From Martin : Cruyff
Really enjoyed reading the piece you have just put up in tribute to Cruyff
Really knocked the stuffing out of my day.
My interest in football as a young kid really took off at the time of Holland and the Total Football philosophy, which was led by Cruyff.
He was my footballing hero at that time, as he was to many kids, we all tried the Cruyff turn over and over again, endless hours on the fields near where we lived, trying to mimic our hero, English lads wanting to wear the Orange of Holland!
The way he played football, the way he then coached football, is the way I see football. It’s the reason we loved Liam Brady and why many of us rank Dennis Bergkamp over Henry as Arsenal best player ever, there was a certain style and intelligence that brought you memories of Cruyff, who for me is peerless as his football intelligence translated to coaching, his teams extending his career if you like, as his art was still being applied to us, the fans entertainment.
Love some of his quotes, the insight to what we took for granted for his play on the pitch, on how he looks faster because he moved earlier than everyone else, and it was so true, while those around were reacting to what will happen, he was already moving to what he was sure would happen ..
The Dennis Bergkamp book is a dry read, but there are some great sections on Cruyff. In fact it felt more like I was reading about Cruyff, rather than Bergkamp himself.
The loss of anyone is sad, but more so maybe when they have been pivotal in how you see life.
And though football is not life, there is much beyond it, then, when Cruyff was in his prime, he gave this young lad wide-eyed optimism and enthusiasm.
Although I only ever played mid -level county football, I always looked to play the Cruyff way, where winning in style was always better than just winning.