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Post by sealandender1 on Apr 8, 2020 11:40:50 GMT
I’ve supported The Blues since 1954/55 and was thinking about our goalkeepers through the seasons whilst watch Gary Lineker’s recent Match of the Day podcast programme with Messrs Shearer and Wright. I’ve come up with my list since 1954/55 to when we ended our days as a league club in 1999/2000 whilst taking into consideration shot-stopping, dealing with crosses, longevity, command of his ‘box’. Here goes with my ten nominations (in alphabetical order)
1. WAYNE BROWN 2. TERRY CARLING 3. DAVID FELGATE 4. RON HOWELLS 5. BOBBY JONES 6. BRIAN LLOYD 7. GRENVILLE MILLINGTON 8. DENNIS REEVES 9. RONNIE SINCLAIR 10. BILLY STEWART
Obviously I’ve left out some really solid keepers, many who were only with us for a few games ie Jim Eadie, Fred Barber, Barry Siddall, Mike Stowell et al. Some will say that Bill Brown, John Hardie and Gordon Livesey should be in the top ten!!!
After much thought, my personal top ten (in order) is:
1. GRENVILLE MILLINGTON 2. TERRY CARLING 3. BRIAN LLOYD 4. DENNIS REEVES 5. DAVID FELGATE 6. BILLY STEWART 7. BOBBY JONES 8. RONNIE SINCLAIR 9. RON HOWELLS 10. WAYNE BROWN
Over to you for discussion.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Apr 8, 2020 11:51:38 GMT
Ronnie Sinclair was the first keeper I can remember vividly, although I would most likely have seen Billy Stewart in action before him.
Best keeper we’ve ever had during my time watching the Blues is Iain Turner. We’ve had some success with youngsters on loan if you also figure Aaron Chapman and Liam Roberts in Newco Conference years.
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Post by Hannibal on Apr 8, 2020 12:50:06 GMT
Wayne Brown?
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Apr 8, 2020 13:02:10 GMT
What? You don’t remember him?
Our longest serving keeper in my time since the mid-90s.
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Post by sealandender1 on Apr 8, 2020 13:22:55 GMT
What’s the question mark for in your reply? Is it that you’ve not heard of him or possibly you doubt his inclusion in the list? If it is his inclusion, then I must say that I based this on the fact that we signed him from non-league Weston-Super-Mare and played in over a hundred games through some difficult times before he got his reward when he was part of our Conference winning squad.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Apr 8, 2020 13:28:28 GMT
Played nearly 300 games for us actually.
He was Billy Stewart’s understudy in his first season then Neil Cutler seemed to take the first choice berth for a season before his move to Aston Villa. Brown then had a solid stint from ‘99 until 2004 and was still on our books until as late as 2006. Ten years in total.
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Post by Lobster on Apr 8, 2020 13:28:44 GMT
Brown was a pretty good keeper all things considered. Couldn't kick and dropped the odd clanger, but who doesn't?
I remember thinking Stephane Gillet was very good. Some communication issues with his defence maybe due to the language barrier, but you could tell he was a class goalkeeper. Of course once Mark Wright came back, he was never going to be in favour.
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Post by sealandender1 on Apr 8, 2020 13:43:41 GMT
Played nearly 300 games for us actually. He was Billy Stewart’s understudy in his first season then Neil Cutler seemed to take the first choice berth for a season before his move to Aston Villa. Brown then had a solid stint from ‘99 until 2004 and was still on our books until as late as 2006. Ten years in total. I know full well he made in excess of three hundred appearances for the club, But as my OP statement says ‘based on CFC as a league club’ when Wayne made approx 125 appearances . . . Actually
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Post by billyw on Apr 8, 2020 20:18:26 GMT
I’ve supported The Blues since 1954/55 and was thinking about our goalkeepers through the seasons whilst watch Gary Lineker’s recent Match of the Day podcast programme with Messrs Shearer and Wright. I’ve come up with my list since 1954/55 to when we ended our days as a league club in 1999/2000 whilst taking into consideration shot-stopping, dealing with crosses, longevity, command of his ‘box’. Here goes with my ten nominations (in alphabetical order) 1. WAYNE BROWN 2. TERRY CARLING 3. DAVID FELGATE 4. RON HOWELLS 5. BOBBY JONES 6. BRIAN LLOYD 7. GRENVILLE MILLINGTON 8. DENNIS REEVES 9. RONNIE SINCLAIR 10. BILLY STEWART Obviously I’ve left out some really solid keepers, many who were only with us for a few games ie Jim Eadie, Fred Barber, Barry Siddall, Mike Stowell et al. Some will say that Bill Brown, John Hardie and Gordon Livesey should be in the top ten!!! After much thought, my personal top ten (in order) is: 1. GRENVILLE MILLINGTON 2. TERRY CARLING 3. BRIAN LLOYD 4. DENNIS REEVES 5. DAVID FELGATE 6. BILLY STEWART 7. BOBBY JONES 8. RONNIE SINCLAIR 9. RON HOWELLS 10. WAYNE BROWN Over to you for discussion. Agree with most of your second list and would definitely have John Hardie on the list. Can’t agree with Grenville being the best though. Because he has been a popular and loyal servant doesnt make him the best. Brian Lloyd was a much better keeper. He played for Wales in preference to Grenfell and we signed him to replace Gren.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2020 20:50:05 GMT
