Topics: Vinnie Jones, Premier League, England
Vinnie Jones has admitted that one of England's most notorious 'hardmen' from the 80s and early 90s was tougher than him, describing him as a "monster" and "the geezer" in a recent interview.
As far as football 'hardmen' go, many look no further than Vinnie Jones; the no-nonsense former Wimbledon midfielder who was part of the FA Cup-winning 'Crazy Gang' side of 1988.
Jones' reputation has followed him ever since. The 61-year-old has established himself as the perfect actor for 'tough-guy' roles, with film credits including Gone in 60 Seconds, Mean Machine and X-Men: The Last Stand.
Given his reputation, both on and off the pitch, Jones is often asked which of his former opponents are the toughest.
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Speaking to talkSPORT in a recent sit-down interview, the former Leeds United and Chelsea midfielder was asked if a notoriously tough-tackling footballer was "harder" than him or not.
Jones admitted he was "harder" than Neil 'Razor' Ruddock, Julian Dicks, Paul Ince, Duncan Ferguson and Roy Keane, but when Mick Harford's name was uttered, the former Wimbledon defender winced.
"No," he said almost immediately. "He was a monster. He was the geezer."
In the past, many have agreed with Jones' statement about former Luton Town and Chelsea striker Harford, who is widely renowned as one of the toughest players in English football history.
Harford had various spells at different First Division and Premier League clubs and, unlike many forwards, he was never afraid to get stuck in.
The previously mentioned Neil Ruddock also named Harford in his top five football hardmen alongside Noel Blake, Terry Hurlock, Billy Whitehurst and notorious midfielder Jimmy Case, who played for Liverpool between 1973 and 1981.
"No one messed with Jimmy. He wouldn’t go out and deliberately smash someone, but he was old school," said Ruddock. "If anyone took liberties with one of his Southampton team-mates, particularly the younger ones like me, they were going to get Jimmy-ed.
Jones has previously named Billy Whitehurst, the former Hull City, Newcastle and Sheffield United forward, as football's hardest ever player.
In fact, Jones was hosting an 'Evening with Vinnie Jones' speaking tour when a member of the crowd asked what it was like to be the hardest man in football.
Jones is said to have pointed to the front row where special guest Whitehurst was sitting and said: “You best ask that man.”
