Football is often seen as a young man’s game, but there are those players who defy the odds and continue to perform at a high level well into their forties. In this article, we will take a look at the top ten oldest players to ever grace the Premier League. These individuals have left a lasting impact on the sport, proving that age is just a number when it comes to their love for the game.
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar had an illustrious career, playing for Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Manchester United, and VV Noordwijk. As one of the “golden generation” of Ajax players, he started his career on a high note. Van der Sar holds the record for the most caps for the Netherlands national team. He finally decided to hang up his gloves at the age of 40 years and 205 days while playing for Manchester United. However, he made a comeback in 2016 to play for VV Noordwijk, even saving a penalty in his first game for the amateur side.
Teddy Sheringham
Teddy Sheringham, unlike the other players on this list, was not a goalkeeper. He made a name for himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League. Sheringham scored Nottingham Forest’s first-ever goal in the competition in 1991 and went on to play for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, among others. He retired from professional football at the age of 40 years and 272 days after his final appearance for West Ham.
Jens Lehmann
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Jens Lehmann, known for his eccentricity, began his career at Schalke 04, where he even managed to score two goals as a goalkeeper. He then moved to Borussia Dortmund and later joined Arsenal, where he added experience to the youthful squad under the guidance of Arsene Wenger. Lehmann left Arsenal in 2008 to play for VfB Stuttgart before returning to the Gunners in 2011 for one final game at the age of 41 years and 151 days.
Kevin Poole
Kevin Poole, the goalkeeper for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Leicester City, and Birmingham City, had a long and successful career. Starting in 1981 at Villa Park, he continued playing until 2014 for Burton Albion. Poole played his final Premier League game for Bolton at the age of 41 years and 164 days.
Neville Southall
Before becoming a professional footballer, Neville Southall worked as a binman. Despite his appearance, Southall was a world-class goalkeeper who helped Everton win numerous trophies. He played his last Premier League game for Bradford City in 2000, retiring at the age of 41 years and 178 days. Southall’s time at Goodison Park was particularly remarkable, making a record 750 appearances in all competitions.
Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel had a career that seemed to go on forever. He played for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur, setting records as the oldest player for both Villa and Spurs. Friedel played his last game for Tottenham at the age of 42 years and 176 days before returning to the United States to work as the US under 19s coach.
Steve Ogrizovic
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Steve Ogrizovic, also known as “Oggy,” had a relatively short career compared to others on this list. Starting in 1977 at Liverpool, he played for just four teams, with Coventry City being his last club. Ogrizovic played his final game for the Sky Blues at the impressive age of 42 years and 236 days in 2000.
Alec Chamberlain
Alec Chamberlain, born in 1964, had the unique distinction of being associated with all three Merseyside teams at some point in his career, although he did not make any appearances for Everton or Liverpool. He did, however, play for Tranmere Rovers and spent most of his career at Watford. Chamberlain made his final appearance at the age of 42 years and 327 days while playing for Watford.
Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer, the Australian international goalkeeper, played for Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea, and Leicester City during his career. While his time at Middlesbrough was particularly notable, he achieved the unique feat of winning back-to-back Premier League titles with Chelsea and Leicester City, despite limited game time. Schwarzer retired from professional football at the age of 43 years and 32 days.
John Burridge
As expected, the majority of players on this list are goalkeepers due to their longer playing careers. John Burridge played his last game for Manchester City at the age of 43 years and 163 days in 1995. His career spanned nearly three decades and featured 771 league games for 29 different clubs.
FAQs
Q: Who is the oldest player to have played in the Premier League?
A: The oldest player to have played in the Premier League is John Burridge, who retired at the age of 43 years and 163 days after his last game for Manchester City.
Q: Are there any outfield players on the list?
A: Yes, Teddy Sheringham is the only outfield player on the list. He retired from professional football at the age of 40 years and 272 days.
Q: How many appearances did Neville Southall make for Everton?
A: Neville Southall made a record 750 appearances in all competitions for Everton.
Q: Did any of the players make a comeback after retirement?
A: Edwin van der Sar came out of retirement to play for VV Noordwijk, saving a penalty in his first game for the amateur side.
Conclusion
These ten players have defied age expectations and left a lasting legacy in the Premier League. Their dedication to the sport and ability to perform at a high level well into their forties is truly remarkable. From goalkeepers like Edwin van der Sar and Neville Southall to outfield players like Teddy Sheringham, they have proven that age is no barrier to success in football. We can all learn from their passion and determination to continue doing what they love, regardless of age.
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