Way back in the mid seventies I started to play with some outstanding defenders alongside me. Partnerships were easily formed with your fellow centre half, usually a player with very similar attributes, but full backs were different. Even in those days you had to be a good footballer to be a good full back, not just a defender or tackler, but someone who could pass the ball well, long and short, could join in attacks and put good crosses into the penalty box, but who could also do the leg work of chasing up the wing to join in attacks and yet not go missing when needed to defend. At Ipswich we had George Burley at right back and Mick Mills at left back, when George got injured the Mick would swap over to right back and either Terry Butcher would move over to left back or Steve McCall would play. Steve went on to make the position his own in the early eighties, notably during the 80/81 season. At Leicester City I played alongside Bobby Smith (RIP) at left back and Andy Feeley at right back, both were real characters both on and off the pitch. Sadly Bobby died of cancer in 1990. Gerry Forrest was a great right back at the Dell but I just missed the pleasure of playing with Mark Dennis at Southampton, he had just left the club for QPR after a bit of an altercation with the manager Chris Nichol. In his place was a magnificent replacement, Derek Statham, who had played nearly 300 games for West Brom. A very good all round player, not the biggest but very skilful and extremely funny. In fact I think all left backs have a querky character to say the least, well all the ones that I have played with anyway. I think it makes them a better player, more able to play with a bit of extra flair. This point could not be confirmed better than by the next player I am going to mention. Kenny Sansom kept Derek Statham out of the England team, both at U21 level and at full international level. Kenny started out at Crystal Palace before moving to Arsenal and making over 300 league appearances for the Gunners and many more cup appearances. He also won 86 full England caps, a great achievement. When I first met Kenny, probably playing for England U18's and U21's, he was teetotal, never touching alcohol then and yet such a funny guy. It is common knowledge that Kenny is not in the best of health at the moment and I do really wish him all the best for the future. Kenny was the best left back that I ever played with, a super left foot, and he was quick and clever. Always wanted the ball, always prepared to take the responsibility of having possession. So Kenny Sansom goes in at left back and my old team mate George Burley would be my right back. Both players were out and out full backs, happy to be full backs, knowing when it is right to play and when it is right to clear the ball into row Z. Both great defenders who possessed great speed, balance, bravery and very good footballing brains. They knew their position and how to play it well under all different types of situations. It was a privilege to play alongside both of them.
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AuthorRussell Osman is a former England & Ipswich Footballer, 4 Handicap Golfer and Father of 3. Archives
April 2018
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