Thinking of goalkeepers who remembers Dennis reeves broken jaw I believe it was caused by one of our own players. Anyway you used to be able to see photos of weekend games in the chronicle window on Monday after the game. I was looking at the photos one week and had a feeling somebody was behind me. I turned and there was reeves with his jaw strapped up now that made my day.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Apr 8, 2020 21:39:48 GMT
Played nearly 300 games for us actually. He was Billy Stewart’s understudy in his first season then Neil Cutler seemed to take the first choice berth for a season before his move to Aston Villa. Brown then had a solid stint from ‘99 until 2004 and was still on our books until as late as 2006. Ten years in total. I know full well he made in excess of three hundred appearances for the club, But as my OP statement says ‘based on CFC as a league club’ when Wayne made approx 125 appearances . . . Actually You’d start an argument in an empty room wouldn’t you?
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Post by everhopeful on Apr 9, 2020 4:05:21 GMT
I know full well he made in excess of three hundred appearances for the club, But as my OP statement says ‘based on CFC as a league club’ when Wayne made approx 125 appearances . . . Actually You’d start an argument in an empty room wouldn’t you? Let's stay on topic, please.
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Post by genghiskhan on Apr 9, 2020 10:21:31 GMT
Thinking of goalkeepers who remembers Dennis reeves broken jaw I believe it was caused by one of our own players. Anyway you used to be able to see photos of weekend games in the chronicle window on Monday after the game. I was looking at the photos one week and had a feeling somebody was behind me. I turned and there was reeves with his jaw strapped up now that made my day. Think that was Howard Talbot in a training session. Gary's brother on a trial. Reeves was never quite as good after that.
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Post by sealandender1 on Apr 9, 2020 10:59:11 GMT
I’ve supported The Blues since 1954/55 and was thinking about our goalkeepers through the seasons whilst watch Gary Lineker’s recent Match of the Day podcast programme with Messrs Shearer and Wright. I’ve come up with my list since 1954/55 to when we ended our days as a league club in 1999/2000 whilst taking into consideration shot-stopping, dealing with crosses, longevity, command of his ‘box’. Here goes with my ten nominations (in alphabetical order) 1. WAYNE BROWN 2. TERRY CARLING 3. DAVID FELGATE 4. RON HOWELLS 5. BOBBY JONES 6. BRIAN LLOYD 7. GRENVILLE MILLINGTON 8. DENNIS REEVES 9. RONNIE SINCLAIR 10. BILLY STEWART Obviously I’ve left out some really solid keepers, many who were only with us for a few games ie Jim Eadie, Fred Barber, Barry Siddall, Mike Stowell et al. Some will say that Bill Brown, John Hardie and Gordon Livesey should be in the top ten!!! After much thought, my personal top ten (in order) is: 1. GRENVILLE MILLINGTON 2. TERRY CARLING 3. BRIAN LLOYD 4. DENNIS REEVES 5. DAVID FELGATE 6. BILLY STEWART 7. BOBBY JONES 8. RONNIE SINCLAIR 9. RON HOWELLS 10. WAYNE BROWN Over to you for discussion. Agree with most of your second list and would definitely have John Hardie on the list. Can’t agree with Grenville being the best though. Because he has been a popular and loyal servant doesnt make him the best. Brian Lloyd was a much better keeper. He played for Wales in preference to Grenfell and we signed him to replace Gren. Hi Billy, never once did I put popularity and loyal servant in my decision; it was based largely on the keepers ability, shot stopping, command of his box, handling crosses etc. as well as longevity. I totally admit that Brian Lloyd was an excellent keeper, in fact his debut for Chester in a 0-0 night match at Portsmouth was one of the finest goalkeeping performances I have ever seen. Brian Lloyd was with us for approx 2.5 seasons after signing from Wrexham before moving on to Stockport; he played in around 115 games for us whereas Grenville Millington in his two stints was pushing 350 appearances. Grenville was a raw 17 year old when he signed from Rhyl and was approaching his mid 30s when he left to play for Oswestry. Also, the reason I placed Terry Carling above Brian Lloyd was not only did he have approx 250 appearances but he was a really good organiser of his defence and also in the late 60s/early 70s goalkeepers received a lot less protection from referees. To say we were blessed with three such goalkeepers in a twelve year period was fantastic.Opinions as they say are like backsides, everybody has got one and totally accept your opinion relating to Lloydy.
