Just how good were/was/is/are (Sports Edition)

[Deutsch Wolf]

Thought we'd get more take up on this one. Ah well, can't win 'em all.

6. Nigel Mansell

Nigel Ernest James Mansell, CBE (born 8 August 1953) is a British former racing driver who won both the Formula One World Championship (1992) and the CART Indy Car World Series (1993). Mansell was the reigning F1 champion when he moved over to CART, becoming the first person to win the CART title in his debut season, and making him the only person to hold both the World Drivers' Championship and the American open-wheel National Championship simultaneously.

His career in Formula One spanned 15 seasons, with his final two full seasons of top-level racing being spent in the CART series. Mansell is the second most successful British Formula One driver of all time in terms of race wins with 31 victories, and is seventh overall on the Formula One race winners list behind Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Fernando Alonso. He held the record for the most poles set in a single season, which was broken in 2011 by Sebastian Vettel. He was rated in the top 10 Formula One drivers of all time by longtime Formula One commentator Murray Walker. In 2008, ESPN.com ranked him 24th on their "Top 25 Drivers of All Time" list. He was also ranked No. 9 of the 50 greatest F1 drivers of all time by the Times Online on a list that also included such drivers as Prost, Senna, Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark.

Mansell raced in the Grand Prix Masters series in 2005, and won the championship title. He later signed a one-off race deal for the Scuderia Ecosse GT race team to drive their number 63 Ferrari F430 GT2 car at Silverstone on 6 May 2007. He has since competed in additional sports car races with his sons Leo and Greg, including the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Mansell was inducted to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. He is the current president of one of the UK's largest Youth Work Charities, UK Youth. He is also President of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and has been a Vice President of the British Racing and Sports Car Club since 1987. In September 2014, it was announced that Mansell would be opening a Mitsubishi franchise on Jersey later in the month. In September 2015 the organisers of the Mexican Grand Prix (which was returning to Formula One after a 23-year absence) announced that the final corner of the re-designed Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit would be named after the 1992 Formula One World Champion and winner of the final race at the Mexico City circuit before it was dropped from the Formula One calendar for the 1993 season.

 

[Sniffer]

I can't recall when I stopped watching Formula One, but used to follow it back when Mansell was racing rather than the processions in the periods that followed. Recall watching his tyre explode when on the verge of the title back in the eighties, as then with a lot of sports, UK Champions were a scarce breed.

The youth (and those a bit older) of today have been lucky to witness, Rugby World Cup/Cricket World Cup wins and the likes of Murray, Hamilton, Fury/Joshua and the Olympic Champions that we have churned out over recent years

 

[Nando]

I was dangled over the bridge at Imola as a seven month old when Nigel moved back to Williams in 91. My parents were Mansell fanatics.

I used to religiously watch a Mansell VHS compilation when I was growing up that ran through both the 92 Championship winning season and then his season in CART. Great memories.

 

[sycophantia]

I used to think Mansell was going to be another 'plucky Brit' without pushing the top guys at the start of his career but he really came on strong, always enjoyed watching him, gave 100% every time

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

A decent driver for sure. His move on Picquet into Stowe is rightly a thing of legend. Not absolutely in the top echelon with Senna Hamilton Schumacher Clarke Fangio, but right behind with people like Vettel, Prost and Lauda.

I loved watching him race.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

I don't do Sundays, so missed yesterdays 70's Netherlands.

I had watched the whole 74 tournament but had to work on the day of the final. Seem to recall that they changed their style for that game - trying to become game managers - so got what they deserved from the match, but not from the tournament. They played football you fell in love with - a team full of flair, skill, and confidence. Positions meant nothing. My favourite team of all time. Total tragedy and travesty that they lost consecutive finals - especially when you consider some of the Argentine/German dross that won later tournaments.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

No problem with revisiting the old ones, my man. The thread isn't that busy.

