STEVE KINDON reckons former Huddersfield Town defender Malcolm Brown would have played for England had he not suffered a horrible Achilles injury when he signed for Newcastle United.
The rampaging right-back joined Town in 1977 and helped them win two promotions under Mick Buxton.
His form and consistency he played a club record 259 consecutive matches between September 1978 and May 1983 earned him a move to Tyneside, but he missed the entire 1983-84 season with the injury.
He returned to Town for another four-year spell in 1985, becoming just as popular as he was first time around.
So its perhaps little surprise that Brown five times selected in PFA divisional teams of the season during his career should be picked by fans as the best Town right-back of the 1980s, to add to his selection for the previous decade.
Brown took over 83% of the votes cast for the 1980s best No2, and one fan rated him the best ever Town player in that position.
One fan wrote: "The atmosphere at the old Leeds Road ground always went up a notch when Mally surged down the right wing."
Another said: "Fantastic in defence and going forward."
While another added simply: "A legend."
The goalkeeping slot was a close-run thing, but Brian Cox got 28.6% of votes to just pip Lee Martin and Andy Rankin for the green jersey.
Cox made 213 Town appearances between 1981 and 1988 and one voter explained: "A very tough decision, but Brian just edges it for me."
Another said: "Brian was Mr 100% Reliable, and the others werent bad either."
One summed it up in a single word: "Consistency."
At left back, the overwhelming choice of supporters who voted in our Final Whistle supplement was David Burke, who polled over 51% of votes. Next best was Fred Robinson on 34%.
On Burke, one fan remarked: "He was class."
Another commented: "Classy, consistent and could have gone higher but for his bad leg break."
Finally, one voter said: "He stood out in that era, closely followed by Chris Hutchings."
The central defensive positions went to two commanding characters.
Top of the poll was Paul Jones, with his namesake Joey chosen as partner.