Saints Greatest XI - Nominations For Best LB.

[John B]

In the early eighties when Armstrong joined us Nick Holmes played LB until Mark Dennis arrived

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Bridge or Bale in my opinion

However, my heart is SCREAMING Benali!

[Window Cleaner]

In the early eighties when Armstrong joined us Nick Holmes played LB until Mark Dennis arrived

What instead of Mick Mills ?

I mean he might well have played a few games at left back, I don't particularly remember him playing there though;If you look at Nick's wiki it says he played left back in the FA Cup final in 1976, strange, I'm sure that I saw David Peach there with the number 3 shirt that day, must have been p!ssed I suppose.

[St Landrew]

Bridge or Bale in my opinion

However, my heart is SCREAMING Benali!

So when I come to count up the nominations and build the thread for Saints Greatest [footballing] LB, do you honestly think I should include Francis Benali..?

[Gemmel]

Mark Dennis for me

Peach and Mills were right up there as well

[John B]

What instead of Mick Mills ?

I mean he might well have played a few games at left back, I don't particularly remember him playing there though;If you look at Nick's wiki it says he played left back in the FA Cup final in 1976, strange, I'm sure that I saw David Peach there with the number 3 shirt that day, must have been p!ssed I suppose.

Yes Peach was fullback in Cup Final 1976 Holmes was number 4 I think that day

Holmes was LB with Golac RB in 1981/82

Mills replaced Golac and Dennis replaced Holmes

[Big Ron fan]

i'd go for Benali personally

bridge was good, but didn't have the legendary status that benali had

and as for bale...well, he couldn't defend to save is life!! for me, best £10m we ever made

That's a really stupid comment.

I can just about remember Dennis Hollywood. For me, Dennis, Bridge and Bale have all been outstanding for us.

As the latter didn't play for us in the top flight, I'd choose one of the other two. Don't know who yet - I'll make up my mind at voting time!

[ALWAYS_SFC]

David Peach for me.

[Window Cleaner]

Yes Peach was fullback in Cup Final 1976 Holmes was number 4 I think that day

Holmes was LB with Golac RB in 1981/82

Mills replaced Golac and Dennis replaced Holmes

And Reuben ? where did he fit into all that then.

I was in and out of the UK in 81/82,but I distinctly remember Reuben Agboola at left back in that period.Could be wrong, the old nodder could be playing tricks on me I suppose.

[ottery st mary]

Agboola more right back? or even sweeper?

[John B]

And Reuben ? where did he fit into all that then.

I was in and out of the UK in 81/82,but I distinctly remember Reuben Agboola at left back in that period.Could be wrong, the old nodder could be playing tricks on me I suppose.

Agboola was sweeper or CB

TEAM v LIVERPOOL 1984

SHILTON

MILLS AGBOOLA WRIGHT DENNIS

D WALLACE WILLIAMS HOLMES ARMSTRONG

MORAN WORTHINGTON

not a bad team with five home grown players and Puckett the sub

We won 2 0 attendance 19698 with one of the best goals I ever saw at the Dell

[ottery st mary]

David Peach for me.

Good old David Peach..full of heart..When he did his London Marathon for charity in the late 80s about 88/89, stayed with my family in North London.
My son and I, got him to start at Greenwich on Blackheath and ran down to Cutty Sark in order to cheer him on.We then ran through to Isle Dogs in the foot tunnel and cheered him on coming on the Island and running off to go to Catherine Dock to Tower of London..At this stage he had done about 20 miles and looked all in..We were able to remind him of all his charity sponsors
and that all Saints fans thought he was a legend...Good old Peachey not only kept going but made it to the finish. We had caught him up by getting tube from tower hill to Westminster.We had the easy job but on that day he showed what a true Saint and lots and lots of guts...I kept telling everyone he was a Saint, a legend,cup final and all that...A great player for Saints...Yes I know many others have achieved this but this was Peachey..great man..great memories. I'm not sure he did another one after that.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Mark Dennis

[saint lard]

Mark Dennis for me,closely followed by Bridge,although, Bridgey was playing with Chris marsden ahead of him on the left and this contributed alot to him playing to his full potential,IMO.
they really had an understanding which aided both players.

Shouldn't really forget Franny,a ledgend in his own inimitable way.

[badgerx16]

So when I come to count up the nominations and build the thread for Saints Greatest [footballing] LB, do you honestly think I should include Francis Benali..?

Abso-bl00dy-lutely :cool:

[Greenridge]

In my time it would be any one from Peach, Statham, Dennis or Bridge. All for different reasons.

[John B]

Abso-bl00dy-lutely :cool:

Is Benali not the John Sergeant of LBs?

[Badger]

Mark Dennis;a great player and a cult hero as well.

Dennis though only shades it ahead of David Peach.Dennis played his peak with Saints in the top flight whereas Peach,although a top class performer, was at his best for us in the od second division.

