Mon 27 Apr 2020, 19:42
I think it's fair to say that the full-back role has changed enormously over the years from the time in which Pat Lynch and then Bill Fisher played the role, to more modern exponents like Scott Cousins and Oliver Sprague.
Nine full-backs, four right-backs, the most recent of whom was Tony Jennings and five left-backs were selected by our expert panels and are presented below.
RIGHT BACKS
Pat Lynch: 241 appearances, 11 goals (1945 – 1952)
3-time Athenian League runner up between 1947 and 1952 and won the Middlesex Charity Cup three years running between 1946 and 1948.
Bill Fisher: 719 appearances, 17 goals (1941 – 1962)
Club record appearance holder. Won the 1960 Amateur Cup, 3 Athenian Leagues, 3 Middlesex Senior Cups and 6 Middlesex Charity Cups. Went on to be involved in a coaching capacity with the club until his untimely death aged 58.
David Hogwood: 440 appearances, 24 goals (1962 – 1971 & 1973 - 1974)
Amateur Cup winner in 1965 and Isthmian League winner in the same year, twice winner of the London Senior Cup and Middlesex Senior Cup.
Tony Jennings: 155 appearances, 7 goals (1971 – 1974)
Welsh amateur international, won the Amateur Cup in 1972, Isthmian League and Barassi Cup in 1973 and was part of the side that drew 1-1 at Newcastle in the FA Cup in 1974. 3-time Middlesex Senior Cup winner and went on to have a spell as assistant manager.
LEFT BACKS
Micky Cooper: 416 appearances, 6 goals (1965 - 1980)
Versatile player, well versed in many positions but excelled at left-back. Played in the 1966 Amateur Cup Final against Wealdstone, won the Middlesex Senior Cup in 1967 & 1974 and London Senior Cup in 1969.
Gary Hand: 619 appearances, 3 goals (1971 - 1985)
Won the Amateur Cup in 1972, Isthmian League title and Barassi Cup in 1973 as well as a member of the side that drew 1-1 at Newcastle in 1974. Received an Isthmian league Cup winner’s medal in 1977, 3 Middlesex Senior Cup and 3 Middlesex Charity cup winner’s medals.
Simon Clarke: 351 appearances, 16 goals (1995 - 2002)
Part of the side of the late 1990s that enjoyed huge FA Cup success. Part of the side that beat Leyton Orient and appeared against Notts County and Blackpool. Won 2 Full Members Cup winner’s medals and 2 Middlesex Senior Cup winner’s medals.
Scott Cousins: 237 appearances, 14 goals (2003 – 2004 & 2009 – 2014)
Won the Middlesex Senior Cup in 2004 and London Senior Cup in 2012. Went on to be first team coach of the successful 2014/5 side that lifted 2 trophies and got to the Isthmian League play-off final.
Ollie Sprague: 148 appearances, 7 goals (2014 – 2018)
Won the London Senior Cup in 2015 and Middlesex Senior Cup in 2018, part of two Isthmian League play-off final sides and received England C recognition in 2015 being named as a stand-by by Paul Fairclough
We'll introduce the rest of the shortlist tomorrow, beginning with the centre-halves. A reminder that voting closes at midnight on Friday night and the link to the poll can be found below: