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Post by gazz on Jan 8, 2023 0:00:06 GMT
I thought it was about time I started a new thread, so here it is. I'll kick off with Neil Edwards at home v Bury in 1991/92. From the moment he came out to intercept a cross and almost reached the halfway line with his punch, I knew Danny had signed someone special. My memory may be a little hazy, but I seem to remember him denying Bury's Roger Stanislaus a number of times with some stunning close-range saves. Absolute legend that sits at the very top of the County keeper list for me. Paul Jones is often cited as the best, but he was with us for just one season, whereas Neil was with us for over six - so 'Taff' is the top man for me. Best save? His full-stretch palm onto the post from Huddersfield's Chris Marsden at Leeds Road in his debut season takes some beating. Me and a couple of mates were stood at the opposite end in the pissing down rain, and it looked a certain goal from the moment it left Marsden's head. My reaction? Unsurprisingly it was "What a f***ing save"  |
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jan 8, 2023 13:24:11 GMT
Great idea for a thread, Gazz. And excellent shout on Neil. I was at EP when he took his bow, and remember feeling a tad concerned during the warm-up - given his relative lack of height - although it was soon clear that he was something very special.
Same era for my initial nomination - assuming we can count loanees? - with Sheffield United's Peter Duffield scoring a brace at Preston in 1993.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jan 8, 2023 13:33:02 GMT
A couple of other recollections:
Paul Cook, scoring the only goal of the game against Wolves at EP in 1997.
Harpal Singh, who ran Oldham ragged at Boundary Park in 2005 - and after that match did virtually nothing for us ever again.
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Post by gazz on Jan 8, 2023 14:49:33 GMT
Great idea for a thread, Gazz. And excellent shout on Neil. I was at EP when he took his bow, and remember feeling a tad concerned during the warm-up - given his relative lack of height - although it was soon clear that he was something very special. Same era for my initial nomination - assuming we can count loanees? - with Sheffield United's Peter Duffield scoring a brace at Preston in 1993. I KNEW you were going to choose the Duff, and he was in my thoughts also for that brace at Deepdale. Wasn't one of them an overhead kick of sorts on that horrid astro turf?! If I remember correctly, didn't he bag another two against Hartlepool at home in his next game? I seem to remember we were all singing "sign him up" in that game. |
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Post by autistichatter on Jan 8, 2023 16:05:44 GMT
Was that Duffield game also the one where Sean Conolly made his debut? And was Mike Flynn playing for us or for them?
Anyway, I wasn't there, but didn't Les Bradd score a hat trick on his debut?
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Post by gazz on Jan 8, 2023 17:39:20 GMT
Was that Duffield game also the one where Sean Conolly made his debut? And was Mike Flynn playing for us or for them? Anyway, I wasn't there, but didn't Les Bradd score a hat trick on his debut? I'm sure Flynny played against us before we got him towards the end of that season, mate, because Kev recommended him to Danny after playing against him and finding him a tough defender to play against. We also signed his Preston teammate Martin James too if I remember correctly. Not sure about Sean's debut or Les Bradd's hat-trick, though, mate. I started going with my Dad in the 78/79 season, but I was only 10, so memories of actual games are extremely vague. I was probably more interested in being allowed to stay up late on school nights by going to the match!  |
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Post by autistichatter on Jan 8, 2023 17:43:26 GMT
I think Flynn was around £125k - £150K and Martin James was around £50k.
At the start of the next season County were blowing everyone away with Martin James on one wing and Darren Ryan on the other. Terrific start to 1993/4, best not to think about the end though....
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jan 8, 2023 18:23:02 GMT
I remember at the time a Preston-supporting friend of mine being more gutted that we had taken James off their hands than he was about losing Flynn!
As you say, AH, James did look the business early on, but then flattered to deceive. He went on to Rotherham, where, interestingly, he proved quite a useful right-back.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jan 8, 2023 18:31:27 GMT
Was that Duffield game also the one where Sean Conolly made his debut? And was Mike Flynn playing for us or for them? Yes, Sean did take his County bow then - and Flynny was playing for Preston, as well as causing problems for us with his long throws! As for Duffield, I am fairly sure that, after his brace at Deepdale and the one against Hartlepool Gazz mentioned, he failed to score again as an on-loan Hatter - although think I am right in remembering him provide the assist for Kev's goal in the Autoglass Final (v Port Vale) at Wembley? |
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Post by gazz on Jan 8, 2023 19:26:00 GMT
Was that Duffield game also the one where Sean Conolly made his debut? And was Mike Flynn playing for us or for them? ...although think I am right in remembering him provide the assist for Kev's goal in the Autoglass Final (v Port Vale) at Wembley? You're absolutely right, mate. Even though we lost that day, THAT goal and THAT endless singing are my two greatest County memories, without question. Those that were there that day (those that didn't bugger off early, anyway), either helped to prove or witnessed first-hand what supporting a football club is (or should be) all about. I never look back at that final as a defeat, because I honestly think that we as a club came away from Wembley with something far more important than any trophy - pride. I have goosebumps even now just typing this post. |
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