As Maynor Figueroa and Nikica Jelavic seek to make their mark at the World Cup in Brazil, Brad Rial picks out his Hull City all-time overseas XI.
Robert Koren or Geovanni? Ahmed Elmohamady or Bernard Mendy? Kamel Ghilas or Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink?! ... (okay, maybe scrub that last one). Which overseas players would you select in your all-time team?
Despite the odd dud, overseas stars have played a big part in Hull City's success over the past decade and provided their fair share of magic moments, from Geovanni's wonder goals against Arsenal and Spurs, to Elmo's swashbuckling charges down the flank. There's a sprinkling of important figures throughout the club's history as well; the likes of Theo Whitmore and Jay-Jay Okocha, who both brought with them flair and excitement, and heading further back, the great Dane Viggo Jensen, who made over 300 appearances, scored 51 goals from midfield and was capped 15 times by his country.
So here is my personal overseas XI (beyond the UK and Ireland). There's one or two surprises and it's missing a few big names, but this is a team of players that blends those I have enjoyed watching alongside others whose exploits have earned a place in the history books.
There's no place for either of our World Cup stars, Nikica Jelavic and Maynor Figueroa. Why? Both could arguably command a place, but I'd like to see their City careers unfold a little further first.
I'm sure people will disagree with my choices and I'm looking forward to seeing your selections in the comments below (I can hear you screaming ELMO! now).
One more thing before I start: while I was researching this article I came across a clip of Antonio Doncel (37 appearances, two goals, 1996-8) scoring an absolute screamer at Boothferry Park. It's rare to find a Spanish centre-back plying his trade in the lower reaches of the English game, especially one who can strike a ball like this:
I don't know where Doncel is now, but perhaps he should hot-foot it to Brazil - I hear his country is having a bit of a tough time.
Vito Mannone• Made 31 league appearances between 2010 and 2012• Won seven Under-21 caps for Italy When it comes to foreign goalkeepers, Hull City have experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly. Peter Gulacsi, Eldin Jakupovic and Sergio Leite (remember him?) have all, erm, graced the KC Stadium turf over the years, but the pick of the bunch has to be Vito Mannone. The Italian shot-stopper became a real fans' favourite during his short stay and received a rousing reception on his return to East Yorkshire with Sunderland last season. A calming and assured presence between the sticks, Mannone was the best of a string of short-term 'keepers utilised by City during their last spell in the Championship. One moment sticks in the mind. With City drawing 2-2 at Sheffield United on Boxing Day, 2010, the Blades forced an injury time corner. Mannone claimed the set-piece and, rather than waste valuable seconds by lying on the ball, released Cameron Stewart, whose blistering counter-attack ended in a winning goal for Jimmy Bullard. Now an established Premier League number one at Sunderland, Mannone will no doubt look back on his time at City with fondness.
Bernard Mendy• Made 49 league appearances between 2008 and 2010, scoring 2 goals • Won 4 caps for France When it came to playing football, Bernard Mendy was very much a free spirit. At times, the Frenchman seemed to exist in his own unique world, which nobody else, including his teammates, could tap into. Take, for example, the time he inexplicably played a free kick to himself. Of course, Mendy had his moments of brilliance. In the 2-2 draw at Anfield in 2008, he was, as the pundits would say, unplayable. Andrea Dossena didn't know whether he was coming or going that day and had Mendy not been required to move to right-back to compensate for Paul McShane's injury, City may have left with a famous three points. Then there was his goal against West Brom, when he surged into the box, rounded the 'keeper and slotted home before sprinting at full speed down the touchline in pure, unbridled joy. If City's backroom staff hadn't been there to stop him, I think he'd still be running now. Mendy was very much a part of that first adventure in the Premier League and, although a little erratic at times, he provided City fans with some truly memorable performances.
