Scotty Mac
New member
- Jul 13, 2003
- 24,405
Following the success, excitement and general frenzy that surrounded the naming of last season League One Flair Team, I have decided to take it upon myself to once again give 11 men from our division the honour of the season, by bestowing upon them a place in the ultimate League One team of flair for 2008. And here are the lucky galacticos:
GOALKEEPER: Shane Higgs
At a massive 191cm tall, Shane is one of the most imposing goalkeeping figures outside of the Premiership. He took a fairytale journey to league football, having been released by Bristol Rovers, he moved to Worcester City before returning to the league. A massive kick that turns defence into attack means Shane has the ability to claim many assists, and throw in his superb ability to stop shots and maneuver around his goal despite his large frame, and you have a lynchpin of flair between the sticks
RIGHT BACK: Jerry Gill
A former Backwell United, Trowbridge Town and Bath City legend, Jerry too took the dream route to league football when he moved from Yeovil Town to Birmingham City in 1997. He showed his flair capabilities for Trevor Francis men by playing in the play offs and a Worthington Cup semi-final for the Blues. Despite his advancing age, he still has the ability to pull off unthinkable tackles, and as is the criteria with any flair full back, bomb down the line to get into scoring positions
LEFT BACK: Alan Wright
Anyone who needs an introduction as to who Alan Wright is has obviously been living in some sort of cave for the last 15 years. His first silverware came when he was a part of the Blackburn Rovers dream squad that secured the Premier League title. He spent 8 years as a key cog in the machine that was the Villa defence of the mid and late 1990s, and can count a League Cup winners medal and an FA Cup runners up medal among his collection of silverware. A 3 year spell at Sheffield United followed, where he single-handedly guided the Blades into the Premiership. Standing at a mere 163cm, he opitimises flair with a cheeky approach to the game, a bald head and the ability to score stunning free kicks at the drop of a hat
CENTRE BACK: Andy Gallinagh
With his long sweeping locks combined with an alice band, and his calmness on the ball at the back, it is no suprise that the 22 year old has drawn comparisons to Carles Puyol. While his hair is more reminiscent of a rampaging wide man, he is not afraid to stick the boot in, and his ability to win the ball for his team, take on three men and then split a defence open in Ronaldinho style means that fans of flair in League One should make the most of the class that Andy brings, as it is only a matter of time until he is snapped up by one of the top La Liga sides
CENTRE BACK: Gavin Caines
A product of the famed and much admired Walsall YTS system, Gavin is your old fashioned, take-no-prisoners centre back. His hard-hitting approach to the game continues in all areas, as he is known to pop up on the edge of the box at times and unleash his famous 'bullet shot' at goal, which in true flair style will normally end up in the crowd. His inconsistency is a big question mark over his ability to join the elite group of true flair centre backs such as Guy Branston and Martin Keown, as he can go from a Steve Bruce-esque perfomance one game to a Titus Bramble one the next. However, his pierced ears and his games-to-foul ratio mean he has to be considered for the League One side
RIGHT MIDFIELD: Andy Lindegaard
Andy is your classic flair player, in that he can play in every position across the pitch, although he is best at home in a wide positon in the midfield. He was given the ultimate upbringing in the footballing world, progressing through the youth system at Yeovil Town, where he learnt a host of skills. These are now best deployed out wide, as Andy uses the classic technique of 'hit and run', as he outpaces his marker to deliver balls that are as dangerous as a terroist bomber on a tube train to the defences of League One
LEFT MIDFIELD: Michael D'Agostino
Any side that is deemed to contain flair, needs a player who is the best in their country. When you Ask Jeeves for the definition of an international superstar, it will display simply a picture of one man - Michael D'Agostino. This 21 year old is the future face of the Canadian National Team, and has gone about earning that title in the correct way. He made a name for himself at the Kentucky Wildcats, before moving onto his hometown team, the famous Vancouver Whitecaps. Comparisons were soon made with Whitecaps legend Peter Beardsley, and it was no suprise when Michael moved to England. A wide man with a direct game in the style of flair hero Keith Gillespie, let the Canadian Parhars get at you and you are in trouble. Capable of changing a game in a second, great things are expected of this future Canadian soccer MVP and world cup winning captain
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Alex Russell
