[Football] A number 6 is...

[Nobby]

When I was a little kid - left half
When I was a teenager - left central defender
In my 30’s - sweeper
Now - God knows.

 

[maltaseagull]

Nailed it. Five up front. But you forgot 11. LW.

You silly sausage.

Oops. Maybe sent off?

 

[The Tassie Seagull]

When I first became aware of these things Alan Hansen at Liverpool was a number 6 and he was very definitely a centre back. So there you go.

True, but didn't Liverpool's other CB wear 4 (think Phil Thompson always did) and a midfielder (Ronnie Whelan or similar) end up wearing 5?

 

[tigertim68]

I will always class the DM 4. 5 and 6 CBs.

I always class number 5 as a centre half

 

[Brighthelmstone]

The socket i lost

 

[Super Steve Earle]

5 is the big Steve Foster type CB, does all the clearing headers. 6 is the more cultured, quicker, better at bringing the ball out CB of which Lawrenson was the finest example. Usually spotted in pairs, from Gall and Napier through the above to Dunk 'n' Duffy. Less obvious in our current setup.