Kamil Zayatte• Made 71 league appearances between 2008 and 2011, scoring 3 goals• 45 caps for Guinea, 4 goals Kamil Zayatte was at the heart of the side that took the Premier League by storm in the first few months of the 2008-9 season. Zayatte, who originally joined on loan from Young Boys of Bern, is probably best remembered for his comedy own goals (of which there were quite a few). Sure, much like Mendy, he had a rather gung-ho approach to defending but it's worth remembering that he formed an excellent partnership with Michael Turner. Zayatte scored the first in a 3-0 win at West Brom in the October of that 2008/09 season, a victory that saw the Tigers go level on points at the top of the league. The Guinean will have felt the departure of Turner to Sunderland more than most. As competent as Anthony Gardner and Steven Mouyokolo were, they simply weren't in the same league and Zayatte's form subsequently dipped.
Ian Goodison• Made 71 league appearances between 1999 and 2002, scoring 1 goal • 120 caps for Jamaica, 10 goals When Ian Goodison and Theodore Whitmore rolled into town in the summer of 1999, the club was given a welcome injection of Caribbean style. The "Reggae Boyz" were very much a double act and rarely will a City fan mention one without the other. They were, though, very different types of player. Goodison was an uncompromising, no holds barred defender and became a terrace favourite, winning the Player of the Year award during the 2000/01 season. After three years, in 2002 he opted to move back to his native Jamaica. In 2004, he was reunited with former City boss Brian Little at Tranmere Rovers and has only just left at the age of 41.
George Boateng• Made 51 league appearances between 2008 and 2010, scoring 1 goal,• 4 caps for the Netherlands, 0 goals Boateng is a makeshift left-back in my overseas XI, but I don't think for one moment he would let me down. The Dutchman, a stout patron of the short sleeves and gloves combo, was an important cog in City's Premier League machine. At the start of that first season, he was at the heart of a midfield three with fellow battlers Dean Marney and Ian Ashbee. His influence during those early months may have been overlooked. This was a City side that was largely untested in the top flight and Boateng brought with him a wealth of experience from his spells at Coventry, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. He only scored one goal during his time at the KC but what a goal it was. It came against Manchester City in a 2-1 home win and it was an absolute rasper. Twenty-five yards out and on his weaker left foot, he let fly with a thunderbolt of a volley that left Shay Given with no chance. It's arguably the best goal scored by a City player at the KC in the Premier League.
Richard Garcia• Made 114 league appearances between 2007 and 2012, scoring 8 goals• 18 caps for Australia, 2 goals Australian Garcia will forever be able to say he was the first man to play for his country at a World Cup while on Hull City's books – not a bad achievement for a guy signed on a free transfer from Colchester United. He was never the flashiest of players while at the KC but he was an honest, hard-working pro who more than earned his shot at the Premier League. Garcia was a vital part of the 2008 promotion-winning side, scoring six goals in 41 league games, and also proved adept in the top flight, scoring the club's first ever Premier League away goal, against Blackburn Rovers. He copped an unfair amount of criticism from sections of City fans when played upfront by Phil Brown. That always seemed harsh on Garcia, who, despite being played out of position, always did the job to the best of his ability. Now back Down Under with Sydney FC, Garcia deserves his place in Tigers folklore.
Theo Whitmore• Made 77 league appearances between 1999 and 2002, scoring 9 goals• 105 caps for Jamaica, 24 goals The second of City's Reggae Boyz, midfielder Whitmore arrived in East Yorkshire with arguably more pedigree. With Goodison, he played all three games for Jamaica at their first ever World Cup, France '98, and made history by scoring both his side's goals in the 2-1 victory over Japan. With his quick feet and languid style, Whitmore brought a touch of flair to Boothferry Park and proved to be a real crowd-pleaser. The one game fans will never forget, however, is his return to the club in 2004 while playing for Tranmere Rovers. It was a top-of-the-table clash at the KC, but Rovers ended up facing impossible odds when both their first and second-choice goalkeepers were forced off through injury. Step forward Whitmore. It's fair to say the stand-in goalie was picked on ruthlessly by the City frontline as the Tigers ran out resounding 6-1 winners. Whitmore went on to become the manager of his national side and did a respectable job before resigning a year ago.
