A cult hero is somebody, not necessarily the best player but not exclusive to average players, who produced iconic moments on or off the pitch but no where near at the same regularity as the legends.

 

Good post, I thought this Football Fancast piece was interesting, suggesting various criteria for a 'cult hero':

 

 

The Unsung Hero – The player that does not make the headlines but always gives 110% without fail. He may not get on the score sheet often or be partial to a step over or a Cruyff turn but when he’s out of the team you realise what an important player he is. Ian Holloway summed up this type of player with this funny quote : “It’s all very well having a great pianist playing but it’s no good if you haven’t got anyone to get the piano on the stage in the first place, otherwise the pianist would be standing there with no bloody piano to play.”

 

The Eccentric – This player is all about personality. Whether it’s the comedy factor of Jimmy Bullard or Gazza, or the crazy hairstyles like Marc Bircham or Taribo West, there is something about them than the average footballer. Or it could be players like Andrei Kanchelskis or Lee Trundle who liked to do some showboating on the pitch, check them out on YouTube for your own entertainment. Also the likes of former USA defender Alexi Lalas fit this bill perfectly.

 

The Trouble Maker – The pantomime villain that the opposition love to hate but you love him for exactly that. Whether it’s the exuberant tackles or moaning to the referee, it’s always a fiery encounter when they are on the field. Robbie Savage deserves a mention here although he could also fit the eccentric side of things with his flowing blonde hair. Other shouts have to be Vinnie Jones and  Neil Ruddock, without these types of players football wouldn’t have character.

 

Mr Football Club – Joining the club as a young boy and playing out his whole career at the club. This Cult Hero is in the fans’ hearts forever although he may not have been the best they’ve ever seen, his loyalty is seen as something far greater. Southampton can boast a fair few of these players with the likes of Matthew Le Tissier, Jason Dodd and Francis Benali. Also former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Steve Bull, these types of cult hero’s are usually involved with the club long after they retire.

 

The Foreigner – Perhaps more favourable away from the top clubs where players from abroad are in abundance, the foreign signing can become a bit of a cult favourite amongst a section of supporters. I fondly remember the likes of Argentinean left back Gino Padula at QPR who looked a bit out of place playing in the old Division Two but was admired at Loftus Road during his time there. Other shouts have to go to ‘Nobby’ Solano of Newcastle and Richard Sneekes at West Bromwich Albion, let’s not forget Juninho and Emerson at Middlesbrough.

 

It’s in the Name – Everyone loves a good football chant and some players’ names are just asking for it and in return they become a hit with the fans. It wasn’t that long ago down at QPR where we had Doudou and sh*ttu playing in the same team, other names include the likes of Uwe Fuchs (Middlesbrough, Millwall) and Joseph Desire-Job. It does not have to be a funny name for a popular chant amongst the terraces, I have a dozen of examples I could use to prove my point but such language would not be appropriate.

 

So bad, they’re good – In some cases the Cult Hero stems from the player being so bad that they actually have an ironic following by supporters. That striker who never seems to score but always finds a way into the first team, Carl Leaburn anybody? Or it could be the likes of former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen or current Watford defender Lloyd Doyley who score once every solar eclipse but the fans love to shout ‘shoot!’ whenever they get the ball.

 

One Hit Wonder – Ever heard of Jimmy Glass? He is a Carlisle United legend despite only making 3 appearances for the club on loan. Why? Because the Goalkeeper scored, yes scored, an injury time winner back in 1999 in the last game of the season which kept the Cumbrian side in the Football League.

Edited May 5, 201511 yr by PloKoon13

Willian is a cult hero.

We like to shout shoot whenever Mikel gets a chance for that 

Does Sparky get a shout as a Cult Hero? He did alright during those wonder years in the late '90s. Then again I was watching from afar. Or basically only reading about Chelsea back then.

Does Sparky get a shout as a Cult Hero? He did alright during those wonder years in the late '90s. Then again I was watching from afar. Or basically only reading about Chelsea back then.

He's a cult hero in my eyes

He's a cult hero in my eyes

 

what kind of reception does he get when he returns to the club? It seems he has always had a job as a gaffer in the past 10 years.

Does Sparky get a shout as a Cult Hero? He did alright during those wonder years in the late '90s. Then again I was watching from afar. Or basically only reading about Chelsea back then.

 

Absolutely. He was really at the tail end of his career when he came here, but still a terrific player who put in some massive performances. Remember him turning around the FA Cup game against Liverpool and the winner against Vicenza.

Absolutely. He was really at the tail end of his career when he came here, but still a terrific player who put in some massive performances. Remember him turning around the FA Cup game against Liverpool and the winner against Vicenza.

 

Two of the best atmospheres I've ever experienced at the Bridge and he was massive in those games so he's definitely a bit of a legend in my books. Remember his transfer coming out of nowhere and reading about it on Ceefax just a couple of years after he was instrumental in the Cup Final against us.

Two of the best atmospheres I've ever experienced at the Bridge and he was massive in those games so he's definitely a bit of a legend in my books. Remember his transfer coming out of nowhere and reading about it on Ceefax just a couple of years after he was instrumental in the Cup Final against us.

 

Wasn't it just a couple of days after we got Gullit? Completely out of the blue. For a club who had been going nowhere in particular for years, we suddenly had the great Ruud Gullit and Mark Hughes playing for us. Have to hand it to Bates, Hutchinson and Harding, they really turned us around.

