Max Woosnam-Greatest ever sportsman?

[BillyMC]

He had a street named after him near Maine Road. I work with his grandson.

 

[pride in battle]

Max Woosnam was an outstanding English Sportsman. His record was phenomenal. From a pure City viewpoint, he was so highly thought of that City gave him the honour of captaining City in the first game at Maine Road.

There are loads of stories about him and his achievements. It's worth pointing out that he was an amateur and so did not receive any money (other than basic expenses) for playing for the Blues.

After his City career came to an end, though, he wasn't particularly liked by the average Mancunian because he broke the 1926 General Strike (driving buses if my memory is right). Some Mancs went to his house to abuse him and his family, but I think this says more for the state of the Country at the time and the difficulties ordinary Mancs faced.

That strike-breaking side of him should not detract from the fantastic sporting achievements of his life.

Over time I think Mancs started to forget about the issues of 1926.

I would strongly urge any one with an interest in City's former players to read the biography of him "All Round Genius" (By Mick Collins).

Hi Gary
Has he been inducted to the city hall of fame?

 

[ifiwasarichfan]

The more I know about Max Woosnam the more incredible it sounds. I didn't know about the 147 for instance. A real pity they didn't have You Tube in those times.

Another pity - we shall never see again somebody talented enough to play Professional Football at the highest level and First Class Cricket.

 

[2sheikhs]

I have just read his biography.
Captain of Manchester City and England
Wimbledon Champion
Olympic tennis gold medallist
Davis cup captain
Hit a century at Lords
Top class golfer
Hit 147 at snooker
Amazing,so greatest ever sportsman? City should honour him in some way.
I presume Gary James will have some more info.

And like someone on talkshite said:"Yeah,yeah,yeah...and he won the grand national riding a zebra".

 

[holty41]

i bought one of my sons this book sometime last year from a shop called past times i read some of it before i gave it to him,i think his son played for city as well??but i may be mistaken

 

[asgoodasitgets]

Didn t he play and beat Charlie Chaplin at table tennis using only a table knife instead of a bat?
Read the book a few years back and I m definitely gonna dig it out again now

 

[MCC]

Didn t he play and beat Charlie Chaplin at table tennis using only a table knife instead of a bat?
Read the book a few years back and I m definitely gonna dig it out again now

Sure did. He had a slice of toast in his other hand as well.

 

[Wheelsy]

Deion Sanders

 

[BTH]

Max Woosnam was an outstanding English Sportsman. His record was phenomenal. From a pure City viewpoint, he was so highly thought of that City gave him the honour of captaining City in the first game at Maine Road.

There are loads of stories about him and his achievements. It's worth pointing out that he was an amateur and so did not receive any money (other than basic expenses) for playing for the Blues.

After his City career came to an end, though, he wasn't particularly liked by the average Mancunian because he broke the 1926 General Strike (driving buses if my memory is right). Some Mancs went to his house to abuse him and his family, but I think this says more for the state of the Country at the time and the difficulties ordinary Mancs faced.

That strike-breaking side of him should not detract from the fantastic sporting achievements of his life.

Over time I think Mancs started to forget about the issues of 1926.

I would strongly urge any one with an interest in City's former players to read the biography of him "All Round Genius" (By Mick Collins).

Read the book myself a few weeks ago and the story soured somewhat when he scabbed. Book's okay, but a bit too long on the tennis and a bit too short on the football for my liking.