Not for me mate sorry, he was a thug. A planned crude assault on Joe, cynically taking him out of the game after just two minutes, reputedly a game plan by Catterick before kick-off. Joe never got over that injury. Labone was hated in Nottingham.Aww heh, Brian Labone was magnificent, I travel down to Everton with fellow members of the Brian Labone Everton SC.
RIP Roger.
Not for me mate sorry, he was a thug. A planned crude assault on Joe, cynically taking him out of the game after just two minutes, reputedly a game plan by Catterick before kick-off. Joe never got over that injury. Labone was hated in Nottingham.
Great to read these reminiscences of players who have passed away from someone who actually saw them play, recently I've enjoyed your appreciations of Jimmy Greaves and particularly Denis Law. Thank you.He was a very good all-round striker. I first saw him play when as a kid I was taken to see Forest play Liverpool at the City Ground. He scored the only goal that day to see the Merseyside Reds take the two points. Strong player and good finisher who could lead the line I checked on the teams, some great players on the 'Pool team that day:
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool Sat Nov 30th 1968
Tommy Lawrence
Chris Lawler
Geoff Strong
Tommy Smith
Ron Yeats
Emlyn Hughes
Ian Callaghan
Roger Hunt
Alan Evens
Ian St John
Peter Thomson
Man: Shankly
Liverpool finished second in Dvision 1 to Leeds that season. I remember being really disappointed that Joe Baker was out injured that day (and for quite some time) after being crocked by that animal, Brian Labone at Everton. King Joe was never quite the same again.
Yes that's true. Labone put Baker out for the rest of that season though and basically put his career into a downward spin where he never recovered to be the player he was. That's football though...Funny how your allegiances sway your opinions of players eh.
Very mature ,sensible dialogue between you two guys! Nice change of late!Yes that's true. Labone put Baker out for the rest of that season though and basically put his career into a downward spin where he never recovered to be the player he was. That's football though...
Rush is the all time record goalscorer. Hunt is second, although he scored more league goals than Rush.Hunt was Liverpool's all time record goalscorer which takes some doing when you consider the strikers they have had over the years, particularly Ian Rush.
That's the second legendary English striker gone in a week.
RIP Roger.
McKenna? I think they quite like him down there, Doc, see him as a good ‘head it and kick it’, no-nonsense centre half. He has a useful partnership with Joe Worrall at the back. Mind you, if you saw the amount of problems they have down there then you could see why they see McKenna as a bonus!What’s the score with that big lump that signed from the Sheepies?
5 or 6 million they expected for a guy that even Pistol would have said wasn’t as good as Paul Hanlon.
Has he turned up?
Cheers. That’s the guy.McKenna? I think they quite like him down there, Doc, see him as a good ‘head it and kick it’, no-nonsense centre half. He has a useful partnership with Joe Worrall at the back. Mind you, if you saw the amount of problems they have down there then you could see why they see McKenna as a bonus!
I think they reckon he does the simple things right…either that or he’s a bit simple - something like that.Cheers. That’s the guy.
I always thought he kicked it when he should have headed it and vice versa.
Abersheep always have a high opinion of themselves in my view.
Quite pleased to see them struggling- a slightly more skilful Gunt side.
Am I right in thinking one of the main strengths of Joe Baker's game was his speed? I was lucky enough to see him when he came back for his second spell at Hibs (50 years ago!!), and he was an instant hero to me. If that was him past his best, he must have been frighteningly good first time around - as the statistics of his goalscoring feats would confirm.Yes that's true. Labone put Baker out for the rest of that season though and basically put his career into a downward spin where he never recovered to be the player he was. That's football though...
Absolutely yes, Joe was lightening quick as well as quick-thinking. Would often see him race away from the defence and incorrectly called offside. He was also pretty feisty as well and would battle with the biggest centre-halves, no bother. He once decked the massive Ron Yeats of Liverpool after some 'treatment' and walked straight off the pitch! There's footage of him on the ground, wrestling with Norman Hunter with Joe swinging a massive left-hander at him from down around his ankles! He was completely fearless.Am I right in thinking one of the main strengths of Joe Baker's game was his speed? I was lucky enough to see him when he came back for his second spell at Hibs (50 years ago!!), and he was an instant hero to me. If that was him past his best, he must have been frighteningly good first time around - as the statistics of his goalscoring feats would confirm.
A great summary and pretty much how I remember him from 1971-72. He wasn't leaving anyone trailing in his wake at that stage but he certainly knew where the goal was and like you say wouldn't tolerate any nonsense from opposing defenders.I'd say some of his main attributes were his instinct around the area, two-footedness, agility and combativeness.
Agree totally, we'll have less of that sort of nonsense on here pleaseVery mature ,sensible dialogue between you two guys! Nice change of late!
Of the era.
For anyone who'd like to see that great Hibernian, Joe Baker, enjoying himself whilst doing a bit of light training back in 1967, fast forward to the 1 min 50 secs mark. A great little piece of video in general, introduced by t
Nottingham Forest prepare for Cup Quarter final April v Everton 1967.
(Go to YouTube link)
It was a wonderful quarter-final Mark! Anamazing game.Link isn't working Stu (and no I didn't sabotage it as it was against the Blues .).
Hugh McIlvanney really was a fitba man, the posh weegie turn of phrase.It was a wonderful quarter-final Mark! Anamazing game.
Just click on where it says 'Watch on YouTube' on the black background and you should be able to see it.
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