Best players you've played against?

WA Toffee · July 15, 2013

So I play in the over 35s league in Perth, and had a league game yesterday which featured 2 ex Australian internationals
Robbie Dunn - 36 Caps
Robert Zabica - 28 caps

As well as that, there were a few ex state players and former professionals.

I'm sure a lot of guys used to play against current professionals in their early years, but does anyone else still regularly play with or against players of that level?

The T-Dex · July 15, 2013

Played against Jose Baxter, scored a great free-kick against us.
I need to rack my brains to remember any others.

DCToffee · July 15, 2013

Tim Howard. Our high schools were rivals. I remember when he charged out and slid into my best friend. A great stop, except for the fact that he kicked my friend in the face after he went tumbling over Howard.

Elong · July 15, 2013

Not too many football players. Went to school with Steve Haines, he's on the coaching staff at Derby County now, must have packed playing the game in early, but he was a hell of a player in early high school and looked destined for a career.

As for cricketers, there's been a few...

Fensta · July 15, 2013

As a kid I played against Bobby Charlton at one of his football training camps around 1981. He was taking it easy, Nutmegging him in a game made my day but i'm sure he let me do it, top fella and top experience. The only downside was we got to meet a few RS players, can't have everything eh.

AndyZ · July 15, 2013

Best player I played with was Michael Bradley (he plays for Roma now). We were on the Illinois state ODP team together for about a year before he was called up to the US National pool and moved to Bradenton, Florida for the residency program at the IMG Academy. He was living in Chicago at the time because it was back when his dad, Bob Bradley, was coaching the Chicago Fire. I'm trying to think of how old we were.. we must of been about 14 or 15, I think? Anyway, he was top player even back then but I honestly would never have guessed he would end up playing in the Premier League and Serie A. Crazy stuff!

geofft · July 15, 2013

I grew up in Harlow, Essex (a real dump) & played regularly against Glenn Hoddle up to the age of about 13 when he was taken on by Spurs. He was a class apart.
He always started games as a free ranging midfielder/forward. We put a lad called Colin Bolt (a real animal even at 10/11 years of age). He'd take Glenn out early on & Glenn would drop deep & play in front of the back 4.

ijjysmith · July 15, 2013

I had a kick about with former Leeds and Arsenal goalkeeper John Lukic in Bakewell park once.

Kurt. · July 15, 2013

Good thread this.....

Mickey Thomas - loads of times in a local 7 a side tournament he used to play in every year.
Joey jones
Deiniol Graham - played for man united in the eighties a few times
Mark Aizelwood
Tony Roberts - ex QPR and Wales keeper
Eifion Williams - used to represent north Wales in the same side as him, he turned pro and played for Hartlepool and Torquay.
Mark Williams - ex Shrewsbury Town player... Good friend of mine who I have a beer with most weeks in my local

Millea · July 15, 2013

John Lundstram who plays for us. Went to the same primary and secondary. I remember back in primary I was stood by the goal and he shot and pinged me right in the face.

Always see him by ours in his Audi.