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I was reading Terry Butcher's wikipedia page, and was surprised how much I'd forgotten or never knew. (Pat Nevin's cousin! Subject of a million-pound bid from Man U while at Ilbrox). In particular, I was struck by the fact that he played almost a full season of games after re-registering as a player when managing Sunderland.
It got me wondering - who was the last player-manager in the top two divisions? It was common in the lower leagues until relatively recently I think, (and off the top of my head I can think of at least seven Colchester player-managers, including four with an ITFC background: Whitton, Atkins, Hunter, Burley).
Playing at a higher level, did Town ever come up against player-managers? If so, who was the most recent? (I'm guessing there are at least a couple I should remember - but I can't think of any.)
Not sure it’s the most recent but one of the most effective was Hoddle at Swindon, played centre back when they got promoted from the old second division , early 90s.
Not sure it’s the most recent but one of the most effective was Hoddle at Swindon, played centre back when they got promoted from the old second division , early 90s.
I wondered if Di Canio played for Swindon as well whilst managing them?
Ade Akinbiyi couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo...
Not sure it’s the most recent but one of the most effective was Hoddle at Swindon, played centre back when they got promoted from the old second division , early 90s.
Hoddle was a god like player for Swindon at 2nd tier level, as evidenced by the fact that he played a full season in the top flght (and indeed as player-manager) for Chelsea after leaving them.
Was there when Swindon beat us 4-1 at home early in our promotion season. Having Hoddle as sweeper and Micky Hazard ahead of him in midfield was a dream combo for them and we could'nt live with them that night, despite not playing too badly if I recall.
Hoddle was a god like player for Swindon at 2nd tier level, as evidenced by the fact that he played a full season in the top flght (and indeed as player-manager) for Chelsea after leaving them.
Was there when Swindon beat us 4-1 at home early in our promotion season. Having Hoddle as sweeper and Micky Hazard ahead of him in midfield was a dream combo for them and we could'nt live with them that night, despite not playing too badly if I recall.
He was amazing that night, completely ran the game from sweeper. Pinging beautiful pinpoint passes all night.
One of the best individual performances I've seen in 36 years of going to PR.
He was amazing that night, completely ran the game from sweeper. Pinging beautiful pinpoint passes all night.
One of the best individual performances I've seen in 36 years of going to PR.
Hoddle was my favourite non-Town player growing up. Some of these goals are really exceptional, not least the proto-Celina effort against Watford at the end and the one just prior to that where he waltzes between two defenders who seem stunned into a statuesque stupour simply by his presence.
Hoddle was my favourite non-Town player growing up. Some of these goals are really exceptional, not least the proto-Celina effort against Watford at the end and the one just prior to that where he waltzes between two defenders who seem stunned into a statuesque stupour simply by his presence.
" two defenders who seem stunned into a statuesque stupour simply by his presence."
So not unlike Gav and Mark when you stroll into TWTD Towers.
Hoddle was a god like player for Swindon at 2nd tier level, as evidenced by the fact that he played a full season in the top flght (and indeed as player-manager) for Chelsea after leaving them.
Was there when Swindon beat us 4-1 at home early in our promotion season. Having Hoddle as sweeper and Micky Hazard ahead of him in midfield was a dream combo for them and we could'nt live with them that night, despite not playing too badly if I recall.
I was there. Hoddle was light years the best player in the pitch. Oddly, I wasn’t downhearted. I had a feeling we were a good team. I think we played Southend the following Sat at home and won 1-0 to confirm my view.
I was there. Hoddle was light years the best player in the pitch. Oddly, I wasn’t downhearted. I had a feeling we were a good team. I think we played Southend the following Sat at home and won 1-0 to confirm my view.
Managing the team and getting them perfectly set up to what he wanted them to do based on his strengths as a player, he didn't have the legs to get up and down in midfield. Recognised his limitations as a player physically and moved to sweeper were he didn't have to run about much and people trying to kick him off the park but give the space and time to play these beautiful long passes to feet from 40 yards. They got promoted the year later.
Might well be the last player-manager to play against us, in a friendly in 2013.
Barnet 0-1 Town20th Jul 2013 17:47 David McGoldrick’s first half goal was enough to give the Blues a 1-0 victory over Barnet in the first game at their new home, The Hive. Earlier, Scott Loach had saved a Mark Byrne penalty.14
Hoddle was my favourite non-Town player growing up. Some of these goals are really exceptional, not least the proto-Celina effort against Watford at the end and the one just prior to that where he waltzes between two defenders who seem stunned into a statuesque stupour simply by his presence.
Its a pity he lost the England manager's job in such a silly way. If he was given a proper run of a few years like Southgate has I reckon English football would have been a lot differently.
He was amazing that night, completely ran the game from sweeper. Pinging beautiful pinpoint passes all night.
One of the best individual performances I've seen in 36 years of going to PR.
Not seen that since, and there I am in the lower cobbold near the North stand level with the penalty spot.
Feet up, laid back, arms stretched accross the seats with a whole row all to myself in the first of a few sub 10k crowds i'd imagine early that season.
The majority of those players performed adequately in the top flight for a couple of seasons. I completely forgot Brian Gayle even played for us in the promotion season.
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