Nobby Stiles was so scary that his hair ran away and his teeth jumped out of his mouth. Bald at a young age, Stiles gave fans a glimpse of what was to come on his Manchester United debut when he punched in the temple the player who had the temerity to take the ball away from him. But it wasn't just his actions that made him a hard man, Stiles was scary just to look at. He famously had his teeth ripped out during a match early in his career and wore dentures from that point on, taking them out prior to matches, lending to this gap-toothed photo. Stiles scored 17 goals in an 11-year playing career for Man United, winning the Football League First Division in 196465, and again in 196667. But he is best remembered for his success with the national side. His highly combative and physical style of play is owed by many to England's 1966 World Cup success, virtually bullying Eusebio out of the game as we went on to beat Portugal in the semi-finals. And, after beating West Germany in the final, the sight of Stiles dancing on the Wembley pitch, with the World Cup trophy in one hand and his false teeth in the other, will always go down as one of the most iconic images in Three Lions history.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
