Alan Brazil, Paul Mariner and John O’Rourke – are these among ITFC’s top 10 strikers ever?
Marcus Stewart - Credit: Archant
On, the fourth day of Christmas, we bring you…Town’s top ten strikers.
The bubbly is flowing as Town celebrate winning the Second Division championship in 1968. From left, Bill Baxter, Ken Hancock, Billy Houghton, John O'Rourke, trainer Sammy Chung, manager Bill McGarry, Danny Hegan, Tommy Carroll, Ray Crawford, and Frank Brogan.
Yes, these are some of the goalscoring heroes who the Portman Road faithful have idolised over the years.
This is editor Terry Hunt’s top ten – has he missed out your hero?
Alan Brazil
The Scot developed an almost telepathic understanding with Arnold Muhren. Has there ever been a deadlier finisher in a one-on-one situation? Never the same player after he left Portman Road.
The best goal ever at Portman Road? Paul Mariner celebrates his winner against Aston Villa in the 1981 FA Cup. - Credit: Archant
Ray Crawford
Town’s record goalscorer from two highly prolific spells. He and Ted Phillips scored hundreds for Alf Ramsey’s miracle team, and then he came back to fire Town into the First Division again in 1968. Known to younger fans for his famously excitable summarising on radio.
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Tom Garneys
Londoner Garneys played for Town throughout the 1950s, before being replaced by Crawford. He netted 143 times in 272 games, and apparently a favourite chant at Portman Road at the time was “Give it to Garneys.’’
David Johnson (1970s)
Town fans were rather taken aback when, out of the blue, Bobby Robson swapped centre-forward Rod Belfitt for an unknown Everton striker called David Johnson. It was a masterstroke as Johnson formed a deadly partnership with Trevor Whymark. Just don’t mention Lazio to him…
David Johnson (1990s/2000s)
The second David Johnson played a huge part in creating the momentum which eventually saw Burley’s team promoted. He was prolific in the second tier, but failed to find the net in the top-flight and lost his place to a certain Marcus Stewart.
Paul Mariner
The complete striker – Mariner had everything. Goals, assists, hold-up play, it was all there in large quantities, and with such quality. Not surprisingly, he carved out a very impressive England record as well.
John O’Rourke
O’Rourke arrived from Middlesbrough to provide the final piece in the jigsaw of McGarry’s Division Two title wnning team of 1968. He certainly did that, scoring 12 goals in 15 games and another 17 in the team’s first season back in the top flight.
Ted Phillips
Suffolk boy who, alongside Ray Crawford, scored the goals which propelled Alf Ramsey’s homespun bunch of cast-offs to the biggest prize in English football. Supposedly had the hardest shot in football. Renowned practical joker.
Marcus Stewart
Signed from promotion rivals Huddersfield to fire us into the Premier League. He did just that, with goals in the play-off semi-final and then the final. Then sublimely scored 21 goals in our first season back in the top-flight. Should have been picked for England.
Trevor Whymark
A Norfolk boy who Town snapped up, Whymark was legendary for his ability in the air. Sadly missed the 1978 FA Cup final due to the injury which would effectively end his career. But his name still appeared in the official programme, which was good enough to convince Margaret Thatcher that he was her man of the match!
