Forward (association Football) - Centre Forward

Centre Forward

The centre forward is often a tall player, typically known as a target man, whose main function is to score the majority of goals for his team. He may also be used to win long balls or receive passes and "hold up" the ball as team-mates advance, to help teammates score by providing a pass ('through ball' into the box); the latter variation usually requiring quicker pace. Most modern centre forwards operate behind the strikers, but do the majority of the ball handling outside the box; however, some forwards operate on the wings of the field and work their way goalward. The present role of centre forward is interchangeable with that of an attacking midfielder, especially in the 4-3-1-2 or 4-1-2-1-2 formations. A centre forward usually must be strong, to win key headers and 'outmuscle' defenders. His classic number is 9.

The term centre forward is taken from the early football playing formation in which there were five forward players: two Outside forwards, two inside forwards, and one centre forward. When numbers were introduced in the 1933 English FA Cup final, one of the two centre forwards that day wore the number nine Everton's Dixie Dean a strong, powerful forward who had set the record for the most goals scored in one season in English football during the 1927-28 season. The number would then become synonymous with the centre forward position (only one that day because one team was numbered 1–11 whilst the other was numbered 12–22). The modern era has different formations and has squad numbers rather than numbers 1–11, but some positions still retain their original numbers and a traditional centre forward or target man is often found wearing the number nine, such as Alan Shearer, who wore the number 9 shirt at club and international level, or Fernando Torres, the Spanish centre forward player who is wearing number nine in his team and at international level.