How tragic that Steve Mills might have eclipsed both but for his accident.

[John B]

Mark Dennis;a great player and a cult hero as well.

Dennis though only shades it ahead of David Peach.Dennis played his peak with Saints in the top flight whereas Peach,although a top class performer, was at his best for us in the od second division.

How tragic that Steve Mills might have eclipsed both but for his accident.

Having read the thread with posters comments I agree with the above and will go for Dennis

Time for the RB ?

[mcjwills]

Mark Dennis without a doubt

[saintwarwick]

Peach for me followed closely by Bridge and Benali.

[NickG]

And Reuben ? where did he fit into all that then.

I was in and out of the UK in 81/82,but I distinctly remember Reuben Agboola at left back in that period.Could be wrong, the old nodder could be playing tricks on me I suppose.

remember his as sweeper and lb

[St Marco]

The animal that is Benali

Saints through and through and would only leave if you made him! He must hold the record for most times sent off for us too?

[TijuanaTim]

Unbelievable Left Backs

Peachy - Bridger and Bale, but no one, I repeat no one comes close to Psycho.

Mark Dennis was the final piece of a great Saints jigsaw that witnessed us coming agonisingly close to a double. He was the harder, fittess and most skillful defender i've ever seen in red and white. As a bonus, he made the need for a left winger/midfielder/half back almost redundant with his superb sortes up field.

If he wasn't...well...er...a 'Psycho' he would have undoubtedly been England's #3 for a generation.

Worth the admission alone!!

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Amazed no one has mentioned Lee Todd and Oliver Bernard?

[Windmill Arm 2]

MARK 'PSYCHO' DENNIS :smt027

[saintstr1]

Definately Dave Peach for me , His penalty taking would swing it from Bridgey.

[John B]

Definately Dave Peach for me , His penalty taking would swing it from Bridgey.

I dont think Peach will be taking penalties in the final team.

[Nutwood2]

Steve Mills, great player, career cut short by injury, life cut short by illness.

Totally agree. Stevie would surely have gone on to captain England. I think Lawrie would agree with that.

[Badger]

I repeat no one comes close to Psycho.

Mark Dennis was the final piece of a great Saints jigsaw that witnessed us coming agonisingly close to a double. He was the harder, fittess and most skillful defender i've ever seen in red and white. As a bonus, he made the need for a left winger/midfielder/half back almost redundant with his superb sortes up field.

If he wasn't...well...er...a 'Psycho' he would have undoubtedly been England's #3 for a generation.

Worth the admission alone!!

I've already given my vote for Dennis,but should just also add my agreement to your comment about his international pedigree.

Its been a long held view of mine - and frequently argued after a few beers - that if it had not been for Mark Dennis' off field problems,he'd have been England's first choice left back,and Stuart Pearce would not have got near the national team.

[krissyboy31]

I've already given my vote for Dennis,but should just also add my agreement to your comment about his international pedigree.

Its been a long held view of mine - and frequently argued after a few beers - that if it had not been for Mark Dennis' off field problems,he'd have been England's first choice left back,and Stuart Pearce would not have got near the national team.

Stuart Pearce came slightly later. Kenny Sansom was England LB at the time. But I agree Dennis should have played for England because he was the best in the country.

[benjii]

Did Bridge ever get booked for us?

Didn't he also play something mental like every minute of 105 consecutive matches or something?

Can't believe no one's nominated Duncan Spedding.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not nominating Duncan Spedding.

Although I may nominate him and Graham Potter for left wing.

[John Cool]

It has to be Benali for me, albeit for sentimental reasons (he and MLT were my heroes when I was a young 'un)

[Oz]

i'd go for Benali personally

bridge was good, but didn't have the legendary status that benali had

and as for bale...well, he couldn't defend to save is life!! for me, best £10m we ever made

that's why the spuds play him in midfield!

[corsacar saint]

Mark Dennis, terrific footballer, only his temperment stopped him from winning a bucket
load of England caps.

[um pahars]

My old mate,

ANDY COOK

[chrisobee]

Has to be Mark Dennis for me though contrary to a few posts I think it's a very hard choice with the likes of Peach, Bridge, Bale and Hollywood to consider.

[TopGun]

Nick did play left back for a while after Dennis.

But Dennis for me. Thoroughly uncompromising in defence and a great attacker. Would have had plenty of caps had it not been for his reputation and the amount of red cards he collected before Lawrie sorted him out.

[exit2]

Legendary Status for me you have to have the following in the poll

Benali
Dennis
Golac
Bridge

[rpb]

Legendary Status for me you have to have the following in the poll

Benali
Dennis
Golac
Bridge

I suspect that Golac will win the best ever right back section - C B Fry might get the odd vote, though...

