Perhaps Peter Jackson`s pursuit of a twenty goal a season man is in fact already complete such is the potential in Fagan, the pickpocket supreme. He has the skill, the poise the pace with a ball at his feet and is indeed the great Imp hope. That he has a big man next to him to help him is of course the key. That is perhaps why Howe is sen as a potential Beast of the Imps and perhaps a contender for the role himself if fate should decree it. In all fairness the Imps have always been an attacking side and had some cracking goal scorers. The problem of course is that we sell them. From Andy Graver to Ainsworth to Huckerby, the need for the gold exceeds the lure of the goal.
In our 125-year history we have only been blessed with one regular 20 plus goal machine. Billy Dinsdale achieved the feat four times in five seasons. A shy and private man off the field Billy was a man mountain on it. The strong athletic Dinsdale was a true beast of the Imps with a bullet header and a shot like a cannon ball. He was sold to Bradford Park Avenue for £1,500 failed to fit and we got him back for £250. Billy returned in the summer of 1930 duly banged in 20 from 34 appearances in the 1930/31 season, before hanging up his boots and returning to the North East.
Allan Hall is the only player to top 40 in 1931/32. Four players have topped 30, Andy Graver, Allan Hall, John Campbell and Jimmy Hutchinson. The 20`s Club role of honour has been dusted off 26 times, the 20 different players are therefore an exclusive breed. Mr Yeo was the last to do it with 21 in 2004/05; diving for some superb penalties which he duly recovered sufficiently to convert himself. Ten years ago Gareth Ainsworth bagged 22 and in 1982/83 Derek Bell got 23.
The role of honour reads as follows
1931/32 Allan Hall 40 41 (plus in 1932/33 32 Aps G23 )
1951/52 Andy Graver 35 36 (plus 1953/54 Aps 40 G24
1936/37 John Campbell 42 35 (plus 1935/36 Aps36 G28)
1947/48 Jimmy Hutchinson Aps41 G32
1946/47 Tommy Cheetham Aps36 G26
1927/28 Billy Dinsdale 40 26 (plus 1928/29 Aps27 G22, 1926/27 Aps25 G21, 1930/31 Aps34 G20)
1975/76 John Ward Aps41 G24
1982/83 Derek Bell Aps32 G23
1975/76 Percy Freeman Aps30 G23
1908/09 Billy Langham Aps20 G22
1996/97 Gareth Ainsworth Aps46 G22
1929/30 Henry Roberts Aps23 G21
1898/99 Hugh Robertson Aps34 G21
1949/50 Jock Dodds Aps36 G21
1950/51 Johnny Garvie Aps39 G21
1972/73 Dixie McNeil Aps40 G21
1980/81Gordon Hobson Aps44 G21
2004/05 Simon Yeo Aps41 G21
1966/67 Roy Chapman Aps37 G20
1955/56 Tommy Northcott 40 20
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