Football
The best faceoff in the world? Stoke’s Delap once made the goalkeeper kick the ball away for a corner
If someone learns to throw long outs, it can be a very effective weapon. One such player was Rory Delap, who terrified all Premier League defences in his career.
If someone learns to throw long outs, it can be a very effective weapon. One such player was Rory Delap, who terrified all Premier League defences in his career.
You’ve probably heard the phrase: “On a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke”. The saying took hold because of the unpleasant style the Red and Whites practiced under Tony Pulis. The Stoke players were all tall, combative and sliding for every ball.
In short, there was no great football being played at Stoke Stadium, it was more of a war. All of which was helped by Rory Delap, who wore the red and white jersey from 2006-2013.
His hands were literally magical. Delap had incredibly long crosses that he would shower from the opponent’s half into the whitewash where the Stoke warriors were waiting for a header. Delap’s autos weren’t arcs, they were more like armed grenades.
You can watch a clip of his discipline for yourself.
Stoke scored countless goals thanks to these autos, it was truly a unique weapon that every opponent feared.
Delap was already so famous in the Premier League that he terrified the opposition goalkeepers. Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was challenged by Stoke attackers, but could calmly kick the ball away.
However, he realised that Delap was on the pitch and it would have meant great danger. So he preferred to turn and kick the ball for a corner. I don’t think anyone could have paid more homage to Delap.
Delap is now 45 years old and in his career he has tried on the jersey of Derby County, Southampton, Barnsley and Burton Albion, where he finished his career.
However, he is still close to the Premier League, as Liam Delap, his son, is in the Manchester City squad. The 18-year-old striker mostly plays for the Under-23 reserves, but Pep Guardiola has already given him the opportunity in three games for the A-team, once in the Premier League, once in the FA Cup and once in the EFL Cup, where he also managed to score a goal.
Source: Give Me Sport, Livesport, Twitter
