With an incredible 346 goals in 660 appearances, Ian Rush's achievements as a Liverpool striker may well never be matched. A predatory finisher and tireless worker with an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time, no man has sparked delirium at Anfield with quite the same regularity as Icons Legend of the Week #9.

With a penchant for scoring crucial goals, Rush spearheaded the Liverpool side that dominated the game during the 1980s. Over the course of 15 seasons at Anfield, Liverpool's all-time record goalscorer won five league titles, five League Cups and three FA Cups, not to mention the greatest club accolade of all, the European Cup. His languid and ungainly demeanor did not initially inspire confidence at Liverpool, but when he made his scoring breakthrough in 1981 he soon proved that looks can be deceptive. Forming a lethal strike partnership with fellow Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish (above, left), Rush netted 30 times in 49 appearances during the 1981/82 season - his first as a first-team regular - propelling the Reds to a league and cup double.

1982/83 was another double-winning campaign for Liverpool, but it was the following season that would be remembered as Rush's zenith. Liverpool completed a historic treble that season when they famously defeated AS Roma 4-2 on penalties in the European Cup final, with Rush among Liverpool's successful penalty-takers. With a remarkable total of 47 goals in 65 games, the Welshman scooped the European Golden Boot and PFA Player of the Year award. In only his fourth season on Merseyside, Rush's name was already carved into Liverpool folklore.

But how different his story could have been. Not long after becoming Britain's most expensive teenager when he was signed from Chester City for £300,000 in 1980, Rush - frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities - confronted Liverpool manager Bob Paisley with a transfer request. Paisley's refusal to sanction the Welshman's proposed move to Crystal Palace would prove one of the best decisions he ever made.

More success followed, and in 1986 Rush fired the Reds to yet another double which included his first FA Cup win, a 3-1 triumph over Merseyside rivals Everton which saw him put in a goal scoring, man-of-the-match performance. His emphatic scoring record was not going unnoticed across the continent and in July 1986, with a host of top European clubs hovering, Rush signed for Italian giants Juventus for a British record £3m. He spent the first year of his Juventus contract on loan with Liverpool before moving to Italy in 1987. Rush's season in Turin was a difficult one as he managed just seven goals in 29 Serie A appearances, and after failing to settle in his new surroundings, he was welcomed back to Anfield with open arms in the summer of 1988.

On his return to Merseyside, Rush found himself in competition with new Liverpool strikers John Aldridge and Peter Beardsley. The goals continued to flow at a steady rate for the Welshman though, and he picked up two FA Cups, a League Cup and a First Division title in the eight seasons before his eventual departure from Liverpool in 1996.

Rush is Wales' record goalscorer with 28 goals from 73 appearances. But despite his excellent return, Wales were never able to qualify for a major tournament during his career, meaning he joins the likes of George Best and Ryan Giggs as a legend who never appeared at the highest level of international football.

Rush remains one of the most decorated players in Anfield history, and an inspiration to Liverpool supporters young and old. The likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll have one hell of a task on their hands if they are to get close to that goal scoring record. 

As the most decorated player in English football history, Ryan Giggs was an obvious choice for Icons Legend of the Week #5.

In a glittering career that has spanned two decades at the very top; the Manchester United winger-turned-playmaker has won just about every trophy going in club football. I mean talk about staying power, back when Giggs won his first trophy it was known as the Rumbelows Cup.

He turns 38 in November, and he is now entering his 21^st season with Manchester United. Since that League Cup win in 1992, the Welsh Wizard has added 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and two Champions League medals to his bourgeoning CV. Throw in eight Community Shields, three more League Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup and you still haven't covered it.

I could type out a list of all his individual accolades, but I've a train to catch in three hours. He certainly didn't waste any time though, and having made his league debut as a 17-year-old on 2 March 1991 against Everton, he became the first player to win consecutive PFA Young Player of the year awards in 1992 and 1993. Fast forward to 2005 and he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. PFA Team of the Year six times, Team of the Decade, Team of the Century. He's even got an OBE.

With his first Young Player of the Year award, Giggs established himself as one of the most prodigious young talents in the country. Coupling maturity and intelligence with terrifying pace and outstanding dribbling ability, it was no coincidence that Giggs' emergence coincided with a new era of Manchester United dominance.

Along with the likes of Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes and Paul Ince, Giggs was integral to Sir Alex Ferguson's 1993/94 league and cup double winning side. He's been a mainstay ever since. Sensational goals have littered his long career, and the stunning mazy dribble, slammed finish and chest-bearing celebration in extra-time of the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal remains one of the most memorable goals of recent times.

On 21 May 2008, the night of United's Champions League final triumph over Chelsea in Moscow, Giggs surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 appearances for the Red Devils. He also holds the record for the most Premier League appearances, with 573 so far. With an overall total of 876 club appearances, he will be hoping to reach the 900 mark this season. He has scored 159 goals for United, and was their first player to reach the 100 mark in the Premier League. He has netted in 15 Champions League tournaments too, and became the competition's oldest ever scorer with his strike against Schalke 04 last April at 37 years and 148 days.

Giggs captained England Schoolboys as a youngster, but he is a fiercely proud Welshman, and before retiring from international football on 30 May 2007 he represented his country 64 times, scoring 12 goals. When he made his international bow in 1991, he became Wales' youngest debutant, a record he held for seven years.

