Which ex-City striker shares a footballing award with Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, and Pelé?
First we need to consider England’s win in the 1966 World Cup. Importantly, it was a tournament enjoyed by a global audience on television – even in the famously soccer-shy United States.
Sensing the American public may finally be ready to embrace the beautiful game, the US money men immediately set about creating the North American Soccer League (NASL).
The NASL opened with its first season in 1968 and was heavily-promoted by CBS in an attempt to become an established and successful part of the North American TV sporting schedule. The US league used money and glamour to attract a multitude of world stars to the States.
World Cup legends and international stars flocked to play for dollars in the sun. Players such as Brazilian legends Pelé and Carlos Alberto; England World Cup winners Alan Ball, Gordon Banks, Geoff Hurst, and Bobby Moore; German World Cup winners Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller; Dutch superstars Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens; and even Northern Ireland’s wayward maestro, George Best, all made their way to the NASL.
Although average league attendances only reached about 3,000 in the early years, crowds improved and several games during the peak 1970s years attracted well over 30,000 people, with New York Cosmos holding the record for the highest attendance of 48,000 in 1979.
In addition to the headline acts, many other professional players from the UK made their way across the Atlantic, including an avalanche of players from Norwich City (see list at bottom of the page) who often used the close season to pick up extra income playing Stateside.
So, back to the question, which former Norwich City player shared the same footballing award as Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, and Pelé?
Any idea?
Mmm, let’s see…
In 1979, the league’s MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award went to Dutch superstar Johan Cruyff.
In 1977 the MVP went to ‘The Kaiser’ himself, Franz Beckenbauer.
And in 1976 it went to simply the best player in the world, Pelé.
But who won it in 1974?
It was Baltimore Comets (and ex-NCFC) striker… Peter Silvester.
Silvester was a more than useful centre-forward, scoring 14 goals in 18 games for the Comets that year and justly earning the MVP award. The popular Silvester’s record wasn’t too shabby for the Canaries either scoring 37 goals in 100 appearances between 1969-73 and helping secure the boys in yellow their first crack at the top league in England in 1972/73.
Sharing the award with Cruyff, Beckenbauer, and Pelé must have been a real coup for Silvester. Utterly brilliant in fact. He could not have wished to have been in more exalted company.
The modern equivalent would be a former NCFC striker (let’s say Dean Coney) clutching a cup and sharing a podium with Kylian Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi while being sprayed with champagne. Astonishing.
There was joy for other Carrow Road alumni during this period too. Ex-City midfielder Trevor Hockey was signed to Las Vegas Quicksilvers in 1977 and played in the same team as Portuguese legend Eusebio. That’s Eusebio by the way. One of the best footballers ever. Fantástico.
Of separate interest maybe, some other NASL players of the time went on to manage successfully in England. They include gruff ’n’ tough Sam Allardyce (who did very well at Bolton and briefly managed England in 2016); Hampshire Scot Bruce Rioch (who managed NCFC between 1998-2000); John Faulkner (who was NCFC assistant manager to Mike Walker from 1992-95); and Harry Redknapp (Tottenham and West Ham manager – and ex-NCFC triallist and reserve team player during the 1973/74 season. Yes, really.).
But for kindness’ sake, let’s not forget the violet end of the spectrum over the border and remember those stars from the ITFC golden age who made it there too; Alan Brazil, Brian Talbot, Frans Thijssen, and Trevor Whymark. Excellent players all.
But, in the words of 1970s US TV detective, Columbo: ‘There is one last thing…’
While we’re talking football in the US, what about the heavily body-armoured, grid-iron, egg-shaped ball kind?
Perhaps you remember an Anglia TV news item in the 1980s about ex-City defender Phil Alexander who’d moved to the States to be a kicker for one of the big NFL American Football teams?
Alas, much-missed Peter Falk isn’t around to help us solve the mystery, but perhaps you can? Do you know how Phil Alexander got on?
Hi Chris
Some fascinating and dare I say unlikely City names in that list to be sure.
I normally only really associate Hucks with playing in the States [for San Jose Earthquakes] but that was much later and in MLS rather than the NASL, of course.
A very interesting blast from the past.
Thanks Martin. Your comments are much appreciated. Looking forward to your next article! Best wishes.
I just wonder what Eusabio made of Trevor Hockey! Beauty and the Beast made real.
Thanks Don H. A marriage made in.. I don’t know where quite! What a wonderful thing to add to your footballing CV though, eh?
Best wishes.
Phil Alexander is CEO of Crystal Palace. He had trials for some NFL teams. He played for London Monarchs. See Wikipedia.
Thanks Colin. Hope all well with you. Good info there.
Whatever position did Kevin Bond play for Seattle Sounder Chris ? 16 goals in 30 games is mighty impressive.
I also think Peter Silvester played in Pele’s and New York Cosmos last official NAFL game for Washington Diplomats.
Once Tommy Bryceland left Peter was my favourite player in those early days of supporting City. His injury was a tragedy for himself and the club. Personally I think he would have taken the step up to the First Division with ease.
I think Graham Paddon and Mick Mcguire played for Tampa in the close season if my memory is correct. Do not think that would happen today.
The NAFL folded because of poor attendances, I am willing to bet they would have never believed at that time an American “soccer” team would one day get an attendances of 72,000 ( Atlanta) And an average of 52,000.
It’s a funny old game !
Brilliant stuff, thanks Tim Ball! All the outfield NCFC players encountered during research seemed to have a pretty good scoring record and a better one in the NASL than in the UK. General perception at the time was it was an ‘easier’ league. In fact all the outfield NCFC players – even the defenders – scored over there, apart from Trevor Hockey and Mel Machin. Great to read your comments, thanks Tim.
No mention of Canada! When we emigrated there in ‘77, I used to go see the Toronto Blizzard play.
Indeed, Jason. Both Jimmy Bone and David Fairclough turned out for Toronto Blizzard as mentioned in the charts above. Also three mentions of Vancouver too – Whitecaps and Royal Canadians. What were the Canadian games, stadium, and crowds like, Jason?
They played at Exhibition Stadium. It also hosted professional baseball and “Canadian” football which meant it wasn’t great for either! It was called “The worst stadium in sports” and “the mistake by the lake”! Despite that, I quite enjoyed it. Capacity was about 54,000 though I don’t remember it being that full. As Toronto is very multi-cultural (with Little Italy, Little Portugal, Greektown, etc.) there was a relatively high demand for football there. I played for my high school team that won a special tournament commemorating the 150th anniversary of “soccer” in Toronto!