Defining Cruyff is not easy but there are some objective facts to assist: three times European Champion, three times Ballon d’Or winner, voted Europe’s Player of the Century in 1999, and third place in the World’s Player of the Century at the same time.
On the field, the most damming criticism of him is that he wasn’t Pele or Maradona, both of whom won World Cups, but neither changed the direction of travel in the game as Cruyff did. Pele’s Brazil seemed out of sight as they strutted their stuff at the 1970 World Cup. By 1974 the Dutch, with Cruyff pulling all the strings, had tactically moved the game on a generation. It would be decades before Brazil won the tournament again.
The Dutch know all this and, rightly, place Johan at the pinnacle of the game, but there was more going on in the Netherlands at the time. Feyenoord beat Cruyff and Ajax to the European Cup by 12 months as a generation of players matured together.
While the Netherlands took hosts Argentina to extra time in the 1978 World Cup final, Cruyff was watching on TV. Of course they would have won had he played, but that they came so close without him is a testament to the rest of his Dutch generation, forever in his shadow, but great nonetheless.
So would the Dutch revolution have happened without him? Something would have happened, Luxemburg would not have beaten the Netherlands in the 1970s, as they did in the 60s, but it would have been a revolution you might not have noticed. Ajax’ European Cup adventures may have ended with the 1-3 home defeat to Benfica in the 1969 quarter final. Feyenoord may not have edged extra time in the final the following season.
Allied to his skill, speed and strength, Cruyff opened the eyes of all who played with and against him. After Cruyff, opponents knew the old rules didn’t apply anymore.
Yesterday’s story in the Guardian, citing “sources at a major Premier League club” would signal the end of the last pretence of meritocracy in football, where the most wealthy will only play each other in European competition.
Resist of wither like Miss Havisham.
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Couldn’t make Dublin this weekend so I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.
I take it the permanently affronted are gearing up to cause dissent and controversy before a game?
HT
Not even to see the great historic club he speaks do fondly of ??
Gary67@7.15
DD prob be in the huns end at the semi-final
He admires them.
He’s not so fond of Celtic supporters
HH
OneMalloy,
I am delighted you enjoyed the weekend and it was a privilege to meet you. I hope to meet up again at Celtic Park in the near future.
Offski
HH
HAPPY HOOPY BIRTHDAY to MISS WITS,18 today!!!
From BMCUW, CCB and me
Owen
Give yer sis a Cqn cyber hug from all the BT family
Take wan for yerself from the female ones.;)
☘☘
Owen
Don’t want to say too much but just know we’re thinking of you all.
Pfayr
I’d doubt it until it’s a game at Parkhead. There, he’ll be able to proclaim that this is his.
To be fair Caldwell is doing really well with Wigan,no money,and a difficult league to get out of,not that I’m suggesting……
HT: Great reflection on your weekend. Saturday night was about bring Celtic supporters together and to remember the heroes of 1916 through our music and songs.
Sunday was about giving people the opportunity to attend the commemorative events of their choosing. Delighted you got what you wanted out of the weekend.
16 Roads: Great to see you on Saturday and appreciate the effort you made to be there. I hope to get to the West Belfast festival in August. It’s been on my bucket list for years so may see you there, if not sooner.
CorkCelt: I think you would have
loved Saturday night and appreciate you taking a ticket even though you couldn’t make it. I’ll be at the event you mentioned in April so would love to meet up if you get a chance.
Thanks to everyone who came over for the weekend and to those who couldn’t make it but made valuable contributions in a private capacity.
Finally, spare a thought for those who had made arrangements to attend but were unable to for family reasons.
HAMILTONTIM on 28TH MARCH 2016 7:46 PM
Cheers my friend, really looking King forward to it.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Just on the off chance that it hasn’t been mentioned BBC Alba now showing the brilliant RTE Easter Rising series- Ar-a-mach na Càisge. Series centres around the lives and roles of the seven signatories of ‘The Proclamation’. Also on I Player, well worth a watch.
Only our own red blood CSC
If DD attends the semi-final hoping to see that great team with a wonderful history, he’s going to be disappointed.
Instead , he’ll see a shoite team with a short and completely unremarkable history.
D’ye think somebody ought to tell him?
Bbc 4 10pm liam neeson narrates 1916: The irish Rebellion
HH
Clogher/Almore
Thank you gents for everything.
A, I hope you and T had a lovely anniversary.
JUNGLE VIP on 28TH MARCH 2016 7:14 PM
Auldheid said: ‘ If we are to get change at the SFA then I can think of no one right now who is in a better position and with the motivation to achieve it than PL. Can you?’ – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/resist-of-wither-like-miss-havisham/comment-page-41/#comments
With all due respect (and I genuinely mean that, to someone who has – rightly – become a bit of a hero to many of us) … Who you you mean by ‘we’ and what can you tell us – with any confidence – about the true ‘motivation’ of PL … ?
VIP
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/resist-of-wither-like-miss-havisham/comment-page-44/#comments
==========
Good questions. By “we” I assumed SFA reform in terms of making them accountable was something we all as Celtic supporters would subscribe to.
As regards PL’S motivations I don’t know but I know that if I were in his shoes I’d work out that what is in Celtic’s best interests is being seen to be true to the ethics that make us Celtic and I like to think that high amongst those are honesty.
Meeting ethical aspirations will imo restore my belief that I am essentially supporting something that is good. I hope that would extend to others.
Gary 67
Depends whether the monthly medal at Sandy Lane is on the same weekend
Hh
Winning captains and Paul.
There needs to be a new section opened.
Cqns greatest posts.
A place we keep the best of posts. With no comments added.
Starting with hamiltontimz and tontines tonight.
Magnificent contributions.
Keep it lit.
HT: I forgot to get her a card so it should have gone downhill from there but it didn’t which is why I still love her:-)
JM-did I hear you getting a name check on RS on Saturday re Bobby Bluebell?
An Tearman
Yes I think it was on the JJ site I read PL voted against DK.
It was at the back of my mind I’d read it somewhere but I like to check if I can.
Stivs
Cheers mate.
Almore
With the amount of time you’ve spent on Celtic and the Republican movement over decades it goes without saying that she must be pretty special. Trust me, I know!
Paul67 et al
Glad to read of those who made it to Dublin over the Easter weekend and the commemoration of the 1916 Rising. Special mention to all those in and around Dublin who helped make that possible for some, organising events, transport, visits and all, Almore, Clogher Celt, WITS et al. Generated lots of coverage and fair bit of debate over here including main stream media. Irish newspapers recapping the Rising on a day to day basis starting today, so will keep reading through the week.
auldheid
While you are on, I noticed that JJ claimed, and not for the first time that “They transferred the licence of the old company to a new company”. Didn’t you clarify this assertion before, or am I mistook?
Auldheid
I have a great deal of respect for all your efforts and those of BRTH, Canamalar and Morrissey, however, I think an earlier post by Kill Ultra should be addressed.
I wasn’t a shareholder at the time of Res 12 but had I been, I’d have followed your lead.
On the day of the AGM I’d have been apoplectic if I’d signed up only to find that the Resolution had been withdrawn.
Can I ask. Did you speak to or ask permission of the signatories before agreeing to speak to Celtic?
BT You spoke earlier about the open sore of the Civil War & being a Collin’s man.
I wonder if things would have been different if Collins had lived but the actions of the Free State Government still makes my blood boil almost a hundred years later. I append the last letter of the first & youngest Republican Prisoner, executed for being in possession of a revolver. Not Murder, not attempted Murder just possession of a revolver and thus it continued. The Brits executed 24 the Free State executed 80 plus the scores of other unarmed prisoners unofficially executed throughout the Country.
Sorry for bringing this up at this time but Hamilton Tim’s post and your response just pushed a button in me that I couldn’t control.
Dear Mother,
I am now awaiting the supreme penalty at 7 o’clock in the morning but I am perfectly happy, because I’ve seen the Priest and I am going to die a good Catholic and a soldier of the Irish Republic. Don’t worry or cry for me, but pray for the repose of my soul and my three comrades. I asked to see you, but they say that they would see what they could do.
Ask all my friends and comrades to pray for me and Dick and my two comrades. Mother I would just love one look at all the faces at home, your’s above all, but seemly that is denied me. I get everything I want now, which as you know is the usual stunt. Mother, my heart grieves for one look at your dear face; but please God I will meet you and them all in heaven. I picture how this will effect you, but Mother don’t fret, for remember I am happy. The Priest here is going to get me to hear my confession, and I will receive at the altar in the morning.
Lord Jesus give me courage in my last moments. If I had only got told of my sentence I would have been well prepared before now. Oh Mother if I could only see you, just again. Don’t fret Mother because I am happy.
To my Mother I dearly love, Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye. We will meet again in Heaven please God, Mother. God strengthen you in this ordeal Mother. I am to die for Ireland.
(Signed) J. B. Fisher.
Embramike @embramike 2m2 minutes ago
@CelticFCTickets i will decline a ticket (HCTS member) as i did the previous time we played new club and for same reasons I gave @celticfc
Thanks for that, Auldheid.
What a great shame it’s PL and not you who’s batting for us Bhoys.
Through what appears to this observer to be a shocking lack of leadership, or moral awareness/courage on the part of PL, or whoever is pulling his strings,
I’m afraid I am sorely sceptical about PL’s long game.
But I marvel at your patience, perseverance and optimism and wish you every success.
I must say I also sense a historic moment looming, when fan (and shareholder) power wins the day.
Does that make me a deluded fool (too) … ?
VIP
HT – Powerful and inspirational mo chara.
Almore – Thanks a million to yerself and the Clogher fella for organising also the walking tour was brilliant, so thanks also to the bold Noel. The oul fella didn’t forget to mention the occupied 6 counties as it came to an end.
The Bad Dawgs CSC flag was a cracker – from the old Gilbert O’Sullivan song…
I was as happy as could be, happy as could be…
God bless the CQN posse, those who were there also the legends who couldn’t be there.
Slainte.
HH.
jimmynotpaul 6.51
Nail on head ! We should be reading it here. This great blog in my humble opinion has turned into the ” celtic view ” before the rebels won . What is happening !!!! Res 12 is a HUGE thing for all our fans yet it isnt discussed by our esteemed leader. If Paul67 is genuinely holding back for a real reason why not say so and we will back off. TSFM and JJ are good sites for stuff like this Im really surprised that so many people on here have never heard of JJ blog before. He is a Rangers man who calls it as he sees it ,can be a bit gung ho at times and has made a few boobs along the way and he does nt like us . Fair play to him he has called the whole new club old club correctly hence so many sevco fans dismiss him. I genuinely fear for our club at the moment . If the club dont act on this it has the potential to tear us apart and attendances could be poorer than this season ……………I am totally befuddled !
oglach/an tearmann
Good shout! Well done BBC Alba and BBC4!
What are our objectives for the next three months and what if anything can we do to assist in reaching our goals?
1. WIN THE LEAGUE. With 89 minutes gone at Kilmarnock it looked ominous but a wonder goal changed everything and a deflated Aberdeen lost a few hours later, having been in the lead. We can turn up in numbers and support the team – it was worth it eventually at Rugby Park.
2. BEAT SEVCO. Those with strong stomachs for that game will make the noise and remind the same (!) club that they’re new. You can also ensure that Res 12 banners are in the stadium. Plenty of buses to help display.
3. GET A RESULT ON RES 12 – the status quo is untenable. We have the 4 Resolutioners on here and should agree to follow their lead. BRTH has a great legal brain and is playing out a winning strategy at the moment. This is not the time to have a dig at these guys. If engaged professionally their fees would have been fortunes. Auldheid? Saw he was getting some negative feedback earlier? Personally I think we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Let’s get the right message on some banners for Hampden – will an informed message.
4. WIN THE SCOTTISH CUP. If we have achieved the above let’s have a cup winning party at Hampden. Hopefully there will be no need for the banners.
Ps Auldheid is writing a book. Just waiting on the final chapter. Hopefully it will be finished soon.
Winning Captain
Paying a Living Wage?
Corkcelt
We will disagree in person next time we speak
WC
Promoting food drives for the most needy?
WC
Not banning Celtic supporters from the stadium until trial and verdict?
Saint Stivs
Happy to lift the two articles and post as features if the two writers agree. That way the posts have their own online identity and will reach a wider audience.
WC
You get the hint.
Hamiltontim
Yes 100% agree. We should add them all – any other suggestions?