SF picks: 5 Classic Football Photos

You know what is one of the attractive element of football? Its history. There have always been people lamenting about the current state of the game, how it is all about the money and the players’ inflated sense of self importance. Football in the past was pure and genuine, players played for the love of the game and showed the utmost respect for their clubs and fans. It is true in a way, which makes trips down football’s memory lane so darn awesome.

In keeping up with the Olympic fever, let’s kick off Shirtyfooty’s pick of classic football photos with the manager of the Great Britain team in the 1948 Olympics.

Sir Matt Busby as a player for Manchester City. (via http://www.colorsport.co.uk)

Sir Matt Busby, the most successful Manchester United manager before Sir Alex Ferguson stumped up with a galore of trophies, eventually led the GB team to a fourth place finish. Did you know, despite being one of the most influential figures in Manchester United’s history, Matt Busby spent most of his playing career with rivals Manchester City and Liverpool? Well, now you do.

Fast forward to present day, the manager of the 2012 Olympics GB team is led by Stuart Pearce, who was quite the fearless defender back in his days.

A youthful Stuart Peace turning out for Coventry City. (via http://www.coventrytelegraph.net)

Pearce was pretty well traveled having played for Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Manchester City and West Ham United. If I remembered correctly, he was playing under Harry Redknapp at West Ham.

And boy, Harry sure looked a world of a difference during his playing days.

Harry Redknapp minus the droppy cheeks (via http://www.whoateallthepies.tv)

Harry Redknapp had quite a few things going for him a few months back, being linked to the managerial position of the England national team and Liverpool before being sacked as Spurs manager. Somehow, I just can’t imagine the sight of Harry under the This Is Anfield sign as Liverpool manager.

Liverpool manager Bob Paisley (right) points to the iconic This Is Anfield sign. (via http://www.gettyimages.co.uk)

Quite the Liverpool legend, Paisley also had a few famous quotes to boot. One of them being, “The sort of lad I’m looking for here is a kid who’ll try to nutmeg Kevin Keegan in a training match… but then step aside for him in the corridor.”

Ok, drumroll for the photo of Keegan as a player. Trust me, this deserves a hell of a drumroll.

Cool hair, bro. (via http://www.guardian.co.uk)