Our best signing ever ?

This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond
Post Reply
FCBurnley
Posts: 9695
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:56 pm
Been Liked: 1967 times
Has Liked: 1132 times

Our best signing ever ?

Post by FCBurnley » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:01 pm

Was just thinking about who might have been our greatest ever signing. Jimmy Mac is an obvious contender but there are many other less obvious ones. Peter Noble, Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier. Maybe Dwight Mcneil further down the line. Harry Potts gave amazing service as player and manager as did Jimmy Adamson ,Frank Casper and Brian Miller. John Connelly was sold for big money in the day as was Micheal Keane. It could be said that Tom Heaton was a key figure in our revival and generated a nice profit also.
Not sure who my vote would go to............there have been so many great signings over the last 130 years or so. Being one of the older generation of fans I guess Jimmy Mac ticks the most boxes for me.

moaninclaret
Posts: 747
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2016 4:19 pm
Been Liked: 170 times
Has Liked: 277 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by moaninclaret » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:05 pm

Danny Ings in recent times for me, but yeah Jimmy Mac is a massive contender.

DomBFC1882
Posts: 1682
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2017 2:21 pm
Been Liked: 462 times
Has Liked: 2398 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by DomBFC1882 » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:15 pm

Robbie blake worth a mention

Im_not_Robbie_Blake
Posts: 1854
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 1:33 pm
Been Liked: 381 times
Has Liked: 232 times
Location: Skipton

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Im_not_Robbie_Blake » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:49 pm

DomBFC1882 wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:15 pm
Robbie blake worth a mention
Thank you. Oh, just remembered, I'm not him!
This user liked this post: BertiesBeehole

Hibsclaret
Posts: 3939
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 4:00 pm
Been Liked: 1233 times
Has Liked: 490 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Hibsclaret » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:49 pm

Duff
These 2 users liked this post: Zlatan Stayingup

conyoviejo
Posts: 5829
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:38 pm
Been Liked: 2491 times
Has Liked: 1477 times
Location: On the high seas chasing Pirates

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by conyoviejo » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:53 pm

Peter Noble .

Gordaleman
Posts: 3981
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2020 3:04 pm
Been Liked: 853 times
Has Liked: 604 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Gordaleman » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:03 pm

Alex Elder could be up there and that other Irishman, Billy Hamilton.

Mind you, Willie Irvine and Andy Lochead weren't bad. When will another two strikers both score 30 goals in a season?

Bosscat
Posts: 25359
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8426 times
Has Liked: 18093 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Bosscat » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:11 pm

Gordaleman wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:03 pm
Alex Elder could be up there and that other Irishman, Billy Hamilton.

Mind you, Willie Irvine and Andy Lochead weren't bad. When will another two strikers both score 30 goals in a season?
There was me thinking you would say "Tom Heaton" Gordale ;)

:lol: :lol: :lol: only pulling your leg feller :D

bobinho
Posts: 9247
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:48 pm
Been Liked: 4069 times
Has Liked: 6535 times
Location: Burnley

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by bobinho » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:12 pm

Akinbiyi worth a mention here I think.

As is Andre.

Toss up between Noble and Duff for me though... I’m not going for any players earlier than that as I didn’t see them live.

Gordaleman
Posts: 3981
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2020 3:04 pm
Been Liked: 853 times
Has Liked: 604 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Gordaleman » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:19 pm

Bosscat wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:11 pm
There was me thinking you would say "Tom Heaton" Gordale ;)

:lol: :lol: :lol: only pulling your leg feller :D
I didn't dare mate. :)
This user liked this post: Bosscat

TVC15
Posts: 8211
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 11:09 pm
Been Liked: 3321 times
Has Liked: 601 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by TVC15 » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:21 pm

Maybe easier per decade

60s - Mclroy
70s - Dobbo, James, or Fletcher
80s - Trevor Steven, Ian Brittain
90s Steve Davis (Mark 2), David Eyres, Glen Little
00s Robbie, Blake, Wade Elliot...and defo Michael Duff
10s Tripps, Ings, Tom Heaton, Ben Mee
20s - no contest - Josh Brownhill.

(Apologies if I got any of the decades wrong !)

