Even Best can't get in Hodgy's dream Xl (From The Oxford Times)

Even Best can't get in Hodgy's dream Xl

5:40pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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What a great piece it was in the Oxford United programme last Saturday when goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson picked his Best XI, from those players he has crossed paths with, both on the pitch and the training ground.

The Non-League paper got players to pick their Best XI and half the time, no-one’s ever heard of the those that the players name.

Not so with legendary ex-England goalkeeper Hodgy’s Dream Team.

He had Peter Shilton, Bobby Charlton George Best, Johnny Haynes and David Beckham . . . on the bench!

Hodgkinson, 73, went for Peter Schmeichel, the keeper he discovered, just ahead of 125-cap Peter Shilton in goal, a back four of Jimmy Armfield, Bobby Moore, Steve Bruce and Roger Byrne.

Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney were on the wings, with Bryan Robson and Duncan Edwards the central midfield two.

Up front, he picked Jimmy Greaves and Brian Clough, the latter more known for his time in management, but a fantastic goalscorer, whose career was cut short by injury.

Bruce, who played more than 300 times for Manchester United, but was never capped by England, was perhaps the only surprise.

Hodgkinson, who was awarded the MBE in 2008 for services to football, said: “I always thought that Steve Bruce was a terrific defender.”