Jay-Jay Okocha• Made 18 league appearances between 2007 and 2008• 75 caps for Nigeria, 14 goals Arguably City's first global superstar, Jay-Jay Okocha was in the twilight of his career when Phil Brown brought him to Hull, but his arrival at the KC was met with huge excitement. An Olympic gold medallist with Nigeria, Okocha played at three World Cups, won 75 caps and can claim to be one of the greatest of all African players. Although his time at City was brief, he provided fans with the odd moment of magic. He didn't score, but the way that the ball stuck to his feet like a magnet was mesmerising at times. On one occasion, away at Wolves, no fewer than five opponents surrounded Okocha, but he still managed to keep possession. He is a true legend of the modern game and City were privileged to have him.
Geovanni• Made 60 league appearances between 2008 and 2010, scoring 11 goals• 1 cap for Brazil If there is one player who symbolises Hull City's first spell in the Premier League, it is Geovanni. When you think of those two seasons – particularly 2008/09 – you inevitably think of Geo. His famous goals against Fulham, Arsenal and Spurs came during a whirlwind spell for the club when everything just seemed so dreamy. He remains City's top scorer in the Premier League with eleven (second on that list, you may be surprised to hear, is Craig Fagan). At the time, everyone thought his stupendous strike at Arsenal would take some bettering. But a week later, at Spurs, he did just that. To find the top corner of the net with such accuracy from a dead ball is no mean feat and at that stage, Geo – and City – couldn't be stopped. As special as Geo was during his time at City, he was something of a fair-weather player. Almost all his goals came either at the beginning or the end of the season, and he didn't score a league goal in December, January or February. Having said that, Geo was as era-defining as they come.
Danny Allsopp• Made 64 league appearances between 2003 and 2005, scoring 22 goals• 3 caps for Australia Although he was only at City for two years, Allsopp was a firm favourite. The Aussie formed a great partnership with "Big" Ben Burgess and played a key role in securing promotion for Peter Taylor's side during his first season. He scored 15 goals that year – including four in his first four in the league – and won the penalty that Stuart Green slotted home in that famous win at Yeovil. He wasn't as regular a starter during the following campaign but still managed seven league goals and was given the perfect send-off when scoring two in his final game at the KC, against Wrexham. He returned to his native Australia where he played for Melbourne Victory and earned three caps for the national side.
Alf Ackerman• Made 103 appearances between 1950-51 and 1953-55, scoring 51 goals Ackerman may be an unfamiliar name to many supporters but he boasted a prolific goal-scoring record of 51 in 103 appearances. Signed from Clyde for a cool £11,000 by player-manager Raich Carter, the South African was an instant hit, scoring twice on his debut in a 3-3 draw with West Ham. He went on to net 21 times in 34 games that season. Ackerman was sold to Norwich after just a year with City, but returned to Boothferry Park in 1953. Although his goals to games ratio didn't quite hit the heights of his first spell, a four-goal haul against Oldham in December of that year saw him at his lethal best.
Vito Mannone• Made 31 league appearances between 2010 and 2012• Won seven Under-21 caps for Italy When it comes to foreign goalkeepers, Hull City have experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly. Peter Gulacsi, Eldin Jakupovic and Sergio Leite (remember him?) have all, erm, graced the KC Stadium turf over the years, but the pick of the bunch has to be Vito Mannone. The Italian shot-stopper became a real fans' favourite during his short stay and received a rousing reception on his return to East Yorkshire with Sunderland last season. A calming and assured presence between the sticks, Mannone was the best of a string of short-term 'keepers utilised by City during their last spell in the Championship. One moment sticks in the mind. With City drawing 2-2 at Sheffield United on Boxing Day, 2010, the Blades forced an injury time corner. Mannone claimed the set-piece and, rather than waste valuable seconds by lying on the ball, released Cameron Stewart, whose blistering counter-attack ended in a winning goal for Jimmy Bullard. Now an established Premier League number one at Sunderland, Mannone will no doubt look back on his time at City with fondness.
