What's in a name? [Part 3 of 3]

Morning. Great to have you all back. We've reached the end of this three-part series. Today we focus on the siblings. Past. [not so] Past and Present who have turned up and contributed handsomely to this game we love so dearly.

Again, if you've missed the previous two writes. Here they are.

Part 1 of 3

Part 2 of 3

Moving along then.

 

Jack and Bobby CHARLTON

England's most famous footballing brothers. Orchestrators of the FIFA World Cup '66 triumph. [Sir] Bobby scooping the Ballon d'Or that year as well for his efforts. While Bobby was/is a legend at MUFC with 750+ appearances for the club, his brother Jack opted to play for the rivals Leeds and there carved his name in history, notching up 770+ appearances. It is widely publicised that the two no longer speak to each other, after a toxic family feud, which is quite sad considering the contribution both made to the game of football.

Erwin and Ronald KOEMAN

There's really not too much to say about Erwin and there's a helluva lot to say about Ronald. What we can deduce from the Koeman's is that they love this game [no not the NBA]. Their father played, they've played and Erwin's son now plays as well. Erwin enjoyed reasonable success in Belgium with Mechelen and also at PSV, while he and his brother were both involved in the '88 Euro Championship victory. Ronald is mostly remembered for his time at FC Barcelona. It was his goal that won them the [then called] European Cup aka UEFA Champions League. There are also 4x La Liga titles to speak of. Both brothers now coach in the Eredivisie, Erwin's at PSV, while Ronald is at Feyenoord. Their contributions to football qualify Ruud Gullit's quote "If it aint Dutch, it aint much"

Frank and Ronald DE BOER

A definite case of Double Dutch. The De Boer twins are two of my favourites in football gone by. Frank, the younger of the twins [no i don't know what time's they were born], could be said to be the slightly more successful of the two. During his decade at Ajax Amsterdam he won 5x Eredivisie titles, 1x UEFA Champions League + 1x UEFA Cup. Ronald did about the same, besides the UEFA Cup. Both won La Liga titles with FC Barcelona. Anyone remember this pass at FIFA World Cup '94? Quite FRANKly, sublime from both players. Yes, i know you saw what i did there.
Frank is still quite involved in the game of football, coaching Ajax Amsterdam, who are on the verge of winning yet another Eredivisie title.

Brian and Michael LAUDRUP
There's the Great Dane [Schmeichel] and then there are Great Danes. These two are the latter. You mention Rangers FC or FC Barcelona and i'm sure their names will come up. Brian's the younger brother, but don't be fooled. He is well travelled and has loads to show for his footballing career. Serie A title with Milan as well as a UEFA Champions League winners medal, three SPL titles with Rangers and of course the Euro Championships victory with Denmark. Michael is one of the few to cross the great-divide in Spain, playing for both FCB and Real Madrid. No pigs head for him though. He racked up 5 La Liga titles [4x FCB + 1x RMA] plus titles in Italy with Juventus and Netherlands with Ajax. Rather decorated, i'd say. Michael still had a hand in football [in Spain] up until last season, coaching Mallorca.

Phil and Gary NEVILLE

And then there were these two. Both 'products' of the MUFC youth system, enjoying successful stints at the club they cut their teeth at. Phil, although the more versatile of the two in being able to play in midfield or down the flank in defense, wasn't as favoured at Old Trafford and eventually moved on [to Everton] seeking more game time. Wise move. That being said, he had notched up close on 400appearances for the club and had won 6x EPL, 3x FA Cup and 1x UEFA Champions League. Not bad for a 'bit part' player. Gary played for the club up until last season, during which time he accumulated the following 8x EPL 3x FA Cup 1x UEFA Champions League 1x World Club Cup. I'll always remember his passionate celebrations and heart on sleeve showings for the club. Phil is still playing, currently at Everton where he is club captain. Gaz has continued talking...off the field at the studios for Sky Sports. Sometimes he even has an orgasm when a striker scores.

This brings to an end the 'What's in a name?' series...

Current siblings plying their trade in leagues around the world include

• Kolo and Yaya Toure
• Xabi and Mikel Alonso
• Fabio and Rafael Da Silva
• Jerome and Kevin-Prince Boateng
• Bastian and Tobias Schweinsteiger
• Asamoah and Baffour Gyan
• Arouna and Bakari Kone
• Itumeleng and Lucky Khune
• Bamuza and Matsilela Sono

Thanks for sharing this three-part write with me.
Football unites.

I'd like to wish Themba [Part 3 of 3 of footiecall] and his family a safe journey abroad. Did you know that 1 out of every 78 South African's move to England, citing crime as their reason for leaving?! Ok, i made that statistic up. Cheers brother. Enjoy your time there!