CosmicHotspur
Better a wag than a WAG
- Aug 14, 2006
- 51,069
- 22,383
Not scarring from scalds like Tevez, but serious physical problems which didn't (or don't) stop them playing.
I remember that Asa Hartford took an early career knock when, at the age of 21, a hole-in-the-heart problem threatened to cut off his career in its prime.
But, against all odds, he went on to play 50 times for Scotland and captain his country during his time at West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City and Everton between 1972 and 1982.
John Osborne, West Brom goalie had a plastic knuckle. The legendary Baggies keeper was part of a golden era in the club's history, during which West Brom won the FA Cup in 1968, the League Cup in 1966, and finished runners-up in 1967 and 1970.
Osborne is considered by many to be best keeper in the club's history and, until Russell Hoult surpassed it this season, shared the record for the highest number of clean sheets kept by a West Brom keeper in one season (22) with Tony Godden. He died in 1999.
Terry Dixon has made a comeback after being released from Tottenham because of a chronic dislocated kneecap problem and he is now with Bradford, out on loan with Halifax. Those kneecaps could let him down again, without doubt.
We all know Ledley's problems but he isn't actually "disabled" although he could certainly become so as he ages.
On 22 October 1972, while driving home from a session with the Stoke physio, Gordon Banks lost control of his car which ended up in a ditch. He lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital. When he came round, he was informed that though he had not suffered any life-threatening injury, he had lost the sight in his right eye.
He considered trying to resume his career as a goalkeeper but even he had to accept that the loss of binocular vision was an obvious barrier to maintaining his goalkeeping livelihood. Peter Shilton, another great England international goalie, replaced him at Stoke City.
Banks went into scouting, managed non-league side Telford utd and did some work on the commercial side of football.
In April 1977 he went to play in goal as a named superstar in the NASL for Fort Lauderdale Strikers alongside George Best. After that 1977 season, the ever-present Banks was voted Best Goalkeeper in the NASL.
He then had a very short stint with League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic, playing just once for them in a home game at Richmond Park on 2 October 1977 against Shamrock Rovers, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win, before returning to the Strikers for the North American 1978 season.
That season would prove to be his last. He played 11 league games before hanging up his gloves. His final appearance was a 2–3 defeat away to local rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies on 17 June 1978, in which Rodney Marsh scored all three for the home team.
Uruguayan striker Hector Castro played with an arm missing. When he was thirteen he lost the arm in an accident while cutting wood with an electric saw.
He played for Uruguay 20 times, scoring 25 goals including the goal that won Uruguay the World Cup in 1930. Known as "El Divino Manco" (which roughly translates as " the one-armed God"), he was not averse to using the stump as a weapon to knock other players out of the way! Castro died in 1960, aged 55.
Can you think of any other players who went on playing despite serious health or physical conditions?
I can't recall his name, but isn't there a footballer who has to have medical equipment on the touchline because he has some kind of life-threatening condition?
I remember that Asa Hartford took an early career knock when, at the age of 21, a hole-in-the-heart problem threatened to cut off his career in its prime.
But, against all odds, he went on to play 50 times for Scotland and captain his country during his time at West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City and Everton between 1972 and 1982.
John Osborne, West Brom goalie had a plastic knuckle. The legendary Baggies keeper was part of a golden era in the club's history, during which West Brom won the FA Cup in 1968, the League Cup in 1966, and finished runners-up in 1967 and 1970.
Osborne is considered by many to be best keeper in the club's history and, until Russell Hoult surpassed it this season, shared the record for the highest number of clean sheets kept by a West Brom keeper in one season (22) with Tony Godden. He died in 1999.
Terry Dixon has made a comeback after being released from Tottenham because of a chronic dislocated kneecap problem and he is now with Bradford, out on loan with Halifax. Those kneecaps could let him down again, without doubt.
We all know Ledley's problems but he isn't actually "disabled" although he could certainly become so as he ages.
On 22 October 1972, while driving home from a session with the Stoke physio, Gordon Banks lost control of his car which ended up in a ditch. He lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital. When he came round, he was informed that though he had not suffered any life-threatening injury, he had lost the sight in his right eye.
He considered trying to resume his career as a goalkeeper but even he had to accept that the loss of binocular vision was an obvious barrier to maintaining his goalkeeping livelihood. Peter Shilton, another great England international goalie, replaced him at Stoke City.
Banks went into scouting, managed non-league side Telford utd and did some work on the commercial side of football.
In April 1977 he went to play in goal as a named superstar in the NASL for Fort Lauderdale Strikers alongside George Best. After that 1977 season, the ever-present Banks was voted Best Goalkeeper in the NASL.
He then had a very short stint with League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic, playing just once for them in a home game at Richmond Park on 2 October 1977 against Shamrock Rovers, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win, before returning to the Strikers for the North American 1978 season.
That season would prove to be his last. He played 11 league games before hanging up his gloves. His final appearance was a 2–3 defeat away to local rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies on 17 June 1978, in which Rodney Marsh scored all three for the home team.
Uruguayan striker Hector Castro played with an arm missing. When he was thirteen he lost the arm in an accident while cutting wood with an electric saw.
He played for Uruguay 20 times, scoring 25 goals including the goal that won Uruguay the World Cup in 1930. Known as "El Divino Manco" (which roughly translates as " the one-armed God"), he was not averse to using the stump as a weapon to knock other players out of the way! Castro died in 1960, aged 55.
Can you think of any other players who went on playing despite serious health or physical conditions?
I can't recall his name, but isn't there a footballer who has to have medical equipment on the touchline because he has some kind of life-threatening condition?
mg:
