Mikhail Chigorin wrote:It was out and out, pre-meditated thuggery, taking place near the touchline, only a few yards away from where I was standing.
Best launched himself with both feet and Pardoe had to be rushed to hospital, coming within a few minutes of losing his leg.
Totally disgusting and on a par with Buchan and Colin the King.
MC, you must by now be aware of my (often irrational) hatred and disgust at anything rag.
That said, I think you're over the top with this one, in fact I'm not sure you're talking about the same incident. I remember, (and before I posted this, checked) that the tackle was nowhere near the touchline, but just outside our box in the middle of the pitch.
I thought at the time, and having watched it again, that it was a late challenge that went horrifically wrong. Best was doing a lot of those sort of challenges in that period as his skill and ball control were being seriously diminished by the self abuse he was inflicting on himself with the booze.
TBH, looking at the tackle, it doesn't appear that dreadful, especially in the context of the time.
I really don't believe it was malicious, just clumsy and ill advised, with horrific consequences.
And I don't think it can be compared with the Buchan tackle on Colin Bell, which was indeed pre-meditated thuggery.