Gordaleman
Posts: 3981
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2020 3:04 pm
Been Liked: 853 times
Has Liked: 604 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Gordaleman » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:24 pm

There you go Boss, TVC15 said it for me, ha ha.
This user liked this post: Bosscat

ClaretMov
Posts: 2499
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2019 3:13 pm
Been Liked: 843 times
Has Liked: 822 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by ClaretMov » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:25 pm

Sean Dyche
These 2 users liked this post: Bosscat Taffy on the wing

Woodleyclaret
Posts: 6887
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:25 pm
Been Liked: 1468 times
Has Liked: 1839 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Woodleyclaret » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:33 pm

Billy Mercer turned average keepers into England internationals
This user liked this post: bobinho

boatshed bill
Posts: 15107
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:47 am
Been Liked: 3137 times
Has Liked: 6682 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by boatshed bill » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:45 pm

So difficult over various eras, I'd go for James Tarkowski.

claretblue
Posts: 6410
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 3:36 pm
Been Liked: 1831 times
Has Liked: 961 times
Location: cloud 9 since Dyche appointed

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by claretblue » Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:46 pm

TVC15 wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:21 pm
(Apologies if I got any of the decades wrong !)
you did! :?

should be:

50s - Mclroy (McIlroy)

60s - Dobbo

Tricky Trevor
Posts: 8321
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 10:06 pm
Been Liked: 2439 times
Has Liked: 1978 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Tricky Trevor » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:00 pm

Dobo has to be our greatest free transfer ever.
If it’s transfers only some of the above were signed as schoolboys.

Tribesmen
Posts: 5063
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:15 am
Been Liked: 1176 times
Has Liked: 635 times
Location: Tibet

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Tribesmen » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:06 pm

Peter Nobel was the first that came to my mind also

Claret Toni
Posts: 507
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:44 pm
Been Liked: 156 times
Has Liked: 106 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Claret Toni » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:13 pm

Woodleyclaret wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:33 pm
Billy Mercer turned average keepers into England internationals
If Pope and Heaton were average keepers, then the rest have been total shite (and many were irrespective of this comparison) over the years, going back to Alan Stevenson - who wasn't total shite - or an England goalkeeper.

Hibsclaret
Posts: 3939
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 4:00 pm
Been Liked: 1233 times
Has Liked: 490 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Hibsclaret » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:14 pm

Tribesmen wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:06 pm
Peter Nobel was the first that came to my mind also
So good he had an international peace prize named after him
These 2 users liked this post: bobinho Dazzler

joey13
Posts: 7501
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:39 pm
Been Liked: 1767 times
Has Liked: 1230 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by joey13 » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:17 pm

Frank Casper

Bigvince
Posts: 2638
Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:39 pm
Been Liked: 930 times
Has Liked: 698 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Bigvince » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:25 pm

Not because he was a outstanding footballer, but because of the lean times we’d been going through, I’d like to mention John Francis.
I remember the first time I saw him play for us, I just thought he was the most brilliant signing we’d had for years.
We could do with some of his pace now, plus I think he was a good guy

Rowls
Posts: 13163
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:00 pm
Been Liked: 5065 times
Has Liked: 5124 times
Location: Montpellier, France

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Rowls » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:26 pm

In recent times (21st Century) I'd say it was Ings.

That 2013/14 team were very good all over the pitch and immensely well-organized as we've come to expect from Dyche. But Ings had just an extra touch of star quality.

Because everybody else was so well drilled and disciplined it allowed others to shine alongside him. Without his extra spark of magic I doubt we'd have gone up automatically.

As for this season, the best signing of the 2019/20 season for Burnley has to be the capture of Danny Drinkwater. Since Dean Smith signed "Drinky" for Villa we haven't looked back.

pushpinpussy
Posts: 2109
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:57 am
Been Liked: 891 times
Has Liked: 134 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by pushpinpussy » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:32 pm

lets not forget Ian Britton. RIP legend
This user liked this post: Bigvince

Funkydrummer
Posts: 8306
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:50 pm
Been Liked: 2949 times
Has Liked: 2063 times
Location: Burnley

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Funkydrummer » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:50 pm

I would like to put Dave Thomas in the frame, even though he was signed as a schoolboy.

FCBurnley
Posts: 9695
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:56 pm
Been Liked: 1967 times
Has Liked: 1132 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by FCBurnley » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:50 pm

Just thinking about Ben Mee. Been at the club for nearly 9 years. Played close to 300 games mainly in the Premier League. Cost next to nothing. Value today ??? Cost to replace ??? Think he has played every minute so far this season. Rarely gets injured or suspended. Loyal. Not saying he is our greatest ever player or signing but I bet Sean would like any 10 like him.
These 2 users liked this post: bobinho Quicknick

Stayingup
Posts: 5551
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:02 pm
Been Liked: 914 times
Has Liked: 2726 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Stayingup » Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:05 pm

Tribesmen wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:06 pm
Peter Nobel was the first that came to my mind also
Did he get a prize?

Seriously a good signing. Very versatile

Jimmymaccer
Posts: 2129
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 7:18 am
Been Liked: 594 times
Has Liked: 193 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Jimmymaccer » Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:14 pm

Jimmy Mullen,

Just because at the time we really were pants........that match at Scarborough.......

And what happened next...........

Stockbrokerbelt
Posts: 551
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:43 am
Been Liked: 221 times
Has Liked: 137 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Stockbrokerbelt » Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:23 pm

Duff.
This user liked this post: Stayingup

IanMcL
Posts: 30123
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:27 pm
Been Liked: 6340 times
Has Liked: 8651 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by IanMcL » Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:18 pm

There are some who went on to become club legends, that's for sure. However, impact immediately is a better option, for variety.

Andy Payton comes first to mind. His goals were immediate and vital.

John McGreal signing on led others to join a threadbare squad. Without his signature, things could have been different.

Andy Marriott was a super loan signing and had the whole ground singing Swing Low. That inspired the crowd and the team.

Enty1974
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2020 2:48 pm
Been Liked: 25 times
Has Liked: 11 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Enty1974 » Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:19 pm

Ings
Tripps

gizmo
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:31 am
Been Liked: 1 time

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by gizmo » Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:37 pm

Not sure about ever but Scott Arfield for nothing wasn't too bad and certainly had an impact
This user liked this post: Tricky Trevor

No Ney Never
Posts: 2637
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 10:31 pm
Been Liked: 894 times
Has Liked: 328 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by No Ney Never » Tue Mar 24, 2020 1:50 am

Again, maybe not best ever, but Billy Hamilton wasn't too shabby either. He and Ashley Barnes would have probably got on quite well.

Vegas Claret
Posts: 30273
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:00 am
Been Liked: 10916 times
Has Liked: 5594 times
Location: clue is in the title

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Vegas Claret » Tue Mar 24, 2020 1:56 am

depends how you define best ?
I can only judge in my lifetime obviously
best value - Heaton
Best technical player - Can't decide between Blake and Little
Best player in terms of importance at the time ? John Pender, captained us out of the hole that was Division 4 and we haven't really looked back since

Best overall taking the above into consideration - Tom Heaton

Tribesmen
Posts: 5063
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:15 am
Been Liked: 1176 times
Has Liked: 635 times
Location: Tibet

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Tribesmen » Tue Mar 24, 2020 10:55 am

Stayingup wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:05 pm
Did he get a prize?

Seriously a good signing. Very versatile
Oppps :lol:

Dinks
Posts: 348
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2019 5:01 pm
Been Liked: 122 times
Has Liked: 127 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Dinks » Tue Mar 24, 2020 11:12 am

Woodleyclaret wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:33 pm
Billy Mercer turned average keepers into England internationals
I cant remember Mercer when he was playing..was he any good himself?

Quicknick
Posts: 5580
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 4:25 pm
Been Liked: 1208 times
Has Liked: 7098 times
Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Quicknick » Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:24 pm

Best striker: Casper.
best midfielder: Dobson
best central defender: Tarkowski
best fullback: Taylor
best goal keeper: Pope
These are all acquired from different clubs in England.
If the vote was for the best player ever from anywhere, it would be Irvine.

