Vinnie Jones snubbed Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira when naming his football hardman XI

Vinnie Jones snubbed Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira when naming his ultimate hardman XI.

The Wimbledon, Leeds and Chelsea enforcer terrorised opponents in the First Division and Premier League in the late 1980s and 1990s.

He was one of the most aggressive players in English football history, and was front and centre in a number of infamous incidents.

Jones once grabbed Paul Gascoigne by the groin in a match between Wimbledon and Newcastle in 1988, and was once fined £20,000 by the FA for fronting a 1992 video that was accused of glorifying foul play.

As a result, there are not many better judges of football hardmen than Jones himself.

Back in 2020, the Wimbledon 'Crazy Gang' member was asked by easyodds.com to name his toughest starting XI of players - with all of the names chosen having long since retired.

In goal, Jones opted for former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

In front of the Dane was a back four that saw Julian Dicks, Martin Keown, Paul McGrath and Stuart Pearce.

He described Nottingham Forest legend Pearce as 'patriotic and fiercely competitive' and explained West Ham icon Dicks' inclusion by reciting his nickname, 'The Terminator'.

Jones then opted for a midfield three - the Liverpool duo Jimmy Case and Graeme Souness and, fittingly, himself.

Former Hull frontman Billy Whitehurst and Everton legend Duncan Ferguson were chosen up front, with Jones then selecting the only player other than himself to have played for Wimbledon.

Ex-Dons striker John Fashanu was the 11th player in the line-up, with Jones explaining: "Ask me one man I'd have in the trenches, and it would be Fash. Who wouldn't?

"You say the word 'Crazy Gang' and people remember me and Fash first - and he always had my back. He could play, score goals - and was black belt in karate. Boom!"

Vinnie Jones' full football hardman XI

Here is Jones' full XI listed, alongside the club for which they made the most appearances during their career or had a significant contribution to.

Goalkeeper - Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United)

Defenders - Julian Dicks (West Ham), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Paul McGrath (Manchester United/Aston Villa), Stuart Pearce (Nottingham Forest)

Midfielders - Graeme Souness (Liverpool), Jimmy Case (Liverpool/Southampton), Vinnie Jones (Wimbledon)

Forwards - Billy Whitehurst (Hull), Duncan Ferguson (Everton), John Fashanu (Wimbledon)