Your Favourite Striker

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Footy question: who is your favourite striker? Pick from all history if you like. But pick only one.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:32 (twenty-three years ago)

http://www.ourtone.co.uk/ctid/images/flack.jpg

I spoke to him last week.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:34 (twenty-three years ago)

gonna have to cover my head and say, in all honesty, Owen because despite his flaws I don't think there's been an English striker able to score goals and rescue games quite like him for some time (Lineker yes but did he have the same flair?), he's already a legend for the Argentina goal, the hat-trick in Munich and well on his way to eclipsing Ian Rush at Liverpool and you can't really argue with feats like that at the end of the day (Brian)

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:37 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't think there's been an English striker able to score goals and rescue games quite like him for some time

and i know Shearer did great but he just wasnt as exciting and nor were his goals frankly

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:39 (twenty-three years ago)

http://site.ifrance.com/champions/images/Dalglish.jpg

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:40 (twenty-three years ago)

My top 3:

3. Ivan Luis Zamorano
http://heudjet.free.fr/image/mjoueur/zamorano.jpg

2. Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci
http://digilander.libero.it/azzurriweb/storia/grandi_del_passato/foto/schillaci.jpg

And, number 1. Hristo Stoichkov
http://www2.raisport.rai.it/mcalcio/euro96/foto/cf00365.jpg

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:40 (twenty-three years ago)

What I like about Stoitchkov is that he doesn't look like a great striker, or even a footballer really. Same with Van Nistelrooy.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:42 (twenty-three years ago)

Stoichkov's a great character ("there's no more characters left in the game" copyright A Pissed Up Footballer From The 70s). Whether he's walking out of the stadium at half time because he doesn't think his team mates are good enough to play in the same team as him, or whether he's breaking the leg of a 17 year old American in a reckless challenge, he's good copy. And he was stunning in 1994, and later on with the Barca team of the mid 90s.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:45 (twenty-three years ago)

http://home.luna.nl/~xino/games/fifawc2002/kluivert.jpg

http://home.luna.nl/~xino/games/fifawc2002/batistuta.jpg

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:45 (twenty-three years ago)

I can't look at this thread any longer because Nordic's pics are too scary.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:46 (twenty-three years ago)

3. Tony Cascarino-Big Cas may not have been the best, but his book and also his gappy smile have always made him a favourite with myself and my friends. Even when he should have been well past it he still popped up with an important goal.

2. Michael Owen-I've had many a barren season as a Pool fan, the FA Cup final against Arsenal is about the greatest moment I can remember, but god without Owen I hate to think what Liverpool would be now.

1. John Aldridge-Never really shone at the major tournaments but was always good for qualification hat-tricks, I remember lots of happy victories with him around. Also I'm not sure Ireland have ever found a goalscorer as reliable to replace him. The Mexico tantrum and ensuing goal is also worth a mention.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:47 (twenty-three years ago)

http://www.mg002b3988.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/scargill.jpg

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:47 (twenty-three years ago)

I remember one Barca game when Stoichkov came on at the end, during a very volatile period with lots of fouls and elbows being thrown (maybe a game with Real). The commentator described it as "like giving an arsonist a box of matches". Class.

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:47 (twenty-three years ago)

3. Kevin Davies circa 1997 FA cup run for Chesterfield, he was a different class, I have no idea what happened when he got to the Premiership.

2. King Kenny (although not an out and out striker, more of a link player)

1. Ian Rush - The best, quite simply.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:50 (twenty-three years ago)

ha ha ed, the obvious ones are the best ones eh?

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 11:56 (twenty-three years ago)

Though blurry as heck, that has to be Paul Mariner in the background of JtN's Dalglish photo, doesn't it? As recognisable a head-shape as Ruudboy's.

I'll go for Bob Latchford - he probably scored more goals in games I actually attended than anyone else (the eight-minute hat-trick vs Crystal Palace in autumn 1980 especially memorable); I can remember the crowd chanting for him to come off the bench in the dying minutes of a UEFA Cup tie vs Feyenoord (he one of the few stars not to desert Goodison the previous summer as the Lee dream began to collapse), and I can also recall the incessant barracking he got from certain creatively foulmouthed individuals in the Park End for most of his last season - which my Dad found amusing.

Shall I just start a forum called I Love My Dad (Even If I Never Go And See The Old Misery)?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:12 (twenty-three years ago)

I think you should Jonesy.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:15 (twenty-three years ago)

RVN is great, but I'll never love another striker (or player) as much as this one:

http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/cantona2.jpg

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:28 (twenty-three years ago)

http://62.232.35.140/files_football/BEARDSLEY_Peter_19960811_SF_L.jpg
http://www.viplanet.nl/assets_tracker/kolom_c/johan_cruyff_8822.jpg

― stevo (stevo), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:28 (twenty-three years ago)

http://www.uglyfootballers.com/images/footballers/90

― james (james), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:29 (twenty-three years ago)

http://62.232.35.140/files_football/CHANNON_Mick_19731110_GH_L.jpg

or, if you prefer,

http://racehorsetrainers.co.uk/Henry/Mick%20c4.jpg

― pete b. (pete b.), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Stevo and james just caused my screen to shatter.

