DREAM TEAM
THE AFC TELFORD UNITED BOSS PIECES TOGETHER A BEST EVER XI OF PLAYERS HE HAS PLAYED ALONGSIDE…
GK. DANNY POTTER
Ran very close by Darren Acton but I’ve got to give it to Danny for his outstanding technique. I was privileged enough to play with him at Canvey Island and he was basically an outfield player in goal, setting up so many attacks with a first-time volley up field. Edged out Joe Hart and Kelle Roos in this team – and they’re not bad either!
RCB: NEIL MOORE
I played with Neil at Nuneaton and he was a leader amongst men. A typical old-school centre half, was vocal on the pitch and if you needed someone to put their body on the line then he was your man. A real Tony Adams-style, proper defender and a privilege to call him a friend.
CB: STUART WHITEHEAD
Enjoyed a great career in both the Football League and Non-League, Stu was another great leader. Partnered me at Shrewsbury, Telford and Kidderminster, he was another leader but also quick and outstanding on the ball. Happy to find Row Z when he needed to, otherwise you wouldn’t get past him!
LCB: GAZ DEAN
Quite simply the best centre-half I was played with never to have play in the Football League. He was a youngster with us at Nuneaton and it’s been great to watch him develop into the player he is today. Very competitive and excellent on the ball, one of a few players I’ve played with to have really made the best of himself
RWB: LEE VAUGHAN
Another who enjoyed an excellent League and NonLeague career, probably the only right-back or wing-back I have seen who could control a game and dictated its flow. Very tenacious, he has great quality and loads of ability on the ball. The kind of man you need with you in the trenches.
RM: CARL ROGERS
‘Bruno’, as he is known, was close to being released as a centre-half at Telford before the coaches took a look at him in midfield. What a move that was! There was one season where he played like a man possessed! He was so dominant it was ridiculous! His breaking up on play, range of passing, intelligence, he was like a machine. I’d just watch him from behind in awe of him at times.
CM: JEFF MINTON
I played with Jeff at Canvey Island and it was like the guy was playing a different sport to us at times! He was like the Maradona for us, the way he carried the ball, drifted past players – and his distribution was a joke! The game was too easy for him at times, he was definitely playing beneath himself in that division.
LM: JAMES ARMSON
The most frustrating player I think I’ve ever played with – but what a talent. The kind of player who would do nothing for 88 minutes then score two quick goals to win you the game then walk off the pitch laughing! Brilliant on his day, he was the player you’d hate to love! But we did.
LWB: AMARI BELL
Joined us at Nuneaton as a young loanee from Blackburn as he blew us away with his ability. Was originally described as a Rolls Royce but he’s more like a Ferrari! Pace, ability, with a good engine, there was simply no weakness in his game and it’s no surprise to see him doing so well in the Championship.
CF: ANDY BROWN
Playing with him at both Telford and Nuneaton, Andy and I had a great chemistry. He used to make me look half decent by picking up my long balls and bringing midfielders into play. Not blessed with blistering pace but didn’t need to be, Andy worked his socks off and scored plenty of goals.
CF: LEE BOYLAN
Just an out-andout front man, he had goalscoring tourettes! They flew in all over the place, left, right or centre and with both feet. His record in a few seasons at Canvey Island was second to none. We used to jokingly leave him out of the warm-up to save him and give someone a chance to get on the ball! Subs: Neil Gregory, John Keeling, Dean Parrett, Bradley Quinton, Darren Acton (GK)