All time Burnley " Hard men " XI ....

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:46 am

In response to a theme developing on the " Norman Hunter RIP " thread, who would your nominations be ?
Vince Overson ? Colin Blant appears a popular choice, as does Peter Swan .... Ronnie Jepson, Andy Lochead ?

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:48 am

Bally is in fact going to get you.

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:50 am

Andy lochead up front

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:51 am

Think we could include Brian O'Neil somewhere and Gordon Harris. John Angus didn't take prisoners either. Lenny Johnrose was a tough player as well.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:53 am

Big bad John Gayle upfront.

groove · Post by **groove** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:53 am

Ronny Jepson would be in there

groove · Post by **groove** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:54 am

Bardsley

groove · Post by **groove** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:54 am

John Deary

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:55 am

Adam Blacklaw in goal for sure
Brian O'Neill Ray Hankin, Billy Elliot or Gordon Harris and of course Kevin Ball, John Deary

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:56 am

Depends what you call hard - can think of a few that used to get kicked relentlessly got up and carried on without getting into fights all the time, they would rather contribute to the team and entertain - not Burnley but Messi is a modern example - those players are hard in my book

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:56 am

And as Groove posted Bardsley would be a one of the hardest right backs

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:57 am

"Na na na na na Big Vince,Big Vince"

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:59 am

Les Thompson

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:01 pm

Dirty Dave Merrington .

groove · Post by **groove** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:03 pm

What about George Oghani. Nutter!

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:04 pm

From the 60s, I'd have a hell of a lot more in than Lochhead. Although capable of leaving a foot in, he was also not too fussed about elbowing and headbutting players either which is hardly being a hard man.

Moving onto the 1970s and that Hunter/Casper challenge, I spoke to a member of that team on one occasion and he said the only difference between us and Leeds were they had more players that would do that. He said we had four who he was were Docherty, Waldron, Thomson and Nulty. It was one of that four who told me.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:04 pm

Mick Doc

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:05 pm

mdd2 wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:56 am
And as Groove posted Bardsley would be a one of the hardest right backs

No competition for me with John Angus available for selection

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:06 pm

Phil Malley
Biily Hamilton

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:07 pm

We didn’t see it whilst at Burnley but by all accounts John Walters is known to be a bit tasty.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:07 pm

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeliiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

bfcmartin · Post by **bfcmartin** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:10 pm

Joey Barton

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:11 pm

Blacklaw
Angus..Blant..Merrington.. Rodaway
Hoyland..Deary..Ball..Harris
Gayle..Jepson

Just added Rodaway and Hoyland to others mentioned so far but Wimblescum wouldn’t have messed with that team.

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:12 pm

Barnes in with a shout?

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:14 pm

conyoviejo wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:01 pm
Dirty Dave Merrington .

Wasn't DM a part time preacher as well?

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:26 pm

Ben Mee's amazing goalsaving stop with his face while lying on the ground in the six yard box when the ball was blasted from a few yards out earns him a place in my all time hard Burnley players.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:27 pm

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:14 pm
Wasn't DM a part time preacher as well?

He was

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:28 pm

I'd have Hankin up front

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:33 pm

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:11 pm
Blacklaw
Angus..Blant..Merrington.. Rodaway
Hoyland..Deary..Ball..Harris
Gayle..Jepson

Just added Rodaway and Hoyland to others mentioned so far but Wimblescum wouldn’t have messed with that team.

You'll have to tell Billy next time you see him, SHP. He'll be really pleased with that.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:36 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:28 pm
I'd have Hankin up front

From his wiki page:

A match against Leeds United in September 1974 was particularly eventful. With the scores tied, Hankin was fouled while jumping to head a crossed ball and Leighton James converted the resulting penalty for what proved to be the winning goal. Hankin himself did not see out the win. He and Leeds defender Gordon McQueen had both already been booked when McQueen took hold of his opponent's shirt "like a page boy clutching a bride's train"; Hankin turned round and hit him,put McQueen on the floor, burst McQueen's nose and lip and had him in tears.Both were sent off.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:55 pm

Dazzler wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:36 pm
From his wiki page:

That was the day Heath did the official opening of the Bob Lord Stand - we won 2-1.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:00 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:04 pm
From the 60s, I'd have a hell of a lot more in than Lochhead. Although capable of leaving a foot in, he was also not too fussed about elbowing and headbutting players either which is hardly being a hard man.

Moving onto the 1970s and that Hunter/Casper challenge, I spoke to a member of that team on one occasion and he said the only difference between us and Leeds were they had more players that would do that. He said we had four who he was were Docherty, Waldron, Thomson and Nulty. It was one of that four who told me.

On the subject of which one of the four told me, it would be unfair to say to be honest but you might just find him on the picture below.

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:05 pm

I always though Martin Paterson just looked like an utter thug, sure he was a lovely fella. Looked like a criminal though

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:07 pm

Ade, Ade, Ade, Ade and Big bad John upfront.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:16 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:07 pm
Ade, Ade, Ade, Ade and Big bad John upfront.

Wouldn't think either of them come close - one hardly ever committed a foul and the other was hardly hard, just a coward with a nasty streak.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:21 pm

Not the best ever but who remembers the right back from Bacup inbthecdark days Andy Wharton I think he was called legend had it he had BFC tattooed on his knuckles and he tackled like a Longsider against a Blackburn fan..

