Best ever 11

[The man with no name]

What’s everyone’s best ever rovers 11?

[bentherover]

Ross Stewart

Alan Reid
Mick Dunlop
Ross Dunlop
Josh Mullin

Gary Fisher
Chris Cadden
Alan Trouten

Charlie Reilly
Ross Stewart
Joe Bevan


Jamie Leslie on bench

[mark13]

OK then: debut post:

John Balavage, Alan Reid, Martin McGowan, Sammy Conn, Duncan Shields, Ciaran Donnelly, Vic Kasule, Scott Chaplain, Bernie Slaven, Tom Sermanni, Charlie Reilly.

[stewmelrover]

Start with Hugh Hill and Ray Franchetti then take it from there!

[rovers]

Derek Gaston

Alan Reid
Mick Dunlop
Ciaran Donnelly

Chris Cadden
Gary Fisher
Scott Chaplin
Alan Trouten

John "BEAST" Gemmell
Charlie Reilly


Connor Sheila's narrowly misses out because he was only here a short time. What a player he was.

This team, with all of then at their peak, would win the world cup for the brigg'.

[charlestheoptimist]

Being 60 years old most of mine will have folk searching the history books :-

Jim Brown

Dennis McConville
David Main
Ciaran Donnelly
Michael Dunlop

Tommy Sermanni
Ray Franchetti
Hugh Hill

Scott Chaplain
John Gemmill
Kevin McAllister

This was whittled down from a list of 50 odd going back to around 1970 !

[rab]

We seem to do this every few months or so. To make it a bit different, here is a team of Rovers players who are, were, or went on to be full internationals (so no under 21s, 23s, B teams etc.), quite a few of whom wouldn't get anywhere near a 'best ever' Rovers line-up. As far as I know, all except Conlin, White and Hegan are still alive!

I think Malcolmson is the only one ever to have played at a World Cup Finals; Slaven and Andrews were in their squads, but didn't play. Ross Stewart still has a chance!

3-5-2

Jim Brown (Scotland)

Willie Currie (Great Britain)
Sam Malcolmson (New Zealand)
Marvin Andrews (Trinidad & Tobago)

Jimmy Conlin (England)
Jock White (Scotland)
Brian Martin (Scotland)
Tony Green (Scotland)
Danny Hegan (Northern Ireland)

Ross Stewart (Scotland)
Bernie Slaven (Republic Of Ireland)

[tommysermanni]

Jings I find myself in agreement with Stewmelrover which means I must be wrong.

Agree John Balavage as keeper. I'd also have Davie Main, Willie Leishman and of course Dunky Shields.

I'd also have Bruce Clelland because he looked a bit like the lead singer from Spandau Ballet.

Scott Chaplain as well.

[tommysermanni]

In fact I will just agree with Charles. Dennis McConville was a great defender. Looked like a walrus and was the sort of guy you would cross the road to avoid just in case you accidentally made eye contact.

[Nanook]

Wullie Duff Snr's brief but glorious Rovers goal keeping career, Neil Parry deserves a mention, as does Gaston, while Rab McCulloch was a major part of the 89 side, he deserved to play at a higher level, but Jim Brown did get a cap for Scotland.

Albert Rice at right back. Jim Docherty, Dennis McConville, Alan Reid all good solid performers, Peter Dickson gets a mention but saw him being destroyed by a dribbling winger at Raith Rovers, but a good servant to Rovers at 2 or 9. Bert could play in the centre or in midfield but I always thought that right back was his best spot, not too many wingers got the better of him.

Left Back - Davie Main was a smashing player, and a really nice guy, and he was versatile, played midfield and at either back kick position, also a great emergency goal keeper. But his real position was in the centre of defence alongside his mate Willie Leishmann. Think I will go for Barry Russell, although it was touch and go with Tommy Martin and Russell Halliday.

In the centre, Ian Docherty was a stand out player, but for me in midfield. I will give Bobby Tuddenham a mention, built like a skelf but what a tackler. Sam Malcolmson emigrated to NZ, played against Scotland in the World Cup in Spain. A mention for Wullie Currie, a big, hard man, rather unsubtle in his approach but 100% committed, only scot in a GB Olympics side. Ciaran Donnelly gave great service too. Going for Davie Main and Mick Dunlop combination, although nearly put Willie Leishman in for Mick Dunlop.


Midfield - Tony Green, but not sure that I ever saw him play for Rovers, have a vague memory of a guy running riot and winning the game almost single handed but that could have been anyone.