Cruyff isn't my favourite striker, he's my god.

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:34 (twenty-three years ago)

Hristo Stoichkov is the man. I recall watching him in an international where he berated his follically challenged compatriot Letchkov, for playing a ball too far in front of him, by frantically slapping his forehead at the despondent midfielder.

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 13:36 (twenty-three years ago)

This chap wasn't bad either;

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:04 (twenty-three years ago)

iain dowie owns this thread.

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:04 (twenty-three years ago)

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:05 (twenty-three years ago)

Gianfranco Zola. He represents everything good about the game, he's an astonishing player, he's totally gifted, he's a lovely wee man who's an example to all.

(cue for Dave B to remind us of his days eating babies with the Khmer Rouge, no doubt...)

― Mark C (Mark C), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:08 (twenty-three years ago)

David Hirst

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:12 (twenty-three years ago)

Signori.

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:22 (twenty-three years ago)

Zola was an extra in 'Name of the Rose'.

That's not true. But it should be. he looks like a medieval monk, face contorted by disease and illness and incest ridden gene pools. But he is good.

My favourite striker? Hmm. I don't think of the boy Cruyff as a striker, though he's my all-time numbah one. By striker I think of someone who I think 'this is a goal' whenever they get near a certain point near the goal. Shearer could do this until his first serious injury in 1997, and Solksjaer has elements of it. Ronaldo had it until he had his pre-final fit and hasn't been the same. Currently I'd say Raul is da bomb as he's deadly, and isn't a Lineker game reading striker (ie, looks jammy, but you don't stay that jammy, that long) - he poaches, he strikes from distance etc. Second would be Shhevchenko - clinical, and a varied repetoire.

All-time favourite - Van Basten. Pure class as a striker. The boy had it all. I'm sure people who say Jimmy Greaves would disagree, but it seems axiomatic that you've seen the person in action.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:37 (twenty-three years ago)

This guy deserves a shout:

http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/dlaw.jpg

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:41 (twenty-three years ago)

Having seen the boy Shevchenko from close quarters a few times, as well as on TV a lot, I have to say he has the lot - two good feet, very quick, good in the air, brilliant off the ball and dangerous from pretty much anywhere on the pitch.

Pure class and he just edges it from Van Nistelrooy, who has all of the above attributes, but has the face of a horse.

Thrid would be Hamilton Ricard.

― Simon B, Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:48 (twenty-three years ago)

Zola was an extra in 'Name of the Rose'.

As was Pierluigi Collina.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 14:58 (twenty-three years ago)

not forgetting that Luis Figo was in Quantum leap

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:00 (twenty-three years ago)

No, Collina was an extra in Mars Attacks.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Extra? He had the starring role didn't he?

assume someone less busy than me will do the posting of the two relevant images that prove this beyond any reasonable doubt.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:04 (twenty-three years ago)

He also featured on the closing credits of Star Trek.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:05 (twenty-three years ago)

not forgetting that Luis Figo was in Quantum leap

"Ziggy says there's a 89.2678123% chance that Portugal are going out of the European Championships in the first round"

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Extra? He had the starring role didn't he?

You're thinking of The Hills Have Eyes.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:08 (twenty-three years ago)

It once struck me that Zola looks like he should be an accomplice of this fellow:

http://www.williamgaddis.org/RecsCover1.jpg

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:10 (twenty-three years ago)

Nico Claesen.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:19 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh, *yes*...

(I remember him scoring the winner at Anfield in his 1st or 2nd game, c. October 1986)

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:33 (twenty-three years ago)

good striker, but never the greatest of tackles..
http://www.laughingshop.com/pictures/fullsize/74.jpg

― ken c, Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:38 (twenty-three years ago)

doh. stupid browser.

romario is maybe my fav.

― ken c, Wednesday, 14 May 2003 15:42 (twenty-three years ago)

By striker I think of someone who I think 'this is a goal' whenever they get near a certain point near the goal.

Oh, well then, John Barnes.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 16:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Stan Collymore. The greatest player that never *was*...

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 16:14 (twenty-three years ago)

My mentalist take on the striking proposition:

Striker = player who is involved in attacking play, doesn't always score, but looks likely. A snifer. Eg Paul Walsh, Robbie Keane.

Strikers aim is yo earn luxury of being:

Goal scorer = Owen, Lineker, Inzaghi - doesn't do anything else.

Players like Henry have earned both goal scorer and striker status, and this is rare.

