Sometimes, former professional footballers in England discuss their careers and surprisingly mention that they played with or against Pelè, Franz Beckenbauer, and Johan Cruyff.
Shoot Magazine from that time frequently updated on NASL, making it interesting to see major rivals in English football playing in different settings and together in teams of that league.
We remember the main clubs and loved seeing big stars play for them. Teams like New York Cosmos, Chicago Sting, Vancouver Whitecaps, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and Los Angeles Aztecs were exciting, making it special to watch star players in those settings.
There were also players in certain settings that played for and against those major stars that never really reached the same level in English football, but had good and solid careers at lower levels.
You also had English players who spent most of their careers in NASL, leaving fringe life in England or even being players at non-league level. This shows that “soccer” is a strange game, giving certain individuals a new lease of life in and around the top stars.
Another more or less unknown player in England is Dave Huson. He never appeared in the English professional football, only having a minor period at non-league club Weymouth. The full-back had a solid career, being in the Chicago Sting team winning the last NASL Soccer Bowl in 1984.
Clyde Best was a notable player in English football, with a successful career at West Ham. However, his NASL stint with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Portland Timbers, and Toronto Blizzard from 1975 to 1982 is less recognized, totaling 7 years in this league. In his Autobiography he gives a thorough insight into his life in “soccer”.
Embed from Getty ImagesClyde Best played on the highest level in England. Dave Huson did not. Both playing in a Soccer Bowl final. Looking at the teams in the Soccer Bowl finals, you will find some very interesting names.
Elvis Comrie, born in Bristol, England, never played football in Britain, moving to the States with his parents at a young age. Comrie was in the Chicago Sting squad for this special game in 1984. He also represented New York Cosmos and Manic Montreal among his clubs in soccer.
In that 1984 final you also find a number of interesting details regarding South African players. Ace Ntsoelengoe, John Paskin and David Byrne, all appeared for Toronto Blizzard.
David Byrne never played in England, being raised in South Africa, he spent his total senior career in American soccer. Ace Ntsoelengoe is earlier described, being among the longest serving players in NASL. John Paskin moved to England to play for Wolves and West Bromwich.
Ron Futcher who represented Tulsa Roughnecks in the 1983 Soccer Bowl final and scored one of the goals in their 2-0 win vs. Toronto Blizzard. Futcher represented Man City and Luton in the old english 1st division, but his goalscoring skills were never seen in the same frequenze at the highest level in England. His contribution in the NASL was phenomanel, as well as keeping his career running in England, returning in 1984 to score and play for Oldham, Burnley, Barnsley, Port Vale, Bradford and Crewe.
Norman Piper represented England at U23 level, but never appeared at the highest level domesticly. He played for Plymouth and Portsmouth, being a second tier player, making more than 500 league appearances in English football. He spent a period at Fort Lauderdale Strikers, (1977/78), appearing with and against the best players in NASL.
Ronnie Moore, a player in the English lower leagues, was known for his goal-scoring, particularly during his time with Tranmere and Rotherham. He made a significant impact at these clubs and spent a season with the Chicago Sting in the NASL, where he played alongside stars like Willie Morgan and Jim McCalliog, who had successful careers before joining. After his time in the NASL, Moore continued in football at lower league levels, both as a player and a manager.
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