[Albion] Alexis Mac Allister: Albion legend?

[brighton_tom]

Whatever the word used is, and whether other players are on an even high level of “legend” status, I will alway think of Alexis as a special player. To win the World Cup while playing for the Albion & his exemplary, respectful attitude towards us means he should always be celebrated by us & remembered fondly. How many other players have won & had a starring role in the biggest football tournament in the world while playing for us… zero, and that may continue for quite some time.

 

[Kosh]

In this world of such rapid fluidity, where long term is considered to be about 6 months … I’d say four seasons is about as good as it gets.

For a club who considers Bobby Zamora a legend, for a guy who considers Denny Mundee to be of fable and ancient archival parchment lore…

Well, it’s laid bare… this young Argentinian Celt, who, I might add, had me cheering for Argentina in a World Cup final… just let that sink in…

And… provided a moment of such sumptuous quality for a pivotal goal therein… and then returned, and instead of sulking about his (perhaps) inglorious surrounds seemed to grow ever more as a person and a player… a rare breed, as rare as a well placed Mundee pass.

Make no mistake, I doubt we’ll see his ilk or like again until, that is, he returns to us a winner of so much more than one WC medal… we can but dream.

As a player - with virtually one awesomely struck penalty (at the death), he virtually delivered something we HAVE NEVER experienced before.

His legend will live on, he will be remembered long after these words (all these words herein) melt into the gaping maw of the AI monster, that even now pulls at my mortal heels.

 

[Normal Rob]

No. Nowhere near it. Winning a big competition for another team does not a legend make.

 

[RandyWanger]

No. As a club, we are progressing and he was just a stepping stone for us to get to the next level. Onwards and upwards.

 

[Bodian]

If the term club legend really relates to players that will be remembered and talked about for years to come - then he will be a legend to me purely for the build up, waiting, then the way he took and scored that penalty against Man United, as it was the moment I first believed we could achieve the unachievable of qualifying for Europe for the first time, so will stick in my mind for many many years.

 

[jcdenton08]

I voted nah, but ask again in 9 months if we are struggling and it’ll be a probable yes.

 

[DJ NOBO]

I'd argue that Hans Kraay is a legend. No long service, no special talent, but legendary status. Johnny Crumplin is another.

Neither are hearts of the club but both are legends. Stories are told.

There are also greats of the club. Outstanding players.

Then there is a very rare group who are both greats and legends. Pete Ward for example.

For me, Alexis is a great. Not a legend.

Players can have legendary moments, without making them legends. George Parris “he’s behind you” being a good example. Reinelt - for me that’s a legendary moment but he’s not an Albion legend.
JCFG is a tricky one. Defintely iconic, maybe not up there with Dunky on the true legends table though!

 

[trueblue]

It’s a yes for me. His skill set helped us transform the style and become a top half PL club plus he won the World Cup while with us, which has increased the club’s visibility worldwide immensely. And he also seems to be a thoroughly decent bloke.

 

[Withdean11]

Won the world cup, mentored the young South Americans, gave everything every game and cried after his last game or us.

Legend.

 

[Beanstalk]

We'll all be talking about his performances this season in years time.

Imagine, going "good player he was, but you need to do more than score a 99th minute penalty in front of the North Stand against United to secure the club's first ever qualification to a European competition for me." Of course he's a legend. No sour grapes here.

 

[DJ NOBO]

Lawrenson’s an odd one. When here he was sublime, especially as a centre back, his marauding runs WERE the stuff of legend.

However after he left he pretty well airbrushed us from his past, in the eyes of many of us. His love was for Preston and Liverpool and he made no bones about it. I think we (well me certainly) got a little precious about it but recently, as we are on the up again, he happily links himself to us when asked

As said before until a season or so ago he was recognised by us old timers as probably our best ever Albion player (seen in the flesh)

Alexis, so far in thoughts towards the Albion, seems the complete opposite. Let’s wait and see what his thoughts on his past are when he’s won a few League titles and a couple of CLs

quarter of a chapter in his book

 

[Icy Gull]

quarter of a chapter in his book

Maybe just a paragraph

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

What a lovely thread. Usually when a player is discussed it ends with people either slagging each other off or slagging the player in question or his rival for the position. None of that here, just praise.

