Football and religion have always been intertwined; from teams such as Manchester City and Everton being formed as church teams to the likes of Gavin Peacock entering the church in their post-football careers. Indeed, many believe that football is a new religion, with star players being treated as deities and their importance within society being debated long into the night. One player, however, had doubts as to its significance.
Peter Knowles was born in 1945 to a Yorkshire rugby league player, and displayed prodigious talent at all sports as a youngster. However, it was football that he excelled at, with both he and his brother Cyril being picked up by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough respectively. While Cyril would go onto to play over 400 times for Tottenham, winning a succession of trophies and England caps along the way, Peter’s career was over by the age of 24.
It was clear from a young age that Wolves had a player of supreme talent on their hands. Playing initially as an old fashioned inside forward, he spent just a year in Wolves’ youth team before legendary manager Stan Cullis gave him his first team debut at the age of just 18 in a 1-0 victory over Leicester City in 1963. In the following match, his home debut, he scored Wolves second in a 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
Despite Wolves’ struggles in 1963/64, Knowles made 14 appearances, with a credible four goals. The following season saw Wolves relegated to Division Two, although Knowles was one of the bright parts of the season. It was in Division Two though, that Knowles really displayed his talent, scoring 21 in 33 games, becoming an integral part of the team as Wolves bounced back at the second attempt.
Back in Division One, Knowles continued his progression, forging an impressive partnership with Derek Dougan. During that time he received international recognition, appearing for the England Under 23s four times, and was an outside bet to join the England national team in Mexico in 1970. It seemed to be just a matter of time before he gained his first senior international cap.
In a time of ‘rock and roll football’, with the likes of George Best, Stan Bowles and Frank Worthington entertaining the fans both on and off the pitch, Knowles was no angel. The tricks and flicks were all there, as was the confidence and self-belief in his own ability needed to perform them. He owned a brand new MG sports car, with his name down the side, also racking up a poor disciplinary record to go with his petulant behaviour on the pitch.
As a player, Knowles was ambitious and eager to play at the highest level, this seeing him hand in a number of transfer requests, each rebuffed by the manager. However, following a 1969 summer tournament in America, in which Knowles scored five goals for the Kansas City Spurs, his attitudes started to change, with a knock on the door changing his life dramatically.
The two Jehovah’s Witnesses were invited in and got through to a young man, grieving the loss of his father and sisters. Knowles began to read the Bible, and slowly fell out of love with football. He would later state that the intensity of football took him away from his religion and his family for half the week.
“I shall continue playing football for the time being but I have lost my ambition. Though I still do my best on the field I need more time to learn about the Bible and may give up football.“
Despite his clear misgivings, Wolves started the 1969/70 season in fine fashion, winning their opening four matches. Indeed, following turning Bill Shankly’s Liverpool side down in the summer, Knowles himself scored three goals in this time. However, eight games into the season, following a 3-3 draw with Nottingham Forest, Knowles retired from the game, at the tender age of just 23.
This was greeted with shock and disbelief throughout the football world. Everyone expected him to retract his decision – how can any young man happily give up the glory and the attention of a young footballer, especially one with such a promising future? Team-mate Frank Munroe later said he thought he was a ‘bloody idiot’ and expected him to return to the Old Gold within eight weeks. Wolves never gave up on him, sending him a new contract every year for ten seasons, and holding his registration until 1982, 13 years after his retirement.
For Knowles himself, there was never any doubt he’d made the right decision:
“There hasn’t been one day in 40 years where I have turned around and said to myself, my wife or my friends, ‘I wish I hadn’t packed up football’. It’s the best decision that I’ve ever made. I’m content with life. When I look at my standard of living and how it has dropped over the years, it doesn’t matter. I have my health. I’m still married — and if I had carried on playing football I wouldn’t have been!”
The legend of Knowles, the boy who gave up football, was immortalised in the Billy Bragg song ‘God’s Footballer’, and he will forever be remembered by Wolves fans as one of the great unfulfilled talents of English football.
Written originally for the excellent Equaliser Blog
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Wolves 1-1 Fulham Chalkboards
Guedioura is not a winger
I could understand Mick McCarthy playing Guedioura wide
against Everton to try and stop Leighton Baines, but he was marginalised today.
He attempted just 8 passes and gave Fulham’s left back Carlos Salcido far too
much space to play.
We were very one-sided
With Matt Jarvis as the only real outlet in the midfield, it
was noticeable how lopsided we were. Compare todays pattern of passing with
that of the Newcastle match, where Jarvis was on one flank with Adam
Hammill/Michael Kightly opposite him.
Fletcher was excellent
Despite not being the tallest, he won five of his nine
aerial battles, a far better record than Kevin Doyle managed in his last game
against Aston Villa.