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Post by billyw on Apr 9, 2020 17:19:07 GMT
Agree with most of your second list and would definitely have John Hardie on the list. Can’t agree with Grenville being the best though. Because he has been a popular and loyal servant doesnt make him the best. Brian Lloyd was a much better keeper. He played for Wales in preference to Grenfell and we signed him to replace Gren. Hi Billy, never once did I put popularity and loyal servant in my decision; it was based largely on the keepers ability, shot stopping, command of his box, handling crosses etc. as well as longevity. I totally admit that Brian Lloyd was an excellent keeper, in fact his debut for Chester in a 0-0 night match at Portsmouth was one of the finest goalkeeping performances I have ever seen. Brian Lloyd was with us for approx 2.5 seasons after signing from Wrexham before moving on to Stockport; he played in around 115 games for us whereas Grenville Millington in his two stints was pushing 350 appearances. Grenville was a raw 17 year old when he signed from Rhyl and was approaching his mid 30s when he left to play for Oswestry. Also, the reason I placed Terry Carling above Brian Lloyd was not only did he have approx 250 appearances but he was a really good organiser of his defence and also in the late 60s/early 70s goalkeepers received a lot less protection from referees. To say we were blessed with three such goalkeepers in a twelve year period was fantastic.Opinions as they say are like backsides, everybody has got one and totally accept your opinion relating to Lloydy. For me, Brian Lloyd was head and shoulders above Millington and Carling literally. While the latter pair were good keepers, they were both on the smallish side whereas Lloyd was taller and was great on crosses. I still think John Hardie was up there with the best.
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3mm
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Post by 3mm on Apr 9, 2020 18:05:19 GMT
He's been left off the list, but Mike Stowell is the best keeper I've seen in a Chester shirt. In one of his games there was a shot headed for the top corner at the kop end and Mike dived full length across the goal and landed on the floor and we wondered where the ball had gone. Then it became clear, he'd caught it at full stretch and took the ball into his chest as he landed, one of the best saves I've ever seen. Only played 16 games for us, but pure class.
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Post by Hannibal on Apr 10, 2020 9:11:10 GMT
What’s the question mark for in your reply? Is it that you’ve not heard of him or possibly you doubt his inclusion in the list? If it is his inclusion, then I must say that I based this on the fact that we signed him from non-league Weston-Super-Mare and played in over a hundred games through some difficult times before he got his reward when he was part of our Conference winning squad. I didn't rate him as highly as you. When him and Cutler were both here we let the wrong one go imo
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Post by martinblue47 on Apr 10, 2020 14:12:23 GMT
In the early 80's there was a keeper not sure if he was on loan but always walked on his tip toes around the box, sorry but name escapes me...
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Post by martinblue47 on Apr 10, 2020 14:14:32 GMT
In the early 80's there was a keeper not sure if he was on loan but always walked on his tip toes around the box, sorry but name escapes me... Phill Harrington. 81-85 76 app
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Post by martinblue47 on Apr 10, 2020 14:26:01 GMT
Harrington made his first–team debut for Chester in a 3–1 home win over Huddersfield Town on 20 February 1982.[2] He went on to make 76 appearances over the next three years, amid competition from Grenville Millington, Mike Salmon, Billy O'Rourke and John Butcher.[2] Harrington was first–choice goalkeeper at Chester by the end of 1982–83, but an injury in the penultimate game of the season at Torquay United prematurely ended his campaign and led to defender Noel Bradley having to deputise for him.[1] But Harrington recovered in time for one of his most memorable games for Chester in a Milk Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers in September 1983, when he saved the first three Bolton penalties in the penalty shoot-out to give Chester victory.[3] This season saw him miss just five games for Chester, but unfortunately the campaign ended with the club finishing bottom of The Football League.
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Post by genghiskhan on Apr 10, 2020 14:36:04 GMT
What I remember of Harrington is a susceptibility to letting in long range efforts. Maybe he was just unlucky. Stowell is the best for me though only with us on loan. Best save goes to Millington for a replica of the Gordon Banks Pele effort, can't remember who that was against.
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Post by Churton Blue on Apr 10, 2020 15:21:08 GMT
What I remember of Harrington is a susceptibility to letting in long range efforts. Maybe he was just unlucky. Stowell is the best for me though only with us on loan. Best save goes to Millington for a replica of the Gordon Banks Pele effort, can't remember who that was against. Phil Harrington went on to have great career for Cork City and has legendary status there. Stowell the best I have seen on all round ability but he was on loan as others have said. Grenville the best shot stopper for me. I think the save you refer to was against Reading in 1974. Could have been Percy Freeman or Robin Friday with the header. The best save I have ever seen form a Chester keeper as well.
