Bill
Well-Known Member
This.
Tony book was everything a captain should be. everything a player should be. Everything a man should be.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
our best ever captain
- Thread starter the old abbey
- Start date
Tony book was everything a captain should be. everything a player should be. Everything a man should be.
This.
Tony book was everything a captain should be. everything a player should be. Everything a man should be.
The man just oozes class.
Gary James
Well-Known Member
In terms of what they did to lift City/direct the team/enhance our performance/lead by example the undoubted greatest captain is Tony Book. His contribution to City still doesn't get the praise it deserves because when we talk of the successes as a player we (I don't necessarily mean each of us, I mean football in general) focus on the goalscorers and the management team. The same tends to happen when we talk of his managerial career where we talk of the players - and then the return of Allison. Book is quite probably the most influential former city player/manager alive.
My top 6 would be:
Book
Meredith - without him we may never have become established as a major team. Never underestimate what he did for City (and we should continue to question why the FA and certain clubs did what they did to force him out of our club at a time when we were going to dominate for years - he should have a football pardon!)
Kompany
Cowan - pre ww2 the captains took on much of the duties of post war managers (which adds to Cown, Barkas & Meredith) influence
Paul
Barkas - possibly should be higher (in 68 he was called City's best capt since Meredith in the media, but he himself said that almost every member of the 68 champions were better than 37, and that only Doherty would be a certainty in the 68 team)
Of course one of my own personal favourites was Dave Watson. He definitely led by example.
My top 6 would be:
Book
Meredith - without him we may never have become established as a major team. Never underestimate what he did for City (and we should continue to question why the FA and certain clubs did what they did to force him out of our club at a time when we were going to dominate for years - he should have a football pardon!)
Kompany
Cowan - pre ww2 the captains took on much of the duties of post war managers (which adds to Cown, Barkas & Meredith) influence
Paul
Barkas - possibly should be higher (in 68 he was called City's best capt since Meredith in the media, but he himself said that almost every member of the 68 champions were better than 37, and that only Doherty would be a certainty in the 68 team)
Of course one of my own personal favourites was Dave Watson. He definitely led by example.
In terms of what they did to lift City/direct the team/enhance our performance/lead by example the undoubted greatest captain is Tony Book. His contribution to City still doesn't get the praise it deserves because when we talk of the successes as a player we (I don't necessarily mean each of us, I mean football in general) focus on the goalscorers and the management team. The same tends to happen when we talk of his managerial career where we talk of the players - and then the return of Allison. Book is quite probably the most influential former city player/manager alive.
My top 6 would be:
Book
Meredith - without him we may never have become established as a major team. Never underestimate what he did for City (and we should continue to question why the FA and certain clubs did what they did to force him out of our club at a time when we were going to dominate for years - he should have a football pardon!)
Kompany
Cowan - pre ww2 the captains took on much of the duties of post war managers (which adds to Cown, Barkas & Meredith) influence
Paul
Barkas - possibly should be higher (in 68 he was called City's best capt since Meredith in the media, but he himself said that almost every member of the 68 champions were better than 37, and that only Doherty would be a certainty in the 68 team)
Of course one of my own personal favourites was Dave Watson. He definitely led by example.
He didn't nominate Swift? Or do you mean the only outfield player? To the extent that I can judge it without seeing either play, I reckon Eric Brook might have ousted Coleman, as well.
Can't take issue with your choice. Watson was great, though, while Doyle was also a great captain from my early days watching City. Looked as though it really meant something to him, as well.
Gary James
Well-Known Member
Yes he missed Swift - a bit odd really seeing as we had still not got a fixed number 1 in 68. If I'd have interviewed him I'd have gone through player by player and done a compare/contrast with the two years, but I think the newspaper just wanted a headline.He didn't nominate Swift? Or do you mean the only outfield player? To the extent that I can judge it without seeing either play, I reckon Eric Brook might have ousted Coleman, as well.
Can't take issue with your choice. Watson was great, though, while Doyle was also a great captain from my early days watching City. Looked as though it really meant something to him, as well.
Worth remembering that Swift himself was a great captain, but more so for England & Great Britain. He did a good job as captain at City but nothing like the ones listed.
We've had some great captains over the years. I wouldn't necessarily choose one from an already great side though.
I'd go for the one that had the most impact and influence. That's Morrison. At the time he came, we needed leadership desperately. He was a colossus.
For me, a captain has to lead by example or be vocal (preferably both).
We're missing this desperately again now.
I'd go for the one that had the most impact and influence. That's Morrison. At the time he came, we needed leadership desperately. He was a colossus.
For me, a captain has to lead by example or be vocal (preferably both).
We're missing this desperately again now.