It's a team that fascinates me even though it was years before I was born. That first video I posted is essential viewing.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I really thought they were still brilliant in 1978, although no Cruyff for fairly standard Dutch falling out reasons! The 1978 final was ridiculous. Argentina shouldn't have been there but for a total fix by Peru and their Argentinian keeper throwing everything in his own net, and then on the day Kempes just became a legendary forward for about forty minutes. I went to bed gutted that night as I so wanted Holland to win. Six years old and gutted by football, it seems faintly daft now.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

BTW - check out Arie Haans goal against Italy. To beat Dino Zoff from that range. Holy moly.

 

[Paul]

 

[Kenny]

Shit keeping really. Concrete boots I presume...

 

[Paul]

He never amounted to much after that anyway

 

[Sniffer]

I voted for that as goal of the tournament (asked my dad to send our entry in). Some spawny effort from Archie Gemmil won it.

 

[Sniffer]

A magnificent side. Rinus Michels was a tactical genius. I was woken up to watch the 1978 final but although I was present on my dad's knee I have no recollection of the 1974 final. Obviously I have watched chunks of it since many times. Cruyff was a truly special player indeed.

Jongbloed was a cracking keeper

Haan and Van Hannegem, Wim Jansen.

Krol, Neeskens

The names trip off the tongue.

For me, the best side never to win the world cup.

From what I recall (aged 6!)The 78 final was on in the early evening. There was a delay because of an argument over a Dutch players cast on his wrist wasn’t there?

 

[Donegal Wolf]

There was indeed, I think it was one of the Van Der Kerkoffs twins, but could be wrong.

Summer of 1979 ( I think ) we were on the verge of signing one of the twins and it collapsed at the last moment, cant remember why

 

[Sniffer]

Cruyuff claimed that he was kidnapped by gangsters and told that his family would be harmed if he went to Argentina in 78.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

His other goal in the tournament wasnt a tap-in either

https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/s...243037a96c5f84fc0fc7c9dc8cee60b0&action=click

 

[Keef]

Just needs the Alan partridge football commentary over the top,the "he's got a foot like a traction engine,SHIT did you see that? And that was liquid football"

 

[Paul]

Ok whilst were on a Dutch theme

 

[Rui_CostCo]

Thought we'd get more take up on this one. Ah well, can't win 'em all.

6. Nigel Mansell

Nigel Ernest James Mansell, CBE (born 8 August 1953) is a British former racing driver who won both the Formula One World Championship (1992) and the CART Indy Car World Series (1993). Mansell was the reigning F1 champion when he moved over to CART, becoming the first person to win the CART title in his debut season, and making him the only person to hold both the World Drivers' Championship and the American open-wheel National Championship simultaneously.

His career in Formula One spanned 15 seasons, with his final two full seasons of top-level racing being spent in the CART series. Mansell is the second most successful British Formula One driver of all time in terms of race wins with 31 victories, and is seventh overall on the Formula One race winners list behind Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Fernando Alonso. He held the record for the most poles set in a single season, which was broken in 2011 by Sebastian Vettel. He was rated in the top 10 Formula One drivers of all time by longtime Formula One commentator Murray Walker. In 2008, ESPN.com ranked him 24th on their "Top 25 Drivers of All Time" list. He was also ranked No. 9 of the 50 greatest F1 drivers of all time by the Times Online on a list that also included such drivers as Prost, Senna, Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark.

Mansell raced in the Grand Prix Masters series in 2005, and won the championship title. He later signed a one-off race deal for the Scuderia Ecosse GT race team to drive their number 63 Ferrari F430 GT2 car at Silverstone on 6 May 2007. He has since competed in additional sports car races with his sons Leo and Greg, including the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Mansell was inducted to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. He is the current president of one of the UK's largest Youth Work Charities, UK Youth. He is also President of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and has been a Vice President of the British Racing and Sports Car Club since 1987. In September 2014, it was announced that Mansell would be opening a Mitsubishi franchise on Jersey later in the month. In September 2015 the organisers of the Mexican Grand Prix (which was returning to Formula One after a 23-year absence) announced that the final corner of the re-designed Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit would be named after the 1992 Formula One World Champion and winner of the final race at the Mexico City circuit before it was dropped from the Formula One calendar for the 1993 season.

Mansell really was that good. The Mansell charge was something to behold. Should have had more than the one title, and would have done but for mechanical failures.