Bernard Mendy• Made 49 league appearances between 2008 and 2010, scoring 2 goals • Won 4 caps for France When it came to playing football, Bernard Mendy was very much a free spirit. At times, the Frenchman seemed to exist in his own unique world, which nobody else, including his teammates, could tap into. Take, for example, the time he inexplicably played a free kick to himself. Of course, Mendy had his moments of brilliance. In the 2-2 draw at Anfield in 2008, he was, as the pundits would say, unplayable. Andrea Dossena didn't know whether he was coming or going that day and had Mendy not been required to move to right-back to compensate for Paul McShane's injury, City may have left with a famous three points. Then there was his goal against West Brom, when he surged into the box, rounded the 'keeper and slotted home before sprinting at full speed down the touchline in pure, unbridled joy. If City's backroom staff hadn't been there to stop him, I think he'd still be running now. Mendy was very much a part of that first adventure in the Premier League and, although a little erratic at times, he provided City fans with some truly memorable performances.
Kamil Zayatte• Made 71 league appearances between 2008 and 2011, scoring 3 goals• 45 caps for Guinea, 4 goals Kamil Zayatte was at the heart of the side that took the Premier League by storm in the first few months of the 2008-9 season. Zayatte, who originally joined on loan from Young Boys of Bern, is probably best remembered for his comedy own goals (of which there were quite a few). Sure, much like Mendy, he had a rather gung-ho approach to defending but it's worth remembering that he formed an excellent partnership with Michael Turner. Zayatte scored the first in a 3-0 win at West Brom in the October of that 2008/09 season, a victory that saw the Tigers go level on points at the top of the league. The Guinean will have felt the departure of Turner to Sunderland more than most. As competent as Anthony Gardner and Steven Mouyokolo were, they simply weren't in the same league and Zayatte's form subsequently dipped.
Ian Goodison• Made 71 league appearances between 1999 and 2002, scoring 1 goal • 120 caps for Jamaica, 10 goals When Ian Goodison and Theodore Whitmore rolled into town in the summer of 1999, the club was given a welcome injection of Caribbean style. The "Reggae Boyz" were very much a double act and rarely will a City fan mention one without the other. They were, though, very different types of player. Goodison was an uncompromising, no holds barred defender and became a terrace favourite, winning the Player of the Year award during the 2000/01 season. After three years, in 2002 he opted to move back to his native Jamaica. In 2004, he was reunited with former City boss Brian Little at Tranmere Rovers and has only just left at the age of 41.
George Boateng• Made 51 league appearances between 2008 and 2010, scoring 1 goal,• 4 caps for the Netherlands, 0 goals Boateng is a makeshift left-back in my overseas XI, but I don't think for one moment he would let me down. The Dutchman, a stout patron of the short sleeves and gloves combo, was an important cog in City's Premier League machine. At the start of that first season, he was at the heart of a midfield three with fellow battlers Dean Marney and Ian Ashbee. His influence during those early months may have been overlooked. This was a City side that was largely untested in the top flight and Boateng brought with him a wealth of experience from his spells at Coventry, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. He only scored one goal during his time at the KC but what a goal it was. It came against Manchester City in a 2-1 home win and it was an absolute rasper. Twenty-five yards out and on his weaker left foot, he let fly with a thunderbolt of a volley that left Shay Given with no chance. It's arguably the best goal scored by a City player at the KC in the Premier League.
Richard Garcia• Made 114 league appearances between 2007 and 2012, scoring 8 goals• 18 caps for Australia, 2 goals Australian Garcia will forever be able to say he was the first man to play for his country at a World Cup while on Hull City's books – not a bad achievement for a guy signed on a free transfer from Colchester United. He was never the flashiest of players while at the KC but he was an honest, hard-working pro who more than earned his shot at the Premier League. Garcia was a vital part of the 2008 promotion-winning side, scoring six goals in 41 league games, and also proved adept in the top flight, scoring the club's first ever Premier League away goal, against Blackburn Rovers. He copped an unfair amount of criticism from sections of City fans when played upfront by Phil Brown. That always seemed harsh on Garcia, who, despite being played out of position, always did the job to the best of his ability. Now back Down Under with Sydney FC, Garcia deserves his place in Tigers folklore.