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Post by Lobster on Apr 10, 2020 15:24:50 GMT
What’s the question mark for in your reply? Is it that you’ve not heard of him or possibly you doubt his inclusion in the list? If it is his inclusion, then I must say that I based this on the fact that we signed him from non-league Weston-Super-Mare and played in over a hundred games through some difficult times before he got his reward when he was part of our Conference winning squad. I didn't rate him as highly as you. When him and Cutler were both here we let the wrong one go imo Their career paths would suggest that, although Cutler was never too convincing for us. His story is a strange one - couldn't get in our team, and we were awful at the time, but then out of nowhere got signed by Aston Villa and went on to have a decent career. Suppose he was only early 20s when he played for us, which is young for a keeper.
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Post by sealandender1 on Apr 10, 2020 16:14:28 GMT
In the early 80's there was a keeper not sure if he was on loan but always walked on his tip toes around the box, sorry but name escapes me... Would this have been Fred Barber who we had on loan from Walsall 1990/91; he also had a long grey haired wig with face mask which he wore during the pre-match warm-up which he kept in his keepers bag. He wore the mask at Wembley whilst representing Peterborough United.
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Post by sealandender1 on Apr 10, 2020 16:20:15 GMT
What I remember of Harrington is a susceptibility to letting in long range efforts. Maybe he was just unlucky. Stowell is the best for me though only with us on loan. Best save goes to Millington for a replica of the Gordon Banks Pele effort, can't remember who that was against. Phil Harrington went on to have great career for Cork City and has legendary status there. Stowell the best I have seen on all round ability but he was on loan as others have said. Grenville the best shot stopper for me. I think the save you refer to was against Reading in 1974. Could have been Percy Freeman or Robin Friday with the header. The best save I have ever seen form a Chester keeper as well. The save you are reminiscing was in a 3-0 night home win v Doncaster in October 1994 - do you remember the Doncaster kit for the game? . . . lemon yellow shirts with chocolate brown shorts!!
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Post by Churton Blue on Apr 10, 2020 16:56:37 GMT
Phil Harrington went on to have great career for Cork City and has legendary status there. Stowell the best I have seen on all round ability but he was on loan as others have said. Grenville the best shot stopper for me. I think the save you refer to was against Reading in 1974. Could have been Percy Freeman or Robin Friday with the header. The best save I have ever seen form a Chester keeper as well. The save you are reminiscing was in a 3-0 night home win v Doncaster in October 1994 - do you remember the Doncaster kit for the game? . . . lemon yellow shirts with chocolate brown shorts!! I remember the kit and you are probably right. Reading game was seven days earlier, a 2-0 home win. Kit was horrific as you suggest and I remember the save was at the Kop End ? 46 years is a long time ago !
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Post by Hannibal on Apr 11, 2020 8:15:27 GMT
What I remember of Harrington is a susceptibility to letting in long range efforts. Maybe he was just unlucky. Stowell is the best for me though only with us on loan. Best save goes to Millington for a replica of the Gordon Banks Pele effort, can't remember who that was against. Stowell would be my No 1 too,
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Post by billyw on Apr 12, 2020 13:32:23 GMT
What I remember of Harrington is a susceptibility to letting in long range efforts. Maybe he was just unlucky. Stowell is the best for me though only with us on loan. Best save goes to Millington for a replica of the Gordon Banks Pele effort, can't remember who that was against. Stowell would be my No 1 too, I think a lot would agree with you but I don’t think it was the intention to include loanees.
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Post by Hannibal on Apr 14, 2020 12:33:23 GMT
Stowell would be my No 1 too, I think a lot would agree with you but I don’t think it was the intention to include loanees. Fair enough. Similarly I don't think we would have won the Conference in 2004 if Wayne Brown hadn't been injured because that last 14 games we were nip and tuck with Hereford right down to the Shrewsbury (a) game although the Scarborough game was tougher than expected. I felt there was always a mistake in Wayne. Remember the hair he had when he arrived?
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Post by Lobster on Apr 14, 2020 13:10:58 GMT
I think a lot would agree with you but I don’t think it was the intention to include loanees. Fair enough. Similarly I don't think we would have won the Conference in 2004 if Wayne Brown hadn't been injured because that last 14 games we were nip and tuck with Hereford right down to the Shrewsbury (a) game although the Scarborough game was tougher than expected. I felt there was always a mistake in Wayne. Remember the hair he had when he arrived? People seem to forget that his replacement Iain Turner dropped some absolute clangers before playing out of his skin at Shrewsbury. There were serious calls to replace him with Northwich journeyman keeper Andy Woods.
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