Has the passing game disappeared?
Not once did Wayne Hennessey distribute the ball to a
defender, instead preferring to hit long balls aimed towards Fletcher.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Wolves unstuck by Toffees
Today, Everton ran out comfortable winners at Molineux, thanks to goals from Jermaine Beckford, Phil Neville and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
- First of all, let's say it. Everton are a very good team who has underperformed this season. While they are stricken with injuries, David Moyes has somehow managed to claw his way up the league, and the form table gives a terrific indication of the way they're playing at the moment. This was always one of the tougher games of the run in, and should we go down, it certainly won't be down to this loss.
- The lineup surprised me, who'd have thought Guedioura was going to start? I assumed he'd play to try and shut Leighton Baines down, easily Everton's best attacking player and arguably the best left back in the Premier League this season. Guedioura did a reasonable job as Baines wasn't as involved as he has been in recent weeks. The problem here is that Everton's strength going forward on the left is also a massive weakness, conceding a disproportionate number of goals down this flank and we had no-one to turn Baines and really look to attack him.
- Saying that, it's dangerous to focus on just one opposing player, and I tweeted before the match that Leon Osman had been looking good in recent weeks (@toomb86 seeing as you asked. Thanks) and he played well, setting up the first goal and generally looking to link their attack and midfield.
- Talking of the first goal, it was very poorly defended. Firstly George Elokobi let Osman run past him, and then neither Richard Stearman nor Christophe Berra successfully picked up Jermaine Beckford who gave them the lead. Generally, Berra and Stearman have played well together, but maybe it's time to bring Jody Craddock back into the team. Our back-5 has relatively little Premier League experience, and Craddock's nous will only improve the defence.
- Saying that, I couldn't really decide what the problem was defensively. Initially, I thought we were defending too deep. There was a massive gap between the midfield and defence that was most noticeable when Osman and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov drifted into it to good effect. On the other hand, given the ease at which Magaye Gueye and Beckford were able to beat the offside trap, maybe we were defending with too high a line.
- Halftime saw a change; Michael Kightly on for his first Molineux appearance in 16 months was replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Interestingly, Kightly initially played in behind Fletcher with Guedioura keeping his position wide right before they switched. Does this mean that the return of Kightly has pushed Adam Hammill down the pecking order? Hammill has shone in flashes, but for me drifts in and out of matches too much. Given the role Kightly played when he came on, could we see a genuine 4-2-3-1 formation in two weeks, with Hammill, Kightly and Matt Jarvis all playing in behind Steven Fletcher?
- Or, could we go for something completely different? We finished the game without a recognised striker on the pitch. I've long wanted to see a team try this, former Brazil manager Carlos Alberto Parreira has claimed that this is the future, while AS Roma played a version of it with Francesco Totti as the focal point.
- Whatever we do upfront, it’s clear how much we are missing Kevin Doyle. When news came through of the returns of Kightly, Michael Mancienne and Guedioura, my instant reaction was that I’d swap all of them for a fit Doyle. While Ebanks-Blake and Fletcher have their own strengths, even when played together they don’t offer the same things that Doyle does. Those of you who read these regularly know how deep my love for ‘Doyler’ goes, but as far as I’m concerned, he’s far and away our most important player.
- How many people would have been happy with three draws from the matches at Aston Villa, Newcastle United and today? We've taken three points from those games, but have finished with a goal difference of -5. Given how close it is at the bottom of the league, how important could that be?
- Yes, today was a poor performance, but I'm not sure it warranted the booing at either halftime or the final whistle. The players didn't play well, but I don't think there was a particular lack of effort. They want to be playing Premier League football next season just as much as we want to be watching it. Now is not the time to be getting on the players' backs, now is the time to support them and provide a united front in the game against Fulham in two weeks.
- Did today's game remind you of any other match? 12:45 kick off; live on Sky, at home to a team from Liverpool? It was always going to finish 3-0, with Bilyaletdinov's goal a worthy contender to the wonder strike from Raul Meireles.
- Talking of which, how many times are we going to see Wolves conceding goal of the month contenders? Bilyaletdinov's today will surely be included, following goals from Meireles, David Varney and Jermain Defoe's double for Tottenham earlier in the season.
- I wasn't sat in my normal South Bank seat today as my Everton supporting parents came along to see the match, so I was forced to sit down. Was today's result a cunning plan by Jez Moxey? I don't think there was anyone standing in the Jack Harris in the last half hour.
- If there was a positive today, it was the play of Guedioura and Kightly. Both are returning from lengthy injury layoffs, and it was brilliant to see them both wearing the Old Gold shirts again. Both will surely be a boost to our relegation fight, and it certainly gives Mick McCarthy options.
