It’s the end of another Brian McBride era, except this time it’ll be his last as he announced his retirement just a couple of days ago. Normally a player who only scored 40 goals in 160 games would only be remembered for being a decent player who gave the the club good service but McBride will go down as one of the all time Fulham fan’ favourites.
There is very little that you can criticise him for, his professionalism and application on the pitch were impeccable and he scored key goals time and time again to save us from relegation, none more so than those 3 key goals in the great escape of 08 against Reading, Birmingham and Everton. He was willing to put his head where no head has been before in order to win balls in the air or get a shot in and who can forget a bloodied McBride from the 2006 world cup carrying on like nothing had happened after a slightly naughty elbow from De Rossi. And for all of his passion, commitment, bravery, team work, all the things that will make any player a sure fire Fulham favourite, he was a really, really good footballer. Intelligent, strong and unrivalled in the air with a good touch and technique, not to mention capable of some terrific finishes, McBride really was the perfect striker and in my opinion the most underrated since the Premier League began. If there was one criticism it would be that he was too unselfish because there’s no doubt in my mind if he could easily have banged in 20 a season, but then we wouldn’t have loved him as much.
No doubt someone who embodied Fulham like very few players have, someone prepared to sit with fans and understand the club, and it’s such a shame we haven’t had the chance to say a proper goodbye. Following our failed loan attempt for him a year and a half ago his fans forum was called off after a game was postponed, but let’s hope it’s third time lucky eh?
So McBride, on behalf of all Fulham fans, thanks.
We wouldn’t haved loved him as much if he banged in 20 a season? Seems like a strange thing to say. I imagine his popularity would have further increased if he added a few more goals to his game.
I would love to see a testimonial played next summer.
i really doubted him when he signed….a yank at the tail end of his career and with not much pace.
but after seeing brian in action a couple of times, i had to admit that i knew diddly.
he was brave and even when he did take a knock, he would pick himself up, dust himself down, look for where the ball was and start chasing again.
when he was clattered, no rolling about like he’d been shot and certainly no ‘book him’ type antics. he got straight back on his feet and got on with the game.
he would chase after a ball usain bolt would have had no hope of catching, all game long, even when we had no hope of salvaging a game.
if he was offside or infringed, he never argued the toss with the ref or gave them a tirade of abuse, but showed respect and trotted back into position without a word.
when he lost the ball he would do his utmost to track back and try to atone for his mistake, rather than leaving it for the midfield and defence to sort out.
and even in frustration, he never became malicious towards opponents, even when they tried, always in vain, to intimidate him.
brian was a sportsman, in the old traditional sense of the term, and it’s a shame that there are so few of his like left in the game. he played the game in the spirit in which it’s meant to be played, not like some of the prima donnas that inhabit the prem.
wherever there are fulham fans, there will always be a place for brian and i wish that the club would try to get him to come back and work with the academy, to teach them the true values of team spirit, respect, sportsmanship and hard work.
i wish him and his family luck in all they do. the big man deserves the best.
fb,
I can not order the words to give you your proper due for that post. It is moving, eloquent, and so highly descriptive, and makes me appreciate the man so much more as an American and supporter.
agreed, great tribute mate
mitchell i don’t think we would. there’s something charming about it. i dunno how to explain it properly so you’ll have to excuse me!