An exprienced, hard working midfielder, Alex holds that all too rare ability of being able to unlock the tighest defence with a single pass. He has a high success rate in the game, and is credited with being the man who supplied the deadly three-pronged Cambridge United attack of Trevor Benjmin, Martin Butler and John Taylor in the all-conquering U's team of 1999. He then did the same for Torquay United in 2004, and concluded this hat-trick of play making promotions for his sides by getting Bristol City promoted last season, where his flair ability saw him widely recognised as the Paul Gascoigne of the league
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: David Bird
David Bird is one of those flair sportsmen like Ian Botham who excells at all games - having played at a high level both cricket and rugby, he decided that it was football in which he could make his mark. A debut at a club-record age of 15 years old for Cinderford Town saw him soon attracting the attention of league clubs. At home anywhere on the right side of the midfield, Dave is regularly deployed in the defensive role for his ability to break up attacks and then get his side going forward. Tipped to be a future England star in the mould of David Batty, Birdy is committed to going one better than the man he shares a first name with by practicing penalties everyday after training
STRIKER: Paul Connor
A vastly experienced striker who learnt the trade at Middlesbrough, when such was his talent that Hamilton Ricard took him under his wing as his protogee. Paul was soon snapped up by Stoke, before Rochdale showed their dedication to the art of flair by paying a cub record £150,000 for him. Seeking a flair attack, he was soon snapped up by Swansea as a partner for Lee Trundle, in what is generally agreed to be the best strike force in Swans history. He then moved onto Orient, where his hard work-rate made him an instant hero. Possesing a James Beattie-like ablity to hold up the ball and bring others into play, Paul also holds the ultimate honour in the world of flair, as he is booed by his own fans whenever he appears
STRIKER: Steven Gillespie
The most feared striker currently plying his trade in League One, the mere mention of his name will have defenders feigning injury just to avoid being embarrased by the great man. It was obvious to all who saw Steves career in its early days that he was destined to be a star in the game. After breaking Robbie Fowlers goal-scoring record for Liverpool schools, he joined his boyhood team before moving to Bristol City. Famed for his long hair, his white boots and the way he is able to ghost past defenders as if they are not there, Steven is one of the most sought-after players outside the Premieship, and his mixture of Le Tissier-esque wonder goals, Dublin-esque headers and Shearer-esque tap ins make him the ultimate flair player in League One
GOALKEEPER: Shane Higgs
At a massive 191cm tall, Shane is one of the most imposing goalkeeping figures outside of the Premiership. He took a fairytale journey to league football, having been released by Bristol Rovers, he moved to Worcester City before returning to the league. A massive kick that turns defence into attack means Shane has the ability to claim many assists, and throw in his superb ability to stop shots and maneuver around his goal despite his large frame, and you have a lynchpin of flair between the sticks
RIGHT BACK: Jerry Gill
A former Backwell United, Trowbridge Town and Bath City legend, Jerry too took the dream route to league football when he moved from Yeovil Town to Birmingham City in 1997. He showed his flair capabilities for Trevor Francis men by playing in the play offs and a Worthington Cup semi-final for the Blues. Despite his advancing age, he still has the ability to pull off unthinkable tackles, and as is the criteria with any flair full back, bomb down the line to get into scoring positions
LEFT BACK: Alan Wright
Anyone who needs an introduction as to who Alan Wright is has obviously been living in some sort of cave for the last 15 years. His first silverware came when he was a part of the Blackburn Rovers dream squad that secured the Premier League title. He spent 8 years as a key cog in the machine that was the Villa defence of the mid and late 1990s, and can count a League Cup winners medal and an FA Cup runners up medal among his collection of silverware. A 3 year spell at Sheffield United followed, where he single-handedly guided the Blades into the Premiership. Standing at a mere 163cm, he opitimises flair with a cheeky approach to the game, a bald head and the ability to score stunning free kicks at the drop of a hat
CENTRE BACK: Andy Gallinagh
With his long sweeping locks combined with an alice band, and his calmness on the ball at the back, it is no suprise that the 22 year old has drawn comparisons to Carles Puyol. While his hair is more reminiscent of a rampaging wide man, he is not afraid to stick the boot in, and his ability to win the ball for his team, take on three men and then split a defence open in Ronaldinho style means that fans of flair in League One should make the most of the class that Andy brings, as it is only a matter of time until he is snapped up by one of the top La Liga sides
