Top 75 Flyers

As we enter the 75th Season for the Fife Flyers it is a great opportunity for fans of the club reminisce about years gone by and past successes. Now we could argue all day about why last year marketed as our "75th Year" and this upcoming campaign our "75th Season" but do we really care? In the spirit of the promotions by the club I am going to talk through my favourite Flyers and I cannot stress this enough... I will be wrong, you won't agree with my choices but that's the game that's the fun of being a fan. If you disagree let me know let's share the knowledge of fans. You may be right the "Plumb Line" was probably exceptional, Bert Smith was perhaps the best local lad we ever had but I never saw them play so I won't insult you or them by including them on my list!

Now we have that out the way, let's get started.

Goalkeeper: Stephen Murphy

It's difficult to believe that Stephen Murphy is only now reaching the age of what is usually considered a prime netminder, but as teenager he was still the best stopper to fill the pipes at FIA in a long time.Incredibly reliable even then and prone to the odd wondersave, Stephen proved that you don't need a big import goalie to compete in the British leagues. He is one of those players that gets you out of your seat whether it was in Fife all those years ago or at the Odyssey last season, he will be remembered as one of Britain's greatest and we are lucky to have had him wear the blue, white and gold.

Defence:  Frank Morris

When a guy is known affectionately as the "Captain Fantastic" can we really leave him out of list of top Flyers? No, we can't. Frank was an extraordinary servant for the club, joining us in 1991 and playing in most seasons through to 2004/2005. Initially playing as a forward Frankie made a name for himself playing on the Flyers blue line. His leadership was key to our Grand Slam winning season and that along with his great service will have him remembered in these parts for years to come.

Defence: Greg Kuznik

The only player to make the list that didn't win the Grand Slam with Flyers would have been a welcome addition even on that team. Computer game fans among you may interested to know that Greg features on NHL 2001 for the Carolina Hurricanes, he's 63 overall but still.. NHL 2001! After that career achievement you may have thought it would have been downhill from there but Greg moved to Fife and won a league title in two all too short seasons. The only downside to Greg's time in Fife was that it wasn't long enough. The end of the BNL and Fife's move amateur hockey meant that "Koozy" had to move to pastures new but what a great talent he was!

Forward: Mark Morrison

Return of the Mack... not that guy, much cooler! When a guy wins coach of the year 3 times and player of the year 3 times - and had a playing career that also included captaining Canada Junior team ahead of the great Steve Yzerman - it's almost impossible to look beyond him as one of Fife's greatest. He was the player/coach/general manager that pretty much won a trophy ever year. Without Mo I would never have become a Flyers fan, after a visit to my Cubs group in 1997 I became hooked on this great game and for that I will be eternally grateful. Thank you Mo.

Forward: Russell Monteith

Thirty eight powerplay goals in a season, do I have to say anymore? Not really, but I will. A truly electric player that played in one of the most successful eras in Flyers history. Having scored at over a goal a game it's fair to say that he was one of, if not the, reason Flyers were so successful at this point. Sadly, as with Kuznik he just didn't play long enough for us. Injuries and the end of his studies meant that the end of his third season with Fife would be his last. I remember him returning a few years later to play in Frank Morris' testimonial he was still a class act and the star of the show even then.

Forward: Todd Dutiaume

If Mo got me to start going to the Flyers then"Dutes" kept me coming back. What people sometimes forget now is that when Todd arrived here in 1999 he was an elite player, one of the quickest and deadliest in front of the net. Never forget that, Todd has been an incredible servant to this club and his commitment to this club has been admirable, without him the club may have folded in 2005, but never, ever forget that at the heart of it all Todd is one of the greatest players to wear the gold, white and blue. Even last year, there were some great moments that rolled back the years, he scored a goal that guaranteed playoff hockey on a broken knee, this guy is tougher than most. He will be in Flyers folklore for the ages and after 14 years and counting, who could deny him that?

Well, there we go... told you I was wrong.