 

Hughes had that Drogba knack of doing the business in the games that mattered most. After he scored against Vicenza, Vialli said he just looked to the heavens and said "thank you Sparky". I recall another big performance in the cup semi against Wimbledon, who had beasted us earlier that season.

Wasn't it just a couple of days after we got Gullit? Completely out of the blue. For a club who had been going nowhere in particular for years, we suddenly had the great Ruud Gullit and Mark Hughes playing for us. Have to hand it to Bates, Hutchinson and Harding, they really turned us around.

 

Hughes had that Drogba knack of doing the business in the games that mattered most. After he scored against Vicenza, Vialli said he just looked to the heavens and said "thank you Sparky". I recall another big performance in the cup semi against Wimbledon, who had beasted us earlier that season.

 

It must've been pretty close because I think they made their debuts in the same pre-season match at Gillingham. You're right about Hutchinson deserving credit although he got a bit iffy towards the end.

Absolutely. He was really at the tail end of his career when he came here, but still a terrific player who put in some massive performances. Remember him turning around the FA Cup game against Liverpool and the winner against Vicenza.

I'm afraid I couldn't tell you but everyone I talk to seems to hold him in high regard

What about Ruud Gullit? Personally I feel he is a Legend. Winning the FA Cup as a Player/Coach. Am I the only one that thinks this?

What about Ruud Gullit? Personally I feel he is a Legend. Winning the FA Cup as a Player/Coach. Am I the only one that thinks this?

Nope I agree, he was instrumental in changing this club

What about Ruud Gullit? Personally I feel he is a Legend. Winning the FA Cup as a Player/Coach. Am I the only one that thinks this?

No, not the only one mate. For me his signing reply kick started our progress upwards.

Cult hero Joey Jones. Gave everything on the pitch, and had such a good relationship with us supporters.

What about Ruud Gullit? Personally I feel he is a Legend. Winning the FA Cup as a Player/Coach. Am I the only one that thinks this?

 

Alongside Ballack he's one of the most graceful players I've ever seen so he's definitely close to being a legend. I recall him choosing to come here because Hoddle said he could play at sweeper so you have to really credit Hod with really kickstarting our transformation in the 90s. He had pulling power

 

Suppose he could very well go down as a legend too. Don't think I'll ever see a better passer of the ball than him.

I recall Gullit choosing to come here because Hoddle said he could play at sweeper so you have to really credit Hod with really kickstarting our transformation in the 90s.

 

IMHO I feel there is a little disconnect w/ Hoddle. He left too early IMHO. Then he went to spudz. I would rather have him over fsw any day of the week. Then again, it's just me the Blue eyed Californian Chelsea fan ;)

IMHO I feel there is a little disconnect w/ Hoddle. He left too early IMHO. Then he went to spudz. I would rather have him over fsw any day of the week. Then again, it's just me the Blue eyed Californian Chelsea fan ;)

Looking back though he left and look what happened, a period of success starting with an FA Cup win under Guillit followed by League Cup, Cup Winners Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield success. I'd say he left at the right time for us in hindsight. I honestly thought Hoddle would hold more effection for us than he does.

^ I'm not sure how much further we would have gone under Hoddle anyway, especially given how the rest of his coaching career panned out. I'd agree his status made the club more attractive to better calibre players (though in Gullit's case, the £1 million netto probably helped a bit too!) and he introduced a more enjoyable style of football. Results were still so-so, though. We were 11th the season before he arrived and we were 11th in his last season. Contrast with Gullit's first season where we jumped to 6th and actually won something.

I recall him choosing to come here because Hoddle said he could play at sweeper so you have to really credit Hod with really kickstarting our transformation in the 90s. He had pulling power

I'm a firm believer that Glen Hoddle was the reason we are where we are today, even though he wasn't here long.

He attracted Gullit

Then in came Vialli

Then Zola

We were winning cups and going close in the league

Which attracted Roman Abramovic

Who brought in Jose Mourinho, who taught us how to WIN

I'm a firm believer that Glen Hoddle was the reason we are where we are today, even though he wasn't here long.

He attracted Gullit

Then in came Vialli

Then Zola

We were winning cups and going close in the league

Which attracted Roman Abramovic

Who brought in Jose Mourinho, who taught us how to WIN

Oh yeah he was the start of all that for sure.

I'm a firm believer that Glen Hoddle was the reason we are where we are today, even though he wasn't here long.

He attracted Gullit

Then in came Vialli

Then Zola

We were winning cups and going close in the league

 

Bates revitalizing Stamford Bridge & the completion of the Chelsea Village

Which attracted Roman Abramovic

Who brought in Jose Mourinho, who taught us how to WIN

 

FYP

Hoddle started it but I always thought gullits signing legitimised our new standing, if that makes sense. Took us up a level in the transfer market.

Hoddle started it but I always thought gullits signing legitimised our new standing, if that makes sense. Took us up a level in the transfer market.

Guillit was the one who raised it for sure but Vialli got the best out of that squad. It's kind of weird how our managers in that era were only able to take us so far, when Vialli was sacked it was because the squad needed revamping and it pains me to say but Ranieri was the right guy to do that. Then we got Mourinho and the rest as they say is history.

I wanted to bump this thread for an update on Bobbing Tambling. People might remember a couple of seasons ago that this Legend was very ill. Well in Charlotte, NC they spotted him & tbh he appears to be in Great Health.