Trafford FC All-Time XI

So here is your team - as voted by you!

1. Tom Read: Tommy was an outstanding shot stopper – he probably made some of the best saves I’ve seen watching Trafford. Yes, he had a mistake in him but you can’t argue with what he has achieved: including promotion to our highest ever league level where he made crucial penalty saves and was an ever present that season.

2. Ally Brown: Ally is definitely a Trafford great – a key member in the promotion winning side of 2013, he was fantastic full-back/wing back who could fill in as a winger if needed. Boundless energy and a sound guy too. Trafford definitely missed him after he left the first time in 2014/15.

3. Andy Smart: I’ll never forget Smarty’s penalty in the Manchester Cup Final win over Hyde – the way he walked back so confidently giving it to our fans, I just knew we were going to win after that. A great lad with a super left foot, and chipped in with some great goals including one straight from a corner. Another key member of the 2013 promotion winning team.

4. Lee Southwood: He was only supposed to fill in for a couple of games – 311 later he is a certified Trafford legend. Formed a formidable partnership with Billy McCartney and was a key player in the NWCL title winners and twice presidents cup winners. A great all-round defender and role-model.

5. Nia Bayanu: A very close vote but Nia came out as our No.5. Absolutely superb in the play-off games of 2013 – Nia was never going to allow us to lose those games… just outstanding. As temperamental as he was talented – should really have gone on to break the all-time Trafford appearance record.

6. Martyn Andrews: At times it seemed as if Martyn was moving in slow motion and with his one trick of dummying a pass, you would never have thought he’d be a Trafford legend – but that is exactly what he is. A quick brain, a ferocious-winning attitude and the ability to read the game meant Martyn was vital in gaining promotion in 2013 and winning the Manchester cup in 2014.

7. Shelton Payne: If Shelton didn’t get itchy feet as often as he did – he would easily have smashed the all-time Trafford goal scoring record. Despite his regular comings and goings, he was still an outstanding talent producing one of the best attacking displays ever witnessed when scoring all 5 in an away fixture at Droylsden in the FA Cup. The most naturally talented player I’ve seen put on the white shirt.

8. Garry Vaughan: Mr. Trafford. Simple. A great all-round midfielder who scored plenty of goals. Together with Martyn, he would’ve made an amazing partnership in the Keane/Butt mold. Won nearly everything there was to win playing for Trafford and it was no surprise that he went on to achieve equally great things with us as a manager.

9. Scott Barlow: Trafford’s all-time top goal scorer with 100 goals – a feat that will take some beating. Scott Scored 29 goals in the NWCFL Title winning side of 2008 and then made the step up to Division One North look easy by banging in an incredible 40 goals in a team that finished 15^th.  Scored all manner of goals including a brace to win the Presidents Cup in 2009. A match winner.

10. Aaron Burns: The voting for this was literally neck-and-neck where it came down to the last hour of voting to see Burnzee go clear of Andy; there is no questioning his inclusion though after seeing the way he lit up peoples faces at Trafford, especially during the 16/17 season where Burnsy made the leagues team of the year! One thing is for certain - this team would score plenty of goals.

11. Scott Metcalfe: A very talented player who joined from Altrincham Youth. He had a fearsome shot and scored some memorable goals and was a key part of the 2007-2009 team that won the NWCFL and Presidents Cup. Later went on to play for other clubs including Warrington's League winning side.