THE GALLOPING MAJOR

I gave centre forwards a mention yesterday and today, moving sideways, I must mention the number 10, or as the player was named "in my day", the inside left.

Probably one of the greatest "withdrawn" forwards was brought into the world by the great post war Hungarian side. He was Ferenc Puskas, the galloping major, who died on this day in 2006 in Budapest. He was 79.

I first "saw" him play when during a wet Wednesday afternoon school PE session, we were not allowed "out" because it was too wet. Our PE man (Ted Palmer, who was a linesman at the FA Amateur Cup at Wembley once) showed us the black and white film of the infamous England v Hungary international, played at Wembley on November 25th 1953. This film footage shows some classic moments from Puskas' career, especially those from a heavy and embarrassing defeat of the English, once regarded as the founders of the game.

Look as:
Puskas completely "sells the dummy" to Billy Wright-a centre back who won 105 caps, so no mug.
It shows the two Hungarian reserves having a fag by the goal and then going all silly after watching yet another goal go in.
There is an extraordinary moustache on show and
The final score was 6-3 to the Magyars. A year later the Magyars beat England in Budapest 7-1!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZfCDHegItE

Enjoy Puskas and Mighty Magyars who were the leaders in the football field post war, winning the 1952 Olympics but who couldn't win the next World Cup in 1954, losing out to the West Germans 3-2. In an earlier World Cup match the Hungarians had beaten West Germany 8-3. Puskas gained a hairline fracture in the match which he ignored in the final and played on. In 85 appearances for his national team he scored 84 goals. He is so interesting (isn't he?) that I might tell you more about him tomorrow.

p.s. Who else did he play for?