Kid in the Riot Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 (edited) Quite a niche question, and one I can't answer, as I believe all of City's great sides were around way before me. I'm talking about a specific XI for one game that was our greatest ever side on a football pitch. Are we talking one of the sides from 76-80, or do we have to go back much further? 1909 cup final team maybe, appreciating no-one still alive was there. But in terms of what that team achieved, maybe that one? 1974 Leeds at Elland Rd? Is there a game from our past that stands out that you've looked at the starting line-up and gone **** me that is a great side? Edited September 6, 2023 by Kid in the Riot 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityexile Posted September 6, 2023 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Can only go back in my time, but this has got to be up there.. Saturday 21 August 1976. Arsenal 0, Bristol City 1. Raymond Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Geoff Merrick Gerald Gow Jimmy Mann Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton Clive Whitehead Paul Cheesley Thomas Ritchie Manager: Alan Dicks 28 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AG City Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 I don’t know about the best but in my 36 years this is definitely my worst - circa 1995 Kite Hansen McKop Patterson Dryden Flatts McAree Loss Fowler Barclay Partridge 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pl00peh91 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Dean Gerken Bradley Orr Louis Carey Liam Fontaine Jamie McAllister Lewin Nyatanga Paul Hartley Evander Sno Cole Skuse Jamal Campbell-Ryce Danny Haynes Marvin Elliott Nicky Maynard Patrick Agyemang 1 1 1 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pongo88 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 7 minutes ago, cityexile said: Can only go back in my time, but this has got to be up there.. Saturday 21 August 1976. Arsenal 0, Bristol City 1. Raymond Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Geoff Merrick Gerald Gow Jimmy Mann Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton Clive Whitehead Paul Cheesley Thomas Ritchie Manager: Alan Dicks That is as great team. It’s such a pity Cheesley was injured in the next match and the treatment / support he subsequently received was criminal. A team is more than one player, but he had the potential to develop into a top Division 1 forward. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pongo88 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 2 minutes ago, pl00peh91 said: Dean Gerken Bradley Orr Louis Carey Liam Fontaine Jamie McAllister Lewin Nyatanga Paul Hartley Evander Sno Cole Skuse Jamal Campbell-Ryce Danny Haynes Marvin Elliott Nicky Maynard Patrick Agyemang This team has a rather unfair advantage - there are 14 players! Did the ref notice? 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidercity1987 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 2018/19 squad probably the best in my time since late 1990s. Rock solid goalkeeper and defence, perhaps just Bobby Reid light from a promotion winning team. Second best finish except the 2008 team who overachieved without a strike force to mention. Maenpaa Hunt Webster Kalas Kelly Eliasson Pack Brownhill Paterson Diedhiou Weimann 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
And Its Smith Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 23 minutes ago, cityexile said: Can only go back in my time, but this has got to be up there.. Saturday 21 August 1976. Arsenal 0, Bristol City 1. Raymond Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Geoff Merrick Gerald Gow Jimmy Mann Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton Clive Whitehead Paul Cheesley Thomas Ritchie Manager: Alan Dicks We might have a winner already. Before my time but my old man spoke extremely highly of all of these players! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeRed Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 16 minutes ago, cityexile said: Can only go back in my time, but this has got to be up there.. Saturday 21 August 1976. Arsenal 0, Bristol City 1. Raymond Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Geoff Merrick Gerald Gow Jimmy Mann Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton Clive Whitehead Paul Cheesley Thomas Ritchie Manager: Alan Dicks Yes that promotion side rolls off the tongue after all these years. AD kept the same team, and didn't sign anyone in the summer, to start the first division opening game and was rewarded with a win. The additions came later- Hunter Cormack etc Cashley - Sweeney Collier Merrick Drysdale - Tainton Mann Gow - Ritchie Cheesley Whitehead. Sub: Fear. My favourite team. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sticks 1969 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Nicky Maynard playing behind bob Taylor and Andy Cole would be a good strike force ,bent on one wing and Jackie on the other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pongo88 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 25 minutes ago, cityexile said: Can only go back in my time, but this has got to be up there.. Saturday 21 August 1976. Arsenal 0, Bristol City 1. Raymond Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Geoff Merrick Gerald Gow Jimmy Mann Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton Clive Whitehead Paul Cheesley Thomas Ritchie Manager: Alan Dicks Here it is 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolf Hucker Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 9 minutes ago, cityexile said: Can only go back in my time, but this has got to be up there.. Saturday 21 August 1976. Arsenal 0, Bristol City 1. Raymond Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Geoff Merrick Gerald Gow Jimmy Mann Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton Clive Whitehead Paul Cheesley Thomas Ritchie Manager: Alan Dicks I think that you may be right. We knew at the time that they were a good team but, as in so many things, it’s the passage of time which makes us realise just how exceptional they were. That Arsenal game was Cheesley’s last full match as a fully fit footballer and even though I was fortunate to see Atyeo play a few times, Cheese was destined to be, imo, our best ever striker. Gow was simply our greatest ever midfielder whilst Merrick and Collier were the most cultured and effective central defensive pairing we’ve ever had. Weve had some fabulous players over the years but, as a team, this was the best. Shame that we had our best ever team almost 50 years ago! As for the best manager, I’m torn. Alan Dicks or Danny Wilson? Hmmm. 5 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redysteadygo Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 30 minutes ago, cityexile said: Can only go back in my time, but this has got to be up there.. Saturday 21 August 1976. Arsenal 0, Bristol City 1. Raymond Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Geoff Merrick Gerald Gow Jimmy Mann Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton Clive Whitehead Paul Cheesley Thomas Ritchie Manager: Alan Dicks Had been supporting City for 24 years prior to this team and ever since. Hands down and easily the best team in my era. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew-T Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 1 minute ago, Rudolf Hucker said: As for the best manager, I’m torn. Alan Dicks or Danny Wilson? Hmmm. Don’t you dare start him off. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malago Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 (edited) The obvious answer is the 1909 team. Remember they were league runners up as well. Edited September 6, 2023 by Malago 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenkibby. Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 9 minutes ago, CodeRed said: Yes that promotion side rolls off the tongue after all these years. AD kept the same team, and didn't sign anyone in the summer, to start the first division opening game and was rewarded with a win. The additions came later- Hunter Cormack etc Cashley - Sweeney Collier Merrick Drysdale - Tainton Mann Gow - Ritchie Cheesley Whitehead. Sub: Fear. My favourite team. Has to be the side that beat Liverpool in 77 last home game of the season, 40,000 or more in that night. Liverpool already league Champions then going on to win the European Cup. Shaw,Gillies,Hunter,Collier,Sweeny,Tainton,Gow,Mann,Whitehead,Garland,Ritchie. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeRed Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 5 minutes ago, Malago said: The obvious answer is the 1909 team. Remember they were league runners up as well. Fair enough - you'll have to name the team 1 to 11 though....and no googling!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 My first game: swap Collier in for Rodgers and Cheesley for Royle and that would be tidy. I preferred Shaw over Cashley. 6 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinapig Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 6 minutes ago, pongo88 said: Here it is It wasn't just that we won, we completely outplayed them. Gary Collier spoiled Malcolm MacDonald's Arsenal debut by not giving him a look in while Arsenal's best player was their keeper Jimmy Rimmer. My best ever away day. 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityexile Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 3 minutes ago, Davefevs said: My first game: swap Collier in for Rodgers and Cheesley for Royle and that would be tidy. I preferred Shaw over Cashley. Wasn’t in fairness too shabby a Liverpool side either! The days when an international player was a cannie wee Scotsman in midfield. Difficult for many to get their heads around what a ‘wait, what now’ moment Spurs signing two Argentinian WC winners was back in the day. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordy62 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 It’s not the question asked, but I thought that squad of 98/99 had the potential to be… how very wrong I was. Despite finishing bottom of the championship (with Crewe and Bury in!), it’s still a better team than any team that contains the surname Paterson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shauntaylor85 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 37 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said: 2018/19 squad probably the best in my time since late 1990s. Rock solid goalkeeper and defence, perhaps just Bobby Reid light from a promotion winning team. Second best finish except the 2008 team who overachieved without a strike force to mention. Maenpaa Hunt Webster Kalas Kelly Eliasson Pack Brownhill Paterson Diedhiou Weimann We were very average. Barely scored many goals. Good defence and still Johnson found a way to bottle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shauntaylor85 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 4 minutes ago, Fordy62 said: It’s not the question asked, but I thought that squad of 98/99 had the potential to be… how very wrong I was. Despite finishing bottom of the championship (with Crewe and Bury in!), it’s still a better team than any team that contains the surname Paterson. 97/98 team was great. I still can’t believe how good that Tinnion goal was v Walsall in the promotion celebration game. How on earth did he get that swerve. And the comedy triple save from Naylor in the same game with Welchy out (the American football pitch!), great times and a Gary Owers bullet header to boot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidercity1987 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 7 minutes ago, Shauntaylor85 said: We were very average. Barely scored many goals. Good defence and still Johnson found a way to bottle it. Life as a Bristol City fan is to support average at best teams, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bard Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 1 hour ago, AG City said: I don’t know about the best but in my 36 years this is definitely my worst - circa 1995 Kite Hansen McKop Patterson Dryden Flatts McAree Loss Fowler Barclay Partridge Jesus that's not even football league standard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphindevon Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 (edited) 29 minutes ago, Davefevs said: My first game: swap Collier in for Rodgers and Cheesley for Royle and that would be tidy. I preferred Shaw over Cashley. Harsh on Royle! He’s got the winner against Liverpool in your first game and you’ve binned him off….. Not having Cheesley for more than one and a half top flight games is a burden all us fans of a certain age will always have. What might have been. Although I was a huge fan of Norman Hunter, if I had to pick a team on a certain day it’d have to be the away to Arsenal team. Edited September 6, 2023 by ralphindevon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pl00peh91 Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, pongo88 said: This team has a rather unfair advantage - there are 14 players! Did the ref notice? I think an even more unfair disadvantage is that it’s the team that lost 6-0 to Cardiff in 2010 Edited September 6, 2023 by pl00peh91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bard Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 1 hour ago, pl00peh91 said: Dean Gerken Bradley Orr Louis Carey Liam Fontaine Jamie McAllister Lewin Nyatanga Paul Hartley Evander Sno Cole Skuse Jamal Campbell-Ryce Danny Haynes Marvin Elliott Nicky Maynard Patrick Agyemang Are you on crack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 5 minutes ago, The Bard said: Jesus that's not even football league standard Or one that was ever fielded in a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearded_red Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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