CENTRE BACK: Gavin Caines
A product of the famed and much admired Walsall YTS system, Gavin is your old fashioned, take-no-prisoners centre back. His hard-hitting approach to the game continues in all areas, as he is known to pop up on the edge of the box at times and unleash his famous 'bullet shot' at goal, which in true flair style will normally end up in the crowd. His inconsistency is a big question mark over his ability to join the elite group of true flair centre backs such as Guy Branston and Martin Keown, as he can go from a Steve Bruce-esque perfomance one game to a Titus Bramble one the next. However, his pierced ears and his games-to-foul ratio mean he has to be considered for the League One side
RIGHT MIDFIELD: Andy Lindegaard
Andy is your classic flair player, in that he can play in every position across the pitch, although he is best at home in a wide positon in the midfield. He was given the ultimate upbringing in the footballing world, progressing through the youth system at Yeovil Town, where he learnt a host of skills. These are now best deployed out wide, as Andy uses the classic technique of 'hit and run', as he outpaces his marker to deliver balls that are as dangerous as a terroist bomber on a tube train to the defences of League One
LEFT MIDFIELD: Michael D'Agostino
Any side that is deemed to contain flair, needs a player who is the best in their country. When you Ask Jeeves for the definition of an international superstar, it will display simply a picture of one man - Michael D'Agostino. This 21 year old is the future face of the Canadian National Team, and has gone about earning that title in the correct way. He made a name for himself at the Kentucky Wildcats, before moving onto his hometown team, the famous Vancouver Whitecaps. Comparisons were soon made with Whitecaps legend Peter Beardsley, and it was no suprise when Michael moved to England. A wide man with a direct game in the style of flair hero Keith Gillespie, let the Canadian Parhars get at you and you are in trouble. Capable of changing a game in a second, great things are expected of this future Canadian soccer MVP and world cup winning captain
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Alex Russell
An exprienced, hard working midfielder, Alex holds that all too rare ability of being able to unlock the tighest defence with a single pass. He has a high success rate in the game, and is credited with being the man who supplied the deadly three-pronged Cambridge United attack of Trevor Benjmin, Martin Butler and John Taylor in the all-conquering U's team of 1999. He then did the same for Torquay United in 2004, and concluded this hat-trick of play making promotions for his sides by getting Bristol City promoted last season, where his flair ability saw him widely recognised as the Paul Gascoigne of the league
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: David Bird
David Bird is one of those flair sportsmen like Ian Botham who excells at all games - having played at a high level both cricket and rugby, he decided that it was football in which he could make his mark. A debut at a club-record age of 15 years old for Cinderford Town saw him soon attracting the attention of league clubs. At home anywhere on the right side of the midfield, Dave is regularly deployed in the defensive role for his ability to break up attacks and then get his side going forward. Tipped to be a future England star in the mould of David Batty, Birdy is committed to going one better than the man he shares a first name with by practicing penalties everyday after training
STRIKER: Paul Connor
A vastly experienced striker who learnt the trade at Middlesbrough, when such was his talent that Hamilton Ricard took him under his wing as his protogee. Paul was soon snapped up by Stoke, before Rochdale showed their dedication to the art of flair by paying a cub record £150,000 for him. Seeking a flair attack, he was soon snapped up by Swansea as a partner for Lee Trundle, in what is generally agreed to be the best strike force in Swans history. He then moved onto Orient, where his hard work-rate made him an instant hero. Possesing a James Beattie-like ablity to hold up the ball and bring others into play, Paul also holds the ultimate honour in the world of flair, as he is booed by his own fans whenever he appears
STRIKER: Steven Gillespie
The most feared striker currently plying his trade in League One, the mere mention of his name will have defenders feigning injury just to avoid being embarrased by the great man. It was obvious to all who saw Steves career in its early days that he was destined to be a star in the game. After breaking Robbie Fowlers goal-scoring record for Liverpool schools, he joined his boyhood team before moving to Bristol City. Famed for his long hair, his white boots and the way he is able to ghost past defenders as if they are not there, Steven is one of the most sought-after players outside the Premieship, and his mixture of Le Tissier-esque wonder goals, Dublin-esque headers and Shearer-esque tap ins make him the ultimate flair player in League One
