Louis Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Who would you consider to be a British iconic sporting hero? (By iconic, I also mean world renown) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubecula Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Well Paula Radcliffe has highlighted the need for public toilets. Henry Cooper highlighted the fact that we can produce fighters in a boxing ring, and we sometimes use men's deodorant. Barry Sheene did a lot for bionic reconstruction. In football terms I can only think really of Bobby Moore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Beckham probably....and Mark Cavendish in many corners of the world just now. Steven Redgrave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avinalaff Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Don't have a clue who Mark Cavendish is and only just know who Redgrave is. Daley Thompson maybe? Seb Coe? Frank Bruno? Steve Davis? Phil Taylor? David Beckham? Lester Piggot? Ian Botham? Nick Faldo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 If Paul di Resta gets Lewis 'soon to be killer' Hamiltons job, a think him and Button would make for the best iconic British duo since Torvil and Dean or Baddiel and Skinner depending on how losely the word sporting is Tom Daley is going to be. Personally can't believe how much hype there is for a diver. Johnny Wilkinson if you can call rugby a sport Phil Taylor Ronnie O and Stephen Hendry Lennox Lewis English football wise. David Beckham the only football one atm, although the blind England footy team are worth a mention. Before him Sir Bobby Robson, then all the way back to '66 for the rest. Then the great William Ralph 'Dixie' Dean Scotland and Ireland footy, Gemmill and Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avinalaff Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Blind football team? Was it made up of refs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Johnny Wilkinson is a name that should be thrown in too I would think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 beckham is by far the biggest sporting icon in world history, not just british. cant think of many who have been top of their trade. id agree with phil the power and johnny wilkinson, but i think when any is put in the same field as beckham when it comes to being world wide, its no contest. the states have more icons than us, possibly because they shout louder about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 id agree with phil the power and johnny wilkinson... But neither are really global because of the limited appeal/participation of their sports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 But neither are really global because of the limited appeal/participation of their sports. completely agree. where as beckham is the most famous footballer on the planet but has never been the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 A sporting Icon for me is the representation of the sport in it's spirit - not neccesarily to do with fame or achievement. Which leads me to the one thast stands out for me: Henry Cooper - knocked Cassius Clay down and stood bravely with blood pouring down his face only for the fight to be stopped due to the horrendous injuries sustained - ability and bravery rolled into one. Warrior and gent rolled into one. across some sports - regardless of nationality: Biggest golfing icon? - Seve Biggest footballing icon? Pele (on shoulders at 17 world cup winner) Biggest athletics icon? Jessie Owens Motor racing icon? Senna Boxing icon? Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avinalaff Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 completely agree. where as beckham is the most famous footballer on the planet but has never been the best. I'd have to challenge that Steve. Beckham had qualities unseen in your average footballer, and leadership skills second to none. His all round package was quite superb, and that for me made him the best acquisition for any club. You can look at players like Messi etc, and admire their silky skills, but they don't have what Beckham had in many departments. I don't think you can judge players just in one area. Ronaldo was superb, but had zero sportsmanship, zero leadership, zero defensive skills etc etc. Beckham was probably the greatest passer of the ball, and the greatest dead ball specialist the world has seen. For me, when the total package brought to the table is considered, Beckham was the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 dont get me wrong, i think he was one of the best players of his generation and i do think he was the best english player at the time. but in beckhams prime there was henry, zidane, the real ronaldo (arguably the best striker ever), raul, ronaldinho, to name but a few. i seriously rated him as a player, i just dont think he was amongst the best in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avinalaff Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 (edited) dont get me wrong, i think he was one of the best players of his generation and i do think he was the best english player at the time. but in beckhams prime there was henry, zidane, the real ronaldo (arguably the best striker ever), raul, ronaldinho, to name but a few. i seriously rated him as a player, i just dont think he was amongst the best in the world. Again you have to inspect the full package. What is more important when describing the best? If you have points scores for various attributes, I feel Beckhams tally would be the highest. For example: Ability on the ball Vision Free kicks Corners Penalties Goals per game Assists per game Leadership qualities Ambassadorial qualities Commercial viability International responsibility And so on ............. Edited September 29, 2011 by Avinalaff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 dont get me wrong, i think he was one of the best players of his generation and i do think he was the best english player at the time. but in beckhams prime there was henry, zidane, the real ronaldo (arguably the best striker ever), raul, ronaldinho, to name but a few. i seriously rated him as a player, i just dont think he was amongst the best in the world. One of the worst strikers i've ever seen at Goodison, just stood over the left hand side of the half way line shrugging, then made the odd half assed run. Don't think he ever scored a goal in the old lady, complete other player at their ground though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Again you have to inspect the full package. What is more important when describing the best? If you have points scores for various attributes, I feel Beckhams tally would be the highest. For example: Ability on the ball Vision Free kicks Corners Penalties Goals per game Assists per game Leadership qualities Ambassadorial qualities Commercial viability International responsibility And so on ............. apart from ambassadorial and commercial i think zidane and ronaldinho had all of that, i think henry had every bit of it. danger of going off topic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogsy Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Some of the