Cult Heroes

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Just a moment of your time would be HUGELY appreciated, and hey it might be fun anyway!!

Basically, I'm just starting to write my dissertation on Cult Heroes in English Football and whether on field performance is the MAIN factor in their categorisation.

What I'm after is some very unofficial, off the cuff opinions on the topic. I have my opinions, but it would be interesting to see whether there is a consensus within you guys.

Just some examples to consider:

George Best - Class player, plague life

Robin Friday - Similar to Best (any more in depth on Friday would be superb!)

George Berry - Simply because of his hairdo?

Akinbiyi - For all the wrong reasons??


Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[papereyes]

http://www.amazon.com/Football-Focus-He ... 90&sr=1-11

???

If memory serves, two players 'win' it from two different clubs.

Clive Mendonca (Charlton, Grimsby)
Robin Friday (Reading, Cardiff)

[Big Foot]

[URZZZZZZZZ]

http://www.amazon.com/Football-Focus-Heroes-Steve-Boulton/dp/0563522704/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255947890&sr=1-11

???

If memory serves, two players 'win' it from two different clubs.

Clive Mendonca (Charlton, Grimsby)
Robin Friday (Reading, Cardiff)

I ordered that book literally 15 mins ago, so should be a huge help! Cheers!

[AbovetheI]

Maradona - Cheating/Drug taking

[papereyes]

http://www.amazon.com/Football-Focus-Heroes-Steve-Boulton/dp/0563522704/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255947890&sr=1-11

???

If memory serves, two players 'win' it from two different clubs.

Clive Mendonca (Charlton, Grimsby)
Robin Friday (Reading, Cardiff)

I ordered that book literally 15 mins ago, so should be a huge help! Cheers!

My own opinion is that they tend to split three ways.

1) Insanely good and shouldn't be at the club in the first place.
2) Insane or 'characters'
3) Utterly average but worked hard for decades

I also find it hard to believe that teams such as Liverpool or United have 'cult heroes' that are any good. If they're good, they're usually recognised as such. They might have insane/character players (like Eric Meijer) and they might have relatively unrecognised players but part of me thinks the whole definition is based around the unsung and clinically bonkers.

[AF1]

[Wide and Wonderful]

Duncan Ferguson. A penchant for violence both on and off the pitch, adored by home fans.

Some burglars once made the mistake of breaking into his house whilst he was home. One of them spent 3 days in hospital afterwards and was given an 'honourable mention' in the Darwin awards.

[zummerset]

QPR- Stan Bowles (supremely skillful, liked a drink, betting and fast women)
Ipswich Eric Gates (no teeth - looked like a Harry Potter goblin), Paul Mariner (Mullet wearing gheyer beloved by young girls and hairdressers)
Matt Le Tissier (laziest bloke on the pitch. magic skills)

I think 'cult' figure implys some sort of maverick tendancy combined with amazing talent -HTH and good luck

[(.)Boobies(.)]

Gazza - Footballing genuis, famed for tears when being sent off in the World Cup, and being a wife beating drunk.

[Silver Fox]

+1

Is it just me or does Baz look a tad Stringer-like in that pic?

[Big Foot]

http://www.amazon.com/Football-Focus-Heroes-Steve-Boulton/dp/0563522704/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255947890&sr=1-11

???

If memory serves, two players 'win' it from two different clubs.

Clive Mendonca (Charlton, Grimsby)
Robin Friday (Reading, Cardiff)

I ordered that book literally 15 mins ago, so should be a huge help! Cheers!

My own opinion is that they tend to split three ways.

1) Insanely good and shouldn't be at the club in the first place.
2) Insane or 'characters'
3) Utterly average but worked hard for decades

I also find it hard to believe that teams such as Liverpool or United have 'cult heroes' that are any good. If they're good, they're usually recognised as such. They might have insane/character players (like Eric Meijer) and they might have relatively unrecognised players but part of me thinks the whole definition is based around the unsung and clinically bonkers.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would definately fit the cult hero mould for me and he was a great goalscorer.

[Geekins]

Cantona
Giggs

[bobbybottler]

QPR- Stan Bowles (supremely skillful, liked a drink, betting and fast women)

And once, when randomly walking past Griffin Park one evening, he noticed a small fire inside the ground and alerted London Fire Brigade, saving the ground from destruction. I can't work out if this is a good thing or not.

Eric Gates

Middle name = Lazenby.

HTH.