Huddersfield Town team of the 1980s: Did your choices make it in?

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.

Paul had 34% of the vote and Wales legend Joey 20%.

One fan said of Paul: "He was classy and had so much time."

Another said: "Paul Jones was simply the best defender I have ever seen play for Town."

On Joey, another added: "Nothing went past Joey not with the ball anyway!"

Brian Stanton a bargain s15,000 buy from Bury was selected in central midfield in the 70s team of the decade and was picked by fans again, this time on the right flank.

Twice a promotion winner, one fan said: "He provided balance, created and scored goals and also covered for Mally Browns overlaps!"

In central midfield, fans went for a formidable partnership with Mick Kennedy and Ian Banks top of the poll.

Tough-tackling Kennedy played for two years between 1980, when he signed from Halifax, and 1982, when he left for Portsmouth, and one fan wrote: "He covered a lot of ground and was a good organiser."

On Banks, signed from Leicester in 1986 and who went on to captain the club, another said: "He was good on the ball but could put in a tackle as well."

On the left hand side of midfield, David Cowling took 57% of the vote, well ahead of his nearest rival Chris Marsden.

One fan said: "He was underrated by too many. He was an excellent crosser of the ball and scored some really important goals."

Another added: "A quality left foot. If only he was still playing now!"

Up front the choice was between Ian Robins, Colin Russell, Dale Tempest, Craig Maskell, Steve Kindon and Duncan Shearer.

Powerful Scot Shearer and the highly-popular Kindon, each with exactly the same number of votes finished top of the poll.

One fan said: "Steve Kindon scared the life out of me, and I was only watching!"

Another commented: "Kindo never knew a game was lost, while Duncan Shearer was just quality."

Finally, one said: "Both were quality players."

Your 1960s dream team was : Terry Poole, Derek Parkin, Ray Wilson, Trevor Cherry, Roy Ellam, Kevin McHale, Jimmy Nicholson, Jimmy McGill, Les Massie, Tony Leighton and Mike OGrady.

Your 1970s dream team was : Terry Poole, Malcolm Brown, Geoff Hutt, Dave Sutton, Keith Hanvey, Brian Stanton, Peter Hart, Dick Krzywicki, Colin Dobson, Frank Worthington and Jimmy Lawson.