In sport we tend to enjoy writing and reading this kind of blog for a variety of reasons. The internet is awash with ‘dream teams’ or ‘favourite XI’s’ across countless sports because above all else, it is fun to think about the cream of the crop all playing together. Imagine Tom Brady throwing to Jerry Rice, Lebron James playing with Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky playing with Mario Lemiuex. The mind truly boggles.
We as sports fans, also like remembering stars from years gone by, with the idea that somehow things were better back then. It is hard to experience and enjoy sport in the present because so much of being a sports fan revolves around looking back.
For example, being a City fan and looking back on the last two decades or more, City were on the brink of relegation from the Football League, were to go on and survive and then rise from those ashes at the depths of the football league.. to Dean Windass' defining moment at Wembley. Mutiple stints in the Premier League.. A sensational FA Cup run that saw us 'Oh so close to glory'. Top it off with an, albeit brief run at european football, All of which seems a distant memory with City now playing in the third tier of English football. But putting together dream teams like the one below allows us to think back and remember just how good a player was.
Now, when researching for this piece, there have been many a player to have worn the coveted Black and Amber of Hull City over the 20+ year's I have had the pleasure of following City, some tough choices made in the selection, being I've become attached to a list of name's over the year's.
I think people also like these kinds of blogs because we like to see if people think the same way we do. On the flipside, if a writer comes up with a different list of players, then people love to disagree and make their opinions known. Thank god for Facebook in particular…(sarcasm)
So bearing all this in mind lets get to my team shall we? Just quickly, there are a couple of administrative points to consider:
This blog will be slightly different than others because this will be utterly unarguable. I am going on MY FAVOURITE players to have played for City and I have made them into a team of XI. Therefore this will be entirely subjective and I feel very few within the Tiger Nation will agree 100% with me. Unlike other blogs I have also tried to make them all fit rather than just select a composite team of the best players.
I have only selected players that have graced the hallowed turf at Fer Ark and through the years at what is now the KCOM, through my own eyes in the stands. That basically rules out a lot of the older players like Chris Chilton, Ken Wagstaff amongst others.
And again before you get all angry and rush to your keyboard to criticise my selections – remember these may not necessarily be the best or most technically gifted to have graced City. This is purely a favourites list.
Just enjoy remembering and looking back at some quality footballers. GK - Boaz Myhill
Quite possibly one of the best Keepers to have graced City. An absolute steal by the then manger, Peter Taylor. Boaz was a menace between the sticks for City, producing so fine form and was one of few players whom when from the now League two unto the Premier League.
RB - Liam Rosenior
As Right Backs go, Liam was one of the best to have graced the city colours and was loved by the City fanbase including myself. Rosey played for City 144 times for City during the best period in the Clubs history. CB - Micheal Turner
A brick wall of a central defender, Turner gets the nod for this XI. Having played one hundred and twenty nine times for city, Turner was instrumental in City rising to the Premier League, bieng player of the year, three season's in a row.
CB - Curtis Davies
Another solid player defensively, Curtis was another favourite, for his efforts during the 'Premier Era'. I will always remember Curtis for giving us City faithful hope, during the 2014 FA Cup Final. LB - Andy Dawson
A City Legend in his own right, Andy was and quite possibly, still is, City's best ever left back. One of the few to have risen the EFL ladder with City, Andy was a solis player and one hell of a left foot.
CDM - Ian Ashbee
Arguably the best Captain City have ever had, at least in my lifetime he is. Captain Fantastic was the first name in this XI, providing the vital link between defence and attack, Ash was a no-nonsense player and a natural leader.
CM - David Meyler
Signed initially on loan by one of, if not City's greatest manager, Steve Bruce. Dave was for the most part, a player I found showed similarities to Ian Ashbee. Qualities I love to see in a footballer. Passion and no-nonsense. CM - Ryan France
Ryan France, a player I've always admired for his efforts playing for City. Ryan was always a hard working and versatile player and always had a good mindset. He remains one of the few players to have played for the same club in all four divisions of the English Football League.
RW - Nick Barmby
The first of two Hometown boys in this eleven. Nick Barmby, having played top level football for the likes off Liverpool, Tottenham and Middlesbrough, Barms chose to return to the club he adored as a child. Barms added a quality to City we'd never seen the likes of, and was an instrumental figure.
ST - Dean Windass
The Second Hometown boy in this XI, Deano began and ended his career with City, becoming a Legend in his own right. We'll not only remember Deano for his passion playing in City colours, but, the dream that was Wembley. Something I'll cherish for a lifetime, for multiple reasons.
LW - Stuart Elliott
City's Northen-Irish maestro on the left, Stuart Elliott was another instrumental figure in a Black and Amber shirt. Scoring sixty five goals in his one hundred and ninety three appearances, Elliott was another whom assisted City in their quest up the Football League.