Based purely on players I have seen play for Town since the early 70's I'd go for :-

Paul Charlton ; Des Drummond, Johnny Jones, Ken Kerr, David Baildon ; Ged Byrne, Boxer Walker ; James Pickering, Mick Jenkins, Eddie Bowman ; Les Gorley, Peter Gorley ; Billy Pattinson. Subs - Barry Williams, Jim Mills, Colin Armstrong, Brad Hepi.

Its all down to personal opinion and no doubt we would all pick a different team. We should just be thankful that we have had many great players to pick from over the years.

Don't agree with the full back. Paul though a good player could not tie Sid Lowden's boot laces. Paul was a try stealer who took far too many tries that the wingers would have normally scored.Sid could attack defend and kick goals way beyond any standard that Paul could.
Eric Bell earned his place in any Town Team, he had a brilliant footballing brain few others ever had. Nobody ever saw Eric give a bad pass to anyone in a bad position. He kept the ball and took the knocks.
No Harry Archer? Alexander the great Murphy never ever had a good game against Harry. considered to be one of the best players ever Murphy missed more St Helens visiting teams than he played in. Harry always ran rings round him, at home and away.
Harry vs Parkinson of Swinton head to heads were always worth paying to see.
There will always be arguments as to who were the better players, but in my humble opinion these players have all earned their place in any team.

how james pickering, phil mckenzie and des drummond arent mentioned in this starting 13, is beyond me!

I agree that the comment that they would beat any Super League team today is probably a little exaggerated , they were all world class in their day but that day has moved on , its like saying George Best , Norman Hunter and Bobby Charlton would beat anyone team today in football....memories of old confuse the facts . Today's sportsmen are full time Pro's and much faster , fitter and thats through out the whole squad .

It would be intresting to see a list of the worst all time town and whitehaven line ups....... Any suggestions ?

I could not disagree with any of Joe's selections and was particularly pleased that he chose two great, but largely under-rated forwards in Malcolm Moss and Eddie Bowman. He also ingeniously answered the $64000 question of having to choose between Risman and Charlton for full back by picking Gus at stand off half. How about this for Town's A team of greats:- 1 Syd Lowdon 2 Johnny Lawrenson 3 Kieron O'Loughlin 4 Eric Bell 5 George(Happy) Wilson 6 Harry Archer 7 John(Sol) Roper 8 Les Moore 9 Howard(Smiler) Allen 10 Bill Martin 11 Les Gorley 12 Frank Foster 13 Ken Goodall With regrets at having to omit such as Bill Wookey, Ian Wright, David Beck, Jimmy Hayton, Jim Mills, James Pickering, Peter Gorley, Billy Pattinson etc.

if its thatridiculous of a comment,then have a look again at some of the great britain players mentioned above,oh and they were all part timers,but they were something the present gr britain side dont have,which is being world class.
charlton,risman,southward,gibson,herbert,pepperill would wal;k into any of todays super league side.
how far as rugby league gone back when rightly joe has to go back over 30- yrs befores he selects anyone in his best ever team.

What a ridiculous comment to make - they'd beat any side in super league! The game is totally different, the rules have changed, the skill level has changed, the speed of the game has changed, the athleticism and professionalism has changed another style of play is different. You can go on forever about who the best players are but that comment is ridiculous!

A great team and I do agree in most cases however I would choose Peter Gorley at prop ahead of Eddie Bowman. Malcolm Moss is one of the finest uncapped hookers ever to have played Rugby League.

Jared 'the machine' stack in for me he is a legend