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:29 pm

Depends what you mean by ‘hard men’. We had a few who seemed to enjoy the more robust lower division stuff. Deary obviously, Les Thompson and on one famous occasion Mark Mornington.

But for me, it’s more someone who never, ever shirks a tackle, header, challenge even when they’re certain they’re going to get hurt. So I’ll go with Ben Mee. The opposite of a snidey player, doesn’t get involved in the nonsense and handbags but you just know he’ll go 100% into a 10/90 challenge.

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:36 pm

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:33 pm
You'll have to tell Billy next time you see him, SHP. He'll be really pleased with that.

Just told him very proud of his accolade! He said Jack Charlton and Norman Hunter tried to sign him when they were the respective managers of Sheffield Wednesday and I think Barnsley but he doesn’t think it was for his footballing skills!

He said Jimmy Thomson and Peter Noble were the toughest teammates he played alongside at Burnley.

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:38 pm

NottsClaret wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:29 pm
Depends what you mean by ‘hard men’. We had a few who seemed to enjoy the more robust lower division stuff. Deary obviously, Les Thompson and on one famous occasion Mark Mornington.

But for me, it’s more someone who never, ever shirks a tackle, header, challenge even when they’re certain they’re going to get hurt. So I’ll go with Ben Mee. The opposite of a snidey player, doesn’t get involved in the nonsense and handbags but you just know he’ll go 100% into a 10/90 challenge.

Mark Monnington running 50 yards to steam into a Rochdale player and spark a mass brawl in front of the long side sticks in my memory!

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:41 pm

Doug Collins and Peter Noble

basil6345789 · Post by **basil6345789** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:44 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:00 pm
On the subject of which one of the four told me, it would be unfair to say to be honest but you might just find him on the picture below.

Wee Bobby Collins was the tutor in his time at Bury.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:48 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:16 pm
Wouldn't think either of them come close - one hardly ever committed a foul and the other was hardly hard, just a coward with a nasty streak.

Ade committed one foul that comes to mind !
I know what you mean though and I thought the same thing when someone posted about John Gayle.

I think the definition of hard men has definitely changed down the years - partly because of what you can get away with now compared to years ago.

There’s also nothing “hard” about some of the disgraceful tackles we have seen down the years from the likes of Roy Keane, Souness etc when their sole aim has been to end hurt someone.

Holmeclaret · Post by **Holmeclaret** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:48 pm

I was too young to see him play but older fans tell me that Brian Miller was not to be messed with.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:50 pm

TVC15 wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:48 pm
Ade committed one foul that comes to mind !
I know what you mean though and I thought the same thing when someone posted about John Gayle.

I think the definition of hard men has definitely changed down the years - partly because of what you can get away with now compared to years ago.

There’s also nothing “hard” about some of the disgraceful tackles we have seen down the years from the likes of Roy Keane, Souness etc when their sole aim has been to end hurt someone.

Totally agree, there were some really hard players back in the day. I wouldn't like to be coming up against Waldron and Thomson as defenders, and certainly not the likes of O'Neil and Nulty in the midfield.

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:52 pm

bfcjg wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:21 pm
Not the best ever but who remembers the right back from Bacup inbthecdark days Andy Wharton I think he was called legend had it he had BFC tattooed on his knuckles and he tackled like a Longsider against a Blackburn fan..

I do remember him, yes. But either my memory or yours is playing tricks... I remember a left back.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:01 pm

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:36 pm
Just told him very proud of his accolade! He said Jack Charlton and Norman Hunter tried to sign him when they were the respective managers of Sheffield Wednesday and I think Barnsley but he doesn’t think it was for his footballing skills!

He said Jimmy Thomson and Peter Noble were the toughest teammates he played alongside at Burnley.

Thanks, SHP. When I saw him last in January he was telling me that Peter Noble was the hardest player he knew. Apparently, Jimmy Adamson would often have to tell him in training to rein things in a bit.
Interesting take on so-called ' hard men' because for me they were ones that not only dished it out but also could take it. I would include Geoff Nulty and Ralph Coates in that category.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:06 pm

bobinho wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:52 pm
I do remember him, yes. But either my memory or yours is playing tricks... I remember a left back.

Andy Wharton was a left back, I'm certain. Wasn't Brian Laws the right back in the same side?

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:12 pm

That's how I remember it... but in them days, one Saturday pretty much melded into another one...

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:22 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:16 pm
Wouldn't think either of them come close - one hardly ever committed a foul and the other was hardly hard, just a coward with a nasty streak.

It depends what criteria you judge on. These two would put the eeby jeebies up anyone and would better most people in a fight.

I can't give an opinion on the older generation players but maybe nostalgia plays a big part? They certainly didn't look built enough to take on the ultra fit players of today.
Although you would say they should of been more mentally tough.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:36 pm

Not old enough to have seen most named on here.

I will say someone who commits fouls eg, Roy Keane doesn’t make you a hard man. What makes you a hard man is maybe doing that but also be able to handle being on the receiving end of em.

I’d say Ben Mee. Not one for diving in but can handle a rough tackle. Barton? Nah, he whinges like a right bitch when on the receiving end