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Viv Richards World Cup soccer player?

X

Xavier

Cricket Spectator
Wikipedia says some writers believe Viv Richards played international football for Antigua and Barbuda, in qualifying matches for the 1974 World Cup. However, he does not appear in recorded line-ups for these matches. What is the truth?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viv_Richards

I have left messages on Viv Richards Facebook page, and Tweeted his official account asking the question.

He hasn't responded .
 
J

Jack1

International Debutant
You’ll have to ask someone associated with him. He probably appreciates the messages , but doesn’t want to appear arrogant. Just an assumption. Best bet might be contacting the football association/federation of the national team
 
BoyBrumby

BoyBrumby

Englishman
Given their results in the qualifiers he's probably used his connections to have his participation expunged from the official record in a Stalinist styley.
 
andmark

andmark

International Captain
If there was a footballing Viv, who would it be (other than Viv himself obvs)? Dennis Bergkamp comes to mind as he had a similar elegance although not the same brute strength of Viv.
 
J

Jack1

International Debutant
if he doped i'd be scrapping his stats completely in cricket too, no hate..just seems fair on everyone else
 
X

Xavier

Cricket Spectator
John1990 said:
You’ll have to ask someone associated with him. He probably appreciates the messages , but doesn’t want to appear arrogant. Just an assumption. Best bet might be contacting the football association/federation of the national team
Click to expand...
I have tried a bunch of Football Associations in the West Indies, as well as cricketing groups. None of them were able to help. Viv Richards is an ambassador for West Indies tourism. I asked them to confirm one way or the other and they didn't know either.

It seems weird that such a huge name in international cricket may or may not have a past in international soccer, but nobody seems to be able to confirm or deny this.
 
X

Xavier

Cricket Spectator
aussie tragic said:
Wasn't actually World Cup anyway as just qualifying games where Antigua and Barbuda lost 4 nil so weren't even close to qualifying.

https://www.11v11.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup/1974/qualifying/concacaf/

The games show who started but doesn't show who was on the bench, but I assume he was one of those.
Click to expand...
Even to be on the bench for a World Cup team would be an amazing feat for an international cricketer. What athleticism it would show to be able to compete at an elite level in such different sports.
 
J

Jack1

International Debutant
Xavier said:
Even to be on the bench for a World Cup team would be an amazing feat for an international cricketer. What athleticism it would show to be able to compete at an elite level in such different sports.
Click to expand...

Complicated. The era played and talent pool. It’s important to remember how small the population is, smaller then. When you factor in how many men would have been 1. 15-40 years old and potentially in with a shout of selection at all and 2. How many even played football then that figure gets really small. I don’t find it that surprising because of that considering his general attitude and approach to things.

Regards to the other post they might have an agreement with Viv to keep it quiet. You might have to research the best you can and ask around on your own online for specifics. I’m out
 
fredfertang

fredfertang

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
No mention of it in any of his three autobiographies, not even the one he 'wrote' in 1979

Turns out he's a Liverpool fan though
 
stephen

stephen

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Xavier said:
Even to be on the bench for a World Cup team would be an amazing feat for an international cricketer. What athleticism it would show to be able to compete at an elite level in such different sports.
Click to expand...
Yeah. It was far more common in the past for players to play at the top level in multiple sports.

Ellyse Perry notably played in both the cricket and soccer world cups, but women's sport is 50 years behind men's sports in terms of international recognition (barring a few outliers). And it's fair to say she's improved dramatically at cricket since she gave up soccer.
 
X

Xavier

Cricket Spectator
aussie tragic said:
Wasn't actually World Cup anyway as just qualifying games where Antigua and Barbuda lost 4 nil so weren't even close to qualifying.

https://www.11v11.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup/1974/qualifying/concacaf/

The games show who started but doesn't show who was on the bench, but I assume he was one of those.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your help. I checked out the link you supplied. Actually they do show the people in the teams were on the bench. Check out this link to one of the matches hhttps://www.11v11.com/matches/trinidad-and-tobago-v-antigua-and-barbuda-10-november-1972-232203/ and scroll down about half way.

Unfortunately I looked in all the Antigua games and Viv Richards wasn't on the bench in any of them (or listed in the starting line-up).
 
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