Scott Chaplain has to go in. Did not see Kevin McAllister too often, so no. Billy Struthers, devastated when he left, and team mate Roddy Smith a team mate of his, tall, blond thunderous shot. Ian McGuigan was another with a great shot. Paul McKenzie was a star ball winner alongside Chapman and Cadden in the 89 side, so I will go for him too. Tommy Sermanni or Ian Doherty? I could have gone for Jimmy Coughlin and Jeff King. Billy Simpson, fiercesome tackler, brought a tear to the eye of his opponents. A mention for Gerry Laughlin, the only Rovers supporters team player, that I am aware of, that went on to play for the big side.

Up front - John Brogan, Bernie Slaven, Peter Dickson, Mick Green, Donnie McLean, very fast player, John Gemmell, on his day unplayable, not going to pick Ally Graham, lazy, should have done so much better. John Brogan, Bernie Slaven the two up front.

Brown

Rice Main M Dunlop Russell

Green Chaplain McKenzie I Doherty

Brogan Slaven

[Nanook]

Forgot to mention the manager. Paul Martin, built a great team spirit, one of the lowest budgets in the division.

[fineen]

Brian, Jim Prior also played for the supporters' team before playing for the Rovers.

[sam]

When you’ve been around a while it’s pretty hard decision to narrow it down.
However I’ll go for

J. Brown

A. Reid
C. Donnelly
I. Docherty,
D. Main

T. Green
S. Chaplain
J.King
J. Coughlin

J. Brogan
K. Jenkins

Subs
R. McCulloch (GK)
D McConville
K McCallister
J Chapman
P Dickson
G Lennon

Reasoning
There have been some real good goalies at Cliftonhill over the years but Jimmy Brown went onto play in the top division in England and won a Scottish Cap, so that’s a no brainer

Alan and Ciaran along with David Main were what you would call club men. There were others I could include but I think these three top the list as well as being very good in their position… although I’ve shoved Davie out to left back to make sure I include him

Ian Docherty, Up there as one of the finest footballers I’ve seen at Cliftonhill, ( I recall one of the officials at Celtic commenting about his abilities after we played them in the Scottish Cup in the seventies), His football career cut short due to marital problems, undoubtedly could have went onto better things

My midfield four doesn’t include any enforcers but as it’s the beautiful game!!!
Tony Green, Although I was in my early teens he was, in my opinion, maybe the best player the Rovers have had. Transferred to Blackpool and then onto Newcastle, (hall of fame in all three clubs says everything)

Scott Chaplain, best box to box player I’ve seen in a Rovers jersey. Something I keep reminding him off when we meet at SFA coaching courses

Jeff King. Wasn’t here for that long but he was a player. Sweet left foot but could dig in when needed. Sold to Derby County

Jimmy Coughlin. The last tanner ba’ player the Rovers had. On his day untouchable

J. Brogan. As a striker, the best I’ve seen at the ‘hill. Scored goals against Airdrie at will, which always sways the mind. (His goal at Broomfield will stay with me for ever)

Kenny Jenkins. As a young boy he was my first footballing hero so he’ll always be in my team.
Followed manager Alex Stewart to Dumbarton along with Peter Coleman, who according to some of the Sons fans I know, is one of their all time favourites

My subs list could have contained loads of guys.

Rab McCulloch (GK) after Jimmy the next best

Dennis McConville. As mentioned earlier by Nuge, solid RB who never let you down. Became a bit of a legend with me when we bumped into him outside Wembley before an England v Scotland game. Dennis was carrying a bag of cans..to be fair it was a warm day, and his first response was… ffs don’t tell auld tam

Jim Chapman. Drove us to promotion under Davie Provan. An earlier version of Scott Chaplain… (I would have liked to see how his 5 year plan would have turned out when he was in charge)

K. McAllister, Like Nuge never seen a lot of Kevin’s time at the Rovers, however the games I saw him play he was good. Maybe at the twilight of his career but undoubtedly a terrific player

P Dickson. Could play RB or CF with ease. Very fleet of foot and along with Jimmy Coughlin got capped at representative level for Scotland against Italy…. I think!!!
Also, I believe, the only Rovers player who has been booked for hitting one of his own players, well to be honest Billy Struthers deserved a slap for giving the ball to an Airdrie player

Gordon Lennon: Like Jeff King wasn’t with us that long, followed Jim Chapman to Dumbarton before tragically losing his life in a motoring accident


Happy to discuss further in the St Andrews Bar of a Saturday evening

[Rovergrant]

Excellent post, Sam, well done

[fineen]

Have been looking back for a couple of days to sort out my choices, but Sam's is almost exactly what I would have picked, apart from Albert Rice at right back.