The fact that he can have a thread like this where no one - poster or player - is being slagged off should be enough to nudge him into legend status for the fence sitters...

As a follow up question can a player lose legendary status through lack of being talked about?

I've seen a few posters mention Horton as a legend and I know for those that saw him he is one of the all time great Albion players but does anyone under 30 have a clue who he is? I say this not to be disrespectful to him or denigrate what he achieved with the club but as a corollary to the legend status.

I reckon Ward will forever be spoken about even by people who never saw him play(I include myself and anyone under 45 in that), Foster too. I'm not sure about Horton or many other players from the 70's and earlier who arguably deserve the status of legend.

Mac Allister on the other hand has a very good chance of being spoken about in 10, 20,30 or more years time. Does being remembered trump other achievements? Does having achieved great things but no longer being remembered drop you down form legend to great status?

Actually, on that theme does the club still have the giant banners/posters of players past and present outside the ground? Who's on that? Are they legends?

 

[Weststander]

No. Nowhere near it. Winning a big competition for another team does not a legend make.

Well, everyone who praises Lawro as an Albion legend including me, cites then winning the lot over and over again.

 

[Hamilton]

45% think the only Albion player (or first Albion player) to win the World Cup isn’t a legend?

This is the guy who cried after his last game?

Good grief. Unless this is some massive fishing exercise, out club is supported by a significant number of people who have lost the f***ing plot!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

45% think the only Albion player (or first Albion player) to win the World Cup isn’t a legend?

This is the guy who cried after his last game?

Good grief. Unless this is some massive fishing exercise, out club is supported by a significant number of people who have lost the f***ing plot!

But the term 'legend' is subjective. One's person's interpretation of it (in a footballing context) is someone like Dunky who has spent their whole career at a club, led the club on a 'journey' from lower leagues. But someone else could (using the example of Ali Mac), say that a couple of REALLY good seasons – one where he's won the World Cup (albeit not for Brighton, obvs) and scored a last-gasp penalties in one of the games of the season – is enough to put him at that same level.

Yes, he won the WC, but I couldn't give two shits about international football and it's nothing to do with the club, so that has no bearing on his rating as an ALBION legend to ME. As I said before, very good player – VERY good – and a great guy to have around the place, but it's the longevity thing (or lack of it) that does it for me. I know it's not his fault that he was in demand and he's facked off, but when I compare him with, say, Groß, who has been on the whole PL journey with Brighton, the man with the turn is more of a legend than Ali Mac.

I do also wonder whether, if Ali Mac had stayed next season – and next season turned out to be not such a roller-coaster and is enough time for the WC win to be more of a distant memory for fans – and THEN went for, say, £20m, if he would be viewed differently?

 

[sparkie]

Of course he is.

A legend is a story, a mythos.

His story is that he is the albion player who won the World Cup.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Definitely not. No more of a legend than someone like Izquierdo.

He has got his name in the history books though, fair play to him.

Very surprised by the numbers saying yes in this poll

 

[Brovion]

....

I do also wonder whether, if Ali Mac had stayed next season – and next season turned out to be not such a roller-coaster and is enough time for the WC win to be more of a distant memory for fans – and THEN went for, say, £20m, if he would be viewed differently?

Good point. Actually I think we'll know more about his 'legend' status at the end of next season anyway. If he scores for Liverpool against us and gives it the biggun in front of the North Stand I think a few will change their minds!

That is a joke btw, I really, really don't think he'd by classless enough to do that, it goes against everything we (think) we know about him.

Anyway, I hadn't voted on the poll as I wasn't convinced he was a true legend, but he certainly can't be dismissed with a 'Nah'. However I've changed my mind slightly as this thread has progressed, and my finger is now hovering over the 'Of course he is!' option. Decisions decisions.

 

[Shooting Star]

Reading Dunky's season review just reminded me anew how much of an utter club legend that man is. Literally Mr Brighton. Build him a statue when he retires right outside the Amex please Tony.