Centre Forward = knock downs, holding up the ball, doesn't get that many goals. Tracks back, makes tackles. The most maligned of the striking fraternity. Eg Cascarino, Heskey, Niall Quinn.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 16:15 (twenty-three years ago)

I thought I was being predictable, but after loads of posts without a mention of him, maybe not. I expect you're all too young. Pele is my favourite footballer of any sort, and given his astounding goalscoring records (even when someone has questioned it and come up with a different total, it still makes Shearer look like a midfielder) he's my favourite striker too. The goal he scored as part of his hat-trick in the 1958 World Cup semi-final, when younger than Wayne Rooney is now I believe, is a thing of extraordinary and sublime beauty, and I will never get used to his moment in my favourite goal ever, the last in the 1970 final, when he seemed to just stop, and pause, and wait for the moment when he could set up Carlos Alberto. And that lunatic dummy, and the shot from his own half when keepers didn't play like sweepers, and the image of his holding the trophy he'd helped Brazil win for keeps. I don't think there's anyone in the world I idolise as much.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 18:41 (twenty-three years ago)

B-b-but Martin - he only score two goals, and passed once!

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 18:42 (twenty-three years ago)

It's for the 'meme-etic' reasons you cite (the picture of him holding the World Cup, the stupid pause pass [big wow!], his downward header) that I cannot thole Pele and will hear several bad words [placed in a straight line] against him, at any opportunity.

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 18:44 (twenty-three years ago)

But those aren't just later highlight reels to me: they are old memories, kept clear by repetition. I can't express how it felt to watch those moments as they happened.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 19:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, I guess it's hard for me to really appreciate that. (oh no!! "but he only scored two goals and made one pass"!!! OH NO!!)

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 19:11 (twenty-three years ago)

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 19:21 (twenty-three years ago)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/chwaraeon/images/toshack-300.jpg

He's not really my favourite, but he deserves a brief biggie up. My real favourite is Peter Withe, the man with the magic shins. Or Gary Shaw, a man so gorgeous he could go out with page three birds. Or Tony Morley, who now does those Butlins soccer camps (sadly only for children).

I once saw Stoichkov and Laudrup warming up from close-ish quarters. I think it's the most impressive thing I've ever seen, football-wise.

I think some midfielders have snuck in here.

I really hate Zamorano, the mardy-arse.

Is that Cruyff picture an outtake from 'Blow Up'?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 19:47 (twenty-three years ago)

William, who's the Pride of Cornwall you've posted there?

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 22:07 (twenty-three years ago)

Can't pick just one, can I have two?

http://www.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/~yclaw/vanBasten5.jpg

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sport/0010/02/henke.jpg

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 22:15 (twenty-three years ago)

Yikes - apologies for the enormous van Basten pic...

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 22:19 (twenty-three years ago)

No need to apologise. Any lingering antipathy will surely be forgiven with the posting of SHL.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 22:38 (twenty-three years ago)

http://services.windowsmedia.com/vidpic/pic200/drV000/V002/V000266QDJH.jpg

― bnw (bnw), Thursday, 15 May 2003 02:06 (twenty-three years ago)

That'd be oft-overlooked Saints legend Mickey Evans, scorer of the best Southampton goal ever, vs. West Ham a few seasons ago. Corner (I think) comes in, up comes Evans, heads it in from about two yards out. He then flies into the goalpost. He is followed by (I think) Francis Benali, who was also going for the header; Ludek Miklosko, who was going for the save but missed; and probably Simon Charlton and Stuart Ripley, because they are gits.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Thursday, 15 May 2003 14:11 (twenty-three years ago)

mickey evans, eh? he was a subject of controversy in my house recently, cos my brother refused to accept that there had been an irish international under mccarthy's reign who went under the name mickey evans. the internet saved the day and proved me correct.

(his irish career was short and goal-free, btw)

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 15 May 2003 14:44 (twenty-three years ago)

Well at least he's played in one green shirt to be proud of.

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 15 May 2003 14:45 (twenty-three years ago)

nine months pass...

Collymore's a Dogger !

STAN COLLYMORE'S 'DOGGING' SEX SHAME
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=14005756_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-STAN-COLLYMORE-S-SEX-SHAME-name_page.html

Collymore no longer a striker - more a streaker !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 18:49 (twenty-two years ago)

bnw OTM.

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 18:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Gianfranco Zola lookalike:

http://home3.inet.tele.dk/c-4/photogallery/Gianfranco_Zola.jpg
http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/oscars/74th_academy_awards_photos/ben_stiller/oscars.jpg

And (for Ned) Pierluigi Collina:

http://www.figc.it/speciale_world_cup_2002/img/collina.jpg
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009V7QM.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

― David A. (Davant), Wednesday, 3 March 2004 01:17 (twenty-two years ago)

wow i was really starting to like collymore due to hearing lots of him on five live; he really is a fantastic co commentator, intelligent, even learned. now we'ill get tons more of flaming steve claridge who really couldn't be more irritating.

― pete s, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 01:33 (twenty-two years ago)

for the question: these are all 'favourites' in different ways;
greavsie: for obvious reasons, and i've read his autobiog.
van nistelrooy: barren spot right now, but he really is the best
di stefano:pivotal player in the history of european football and politics
kenny dalglish: phenomenal brian
ronaldo: i cried in the 2002 final fer crissake! he deserved his reward so badly. still excites like no one else.

― pete s, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 01:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Barca's early/mid-90s strikeforce of Romario and Stoichkov must have been both the best and most frustrating to manage in equal measures.

I had an argument the other day with my housemate who thought that Owen wasn't the best English striker currently. The maniac.

As a juvenile Tottenham fan, I despised him, but thinking about it Ian Wright was always good for your money and had a stunning strike rate.

Also, no love for one-footed lard-bucket geniuses?
http://www.rediff.com/sports/football/2002/may/maradona.jpg
http://ln.com.ua/~vklyshko/images/igrok/europa/hungary/puskas.jpg

― Nick H (Nick H), Wednesday, 3 March 2004 13:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Predictable I know, but at this particular moment:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39056000/jpg/_39056673_keane_pa.jpg

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 3 March 2004 13:40 (twenty-two years ago)

maradona was the hardest panini sticker to get, i had everyone else; don't think i ever got him actually. mexico 86 was the first int'nl tournament i sat thru, dm was the talisman for the whole event, it still seems like perfectly contrived destiny.

― pete s, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 13:40 (twenty-two years ago)

i enjoyed reading about garrincha a couple of years ago

― pete s, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 13:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Can somebody 'remind' me how to put a picture from the www on this thread?

― the bluefox, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Right-click on the picture
Select 'properties' on the menu that appears
Highlight the picture of the address, the copy it (CTRL C)
Paste it into the message box, putting an i before the http bit

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 3 March 2004 16:07 (twenty-two years ago)

I liked it beofre it went all puterised

http://www.striker3d.net/media/StrikerInColour1.jpg

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 3 March 2004 16:33 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

Maybe I should try doing what DC said, in 2004.

― the pinefox, Saturday, 26 November 2005 14:01 (twenty years ago)

Mirko "Crocop" Filipovich. People know that high roundhouse is coming, but he keeps KOing motherfuckers with it anyway.

...what?

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Saturday, 26 November 2005 14:25 (twenty years ago)

theres a lot to be said for Frankie Bunn

― terry lennox. (gareth), Saturday, 26 November 2005 15:07 (twenty years ago)

though in the end i think it has to be between these two stalwarts

sheffield united, rotherham, oldham, preston, bolton, peterborough, burnley, carlisle, cardiff, halifax and macclesfield town frontman TONY PHILLISKIRK

and beckton, basildon, fisher athletic, maidstone, peterborough, watford, peterboroguh again, birmingham, southend, peterborough (a 3rd stint!), stockport, barnet, boston, dagenham & redbridge, farnboro town and waltham forest forward KEN CHARLERY

― terry lennox. (gareth), Saturday, 26 November 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

Robbie Keane has started for Spurs again today, I think!

― the finefox, Saturday, 26 November 2005 16:17 (twenty years ago)

he has also scored one goal

― terry lennox. (gareth), Saturday, 26 November 2005 16:19 (twenty years ago)

Lee Trundle.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 26 November 2005 16:58 (twenty years ago)

seven months pass...

Romario has promised to never stop playing professional football until he's scored 1000 professional goals, a landmark he's currently 25 short of. To this end, the 40 year old now turns out for a second-tier team in the USA. That really endears him to me for some reason.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 2 July 2006 14:56 (nineteen years ago)

My hero.

http://footballfocus.xsmnet.com/gallery/teams/wolves/wolverhampton_steve_bull.JPG

― Toad Roundgrin (noodle vague), Sunday, 2 July 2006 15:01 (nineteen years ago)

including pre-season, friendlies, amateurs, kickabouts, presumably?

― : (688), Sunday, 2 July 2006 15:11 (nineteen years ago)

thirteen years pass...

#OnThisDay 1958: Garth Crooks was born. Here’s a loving nod to the great man himself. pic.twitter.com/iJoKpcthkx
— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) March 10, 2020

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 11 March 2020 10:52 (six years ago)

Garth hates the Wolves, ergo i hate Garth

― Psychedics with Rosie Swash (Noodle Vague), Wednesday, 11 March 2020 12:46 (six years ago)

i prefer Chris Haines

― Piven After Midnight (The Yellow Kid), Wednesday, 11 March 2020 15:06 (six years ago)

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