Universally popular footballers

[Yorkshire Blue]

Surprised Barna hasn't linked to this already

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/feb/26/universally-popular-footballers-team-likable-players

What would be your nominations for universally loved footballers?

To make it interesting no Southend players allowed, otherwise it would be a team of Mark Bentley and Barry Corrs.

GK Peter Shilton - if only for letting in that Roy McDonough penalty
RB Rob Jones - everyone like Rob Jones, even I did and he played for Liverpool.
LB Stuart Pearce, he's a certified "national treasure" isn't he? Although Chris Powell should have had most of his caps.
CB Ledley King?
CB Phillipe Albert (for chipping Schmeichel) and going walkabout on a regular basis. A sort of better Titus Bramble without the rape charges
CM Frank Lampard - everyone (jealous Hamster fans don't count) loves Lampard surely? A brilliant servant of England, so consistent for club and country
CM Gazza - no-one else turned up with a fishing rod, lager and some chicken for Raoul Moat
RM Sir David Beckham - naturally
LM Edgar Davids - apparently
CF Mario Balotelli - everyone's favourite entertainer and a joy to watch
CF Mickey Quinn - he had a pot-belly and a 'tache, what's not to like?

 

[MK Shrimper]

Cantona surely. Man U obviously, but a legend.

 

[Uncle Leo]

I don't get why people dislike Lampard, but the 'Fat Frank' nonsense goes much wider than just bitter West Ham fans. Slipperduke even worte a bit about this last week: http://bet.unibet.com/football/prem...erry-finally-right-frank-lampard-must-stay/41

Mick Quinn not quite so popular with horses - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-56891/Horse-Racing-Banned-Quinn-faces-ruin.html

Peter Beardsley is a player loved by most. Even managed to play for both Everton and Liverpool and still retain the affections of both sets of supporters.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Gary Lineker surely, football's Mr Nice Guy.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Cozy Powell.

 

[South Bank Hank]

Wayne Rooney
Joey Barton
John Terry
Craig Bellamy
Cashley Cole
Lee Bowyer
Lee Hughes
Bilel Mohsni
Shaun Goater

 

[Swiss Tony]

Gary Lineker surely, football's Mr Nice Guy.

Nah OBL,too syrupy,makes me gringe.:sick:

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Gary Lineker surely, football's Mr Nice Guy.

Ha! He wouldn't come and speak to my wife's pupils at the LFB while he was here.

I also have a nice "gay" story concerning him during his time here too, which includes a visit to Sitges (Catalonia's gay capital).

 

[MK Shrimper]

Ha! He wouldn't come and speak to my wife's pupils at the LFB while he was here.

I also have a nice "gay" story concerning him during his time here too, which includes a visit to Sitges (Catalonia's gay capital).

Have you seen wife no.2? :stunned:

 

[BrettieAngell]

Cantona surely. Man U obviously, but a legend.

Nope I thought he was a ****!

 

[MK Shrimper]

Nope I thought he was a ****!

That 'cos you're a scouser on the QT!

 

[Uncle Leo]

Have you seen wife no.2? :stunned:

Lineker was also a serial shagger while with wife no. 1. He may have ended up in a gay bar with Barna one evening but generally speaking he loves the ladies and they love him.

 

[EastStandBlue]

He's pushing it with this "Keep Calm and..." nonsense, but Berbatov? Everyone's got love for the Berb.

 

[Rob Noxious]

Jimmy Greaves and George Best. Great players who enjoyed themselves.

 

[Pubey]

He's pushing it with this "Keep Calm and..." nonsense, but Berbatov? Everyone's got love for the Berb.

[video=youtube;irXLQtXEHts]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irXLQtXEHts[/video]

 

[Blue_Wes]

I'd imagine Ronaldinho would be a popular choice.

 

[Napster]

Alan Kennedy is also a good choice for left-back.

 

[Napster]

Ooh and I'd have Zola up front with Goater.

 

[Gremlin]

Alan Kennedy is also a good choice for left-back.

Not ahead of Sir Chris Powell he isn't (recognising he is ineligible in this case, though).

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Goater :happy: