Date:         Fri, 17 Aug 2001 17:01:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:         The Geissmans <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Traditional players numbers (non-referee)
In-Reply-To:  <[log in to unmask]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>>      6            5             4
>>
>>
>>          3                 2
>>
>>
>>                   1 (gk)
>>
>>
>
>Pretty close, Jim!
>
>The pattern was called the W-M formation, with the W being the forwards as
>you indicate (so Stan Matthews was always #7) and the defenders lined up in
>the M
>
>       6          4
>
>3          5            2
>
>while your pattern was obviously an earlier version where the centre-half
>really was a half-back and not what is now commonly called a centre-back.
>Billy Wright played in #5 in this spot, for example.

When I first started, I played #4 as in my
diagram.  I don't remember who the true
defenders other than 2 and 3 were; I assume
there must have been at least one more, although
our #5, the center half, was an all-rounder and
captain (college team).  Even as formations
change, if a team allocates numbers 1-11 (which
is rare these days) they still seem to be given
to players in approximately those locations.
I can still remember when I saw roughly that
formation with the numbers on the backs of
7-Gento, 9-DiStefano and 10-Puskas -- Real Madrid
in their heyday.