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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AidenBhoy, sadly it seems so.
I won’t abandon Celtic though.
I won’t have a season ticket next season, but that is because I can’t get along to enough games for now.
New job is taking up my time, travelling a lot.
I will still be there when I can.
Winning Captains,
I am coming to the Tommy Gemmell evening, so prepare your ears for a battering:-)
I got the Bismarck reference btw, holed below the waterline and all that.
Freedoms Sons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSQrzBhvCn4
The Huddle…
“Saint” puts a lot of thems off celebrating:)
The Bismarck had its rudder damaged by a torpedo therefore could not steer and moved in circles, was finished off by torpedoes.
glendalystonsils…
Auld Doc is well clued up with cameras :)
2nd rangers in administration before promotion is the only way I can see captain petes dream reunion being scuppered.
Scabby scurvy bastards the lot of them.
winning captains
I always wondered why they never made ‘Sink the Bismark II’.
The Foggy Dew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13MQFCfCYdQ
dessybhoy…
Watched a couple of documentaries on the Tripitz, worth a watch.
The Strokes I’ll Try Anything Once Somewhere
https://youtu.be/jVcy2Ak1BIU
Got a wee call from a CQNr there when i was feelling a wee bit sorry for myself,fair cheered me up and got me on the go.
More than a football blog.
Hail Hail
Willie Nelson – Funny How Time Slips Away
https://youtu.be/iZaZqx9v3dU
Celtic Mac
That movie would be restricted to a domestic audience sadly!
Can somebody please post the youtube video of
James Connollys last speech and the Irish citizens army song
Its the 6:49 one
The bismarck never sank.
It’s used to this very day as a pleasure ferry around hamburg
Dropkick Murphys- Warrior’s Code
https://youtu.be/ebHIxQ_zhNY
http://youtu.be/422vdlO8eJQ
Tired of being alone
Al Green
HH
Was out all day so had a decent scrool back there. Ah tell you, pages 5 to 7 were much more enjoyable than 1 to 3!
A scrool back is reading posts in the hope of being educated ;-)
LeftClick, just for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MemUQ1hM0Ps
leftclicktic a wee laugh to gee you up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkpyd2lr4dI
Sipsini
This might interest you – includes a bit on the ‘Sinking of the Govan Ferry’ and a few modes of transport I frequented back in the day! :-)
http://www.govanhistory.org.uk/agc_chapter_two_41.html
Great atmosphere in the concourse of the Blatterdome. Amazing what defying the licensing laws can do.
Tonight Matthew Iam going to be Taylor Swift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSyus3HlQPI
WC
“Spoiler alert for the movie THE Bismarck never did make it back to…. ”
Was it not heading for one of the Atlantic seaports in their Occupied zone in France, maybe the great port of Brest.
Coupled with praecepta’s reference to TITCO we could be on to something here.
Res12 boys are being played by the cfc board
There is no appetite to challenge the SFA even less to do anything that will prevent the ‘return off the famous old club to which our chairman oft refers
Sickening ….
Jobo Baldie on 25th March 2016 8:48 pm
Was out all day so had a decent scrool back there. Ah tell you, pages 5 to 7 were much more enjoyable than 1 to 3!
———————-
I’m sorry there has never been a greater post on here that Big Peat of Islay’s on page 1 :O)
Sipsini
SevcoTirpitz Bismarck or whatever name they are using I hope they to never make it back, what does WC know?
Doc,
I won’t turn my back on Celtic either, but when honest mistakes are made and decisions are made to benefit one club we should hold our tongue.
We had the chance to change it and our club and support said nothing.
Bismarck? End Game?
https://scottishfootballmonitor.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/scottish-football-and-the-case-for-a-bismarck/
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on 25th March 2016 8:51 pm
“Spoiler alert for the movie THE Bismarck never did make it back to…. ”
Was it not heading for one of the Atlantic seaports in their Occupied zone in France, maybe the great port of Brest.
——————–
I think it was due to drop some holidaymakers off in Monaco when it was hit
Doc & whitedoghunch
Thank you
WC
is the hint in “THE”bismark?
are they going to be made to use their real name of “THE”rangers?
The Huddle
“I think it was due to drop some holidaymakers off in Monaco when it was hit”
Probably heading for one of those topless beaches.
AidenBhoy, I will shout high and loud, then as now, in my own little world where we only listen to each other.
But the club? they can have nothing to say.
Leftie, you’re welcome, found it in my favourites:-)
Nora Connolly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUc6_QkkU3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG85FziMdPE
Doc
I know from first hand face to face experience that WC is a top ghuy and am sure he wont mind me affirming this,
However, he has been implying of a smoking gun for a few years now to which you have also noticed and posted about!!
I and all the Celtic blogoshpere wish to see the bullets etc etc!
praecepta
Indeed, we need to plant acorns and let them grow,