Barratts/S&> and Barratts/EMPICS SportHe didn't need to be playing at home to kick you - he would have kicked you in your own back yard or in your own chair Those were the words of the legendary Bill Shankly, who played against Wilf Copping for Scotland in the 1930s. Known as the Ironman, Copping was regarded as one of the toughest players of his generation and his two-footed tackles made him feared throughout the league. In Coppings own words, "the first man in a tackle never gets hurt", and this summed up his mentality on the pitch. Never one to back out of a challenge, Copping would simply hurl himself into tackles, irrespective of the damage it might cause him. In one game against Everton at Goodison Park during the 1934/35 season, Copping played on with a busted knee, simply taping up the severely damaged ligaments. Wincing with agony, he helped Arsenal claim a crucial victory, nearly passing out with pain as the bandage was taken off after the match. So severe was the damage hed caused that Copping wouldnt play again that season, an indication of just how much pain he must have had to withstand.