Anyone define 'legend?' Do 'legends' have to be at the club for a number of years - have to played a certain number of games - scored a certain number of goals etc. Can a defender become a 'legend?'
In a sporting context:- A collection of stories about an admirable person or a person who is the centre of such stories; No-no-no; Yes (for example, Skinner Normanton, Duncan Sharp, Eric Winstanley, Barry Murphy, Mick McCarthy, Paul Futcher, Bobby Hassell). In my opinion.
I'll have a go as I've been thinking about it recently in regard to Hammill and Hourihane. For me there are a number of criteria;- Quality of player Length of service Contribution and effect he had on the club I think legend is too easily thrown around as a descriptor these days. I've been watching the reds for 50 years and there's very few that fit the bill for me. There's been a lot of really good players but not many tick all the boxes. Mick McCarthy - great player, long serving, helped us from div 4 to established div 2. Legend. Neil Redfearn - great player, long serving, helped us to the Prem and almost helped keep us there. Legend. Ronnie Glavin - the best of the lot for obvious reasons for me. Legend. You can throw other names like Banks, Aylott, Ward, Hignett into the mix. A lot would add Hignett. For me he wasn't here long enough but its only subjective anyway. I would add Hammill and Hourihane to the list, however. Hammill, two spells with the club. Helped transform us last year. Helped us to a cup win and promotion, scored two of the finest goals Wembley while wearing a Barnsley shirt. Then showed loyalty and an attachment to the club by penning a new deal. Connor - Captained us to promotion, stabilisation in the Championship and a cup win. Had a massive influence on the team with his determination. Scored memorable goals and always showed total dedication and integrity on behalf of and towards the club. I bet I've missed one but, for me, there aren't many that can transcend being called a great Barnsley player to legend status.
I would include Fleming, we signed him as a middling midfielder, and changed him into the best sweeper our club has produced, numerous international caps whilst playing for us, cruelly injured and his career was over Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I think the term is used too readily these days. Hignett was probably the last legend using the old-school definition. Loved by all, scored a few goals, made you get out of your seat. At the end of the day, he wasn't really with us that long, which kind of prompts the new wave of players who can be labelled legends. Ash Fletcher for example. Here on loan for less than a season, can hardly be mentioned in the same breath as Glavin and Redders, but when my generation have grown old(er) and grey(er) the BBS of the 2030's will be remembering him as a legend.
It all comes down to achievement and how they behave, but length of time at the club helps. For example I think Conor Hourihane is a legend. Should have won POTY in his first season when coming second, won it in his second season and would have in his third had he stayed. Captained us to promotion and our first trophy in over a century. Stones made us a lot of money so some will see him as a legend for that, but he didn't play enough for us to be one. Different people will see the term legend differently.
I think there's a few in the 'hero' tier, just below the biggest legends named above. I'd include Hammill as a legend: not many reds have scored ridiculous goals like him, and on the big stage too. In the hero section I'd have Hassell, Dyer and Hourihane. Hourihane makes it into there because he's the best reds player that I can really remember. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I stand corrected. Should have won it all three seasons with us. Seen some call Marley a legend in wishing him all the best in the future. Good player for us but nowhere near legend status. The newest legend in our history I would say is Hecky. Before that it would probably be as far back as Ashley Ward for his goals and the fee we got.
I voted for Hourihane in both full seasons with us and had he stayed here this season and continued his form, I'd have voted for him again. Outstanding for us throughout his entire spell here, right up to the last game. I think he's a legend. Subjective though isn't it?
There are different classes of Legend though arent there There are club Legends - Rimmo, Winstanley for example There are playing Legends - I would say we only really have 2 from my lifetime Glavin and Redfern Then we have a group of great players most mentioned above but not to me quite legends - thats the likes of Banks, McCarthy, Hammill , Hourihane and Hignett for me
Love this topic! I think the suggestion of "Hero" is a good intermediate. "Legend" for me has to be someone who is almost universally agreed as a Hero, but has to have been around long enough [that's a seperate debate - as to what is long enough] and has to have made an outstanding contribution to something noteworthy in the club's history. Hignett - unquestionably a hero but not with us long enough [in my view] to be a legend. Hassel - unquestionably a hero but loyalty alone shouldn't confer legend status; was he outstanding or just ever dependable? Hourianne - unquestionably a hero but does the JPT count as an outstanding achievement? Maybe - up for debate. Promotion to our natural level shouldn't really. Only Redfearn fits the bill for me. Before you lynch me - I just missed Glavin playing so can't comment on him.
Dunno, think Bobby makes it to legend. Right back, left back, centre back, midfielder, scored a fair few goals and even kept a clean sheet once! He was more than dependable, he was proper blood sweat and tears.
