Traditions: what's in a number?

[RED Tezza]

Alright, i know this thread may be seen as a change of pace. one out of left field you might say. but please even if you have no opinion take the time to read as it took me 30 minutes and 800 spell checks to write this.

Whilst having a few beers at lunch and discussing footie the other day with a couple of work mates. The discussion turned to shirt numbers and the traditions of certain clubs identifying certain numbers with a legend of the club.

This mainly came about due to the news that Rooney was to be handed th coveted number 10 shirt for Man U this season and a big hoohaa in the media because it was Dennis Law’s old number.

Now I know we Liverpool Fans hold a lot of stock in the number 7 shirt due to legends such as Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley dare I say his name Steve McManaman.

Even when it was announced that Harry Kewell who had decided to Join Liverpool and would be handed the coveted number 7 shirt a lot of people, fans and media alike expected more from him than the would had he been given the number 5 shirt for example.

It’s become as recognisable as the traditional shirt for Liverpool the same way the number 10 shirt for the mancs or the number 9 shirt for the bitters.

But should it be the case? Ok some will say that Dalglish wore the 7 shirt therefore it’s the traditional shirt as it goes with the biggest legend. But I pose the question shouldn’t the Traditional shirt number be the shirt number that has had the most legends attached to it.

I know this isn’t an important topic neither does it fit with most people’s opinions but it would be interesting to see which shirt number can be attached to the most legends.

I find it unfair that whom ever takes over the number 7 shirt has added pressure heaped upon them due to those who came before. Even before they’ve kicked a ball.

I mean we’ve all read and heard the comments. Such and such is a disgrace to that shirt blah blah blah. Equally why does no-one place more expectation on Voro (As he’s been given the number 10) look at the previous custodians of that particular number . from memory John Barnes, Michael Owen, Luis Garcia and even before hand.

Surely the Number 10 shirt for us holds tradition especially regarding the John Barnes aspect, last summer voted third in the offal’s 100 players who shook the Kop series behind Kenny and Stevie G.

Or do fans even bother with traditions such as this any more? Is it more subject the media like to occasionally play on? Bringing to the fore as a reminder that such and such has a lot to live up to as “insert any legend’s name here” wore that number with distinction?

Or do fans regard a legends shirt number above that of a squad player for example.

I’ve already named a number of players who have worn the 7 shirt for us and done it justice in terms of the traditional Liverpool player. Or is that why we old that shirt number in such high regard, or again is it just because Kenny wore it.or is it both?

So do you expect more from a Liverpool number 7 than you would from say a Liverpool number 8? Or a Liverpool number 6? And is it down to the fact of who wore the shirt before. And if so please bare in mind that Souness wore 8 when I was growing up and Hughes, Hansen. Wore number 6.

[Sweeney287]

Personally, I don't care about the number as long as they actually perform in the shirt.

As a slight aside, anyone why does Pepe chose not to wear the No.1 jersey?

[RedKnight]

Originally Posted by Sweeney287 Personally, I don't care about the number as long as they actually perform in the shirt. As a slight aside, anyone why does Pepe chose not to wear the No.1 jersey?

It smelt of cheese.

[Ted]

Anyone know yet why Albert got bumped to number 17? Incidentally, I thought he was ace yesterday.

[WaltonRed]

Originally Posted by Ted Anyone know yet why Albert got bumped to number 17? Incidentally, I thought he was ace yesterday.

i thought he was man of the match, didnt put a step wrong.

i love it when we have an ace number 7, 9 and ten. I think we have the 9 and i was dissapointed voronin got 10. He's ace but id of prefered someone else wearing it. As for 7 im sure we will have a new one next summer.

[real red]

Originally Posted by Ted Anyone know yet why Albert got bumped to number 17? Incidentally, I thought he was ace yesterday.

I wondered that, did a bit of "research" and it seems he had number 17 everywhere else he played before coming here. Obviously 17 wasn't available when he joined, but as soon as the opportunity came up he had to take it - superstitious?

I couldn't find any info on which sock he puts on first or if he wears his underpants inside out the day before away games.

[mattyq]

7 is the number for me.
I grew up with Keegan and then, obviously, King Kenneth. Nuff said, really

[bigguly]

Forgive my ignorance, but WHO is Albert?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by bigguly Forgive my ignorance, but WHO is Albert?

Yeah, who is Albert ? I thought ye were talking about the pub.

[Ian Sea]

Originally Posted by Ian Yeah, who is Albert ? I thought ye were talking about the pub.

I presume Albert to be Arbeloa.

As for the numbers I'm not too bothered about which players wear specific numbers but I do like us to have numbers 1 to 11 filled. I also like certain numbers in the 'correct' positions, like 2 and 3 being for full backs, 8 midfield, 7 and 9 strikers, 11 for a left winger. I hated it when Baros wore 5 as a striker, I always like that to be left midfield after Kennedy and Whelan.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Ian Sea I presume Albert to be Arbeloa. As for the numbers I'm not too bothered about which players wear specific numbers but I do like us to have numbers 1 to 11 filled. I also like certain numbers in the 'correct' positions, like 2 and 3 being for full backs, 8 midfield, 7 and 9 strikers, 11 for a left winger. I hated it when Baros wore 5 as a striker, I always like that to be left midfield after Kennedy and Whelan.

I always want to play number 3 as a left back but I think it's dead and buried in the professional game. I think as I've always known squad numbers it doesn't have the same meaning to me.

[Stu Monty]

There's fuck all in a number really. If anything I'd want something stupid like number 32 and then make it the greatest number ever by ruling so hard in it.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Stu Monty There's fuck all in a number really. If anything I'd want something stupid like number 32 and then make it the greatest number ever by ruling so hard in it.

See Carra 23 and Beckham's copying of that.

Michael JOrdan can fuck off.

[Moschops II]

By a strange coincidence, there's a great piece in the new When Saturday Comes about Souness and squad numbers - it's an excerpt from Henning Berg's biography and it'll make pretty depressing reading for anyone who thinks the bloke (Souness, not Berg) is anything but a grade A twat.

Actually, is there anyone who doesn't think Souness is a grade A twat?

[stig]

Originally Posted by Ted Anyone know yet why Albert got bumped to number 17? Incidentally, I thought he was ace yesterday.

Yeh he really looks determined to make a name for himself. Was very busy.

[Stu Monty]

Originally Posted by Moschops II By a strange coincidence, there's a great piece in the new When Saturday Comes about Souness and squad numbers - it's an excerpt from Henning Berg's biography and it'll make pretty depressing reading for anyone who thinks the bloke (Souness, not Berg) is anything but a grade A twat. Actually, is there anyone who doesn't think Souness is a grade A twat?

Great article isn't it Chops. I wouldn't say it was about squad numbers, they are mentioned but it's more an article about what a humongous ballbag of a man Souness is.