Claret Toni
Posts: 507
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:44 pm
Been Liked: 156 times
Has Liked: 106 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Claret Toni » Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:33 pm

Vegas Claret wrote:
Tue Mar 24, 2020 1:56 am

Best technical player - Can't decide between Blake and Little
Both technically very good, but Steven Defour would have my vote in that category.

Bigvince
Posts: 2638
Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:39 pm
Been Liked: 930 times
Has Liked: 698 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Bigvince » Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:13 pm

Quicknick wrote:
Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:24 pm
Best striker: Casper.
best midfielder: Dobson
best central defender: Tarkowski
best fullback: Taylor
best goal keeper: Pope
These are all acquired from different clubs in England.
If the vote was for the best player ever from anywhere, it would be Irvine.
Taylor maybe the best fullback in the future but not yet, Tripier surely better
This user liked this post: Taffy on the wing

evensteadiereddie
Posts: 9585
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:45 pm
Been Liked: 3146 times
Has Liked: 10202 times
Location: Staffordshire

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by evensteadiereddie » Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:21 pm

Doug Collins was a good one.

tarkys_ears
Posts: 4237
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:30 pm
Been Liked: 1016 times
Has Liked: 1484 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by tarkys_ears » Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:21 pm

Barnes

End of thread.

IanMcL
Posts: 30123
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:27 pm
Been Liked: 6340 times
Has Liked: 8651 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by IanMcL » Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:52 pm

Claret Toni wrote:
Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:33 pm
Both technically very good, but Steven Defour would have my vote in that category.
And mine.

Vegas Claret
Posts: 30273
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:00 am
Been Liked: 10916 times
Has Liked: 5594 times
Location: clue is in the title

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Vegas Claret » Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:06 pm

Claret Toni wrote:
Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:33 pm
Both technically very good, but Steven Defour would have my vote in that category.
Didn't play enough for me

Guitargeorge
Posts: 810
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:03 am
Been Liked: 337 times
Has Liked: 93 times
Location: Burnley

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Guitargeorge » Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:10 pm

Keith Newton is definitely worth a mention

karatekid
Posts: 3129
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:22 pm
Been Liked: 1103 times
Has Liked: 316 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by karatekid » Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:37 pm

I always thought the signing of Eric Djemba-Djemba was a good'un.


Joey Barton at no.1 though

mdd2
Posts: 6012
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 8:47 pm
Been Liked: 1665 times
Has Liked: 700 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by mdd2 » Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:43 pm

Wasn't around when he was signed (note Redbeard) but surely the best ever signing would have to be the Captain of our best ever side, when the playing field was a lot more level. We had a team that in the absence of the Great War would have achieved more-I nominate Tommy Boyle

warksclaret
Posts: 6594
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 7:13 pm
Been Liked: 1676 times
Has Liked: 754 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by warksclaret » Tue Mar 24, 2020 9:03 pm

Without doubt for me Martin Dobson-a free transfer from Bolton. Signed as a striker and I saw him make his debut at Wolves as a striker. He moved to midfield and oozed class. Great reader, tackler, passer, header and a great goal scoring record for a midfielder. He was so good he moved to sweeper towards the end of his career. A good friend of mine, an Arsenal fan once told he was like a Rolls Royce

Other great signings for me -Keith Newton a free transfer who had played for England in the World Cup. Peter Noble who played in midfield, right back and striker. Doug Collins who was sensational when we got promotion Danny Ings for a million. and Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier for peanuts. Tom Heaton for a free who went on to play for England. We have a great record of great buys and no doubt I will have forgotton many others

gandhisflipflop
Posts: 5500
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:05 pm
Been Liked: 2317 times
Has Liked: 1399 times
Location: Costa del Padihamos beach.

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by gandhisflipflop » Tue Mar 24, 2020 11:13 pm

In my lifetime (living memory so 96ish - present) just off the top of my head

Heaton

Trippier
Duff
Mee
Taylor

Elliott
Barton
Jones
Arfield

Ings
Barnes

Absolutely frightening that the above team would have cost less than 1 Jeff Hendrick or a Chris wood.

Georgiaclaret
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2016 4:26 am
Been Liked: 3 times

Re: Our best signing ever ?

Post by Georgiaclaret » Wed Mar 25, 2020 3:07 am

Duff for me as well. Terrific servant for the club. Mee’s getting there though.

Post Reply