Giggs signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United in February of this year, and he remains a crucial figure in Sir Alex's squad. A true footballing legend who does his talking on the pitch, I don't think anyone would begrudge him another medal or two.

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We conducted our first signing with Ryan Giggs back in 1999. We've been working together ever since.

"I've worked with the lads at Icons for ten years, and they've always been professional, reliable and 100% genuine." – Ryan Giggs.

The list of nominees for the Ballon D'Or was announced yesterday with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way. The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the European footballer of the year, and is voted for by journalists and organised by France Football magazine. The winner will be announced on 1 December.

The full list of nominees is below, featuring as many as nine players featured on the icons.com site.

Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Diego (Juventus), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Samuel Eto'o (Internazionale), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona), Andreas Iniesta (Barcelona), Julio Cesar (Internazionale), Kaka (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Maicon (Internazionale), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Luis Fabiano (Seville), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), David Villa (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Barcelona).

Hopefully, over the coming year we can add big names to the site from this illustrious list and bring you products from as many of the world's best players as possible. Let us know who you would like to see on the site by emailing us at icons.com

Is Cristiano Ronaldo only the 50th best player ever to play for Manchester United? Not even as good as Andy, sorry, Andrew Cole?

The Times released their list of the 50 best footballers to play for Manchester United this week, and as always with these lists there were some surprising choices.

Sir Bobby Charlton headed the 50 at number one: survivor of the Munich air crash, inspiration at Wembley 68 and chief protagonist behind bringing Alex Ferguson to Old Trafford, it's hard to argue against those credentials.

George Best, one of the most charismatic and skilful players not only of the Sixties but of all time, was second, with Munich victim Duncan Edwards at number three.

The enigmatic Eric Cantona came in at fourth, with captain marvel Bryan Robson at five, while record appearance holder Ryan Giggs was ranked seven.

Icons has a great choice of Man Utd memorabilia available from the players. Number is where they came in the Times ranking.

50 Cristiano Ronaldo memorabilia
42 Jaap Stam memorabilia
35 Teddy Sheringham memorabilia
8 Denis Law memorabilia
7 Ryan Giggs memorabilia
5 Bryan Robson memorabilia
4 Eric Cantona memorabilia
2 George Best memorabilia
1 Bobby Charlton memorabilia

So Jose Mourinho reckons that Ryan Giggs is the greatest ever Premiership player, better than Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Eric Cantona.

The Special One should know a thing or two given the number of trophies he won with Chelsea and the way his Inter Milan side are running away with this year's Scuddeto.

But is he right? Here is Icons' top five Premiership players:

5. Steven Gerrard. They say that no player is bigger than the team. Have they not heard of Stevie G?
4. Frank Lampard. Still holds the record for an outfield player of 164 consecutive appearances. A phenomenon.
3. Eric Cantona. Turned Manchester United into the all-conquering force they are today.
2. Alan Shearer. 260 Premiership goals. Will anyone ever beat that?
1. Ryan Giggs. Well no-one ever won an argument with the Special One did they?

We've had our turn. Now it's yours...

Ryan Giggs completed another signing session for us on Tuesday in Manchester. Ryan was in fine form after his man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea at the weekend. As always, Ryan had time to stop and chat to his fans before getting down to business.

Ryan, who has been working with icons since 1999, signed a number of shirts, boots and photos for us, which will be available for sale shortly. Look out for the blue away kit with the special badge commemorating the European Cup win over Benfica 40 years ago, when of course, United wore the same colours. Only 10 of these were signed, making this a very rare piece of sports memorabilia. Ring our order line now if you want to reserve one of these for yourself.

Ryan also signed a number of photos of his amazing solo goal in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal. This classic image always flies off the shelves – there's something about the way he waltzed through the Gunners' famous back five before revealing the hairiest chest in football that Utd fans love – and for the first time it is available in a larger size of 20 inches by 16 inches.

Great to see Ryan Giggs putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea yesterday. The 35-year-old was making his 549th appearance for Manchester United and is set to reach the 550-mark if he plays against Wigan on Wednesday.

Ryan has agreed to meet us for another signing session tomorrow, where as well as more memorabilia from the 2008 Champions League victory, he will be signing some rare blue kits with badges commemorating the 40th anniversary of United's first European Cup win over Benfica. Only ten will be signed, so be quick off the mark to get yourself a genuinely rare item of memorabilia.

Sir Alex Ferguson was effusive in his praise for Ryan after the 3-0 victory. He told MUTV: "Ryan was fantastic. I kept him particularly for this game, I rested him. I told him two weeks ago he and Darren Fletcher would play against Chelsea.

"I thought this game was made for them, given Ryan's ability to hold the ball and beat a man in midfield with that left foot. Ballack couldn't live with him really. It could have been a mistake – it's very easy to make a mistake when you've got a squad of 23 players. Genuine mistakes of course because you want to pick a team that wins and the supporters understand that. But today it worked and I'm glad it did."

Christmas is over and icons hope that Santa brought you everything you asked for. If like us, however, you got soap on a rope and slippers again you'll be delighted to know our January sale is now in full swing. There are some great bargains to be had, including Ryan Giggs and Henrik Larsson prints for £39.99. Pele Brazil shirts are down £50 to £149.99 and all signed Pele prints are available for under £100.