a new thread about players you enjoyed watching who weren't quite top drawer

[StuckinNewport]

Dave Eckersley was the ultimate utility back.

[Pop Cider]

Justin Murphy

[Rickp]

Dave Eckersley was the ultimate utility back.

Good shout very underated he could play anywhere in the backs & not look out of place.
 

[johnf]

1. David Eckersley
2. Dennis Brown
3. Mick George
4. Mal Aspey
5. Ian Hare
6. Tommy Warburton
7. Jimmy Boylan
9. John Stephens
9. John Foran (started out as a hooker when George Kemel retired if memory serves)
10. Dennis Carden
11. Barry sheridan
11. Alan Dearden
13. David Hull

[prehensile]

1. David Eckersley
2. Dennis Brown
3. Mick George
4. Mal Aspey
5. Ian Hare
6. Tommy Warburton
7. Jimmy Boylan
9. John Stephens
9. John Foran (started out as a hooker when George Kemel retired if memory serves)
10. Dennis Carden
11. Barry sheridan
11. Alan Dearden
13. David Hull

Good effort that.

I might exclude Eckersley and Dearden on the grounds that they actually were top drawer - just in my opinion of course.

Also not sure that I could honestly say I enjoyed watching Dennis Carden - in fact I thought at one time that his first name was actually 'Bloody' judging by speccies' comments from the terraces 

[johnf]

Dennis wasn't the best was he but he always gave it a go. 

[A. N. Other]

I might exclude Eckersley and Dearden on the grounds that they actually were top drawer - just in my opinion of course.

Eckersley played a few times for Great Britain, top drawer in my opinion too!

[Peter]

Dennis wasn't the best was he but he always gave it a go. 

I knew Dennis quite well.  I think he was brought on too young, otherwise he might have made it.  He always had a go, though.

[Nanno]

Rick Thackery
Derek Pyke

Both quality in there own right.....

[Rafe Wrench]

Dave Moran

Les Holliday

John Myler

Tiny Solomona (aye right...he was another one who played internationals and was timid as a mouse when he came to us).

Who was that speedy winger or centre who Frank Myler sacked for dissent? It wasn't Wynn was it?

[johnf]

Good call Rafe.

Ged Lowe was another and Keith Elwell - I know he played for GB (but only once I think) and he was someone who tried and tried and tried ....

[Banky Old Boy]

Jamie Bloem
Dave Smith
Phil Cantalon
Sean Richardson
Lee Hansen
Dave Ruane
Brimah Kebbie (faster than Offiah IMO)
John Basnett
Kyle White
Harvey Howard
Bob Cambell

[rs]

Dave Moran - was almost as good as any in a Widnes shirt. If he had stayed fit he would be right up there and would be GB regular in this day and age, like Maguire with a good pair of hands.

[StuckinNewport]

Dave Moran - was almost as good as any in a Widnes shirt. If he had stayed fit he would be right up there and would be GB regular in this day and age, like Maguire with a good pair of hands.

Dave was indeed an outstanding talent and a great loss to the game

[Wirralviking]

If the definition of top drawer is international recognition, then we cant miss off Reggie Bowden, always top drawer to me in every other respect but never recognised with an international cap despite his years of success with Widnes.  Also a bit of a bionic man, given the succession of shoulder injuries that threatened to finish his career as a young player, but (I think) he had it pinned and was a new man.