Club Legends

Bruce has sparked a real interesting debate on twitter about how many legends you consider the club to have and what defines the word ' club legend ' . Interested to hear others thoughts on this on who you consider a legend and why? Tweet attatched below.

Well anyone my age will have Matt Tees up there. To add 5000 to the home gate was a reflection of the esteem we all had for him.

After that add Joe Waters, Tony Ford, Bob Cumming and Kevin Moore for what they achieved at the club and the number of appearances they made during that successful period.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Well anyone my age will have Matt Tees up there. To add 5000 to the home gate was a reflection of the esteem we all had for him.

After that add Joe Waters, Tony Ford, Bob Cumming and Kevin Moore for what they achieved at the club and the number of appearances they made during that successful period.

Forgot Dave Boylen apologises Dave.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Well anyone my age will have Matt Tees up there. To add 5000 to the home gate was a reflection of the esteem we all had for him.

After that add Joe Waters, Tony Ford, Bob Cumming and Kevin Moore for what they achieved at the club and the number of appearances they made during that successful period.

That can’t be argued with 👍

Depends on how you define the term. For me though during my time watching town since 2005 - McDermott, Disley, Pearson and McKeown would be mine.

However if you’d watched town since the 70’s and 80’s only really Macca gets on your list.

Matt Tees,without a doubt.  Best header of a ball I've ever seen

Came across this a few months back, hard to argue with the names on it. Not sure the likes of McKeown, Pearson etc should be listed as legends.

https://www.colossusbets.com/blog/the-greatest-grimsby-town-players-of-all-time/

Quoted from jimgtfc

Came across this a few months back, hard to argue with the names on it. Not sure the likes of McKeown, Pearson etc should be listed as legends.

https://www.colossusbets.com/blog/the-greatest-grimsby-town-players-of-all-time/

I think that's very subjective though, I was born in 96. I was too young to remember 98. From what I can remember, the only good season we've had in the FL is 05. Every other season since has been terrible mixed with NL success. So what I constitute to be a club legend will be a lot different to others.. For me Mckeown, Pearson and Disley were the 3 big signings that changed the trajectory of the club. We was at our lowest after having many players coming in for one last pay check. All 3 very rarely missed a game, helped within the local community and live in the area. To me those 3, Mcdermott and Dave Moore are club legends.

I think that’s the difference between ‘club legends’ and maybe fan’s favourites. For me a legend is someone loved by the club no matter when they played. A fan’s favourite is exactly that, someone in your era you’ve witnessed playing.

Ron Rafferty for me.

Quoted from Saudimariner

Matt Tees,without a doubt.  Best header of a ball I've ever seen

93 goals for Town in his 196 games in two spells. Definitely a legend.

Would have won international caps for Scotland except for having the misfortune of being understudy to Denis Law.

I'd add the name Paul Groves to the list.

Joe Waters

I thought that list was bang on. Could possibly have included Kev Moore , brilliant for Town in my first year as a STH when we finished 5th in what would now be the championship. Him and Chris Nichols was the best centre back pairing I’ve ever seen for us. Also played 148 games for Southampton in what would now be the premier league.
It is all subjective , especially to younger fans. In my opinion there are heroes like Macatee , Pearson and Disley and the likes of Futch Livvo and Ivano in years gone by but a true legend contributes and achieves something  big with us over time and spans generations. I never got to see Matt Tees play but my dad still bangs on about him and says he’s the best player in the air he’s ever seen .  Will people still be saying in 40 years time what a good keeper Macca was ?

My definition is quite wide. I think it can be judged on ability (for example, Glover), longevity (for example, McDermott) and attitude (for example, Disley) or a mixture of all three. Below those come iconic players (Waterfall and Amond of recent years) and then cult heroes (Terrys Fleming and Barwick).

Quoted from Saudimariner

Matt Tees,without a doubt.  Best header of a ball I've ever seen

Agree and I know a Charlton fan who says the same.

Two names that for me have to be included in the conversation of club legends are Shaun Tuton and Anthony Straker. Players that will go down in the history books and made memories that will last a lifetime.

Quoted from Captaincod

I thought that list was bang on. Could possibly have included Kev Moore , brilliant for Town in my first year as a STH when we finished 5th in what would now be the championship. Him and Chris Nichols was the best centre back pairing I’ve ever seen for us. Also played 148 games for Southampton in what would now be the premier league.
It is all subjective , especially to younger fans. In my opinion there are heroes like Macatee , Pearson and Disley and the likes of Futch Livvo and Ivano in years gone by but a true legend contributes and achieves something  big with us over time and spans generations. I never got to see Matt Tees play but my dad still bangs on about him and says he’s the best player in the air he’s ever seen .  Will people still be saying in 40 years time what a good keeper Macca was ?

In terms of goalkeepers, Macca probably wouldn't make the top three keepers I've seen for Town - in terms of quality, Trevor Whymark was the best footballer I've seen in black & white but possibly wasn't here long enough to be a legend.

If 'impact' is the criterion by which we are judging, it would probably narrow it down to Tees & Brace from the early 1970's, Waters then Kev Moore, Paul Futcher and John McDermott.

Quoted from Heswall Mariner

Ron Rafferty for me.

Agreed, and with him definitely some of the team he played with, including Johnny Scott - our only representative at a World Cup Finals!!!  Don Donvan, then Jimmy Fell - record transfer at the time, Graham Taylor - how many England managers have we had?  Then Charlie Wright, and Nigel Batch as goalies, No mention of Futch!  (What is the world coming to?)  Garry Birtles.  The problem is, we have had just TOO MANY legends for a short thread!

Surely Tony Ford has to be talked about as a club legend....

Firstly it's a nonsense discussion as it's completely objective. However....for me I think longevity of memory is a big factor.So I'm not sure if McKeown will be particularly remembered in 50 years despite great service to the club but I suspect Gav Holahan might be for that night in Southampton.

If we are talking "club legends" let's not restrict this to players, Alan Buckley has to be in there IMO

Clive Mendonca fantastic striker.
Kev Drinkell, Matt Tees, Tony Ford, Paul Futcher.
McDermot.

Dave Moore for wearing shorts in freezing temperatures.

Quoted from Saudimariner

Matt Tees,without a doubt.  Best header of a ball I've ever seen

I thought Ron Rafferty was (so my dad keeps saying).

On the too difficult pile

To me ...legend shouldn't really  be used for anyone who hasn't racked up at least 250 games for us.....any less and you may qualify to be a bit of a cult hero but not a legend.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Firstly it's a nonsense discussion as it's completely objective. However....for me I think longevity of memory is a big factor.So I'm not sure if McKeown will be particularly remembered in 50 years despite great service to the club but I suspect Gav Holahan might be for that night in Southampton.

That’s more of a legendary game than a club legend. If you’re including players on those terms surely Paul Wilkinson and Phil Jevons must be included for those nights in scouse land and also Wayne Burnett for the Golden Goal in our first Wembley appearance ever. Different category in my opinion .

Quoted from MuddyWaters

In terms of goalkeepers, Macca probably wouldn't make the top three keepers I've seen for Town - in terms of quality, Trevor Whymark was the best footballer I've seen in black & white but possibly wasn't here long enough to be a legend.

If 'impact' is the criterion by which we are judging, it would probably narrow it down to Tees & Brace from the early 1970's, Waters then Kev Moore, Paul Futcher and John McDermott.

Macca was a great servant in goal for Town, but I don't think he would even make my top 10.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

In terms of goalkeepers, Macca probably wouldn't make the top three keepers I've seen for Town - in terms of quality, Trevor Whymark was the best footballer I've seen in black & white but possibly wasn't here long enough to be a legend.

If 'impact' is the criterion by which we are judging, it would probably narrow it down to Tees & Brace from the early 1970's, Waters then Kev Moore, Paul Futcher and John McDermott.

If you seen Wymark play for town, surely these goalkeepers were better than Macca
Wainman, Batchy, Sherwood, Beasant, Coyne, Davison, Crichton, Barnes, Henderson.

Quoted from moosey_club

To me ...legend shouldn't really  be used for anyone who hasn't racked up at least 250 games for us.....any less and you may qualify to be a bit of a cult hero but not a legend.

So futcher is a cult hero on the basis that he joined us so late and only really played 3 seasons or the equivalent.

Bobby Cumming has got to be on the list.

Don Donovan, Ralph Hunt, Ron Rafferty and Charlie Wright from the long past. Kevin Drinkall from the distant past and Harry Clifton for a future legand.

Club Legends...sounds like better marketing than a Saga holiday

I grew up watching Joe Waters and he was a legend for me as a kid.  John McDermot surely is for his whole career at GTFC. You also forgot Groves who captained us to two Wembley wins.

Nigel Batch , Tony Ford and Dean Crombie all played  their part in "Town's" legends gone by.
"Macca" McKeown  ,Clifton, Waterfall and Disley will be up there as the lastest will be discussed in time to come .
Put your Pint down or cuppa tea ...Omar Bogle
Paul Hurst too i would say could cause a stir at a pre match gathering  chat .
So i will leave you with them thoughts
UTM2023--24

It just goes to show what mediocre we have had in the last 20 years or so.

Quoted from cannylad65

It just goes to show what mediocre we have had in the last 20 years or so.

Mediocre ? That good?

Groves was a fantastic player for us. Almost 450 appearances and must have been captain for most of that time as well, I expect. He has to be considered a legend, alongside Macca from that era.

The likes of Gilbert, Childs and Livvo were very good players for us, by Groves played almost twice as many games as any of them and scored twice as many goals, to boot. Remarkable from a central midfield position.

Birtles and Futch were ace while we had them, but neither we here long enough to be called 'legends'.

McKeown a good player for us for a long time but I'm not sure he'd be considered a 'legend', given that a lot of his games were in Non-League.

I'm too old to be hero worshipping now and this is probably more hero worshipping than a legend, but our number 7 from back in the 70's, Jack Lewis.
He used to put a shift in on the pitch then could be found calling the bingo in the amusement arcade on Beacholme in Humberston.
Like many footballers back in the day, they didn't earn big money and many had second jobs.

Jack Lewis was one of my favourites.
So exciting to watch in anticipation.
Rapid off the mark.

I think Lawrie tried to persuade him to go to Southampton, along with Lew Chatterley and Ian Turner.

brace   barton   hickman  lester

Quoted from Heswall Mariner

Ron Rafferty for me.

Plenty in that era - Ron Rafferty  Jimmy Fell  Johnny Scott  Mike Cullen Duncan Welbourn  Keith Jobling  -  any one of these would get in our present team

Frank Barton was from Barton.
At the time there were 3 players with their name of their home town.
Alan? Sunderland, playing for Arsenal, but I can't remember the third.

More useless information.

Just talking to the old man and he says his favourite was Bobby Ross.

Keith Jobling, centre back from the mid 50's to the mid 60's?. Local lad from New Waltham with about 450 league and cup appearances for town. He was a good defender who formed a good partnership with Ron Cockrill who made about 320 appearances for town. These two were the centre of the defence when I started watching town. Both true legends.

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

So futcher is a cult hero on the basis that he joined us so late and only really played 3 seasons or the equivalent.

Yes. Futchenstein is a cult hero.

Post edit.....I presume you meant Paul....not Ben 😀

Quoted from cannylad65

Frank Barton was from Barton.
At the time there were 3 players with their name of their home town.
Alan? Sunderland, playing for Arsenal, but I can't remember the third.

More useless information.

Selwyn Garden-City ?

Ivano Bonetti has to be on the list for me

Quoted from GYinScuntland

I'm too old to be hero worshipping now and this is probably more hero worshipping than a legend, but our number 7 from back in the 70's, Jack Lewis.
He used to put a shift in on the pitch then could be found calling the bingo in the amusement arcade on Beacholme in Humberston.
Like many footballers back in the day, they didn't earn big money and many had second jobs.

It's crazy when you think about it. Dave Boylen would walk into this team and be the best player by a mile, and he used to sell Ringtons tea to supplement his wages.

Think it was Dave Worthington who had a job selling ice creams in the summer.

Barry conlon will always be up there with any Town legend for me, a true pro, on and off the pitch

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

Barry conlon will always be up there with any Town legend for me, a true pro, on and off the pitch

I tell you what left peg, like him or loathe him, he knew where the onion bag was when it mattered.

Not shy to get a round in either. This current lot would need an A to Z to find the bar let alone stand a round, apart from Artell of course.

Quoted from male private Nale

I tell you what left peg, like him or loathe him, he knew where the onion bag was when it mattered.

Not shy to get a round in either. This current lot would need an A to Z to find the bar let alone stand a round, apart from Artell of course.

Do you all still miss the pre season BBQ at HQ on Humberston Avenue? It sounded like the last days of the Roman Empire!

Quoted from smokey111

Do you all still miss the pre season BBQ at HQ on Humberston Avenue? It sounded like the last days of the Roman Empire!

Today's mob harp on about inclusivity but that was proper team bonding through all levels of hierarchy at the club.

To be applauded

Quoted from male private Nale

Today's mob harp on about inclusivity but that was proper team bonding through all levels of hierarchy at the club.

To be applauded

Really?!

I thought it was a case of camera phones being left at the door. Over cooked bangers, cases of fosters and.......

2 players that am surprised I haven’t seen mentioned are George tweedy (300+ games, 1 for England) and super Clive.

Tweedy played only for town I think and got an England cap too. Only broken by ww2 I think. I think super Clive, along with futch, was a great players and definitely class as icons/hero’s.

My favourite of all time.

Jimmy Hernon.

I was in the boy's pen at that time.