older racing drivers, I'm only 35 but when I see on the telly, stirlling moss, Jim Clark Jackie stewart controlling those old cars it is unbelievable. Steve Redgrave is another icon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 beckham doesn't make the top 10 of the best players i've seen. His attributes are: Vision, passing, deadball ability, shooting and yes leadership, longevity His shortfalls (comparitive to the best) are: pace, dribbling ability, tackling, heading, Again you have to inspect the full package. What is more important when describing the best? If you have points scores for various attributes, I feel Beckhams tally would be the highest. For example: Ability on the ball Vision Free kicks Corners Penalties Goals per game Assists per game Leadership qualities Ambassadorial qualities Commercial viability International responsibility And so on ............. You can't create the criteria to define the player?! - since when have you seen a player rated as top class because they can take a corner?! Beckham plain and simple is one of the purest strikers of a football the world has seen - so you can wrap up corners, free kicks and to an extent assists (as they are the benefits have having such a cultured right foot) Beckham is a modern day right footed Kevin Sheedy - albeit a very commercialised version. If Beckham scored a free kick, had it disallowed, popped it back on the spot and put it in the opposite corner it would be as iconic as the Carlos freekick. I'm sorry but the best players in the world have everything - total footballers. I could name at least 15 better than beckham without having to struggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 beckham doesn't make the top 10 of the best players i've seen. His attributes are: Vision, passing, deadball ability, shooting and yes leadership, longevity His shortfalls (comparitive to the best) are: pace, dribbling ability, tackling, heading, You can't create the criteria to define the player?! - since when have you seen a player rated as top class because they can take a corner?! Beckham plain and simple is one of the purest strikers of a football the world has seen - so you can wrap up corners, free kicks and to an extent assists (as they are the benefits have having such a cultured right foot) Beckham is a modern day right footed Kevin Sheedy - albeit a very commercialised version. If Beckham scored a free kick, had it disallowed, popped it back on the spot and put it in the opposite corner it would be as iconic as the Carlos freekick. I'm sorry but the best players in the world have everything - total footballers. I could name at least 15 better than beckham without having to struggle. I don't like international football but Beckhams free kick and whole round performance against Greece is iconic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 I don't like international football but Beckhams free kick and whole round performance against Greece is iconic. Cartainly was - but not as iconic as Moore swapping shirts with pele - that one has it topped for me. Or Moore wiping his hand on his shorts before shaking hands with the queen, class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Cartainly was - but not as iconic as Moore swapping shirts with pele - that one has it topped for me. Or Moore wiping his hand on his shorts before shaking hands with the queen, class. Bem Brazil in town have a great mosaic of this on the wall upstairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus jones Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Beefy Botham, ashes of 81, epic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Bem Brazil in town have a great mosaic of this on the wall upstairs. That's more or less the best player in the world saying "you know what, you were pure class today, can I have you shirt?" a great testament to both players. Never seen Moore play, but the old gits (co's they are like the Harry Enfield characters) in my local said, "he didn't have pace, no left foot, couldn't head it, but was the best defender he's ever seen". Used his brain, had great composure and a tidy pass on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted October 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Are you talking about this one? http://theghostgoal.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/the-ball-is-round.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1982 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 One of the worst strikers i've ever seen at Goodison, just stood over the left hand side of the half way line shrugging, then made the odd half assed run. Don't think he ever scored a goal in the old lady, complete other player at their ground though. You obviously went a lot in the days of Dean and Young then again in the 80's and then only once since and that happened to be on an Arsenal off-day... behave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 You obviously went a lot in the days of Dean and Young then again in the 80's and then only once since and that happened to be on an Arsenal off-day... behave! I've been to 6 Arsenal games at Goodison. He didn't play in all them, think maybe 4 and didn't look like scoring in any of the ones I saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1982 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Henry is easily 1 of the best 5 premier league striker of all time. For me... 1. Shearer 2. Van Nistelrooy 3. Henry 4. Ronaldo (striker?) 5. Rooney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Henry is easily 1 of the best 5 premier league striker of all time. For me... 1. Shearer 2. Van Nistelrooy 3. Henry 4. Ronaldo (striker?) 5. Rooney Am not disputing that, but he was still wank at the old lady. He had the laziest performance i've ever seen, literally just stood over the half way line to the left hand side and didnt put a single bit of effort in. Personally i'd have Drogba and Bergkamp before him as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1982 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 (edited) Am not disputing that, but he was still wank at the old lady. He had the laziest performance i've ever seen, literally just stood over the half way line to the left hand side and didnt put a single bit of effort in. Personally i'd have Drogba and Bergkamp before him as well. Have you not seen... Brett Angell Nick Chadwick Michael Branch Stuart Barlow Tommy Johnson John Spencer Danny Cadamarteri Mo Johnstone Mik Madar etc... at GP? Edited October 1, 2011 by c1982 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 (edited) I cant remember much about when i first started following properly, it was just after/or the end of Madar and Cadamateri. We had Jeffers and Campbell upfront when I started watching footy properly. Before that all i did was play and watch Goalisimo! I wouldn't count Chadwick as a fair comparison he was just a kid, and his cameos were still better than some of Hendrys performances. Am not saying Hendrys shit, but he had some shockers at Goodison Edited October 2, 2011 by pete0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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