I'm delighted for Jake, a model pro, who should now be set for life with his new deal. Although, I've just read Pulis' comments saying that he thought he would become a top 6 player
So apart from wingers/ no 10's , a few who who never even played in the top division (when the general standard was much lower) and some who played cameos for us, it's either Ash (though more from a career long legend perspective), Tom (who has not made the 1st team for lengthy periods) or Jake.
Tell me then. Not suggesting he's a world beater, just someone who has done it fairly consistently at the top level. That's sadly good enough to get the accolade
^^^This is bang on the money - at my age I can be as nostalgic as anyone but, the fact is, the best players we've ever had are those who've played in the PL for us; the only midfielders who come close to JL are those at the club now. The above paragraph still allows me to count Ian Ashbee as the most influential player/midfielder to pull on the black n amber in my lifetime, we've had lots of better athletes and lots of better footballers but, we've never had a player who could drag a team along with his force of will. Cometh the hour, cometh the man ..... that was Ashbee.
I've always thought he was a good, steady away sort of player. Nout flash but then if he was we'd have lost him ages ago. I think a lot of fans feel some additional warmth for Jake beyond that warranted by his performances because of what went on during his stay here. Binding stuff.
Livermore was DF, I think you have to be more precise.. pre-Jake you have to consider these: Ashbee Brabin Simpkin Meyler is a contemporary.. but on longevity, service, promotions, legendary goals, leadership... Ash wins
Aye but if we'd not signed him and Bill Baxter then we just might have kept the wheels on and made it to division 1 that season....... It was downhill after TBOBL....... It's always haunted me....
Wow! Now you've brought that up, you've refreshed my failing memory. You're absolutely right! Everything was going brilliantly that season (they gave us 'Ullensians the best footy entertainment I've ever been part of, by a country mile!), then out of the blue, Crash, Bang ... it was over. Even though they were both excellent players, together with Gerry Summers, it broke the team's togetherness. The HCAFC years just before and after 1966 were brilliant, from a true HCAFC fan's POV. We were there ... we know what it was like! Let's hope we can get back to that level of hope and expectation again.
Now we have achieved our dream if playing in the top division (and for many realised it's not the be all), I'm not sure we'll ever have that hope and expectation again. That first promotion was unbelievable.
Elliot midfielder? The bulk of his legendary status was achieved in the bottom two divisions. Otherwise good call.