I have been blessed over my football career to share a pitch and changing room with some great players and great people. But who would I choose as the best XI I have played alongside.
Goalkeeper – MARK TYLER
‘Tyles’ is the best keeper I have shared a pitch with. Playing alongside him at Luton Town for 4 out of my 5 years there. A quiet person in the changing room but what a goalkeeper! He had everything, could play with both his feet, a terrific shot stopper and when you needed him he would always pull off a save to keep you in a game. A few inches taller and I have no doubt he would have played in the Premier League.
Right Back – ANDY YIADOM
‘Yids’ was part of the Academy set up with me at Watford. A striker in our childhood days he has gone onto represent Ghana at international level and currently plays in The Championship with Reading. Nowadays a full-back, quick, strong and good on the ball I am delighted he has done well for himself in the game. One of the good people in the football.
Left Back – LEE HODSON
Like Andy, I played in Watford’s Academy with Lee. Another one who started off as a centre forward in our academy days, he worked his way back to playing left or right back. A Northern Ireland International, Lee played in the Premier League for Watford and has had spells at Brentford, Glasgow Rangers and is currently with SPL side St Mirren.
Centre Back – ALFIE MAWSON
Alfie come to Luton on loan from Brentford. A centre-half he was equally as comfortable with his left as he was his right. Technically probably the best centre-half I have seen on the ball. Could pass a ball elegantly and always fancied himself from 25-yards over a free-kick. Representing England at U-21 level I always thought Alfie could go on to be a regular in the International setup but it hasn’t quite happened yet. Currently at Fulham in the Championship.
Centre Back – GEORGE PILKINGTON
It always baffled me how ‘Pilks’ never played at the very top. What a player and what a person. You would struggle to come across a nicer person in the game. Although very quiet in the changing room as soon as you were on the pitch, what a leader. Not a screamer or a shouter, ‘Pilks’ led by example with the way he played. Not the tallest I never seen him lose a header. He could play off both feet and just made the game look so comfortable. Once picked up every single award going at the end-of-season awards dinner at Luton, what a talent.
Centre Midfield – KEVIN NICHOLLS
Definition of captain and leader. ‘Nico’ was by far the best player I have trained with. It was like you were playing in the World Cup Final every day with Nico. I remember my first few weeks at Luton, I nutmegged Nico and called it as a young lad would. I was to learn a harsh lesson, “Don’t ever try and mug me off again, you understand?” Them the words of Nico as I rolled the ball through his legs and collected it the other side. A couple of minutes later I got the ball, Nico come at me. SMASH! Absolutely nailed me and put me out for 6 weeks. He apologised greatly after, I never tried to nutmeg him again. A combative Central Midfielder, you wanted to be on his team and have him alongside you. I played with him as he was coming to the end of his career but I would have loved to see how he trained and was in his prime. Could tackle, pass and always reliable from the penalty-spot.
Centre Midfield – JOHN OSTER
Probably the only player I have played with that I felt was too good for everyone else in our team. ‘Ozzie’ wasn’t the biggest or the strongest Central Midfielder but what a player and I could easily see how he had a career playing in the Premier League. He seen things that none of our players could see and never ever looked worried in possession. Had a drop of the shoulder that you could see a mile off but I never seen anyone be able to read it. Another one of the good people in the game I played with Ozzie as he was coming to the end. Would have been good to see just how good he was in his prime.
Attacking Midfield – SCOTT RENDELL
I shared my greatest moment on a football pitch with ‘Rens’ whilst we was at Luton. I have never played with anyone else who had an understanding quite like me and him. Playing on the left-wing whenever I played with Scott I just knew where he was going to run. I set him up for a fair few goals in the season we had together, as soon as my head was up Scott was across the first defender. I put a bit of pace on the cross along the floor and 9/10 times Scott would be on the end of it. One of my good friends in the game Scott has had a great career in the lower reaches of the football league. A natural goalscorer.
Left Wing – MARCUS MADDISON
For me the best I have witnessed on a football pitch. Give Marcus the ball and he could win you a game on his own. He produced the only 10/10 performance I think I have ever witnessed as we at Gateshead beat Torquay on the opening day of the 2014/2015 season. Two absolute wonder goals and literally was unplayable, it was one of his last games before he got his move to Peterborough United. If he fancied it then he would win you a game. I think the only reason he hasn’t played at the very top is his attitude, ability wise it is unquestionable but his persona and the way he carries himself leaves a lot to be desired.
Right Wing – CAULEY WOODROW
Cauley made his debut for Luton when he replaced me as a sub at Welling United in the FA Trophy in 2011. Not long after as a 16-year-old he sealed a move to then Premier League Fulham for a fee rising to £1million. A natural goal scorer, Cauley played for Fulham in the Premier League. A real natural goalscorer, Cauley has represented England at U21 level and now plies his trade in the Championship with Barnsley.
Centre Forward – ANDRE GRAY
I couldn’t be happier for what Andre has achieved in the game and the moves he has secured himself. A humble lad who has never forgot his roots. Andre arrived at Luton Town from Hinckley in 2012. He went on to fire us to promotion in 2013/2014 season scoring 30 goals. Quicker and stronger than anyone in the Conference that season his goals helped secure Luton the title. A move to Championship Brentford and then onto Burnley. The top-goalscorer again to fire Burnley to Premier League promotion in 2016/2017 season before sealing a £18.5million move to Watford. A girlfriend from girl-band Little Mix he has done brilliantly for himself, a great lad and great player.
JJ O'Donnell 