Trewick

RAY52 · **Joined:** Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:36 pm **Posts:** 932

No Kenny Simpkins? Welsh international, or was that U23. Keeper come part time striker.

charco · **Joined:** Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:24 am **Posts:** 885

If we're talking Welsh internationals what about Eifion effin Williams?

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

Did Effion actually play? He got a call up I remember but got injured and was replaced by that bellend from Bristol City, Christian Roberts.

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

Did the Egyptian, Tewfik Abdullah play for his country?

crowe · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 7:03 pm **Posts:** 92

Jordan Hugill if including loans.

First player to play for pools and go on to be sold for an eight figure transfer fee.

paulus the woodgnome and a side salad · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 3:19 pm

crowe wrote:

Jordan Hugill if including loans.

First player to play for pools and go on to be sold for an eight figure transfer fee.

.....Keith Houchen was 8 kippers?

horden · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:50 pm

Fensy wrote:

horden wrote:

Just remembered a keeper, Alan Stevenson, played in old 1st div for a good Burnley side, England U23 and arguably one of top 5 keepers in country at one stage.

If we're talking goalkeepers surely Martin Hodge has to be mentioned, he should have been in the England World Cup squad in Mexico 1986, but Gary Bailly declared himself fit to go and took his place

Hodge my favourite ever Pools keeper.

horden · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:53 pm

Stomper409 wrote:

A few "seen better days when they joined us" players:

Ray Kennedy
Alan Kennedy
Peter Beardsley
David McCreery
John Bird
Terry Cochrane
Ambrose Fogarty
Martin Hodge
Bobby Kerr
Mark Proctor
John Trewick

All decent for us with possibly exception of Trewick and Cochrane, played in the worst teams in their defence.

Eric McMordie anyone? shit for us like.

Bluestreak · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 5:07 pm

Kevin Poole was a great keeper.

poolieinnottingham · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 5:28 pm

Waaay before my time, but is it right that Steve Fletcher's grandad went on to play for England after starting at Pools? Can't remember his name.

derwent · **Joined:** Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:59 pm **Posts:** 12368

poolieinnottingham wrote:

Waaay before my time, but is it right that Steve Fletcher's grandad went on to play for England after starting at Pools? Can't remember his name.

I've already mentioned him John.........Jack Howe. Came back home and was steward of the RAFA club. Was a friend of mine and I once wore one of his England shirts during a friendly match between the Rafa club and the Bourn hotel, when Eddie Larkin was landlord. His daughter, Steve's Mam, used to sing in the Rafa on Sunday dinner times. It was a while before we found out she was miming to records. LOL.
Another snippet about Jack Howe...he was the first professional footballer to wear contact lenses.

poolieinnottingham · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:32 pm

Cheers Frank, it was you who told me this originally, it's all come flooding back. I think we were a bit pissed on a train back from somewhere.

Poolsrme · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:11 pm

While maybe not the best I remember Nick Sharkey scored a few for Pools alongside George Herd from the Bank of England Sunderland team and then from the FA Cup winning team a few years later Bobby Kerr and Dick Malone

derwent · **Joined:** Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:59 pm **Posts:** 12368

poolieinnottingham wrote:

Cheers Frank, it was you who told me this originally, it's all come flooding back. I think we were a bit pissed on a train back from somewhere.

It was the train back from Norwich, John. We had an audience of wild eyed young Poolies. Ha Ha.

Lanark Blue · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:23 pm

Dick Malone ?

horden · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:57 pm

Craig Hignett , Matthew Bates !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smithy1 · **Joined:** Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:33 pm **Posts:** 570

phil wrote:

That second half performance against Carlisle is up there with the best performances I've seen from a Pools striker in my 15 years supporting the team. He bullied their defence and set up 2 or 3 brilliant goals.

But apparently he only scored 6 in 55 games, which is pretty bad, even if he was entertaining.

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The last game off the season where we came back from 3 nil down it was unbelievable, I liked Ronnie Moore as a manager me seemed to get the best off what he was working with I'd say with a better budget he could off done something. But yeah when that 3rd goal went in at Carlisle I ran on the pitch, Emotion took over i guess.

But back onto Marlon for a big lad i can't remember him holding up the ball very well plus I can remember loads off people whinging about him not winning headers, Went to Nuneaton didn't he, Is he still there?

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 19819

[quote="Smithy1"

But back onto Marlon for a big lad i can't remember him holding up the ball very well plus I can remember loads off people whinging about him not winning headers, Went to Nuneaton didn't he, Is he still there?[/quote]
yes he went to nuneaton but left a couple of seasons back. liked him myself but its all about different opinions in football.

horden · **Posted:** Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:23 am

On reflection , Marlon wasn't that bad , its just he came with a pedigree and expectations were high, and he came nowhere near living up to those expectations , same with Howard.

Highest achieving Pools XIs

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