Top Ten Centre Forwards

[Paper Boy]

Looking at the archive photos recently posted, it got me thinking about the fact that in the twenty years I have been watching Stanley we have been continually blessed with having top class centre forwards for the vast majority of that time.

After a huge amount of deliberation I've put forward what I consider to be the top ten during this period. I haven't included players such as Jim McCluskey, Jock Wylie and Steve Haw even though they were considered top players during their careers, as we signed them when they were past their best.

My selection is as follows:

1) Brett Ormerod
2) Billy O'Callaghan
3) Paul Beck
4) Andy Bondswell
5) Gary Williams (first time around)
6) Lutel James
7) Paul Mullin
8) Steve Parry
9) Mike Lutkevitch
10) Ian Blackstone

Apologies to Messrs Cameron, McNally, Moss, Hutchinson, etc.

I think you'll all agree that all were great players, as I'm sure everyone will have their own thoughts on their ratings. I haven't formulated my rankings on anything other than my own opinion, but would love some Stato out their to provided any info such as goals per game ratio, total goals scored, etc, etc.

What do you think????

[the debonaire]

the top ten of yours sounds pretty good to me, apart from billy o'callaghan who is my number one-any time we had a free kick outside the box it was a pretty good bet we'd score. plus there's the fact he was the top scorer in the unibond premier division for us one season, despite the fact we went down.

strange thing is, he left us for prescot north cables who were a few divisions below us at the time. wonder how many goals he got for them?

[Tin Monkey]

He got the Player Manager position at Prescot. When i lived near Prescot I used to go and watch them sometimes. O'Callaghan still looked pretty good to me.

[maccawozzagod]

Bernie Hughes would get in my top ten, as would his moustache

[Paper Boy]

Macca - my next top ten was going to rank facial hair styles of Stanley players, but you've nailed it before I got chance. There is no one anywhere near challenging Bernie fior the number one spot. I think he caleed it the Mexican Bandit look.

As for Billy O'Callaghan, I honestly struggle to see how he didn't make more of his career. With his finishing he should have played at a much higher level.

[maccawozzagod]

John Hughes and Eddie 'Ming the Merciless' Johnston would warrant a place in the 'ming'ing face fluff list.


Dave Hargreaves is an all-timer down to his prolific goalscoring and appearances.


But we have had some good number 10's and they all seem to stay a while, which has been the cornerstone of our rise and rise over the last couple of decades.

Parry
Beck
Mullin

Up to a couple or years ago I had Beck as number 10 number 1, but due to the higher level, the differences in levels and the sheer consistency of the man, Paul Mullin is MY all time best Stanley player (new thread?). Every step up we have made the fans have mused over what new players we need and every time a new no 10 is touted as Mullin wont be quick/fit/skilful enough for the step up. Every year he proves them wrong and gets fitter and stronger with age. Although he hasn't necessarily been as prolific as we would have liked over the last couple of seasons, it his his selflessness, awareness and presence coupled with ball holding abilities that has allowed the midfielders and wingers to score as many as they do. Paul Mullin - go to the top of the tree.

Beck - Similar but more goals, although scored at the same sort of level every season in an age where more direct football was aimed for his shining head.

Ormerod - Would have to go down as the most succesful ex-Stanleyer (until Roberts goes on?). Although he didn't pull trees up at Southampton in the Premiership he seemed to have been a favourite of Strachans when signed and played plenty. Who can forget him chasing a lost cause ball in the FA Cup final against Man United and getting in a fierce volley from a tight angle that narrowly hit the wrong side of the crossbar? Who can forget him coming on as a substitute against Liverpool on his debut and immediately getting flattened off Sammi Hyypia in an aerial mismatch? I thought he was too skinny and would never make it at Blackpool but what do I know? Any chance of coming back for your last couple of years Brett?

Lutel James - Theeeeee most perfect foil for Paul Mullin, big guy flicks for little guy, little guy twists and turns and forces big dozy clobbering defender to knock him over. His scoring record slightly clouded by the amount of penalites he scored, but seeing as he won most of em its only fair we count em. I think it was the Unibond Premier winning season that he scored 24/25 and 12 of em were penalties!!

Billy O'Callaghan - Missed most of the season where Billy battered penalty boxes. Most I remember was that he was a little dude who scored goals at will. Could and should have followed Stanely through the leagues. Wonder if he regrets his decision to leave as he watches us win on Sky four times a year?

[Paper Boy]

I've got to admit, I felt a bit mean placing Paul at number 7, due to the sheer workload he gets through which benefits the more flair players in the team. His loyalty and manner would position him at number one in the "Mr Accrington Stanley" contest, but I judged each player on how much excitement I have had from watching them play and a lot of that comes down to preferrences on style as well as number of goals scored.

I must admit that I too have questioned his inclusion in the next season's team each time we've been promoted, but each time he has silenced the doubters. There's no disputing the guy's class.

[stanleyfan]

hes got to be the best stanley striker. Hes class!

[Oggy]

Originally Posted by Paper Boy

As for Billy O'Callaghan, I honestly struggle to see how he didn't make more of his career. With his finishing he should have played at a much higher level.

Probably my first full season of watching Stanley, O'Callaghan banging them in and Jamie having blinders at the other end, and they went down! Says a lot about the other nine, mind you one of them was Greg Challender, everybody, and I mean everybody, applauded when one Ref sent him off. Kinda got me into Stanley.

Could be apochrophyl, but was told that the club bought Billy a car as he was having problems getting to training, matches, etc. He sold it within a week!

As he's not been mentioned, so far, was Eric right about Sparky?

[maccawozzagod]

Originally Posted by Oggy

As he's not been mentioned, so far, was Eric right about Sparky?

in what sense?

[Oggy]

Eric seemed to think Sparky should get more involved, and made sure Sparky could hear him. Sparky, for his part, used to gesture to Eric everytime he scored, motivational, in a peculiar way, I suppose .

Sorry I missed most of those mentioned, sound an awesome bunch.