- First of all, let's say it. Everton are a very good team who has underperformed this season. While they are stricken with injuries, David Moyes has somehow managed to claw his way up the league, and the form table gives a terrific indication of the way they're playing at the moment. This was always one of the tougher games of the run in, and should we go down, it certainly won't be down to this loss.
- The lineup surprised me, who'd have thought Guedioura was going to start? I assumed he'd play to try and shut Leighton Baines down, easily Everton's best attacking player and arguably the best left back in the Premier League this season. Guedioura did a reasonable job as Baines wasn't as involved as he has been in recent weeks. The problem here is that Everton's strength going forward on the left is also a massive weakness, conceding a disproportionate number of goals down this flank and we had no-one to turn Baines and really look to attack him.
- Saying that, it's dangerous to focus on just one opposing player, and I tweeted before the match that Leon Osman had been looking good in recent weeks (@toomb86 seeing as you asked. Thanks) and he played well, setting up the first goal and generally looking to link their attack and midfield.
- Talking of the first goal, it was very poorly defended. Firstly George Elokobi let Osman run past him, and then neither Richard Stearman nor Christophe Berra successfully picked up Jermaine Beckford who gave them the lead. Generally, Berra and Stearman have played well together, but maybe it's time to bring Jody Craddock back into the team. Our back-5 has relatively little Premier League experience, and Craddock's nous will only improve the defence.
- Saying that, I couldn't really decide what the problem was defensively. Initially, I thought we were defending too deep. There was a massive gap between the midfield and defence that was most noticeable when Osman and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov drifted into it to good effect. On the other hand, given the ease at which Magaye Gueye and Beckford were able to beat the offside trap, maybe we were defending with too high a line.
- Halftime saw a change; Michael Kightly on for his first Molineux appearance in 16 months was replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Interestingly, Kightly initially played in behind Fletcher with Guedioura keeping his position wide right before they switched. Does this mean that the return of Kightly has pushed Adam Hammill down the pecking order? Hammill has shone in flashes, but for me drifts in and out of matches too much. Given the role Kightly played when he came on, could we see a genuine 4-2-3-1 formation in two weeks, with Hammill, Kightly and Matt Jarvis all playing in behind Steven Fletcher?
- Or, could we go for something completely different? We finished the game without a recognised striker on the pitch. I've long wanted to see a team try this, former Brazil manager Carlos Alberto Parreira has claimed that this is the future, while AS Roma played a version of it with Francesco Totti as the focal point.
- Whatever we do upfront, it’s clear how much we are missing Kevin Doyle. When news came through of the returns of Kightly, Michael Mancienne and Guedioura, my instant reaction was that I’d swap all of them for a fit Doyle. While Ebanks-Blake and Fletcher have their own strengths, even when played together they don’t offer the same things that Doyle does. Those of you who read these regularly know how deep my love for ‘Doyler’ goes, but as far as I’m concerned, he’s far and away our most important player.
- How many people would have been happy with three draws from the matches at Aston Villa, Newcastle United and today? We've taken three points from those games, but have finished with a goal difference of -5. Given how close it is at the bottom of the league, how important could that be?
- Yes, today was a poor performance, but I'm not sure it warranted the booing at either halftime or the final whistle. The players didn't play well, but I don't think there was a particular lack of effort. They want to be playing Premier League football next season just as much as we want to be watching it. Now is not the time to be getting on the players' backs, now is the time to support them and provide a united front in the game against Fulham in two weeks.
- Did today's game remind you of any other match? 12:45 kick off; live on Sky, at home to a team from Liverpool? It was always going to finish 3-0, with Bilyaletdinov's goal a worthy contender to the wonder strike from Raul Meireles.
- Talking of which, how many times are we going to see Wolves conceding goal of the month contenders? Bilyaletdinov's today will surely be included, following goals from Meireles, David Varney and Jermain Defoe's double for Tottenham earlier in the season.
- I wasn't sat in my normal South Bank seat today as my Everton supporting parents came along to see the match, so I was forced to sit down. Was today's result a cunning plan by Jez Moxey? I don't think there was anyone standing in the Jack Harris in the last half hour.
- If there was a positive today, it was the play of Guedioura and Kightly. Both are returning from lengthy injury layoffs, and it was brilliant to see them both wearing the Old Gold shirts again. Both will surely be a boost to our relegation fight, and it certainly gives Mick McCarthy options.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Reffin' Hell - 06/04/2011 Chelsea v Manchester United
The biggest question mark in tonight's game is over the two penalty shouts within a number of minutes towards the end for Chelsea, neither of which were given.
Taking them one-by-one, Ramires should have won a penalty. If Evra got anything on the ball it was marginal. His legs wrapped around Ramires', dragging the Brazilian to the ground. I didn't necessarily agree with the commentator who asked why would Ramires go down - the issue was never whether he dived, more whether Evra got a touch on the ball. By the letter of the law, Evra would have been shown the red card, putting an entirely new complexion on the tie.
So, penalty not given, but the most contentious point was the role of the extra official on the goal-line who had a clear unobstructed view and didn't appear to react to the challenge. If they aren't going to assist the referee, what's their point? I try to rely on my first instincts, and at first, from the angle on TV, I thought Evra may have got a touch on the ball, so maybe the referee should be given some leniency here.
The second decision was excellent. Torres effectively kicked Valencia before throwing himself to the ground. What made this decision even more impressive was that it was just minutes after the Ramires/Evra decision. To deny a home team one penalty takes guts, to deny them two in a matter of minutes takes cajones of the highest order
Taking them one-by-one, Ramires should have won a penalty. If Evra got anything on the ball it was marginal. His legs wrapped around Ramires', dragging the Brazilian to the ground. I didn't necessarily agree with the commentator who asked why would Ramires go down - the issue was never whether he dived, more whether Evra got a touch on the ball. By the letter of the law, Evra would have been shown the red card, putting an entirely new complexion on the tie.
So, penalty not given, but the most contentious point was the role of the extra official on the goal-line who had a clear unobstructed view and didn't appear to react to the challenge. If they aren't going to assist the referee, what's their point? I try to rely on my first instincts, and at first, from the angle on TV, I thought Evra may have got a touch on the ball, so maybe the referee should be given some leniency here.
The second decision was excellent. Torres effectively kicked Valencia before throwing himself to the ground. What made this decision even more impressive was that it was just minutes after the Ramires/Evra decision. To deny a home team one penalty takes guts, to deny them two in a matter of minutes takes cajones of the highest order
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves
Pre-match, there was nothing but optimism. Despite a poor away record, we'd won at Villa two weeks ago, and with Newcastle missing arguably their two best players in Cheik Tiote and Jose Enrique, surely they were there for the taking. Sadly, no-one told the players.
It would be easy to say that this was a poor performance. In fact, it's very easy. This was a poor performance. The players were asleep until going 3-0 down kicked them into life.
We started with our usual 4-5-1, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake replacing the injured Kevin Doyle. This change didn't work particularly well. Ebanks-Blake didn't play well by himself, he failed the hold the ball up and frequently lost possession. In addition, the reduced workrate upfront allowed Fabricio Coloccini the time to bring the ball out of defence and start attacks.
The opening goal was a very poor goal to concede. Even though we had the extra man in midfield, Kevin Nolan was allowed to run onto Shola Ameobi's flick on and finish calmly. I wrote two weeks ago that Christophe Berra and Richard Stearman have a tendency to play too far apart from each other, and this was highlighted here.
Newcastle's midfield had better balance, with Joey Barton tucking in on the right and he, Nolan and Guthrie kept possession well. In contrast, we frequently gave the ball away, and it was no real surprise when Nenad Milijas was withdrawn early on to be replaced by Steven Fletcher as we moved to 4-4-2.
Fletcher's performance was one of the few positives. He won his fair share of headers, and was tidy on ball, holding it up well and bringing the midfielders into the game.
Did Matt Jarvis play in the first half? He hardly touched the ball, but when he did he looked dangerous and it was he who supplied Ebanks-Blake's goal. On the other flank, Adam Hammill shone in flashes, and was very unlucky to be brought down by Nolan when apparently clear on goal. The angle and distance saving the Newcastle skipper from seeing red.
Newcastle's second and third goals were very similar - a runner is sent beyond the defence before crossing for a tap in. Wayne Hennessey was left exposed for all three goals, but maybe should have done better with the second. Saying that, he made one good save from Michael Williamson to keep the score down.
With the third goal came the charge. Michael Kightly was introduced for his first appearance in 16 months, although he was still lacking in match sharpness. Fletcher hit the post with a header, James Perch cleared one off the line and Berra blocked a goalbound O'Hara effort.
The lone-striker connumdrum continued. Fletcher had far and away the better performance, but Ebanks-Blake got the goal. I don't think we can go into the Everton match with just Ebanks-Blake upfront. Given David Moyes' preference for a 5-man midfield, I'd like to see Fletcher start on his own upfront.
In the final minute, a quick counter attack saw Jonas Gutierrez score the type of goal you'd expect from an Argentinian World Cup midfielder to wrap up the points from Newcastle.
This result won't send us down; I'd have taken two points from the trips to Villa Park and St James' Park. But, Mick McCarthy needs to pick the players up for the visit of the Premier League's form team, and definitely needs to work on the defence. I don't think anyone particularly came out of this match with their heads held high.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)