Who is this City player?

[tforturton]

This story came up on the Google News feed, and I've attached the link, because I can't copy the picture. Scroll down the article till you reach the picture of Andy Rankin, with an unknown City player stood behind him. Can't say I've ever seen a shirt like that, either...

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/18912200.watford-fc-memories-pictures-three-goalkeepers-1970s/

[tforturton]

Re: Who is this City player?

Could only have been in the 69-70 or 70-71 seasons, as far as I can tell.

[cardiff55]

Re: Who is this City player?

I've never seen that kit before. Are you sure it is City? Looks like late 70s/ early 80s to me.

[tforturton]

Re: Who is this City player?

That's what caught my eye. I didn't recognise the shirt, but what else could it be?
Thought if someone could identify the player it might help. In fact, the other guy (right behind Rankin) is also a City player. Anyone recognise those two?

[Tuerto]

Re: Who is this City player?

Check out the Watford Hornet on Steve Sherwoods shirt, 2nd photo down

[tforturton]

Re: Who is this City player?

You might be right on the dates, I have no idea, but I can see we played them during the 80-81 season, and we also had Umbro shirts at that time as well..

[blue lewj]

Re: Who is this City player?

I think that could be a Walsall shirt.

The bluebird could in fact be a downturned red swift. Look at the angle of it.

[Trigger]

Re: Who is this City player?

I think that could be a Walsall shirt.

The bluebird could in fact be a downturned red swift. Look at the angle of it.

yep looks like their kit from late 70s.

http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Walsall/Walsall.htm

[NYCBlue]

Re: Who is this City player?

I think that could be a Walsall shirt.

The bluebird could in fact be a downturned red swift. Look at the angle of it.

Well spotted. Definitely not a City kit.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Who is this City player?

I must be missing something because I don't get where the assumption that it was City that Watford were playing in that photo of Rankin has come from. There is no mention of who the opposition is in the article as far as I can see and just reading the piece tells you that Rankin signed for Watford in November 1971, staying with them for what looks like five years. That picture was clearly not taken at Ninian Park, so, if City were the opposition, the match must have been at Vicarage Road and yet we didn't play on that ground between September 1971 and September 1979 - the only time Rankin played for Watford against us was in December 1971 at Ninian Park in a game we won 2-0.

[Toadstool]

Re: Who is this City player?

I must be missing something because I don't get where the assumption that it was City that Watford were playing in that photo of Rankin has come from. There is no mention of who the opposition is in the article as far as I can see and just reading the piece tells you that Rankin signed for Watford in November 1971, staying with them for what looks like five years. That picture was clearly not taken at Ninian Park, so, if City were the opposition, the match must have been at Vicarage Road and yet we didn't play on that ground between September 1971 and September 1979 - the only time Rankin played for Watford against us was in December 1971 at Ninian Park in a game we won 2-0.

I think it was just the badge that makes you think it's city - and the fact the photo is in b&w the kit does look like it could be blue.

[tforturton]

Re: Who is this City player?

Glad we got to the bottom of that. It was the badge that threw me off the trail.
Well done to Blue lewj for spotting it was probably Walsall.

[splott parker]

Re: Who is this City player?

I think it was just the badge that makes you think it's city - and the fact the photo is in b&w the kit does look like it could be blue.

Looks red in my black & white photo

[Trigger]

Re: Who is this City player?

I must be missing something because I don't get where the assumption that it was City that Watford were playing in that photo of Rankin has come from. There is no mention of who the opposition is in the article as far as I can see and just reading the piece tells you that Rankin signed for Watford in November 1971, staying with them for what looks like five years. That picture was clearly not taken at Ninian Park, so, if City were the opposition, the match must have been at Vicarage Road and yet we didn't play on that ground between September 1971 and September 1979 - the only time Rankin played for Watford against us was in December 1971 at Ninian Park in a game we won 2-0.

I think Bob, what you have missed is that not everyone has swallowed Biff's sports Almanac like your good self.

[BINGE THINKING]

Re: Who is this City player?

I must be missing something because I don't get where the assumption that it was City that Watford were playing in that photo of Rankin has come from. There is no mention of who the opposition is in the article as far as I can see and just reading the piece tells you that Rankin signed for Watford in November 1971, staying with them for what looks like five years. That picture was clearly not taken at Ninian Park, so, if City were the opposition, the match must have been at Vicarage Road and yet we didn't play on that ground between September 1971 and September 1979 - the only time Rankin played for Watford against us was in December 1971 at Ninian Park in a game we won 2-0.

Rankin was actually with Watford for nine years and played for them against us in a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road in September 1979. However, we definitely played in the classic 1970's all-blue with yellow and white stripes that day. I was there and still remember Gary Stevens' last-minute equaliser.