This one is hot off the press. Another of Barrow’s favourite sons had a statue unveiled today – Emlyn Hughes, a sporting captain who has never been surpassed.
I’m referring, of course, to his captaincy on the BBC quiz A Question of Sport, which has not been graced with another with the same intelligence and wit. The same could probably be said of the England football team, which he also captained though ironically in a long career he never appeared in a World Cup or European Championship. He did, however, captain the greatest club side England has ever known, Liverpool under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, and took them to four League Championships, two European Cups and an FA Cup.
I’ll say this too, you’d never have caught him posing in celebrity restaurants, getting pissed in nightclubs, being involved in gang rape, or any of the other antics of today’s pea-brained premiership prima donnas.
April 18, 2008 at 9:57 pm |
I used to enjoy QofS when Emlyn was there with Willie Carson – It doesn’t seem as good these days – I caught the last few minutes of it tonight. Didn’t know he was from Barrow.
April 19, 2008 at 7:47 am |
Emlyn Hughes! Emlyn Hughes the mighty Liverpool and England captain!! Emlyn Hughes of one of my all time favourite 64 games Emlyn Hughes International Soccer!!!
There seem to be no shortage of sporting supertars from Barrow!
April 19, 2008 at 8:50 am |
Actually Kris, he appears to be wearing Willie Horne’s boots!
April 19, 2008 at 12:29 pm |
Crazy Horse himself. I too had no idea he was from Barrow. I agree on both counts, the programme and the Emgland team have both seen better days and miss the sheer entusiasm that Emlyn had above all else.
As for the photo, It’s composed just right against that rather atmospheric sky.