Heritage NASL; Washington Diplomats

Embed from Getty Images

Washington Diplomats were a team in the NASL from 1974 to 1981. They had some very special managers and players. Dutch favourites Johan Cryuff, Wim Jansen and Gus Hiddink played for The Dips. A great number of British players also starred in the all read kit.

Johan Cruyff played for The Dips in 1980 and 1981. Hiddink was at the club in 1978. Looking at other greats you will of course not forget their coach Gordon Bradley. Bradley was in charge from 1978 to 1980.

The Dips had other special men in charge such as former Man Utd legend, Dennis Viollet. Viollet was their manager from 1974 to 1976. Ken Furphy was the main man in their last season, 1981. Then The Dips relocated and became Detroit Express.

If you follow English and Scottish football, you will find several familiar names in The Dips teams. This is evident over the years they existed. Goalkeeper Eric Martin and Central Defender Jim Steele both had good careers at Southampton. The two Scots were prominent for Washington Diplomats.

The best defender England never saw, Mike Dillon, joined from New York Cosmos. He spent three seasons with The Dips. The former Spurs defender, moved to the NASL at a young age. He had previously played for England and Schoolboy and Youth level. A special player acting in teams with Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff. Between his time at Cosmos and The Dips, he played games at Cheshunt to keep in shape. Strangely, he never returned to English football.

Paul Cannell was a favourite up front. Signed from Newcastle. He had his prime in NASL. He returned to UK playing for Mansfield Town and Berwick Rangers. Former Aston Villa and Coventry winger Ray Graydon was also with The Dips. Bobby Stokes, who scored the 1976 FA Cup final goal, joined The Dips in 1978, scoring 17 goals in 98 NASL appearances.

Ross Jenkins had his best years in football with Watford. He spent the 1981 season at The Dips, playing alongside Johan Cruyff. He later joined Eastern AA in Hong Kong. Another player to notice is Tommy Mconville. The central defender joined The Dips from Shamrock Rovers in 1974, playing until 1976. He returned to Ireland and played for Dundalk.

Favourite Selection (1974-1981)