In the very early eighties ITFC changed the style of play to accommodate the best players we had at the time. Although there were changes across the defensive line it still remained a solid back four.
In midfield it was a different story completely, with Muhren and Thijssen now established at the Club, who was going to play in the central midfield role alongside Johnny Wark? ITFC had gone from a team that won the FA Cup in '78 playing 3 in midfield and 3 up front to a side that had two great strikers in Mariner and Brazil but we were still one short. The one short (excuse the pun) was Eric Gates who, for a while in the reserves under Bobby Ferguson, had been playing just behind the front two strikers and very successfully! As Bobby Ferguson moved up to first team coach he was convinced that Eric could be the missing piece of the jigsaw and persuaded Sir Bobby to give him a chance. But that would mean Johnny Wark having more of a defensive role sitting in front of the two centre backs, this was Ipswich leading the way with what people were now referring to as 'the diamond shape'. It didn't stop Johnny from scoring from that defensive position, but more about him in a minute. At Leicester City I played with a lad called Ali Mauchlen, one of the hardest individuals I ever came across. Ali would get properly stuck in both on the pitch and anywhere else that he thought appropriate. A great defensive midfield player but not a goal scorer like Warkie. At Southampton I played just behind the great Jimmy Case, and what an experience that was, everyday there would be something that made you smile about playing with Jimmy, well it did if he was on your side anyway. Hard a rock, cute and clever as a footballer, better than people gave him credit for, a wonderful passer of the ball, sometimes his playing ability was overshadowed by his extravagances off the the pitch! There are so many stories about Jimmy that are best left for another day! Terry Hurlock was in the same mould as Jim, really tough and could play, someone you always wanted on your side in a practise match or a five a side training game. I never had the pleasure of playing with Graeme Souness but I always admired him both as a player and a person, and now a voice of sensibility on SkyTV. So, as far as being the best holding midfield player is concerned, Johnny Wark wins it hands down. He could've played in any side in Europe and still scored goals. He was leading goal scorer for Ipswich on many occasions, cool as a cucumber on penalties, devastating in the air without being the biggest, brave and composed in front of goal and always there to help out at the back. It was a standing joke amongst the squad that John would have the week off until Friday then come out have a five a side and a few sprints and declare himself fit for the game on Saturday! In the 80/81 season he played 65 out of the 66 first team games, a great achievement which meant stability for the team through the backbone of the side. Mr Reliable, Mr Dependable, Mr Cool.
2 Comments
Mark Osman
5/4/2016 05:40:59 pm
Really enjoyed this, can only imagine what those days must have been like. Keep them coming!
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Peter Owen
5/4/2016 06:44:24 pm
Great read, write that book please!! What abrilliant team under Sir Bob
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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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