Theo Whitmore• Made 77 league appearances between 1999 and 2002, scoring 9 goals• 105 caps for Jamaica, 24 goals The second of City's Reggae Boyz, midfielder Whitmore arrived in East Yorkshire with arguably more pedigree. With Goodison, he played all three games for Jamaica at their first ever World Cup, France '98, and made history by scoring both his side's goals in the 2-1 victory over Japan. With his quick feet and languid style, Whitmore brought a touch of flair to Boothferry Park and proved to be a real crowd-pleaser. The one game fans will never forget, however, is his return to the club in 2004 while playing for Tranmere Rovers. It was a top-of-the-table clash at the KC, but Rovers ended up facing impossible odds when both their first and second-choice goalkeepers were forced off through injury. Step forward Whitmore. It's fair to say the stand-in goalie was picked on ruthlessly by the City frontline as the Tigers ran out resounding 6-1 winners. Whitmore went on to become the manager of his national side and did a respectable job before resigning a year ago.
Jay-Jay Okocha• Made 18 league appearances between 2007 and 2008• 75 caps for Nigeria, 14 goals Arguably City's first global superstar, Jay-Jay Okocha was in the twilight of his career when Phil Brown brought him to Hull, but his arrival at the KC was met with huge excitement. An Olympic gold medallist with Nigeria, Okocha played at three World Cups, won 75 caps and can claim to be one of the greatest of all African players. Although his time at City was brief, he provided fans with the odd moment of magic. He didn't score, but the way that the ball stuck to his feet like a magnet was mesmerising at times. On one occasion, away at Wolves, no fewer than five opponents surrounded Okocha, but he still managed to keep possession. He is a true legend of the modern game and City were privileged to have him.
Geovanni• Made 60 league appearances between 2008 and 2010, scoring 11 goals• 1 cap for Brazil If there is one player who symbolises Hull City's first spell in the Premier League, it is Geovanni. When you think of those two seasons – particularly 2008/09 – you inevitably think of Geo. His famous goals against Fulham, Arsenal and Spurs came during a whirlwind spell for the club when everything just seemed so dreamy. He remains City's top scorer in the Premier League with eleven (second on that list, you may be surprised to hear, is Craig Fagan). At the time, everyone thought his stupendous strike at Arsenal would take some bettering. But a week later, at Spurs, he did just that. To find the top corner of the net with such accuracy from a dead ball is no mean feat and at that stage, Geo – and City – couldn't be stopped. As special as Geo was during his time at City, he was something of a fair-weather player. Almost all his goals came either at the beginning or the end of the season, and he didn't score a league goal in December, January or February. Having said that, Geo was as era-defining as they come.
Danny Allsopp• Made 64 league appearances between 2003 and 2005, scoring 22 goals• 3 caps for Australia Although he was only at City for two years, Allsopp was a firm favourite. The Aussie formed a great partnership with "Big" Ben Burgess and played a key role in securing promotion for Peter Taylor's side during his first season. He scored 15 goals that year – including four in his first four in the league – and won the penalty that Stuart Green slotted home in that famous win at Yeovil. He wasn't as regular a starter during the following campaign but still managed seven league goals and was given the perfect send-off when scoring two in his final game at the KC, against Wrexham. He returned to his native Australia where he played for Melbourne Victory and earned three caps for the national side.
Alf Ackerman• Made 103 appearances between 1950-51 and 1953-55, scoring 51 goals Ackerman may be an unfamiliar name to many supporters but he boasted a prolific goal-scoring record of 51 in 103 appearances. Signed from Clyde for a cool £11,000 by player-manager Raich Carter, the South African was an instant hit, scoring twice on his debut in a 3-3 draw with West Ham. He went on to net 21 times in 34 games that season. Ackerman was sold to Norwich after just a year with City, but returned to Boothferry Park in 1953. Although his goals to games ratio didn't quite hit the heights of his first spell, a four-goal haul against Oldham in December of that year saw him at his lethal best.
