The "First Touch" list

[bigwheel]

As it is international fitba week, let's celebrate some Hibs "first touch" legends of past and present. Who did you admire for their first touch? You know the one - they could take a ball under control no matter the height or pace.... I'l start with:


David Murphy - maybe lacked a wee bit pace but his ability to control any pass was always a joy to watch.

[Broken Gnome]

Riordan when he takes it inside a man on his right foot.
Sauzee probably had a not too bad either...

[Hibernian Verse]

Zemmama

[hibees59]

Murphy, to me, had the best first touch of any player that I've seen.

[jgl07]

Keith Wright.

He could trap a ball further than I could kick it!

[Bunter]

Kevin McAllister.

[ancient hibee]

Willie Hamilton

Bobby Johnstone

Pat Quinn

Pat Stanton

Gordon Smith

[hibee_patty]

Kevin Thomson used to be good at bringing the ball down from any height with the inside of his foot.

[ancient hibee]

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Benny Brazil, Guile, craft, ingenuity, touch, balance and a cracking hair style

That covers his bus driving -what about football?

[Tomsk]

Stevie Archibald

[Irish_Steve]

I remember Russell Latapy`s first game when the ball came out of the air and he trapped it stone dead - there was almost an audible gasp from the crowd as we hadn`t witnessed that level of skill for a very long time. Ever see Lee Power trap the ball, no, me neither!

[Jim44]

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I remember Russell Latapy`s first game when the ball came out of the air and he trapped it stone dead - there was almost an audible gasp from the crowd as we hadn`t witnessed that level of skill for a very long time. Ever see Lee Power trap the ball, no, me neither!

Latapy ther king of ball control.

[heidtheba]

I second the vote for Kevin McAllister...wee crunchie was my absolute fave player when I first started watching. I remember getting into football thanks to a mate who took me to ER. First match was 93/94 and we lost to Rangers but it was a 4-3 game. Bought season ticket for 94/95 and the following year. I remember reading about Rangers putting in a bid of £2m for McAllister and me saying 'get tae'...not realising it was the other (less good) McAllister!

[Hamilton_Hibs]

Always remember Sauzee bringing the ball down as the last defender, facing his own goal with two forwards bearing down on him. Sauzee managed to bring the ball down, change direction and make it through the middle of the two forwards all in one movement. Class.

Can't remember who we were playing though? Might have been one of the old firm, Im sure someone will remember the one i am talking about...

[hibbykeef]

Done it against Livy semi of the Scottish as i recall,but then again mibees no.

[Shrekko]

Liam Miller has a tremendous first touch as well.

[Perspective]

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Always remember Sauzee bringing the ball down as the last defender, facing his own goal with two forwards bearing down on him. Sauzee managed to bring the ball down, change direction and make it through the middle of the two forwards all in one movement. Class.

Can't remember who we were playing though? Might have been one of the old firm, Im sure someone will remember the one i am talking about...

He flicked it over his head but I can't remember who that was against either.

Murphy and Whittaker both had excellent close control in recent terms. Murphy, in particular, never seemed to have to break stride on receiving the ball.

[millarco]

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Zemmama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWf3W...rom=PL&index=6

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Done it against Livy semi of the Scottish as i recall,but then again mibees no.

[Storar]

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Always remember Sauzee bringing the ball down as the last defender, facing his own goal with two forwards bearing down on him. Sauzee managed to bring the ball down, change direction and make it through the middle of the two forwards all in one movement. Class.

Can't remember who we were playing though? Might have been one of the old firm, Im sure someone will remember the one i am talking about...

Was against Livi in the Scottish Cup semi in 2001, genius!

[Storar]

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Zemmama

Great first touch here. Instead of blasting it straight away he takes a wee touch and sends Tall and Elvis flying

[SpiderHibs]

Always remember Willie Miller as having a pretty good first touch, particularly high balls cleared out of the opposition's defence.

[Jonnyboy]

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I remember Russell Latapy`s first game when the ball came out of the air and he trapped it stone dead - there was almost an audible gasp from the crowd as we hadn`t witnessed that level of skill for a very long time. Ever see Lee Power trap the ball, no, me neither!

He couldnae trap his fingers in a door never mind trap a ball

Latapy

Murphy

Stanton

Stevenson (Eric)

to name but a few

[jakedance]

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Always remember Willie Miller as having a pretty good first touch, particularly high balls cleared out of the opposition's defence.

Beat me to it. A real favourite of mine.

[wee 162]

Surprised at no mentions for John Collins. Can always mind during the warm ups when he was with us that everyone else on the park was basically ****ing about, and he was continually taking the ball at pace and pulling it completely under his control. He even timed tackles so that he was not only winning the ball but getting it under control while he was doing it. Fabulous player for us.

And almost as good as Latapy skill wise. That's about as high a compliment as I can pay anyone fwiw.

[Kato]

If the internet had existed 30 years ago this would have been thought of as a pretty weird thread - a decent to good first touch should be de-riguor for a pro footballer.

Saying that I was brought up in Niddrie Mill, where if you couldn't trap and kill a ball from all angles by the time you were 7 you were made to practice by "bigger boys" until you could, as it was seen to bringing the tone of the area down.

Alex Edwards BTW, sublime.

[zero-seven]

george best
Alex cropley
Alec Edwards
Mr Sauzee
Saint Patrick of Stanton
Russell Latapy

all great

[broonie27]

Zemmama by a country mile. I remember one game a couple of years back he was absolutely whoooring down the wing toward the Dunbar end and a lofted ball came to him at nearly chest hight. Without hardly changing his striding rhythm he took the ball down in full flight carried on down the wing and crossed in a fantastic ball .... which nobody scored from.

[Septimus]

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Stevie Archibald

I'll second that.

[O'Rourke3]

Very surprised no mention of Hurtado.

[erin-go-bragh87]

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Very surprised no mention of Hurtado.

Has to be Latapy for me, absolute genius with the ball at his feet.

Also when Deek takes that first touch to bring him inside a defender!!