[La BoIS Saint]

I know there is always disagreement because of the age of subscribers, but for those of us a little longer in the tooth, Dave Peach has to be the greatest LB for Saints. Can you forget the pen against Palace that got us to Wembley? Highest scoring full back in League history (at the time) 34 goals in 224 apps. Played in 2 cup finals for Saints (how many others can claim that? Nick Holmes is the answer by the way). Scored the opener in the League Cup Final against Forest. On top of all of that, was one of the best blokes I ever met at Saints. At the time was more of a cult hero than even Franny became. I know we don't need 2 expert pen takers in a team, and assume Tiss will make the greatest ever XI, but it is actually debatable which one was the best at this skill. Oh what we would give for either of them to take pens for us now.

On a point of pedantry according to http://www.sportingchronicle.com/FACUP/1900.html and http://www.sportingchronicle.com/FACUP/1902.html Jack Robinson, Sam Meston, Arthur Turner and Harry Wood also played in two finals (or arguably three!)

[St Paul]

Mark Dennis for me.......

[Dicko]

Surely, the top 4 would have to be Peach, Dennis, Bridge & Bale

[saint1977]

Definately Dave Peach for me , His penalty taking would swing it from Bridgey.

Indeed my old man put £5 on David scoring the first goal in 1979 at the League Cup Final at surprisingly generous odds (may have been 16-1 I think). Made him a nice win back then although he'd have swapped it for Saints beating Forest!

[SW11_Saint]

What instead of Mick Mills ?

I mean he might well have played a few games at left back, I don't particularly remember him playing there though;If you look at Nick's wiki it says he played left back in the FA Cup final in 1976, strange, I'm sure that I saw David Peach there with the number 3 shirt that day, must have been p!ssed I suppose.

Nick H played there quite a bit towards the end of his career. Also got quite a lot of stick as I remember - outrageous for such a great servant to the club. From Franny, Peach, Holmes, Mills, Dennis, Statham, Bale, Bridge I'd have to go for Mark Dennis. Had everything you need in a fullback - tigerish tackling, speed, bravery, perceptive thinking. And of course he was a psycho, which made him a legend!

[Fowllyd]

Indeed my old man put £5 on David scoring the first goal in 1979 at the League Cup Final at surprisingly generous odds (may have been 16-1 I think). Made him a nice win back then although he'd have swapped it for Saints beating Forest!

Interesting you should mention that - I remember talking to a mate back at that time who'd done exactly the same thing (he'd also backed us to win 2-1, so he didn't win that one!). His thinking was that Steve Williams would run into the box and get fouled, and Peach would score the resulting penalty. As it was of course, Peach's goal came from open play...

[sandwichsaint]

Had to chuckle at the earlier comment that 'we were short of LB's'; LB must be one of our strongest positions historically?

Damn it, we could field a whole team of them:

.......... Bale ....... Statham ............

Bridge ... Pycho .... S Mills ...... Holmes

Peach ... Hollywood.. Benali ..... M Mills

...................... Vignal ....................

Not the most balanced team you ever saw but they would probably beat the current lot, hands down.

I've seen all of these play; it's Steve Mills for me, but I'd take almost any of the others in his stead.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

They played under Ted Bates from 1954, - Nos 2, 5, 3 at the back with a defensive 6, - 4 and 10 in midfield, 7 and 11 wide with an attacking inside right 8 supporting the centre forward 9.

My God! isn't that what they are playing this season? 4 4 1/1 and isn't that 4 4 2? (or if the bloke in the hole got his finger out and got up in support of the front man, as he is supposed to, it would be).

Ah ha, someone who has spotted that all this fancy formation stuff just ain't as new as they think it is!

AND the wingers actually used to help out their fullbacks (though don't expect much of a tackle)!

George O'Brien in the hole?

[hughieslastminutegoal]

I know there is always disagreement because of the age of subscribers, but for those of us a little longer in the tooth, Dave Peach has to be the greatest LB for Saints. Can you forget the pen against Palace that got us to Wembley? Highest scoring full back in League history (at the time) 34 goals in 224 apps. Played in 2 cup finals for Saints (how many others can claim that? Nick Holmes is the answer by the way). Scored the opener in the League Cup Final against Forest. On top of all of that, was one of the best blokes I ever met at Saints. At the time was more of a cult hero than even Franny became. I know we don't need 2 expert pen takers in a team, and assume Tiss will make the greatest ever XI, but it is actually debatable which one was the best at this skill. Oh what we would give for either of them to take pens for us now.

Yes, David Peach for me as well.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Is Benali not the John Sergeant of LBs?

Benali was often denigrated by outside observers (and was voted worst fullback in the top division once) but there is absolutely no arguing the fact that a succession of managers tried to leave him out, but always brought him back in the heat of relegation dog-fights.

The man is was all heart and determination, and should be celebrated as such. Le Tiss's goals kept us up, but Franny played his part too in those (seemingly never-ending) battles.