The Premiership's Hardest Man.
If i was to ask, who is the Premiership's hardest ever player, i think most votes would fly in the direction of Roy Keane, Neil Ruddock or John McGrath. But in all honesty i think that; Keane was more reckless, Ruddock more unstable and McGrath more intoxicated, than hard. Personally i think that the title of the Premiership's toughest player lies with the fearless rock that is Muhamed Konjic, the former Coventry and Derby centre back who not only fought on the pitch but also off of it. At 6ft 3in "Big Mo" was a defensive rock for one of the Premiership's less than elegant sides, but it wasn't just his no-nonsense approach to defending that makes him the toughest man to grace Englands premier competition.
Whilst living and playing in Bosnia, his home country, Konjic was a member of his nations army. Konjic served 8 months in the Bosnian forces, but it wasn't during this period that he showed his deepest commitment for his love of the game. Konic was released from his duties during the Bosnian War but as the war continued, Konjic still stayed faithful to football. During artillery raids, Konjic would continue to practice and train in the streets, which were empty due to the impending attacks. Konjic claims that bombs fell as close as 10 yards away from him whilst he trained towards a future in the professional game. Although these actions showed a dedication to football that many of us wish we possessed, it isn't the only amazing feat Konjic completed to follow his dream and play competitive football, in order to feed his family.
Konjic's footballing break came when Croatian League side Croatia Belsice came in for his services. Konjic decided that he needed to join the side to aid his career and to help provide for his family, Konjic drove for two days and two nights over mountain roads to reach his new side's location. Konjic's ambitious plan to drive without rest for 48hours backfired horribly when his car, including a passenger collided with a bus and tumbled 60ft down a revine, killing Konjic's acquaintance and breaking both of his arms. If war wasn't going to stop Konjic playing the game he loved, and providing for the family he loved more, two broken arms certainly wasn't, and believe it or not, Konjic decided that playing in a physical european league with two broken arms was the right decision to make. During this period Konjic, who was a "Classic" centre back to say the least, did not let his sickening injuries impact on his physical approach, and passion for the game. Konjic admitted that the pain in his arms drove him to tears everytime he jumped for a ball or dived into a tackle, and for this i believe Muhamed Konjic is the Premiership's hardest ever player.
Any other players that you believe compete with Konjic for the title of Premierships hardest player, let me know by replying to this article or emailing me at mikecrocombe@hotmail.co.uk
