Championship’s best veterans

When a famous footballer in England gets under his age, unable to endure the exhausting rhythm of the Premiership, with a wish not to retire just yet and not to spend the rest of his days warming the bench of some big club, he considers the change of the competition level in order to get what he likes the most: to play football and get paid for it. We saw that earlier in the Championship, when we watched some of our old acquaintances from all European leagues running across the turfs wearing let’s say Blackpool or Colchester’s shirt.

Jaidi

You’d surely remember Cardiff last season, with their Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Robby Fowler. First one had a solid ratio of 7 league goals, while Fowler spent the most of his season treating the hip injury. Fowler is presently warming Blackburn’s bench while, after the unsuccessful negotiations with Welshmen regarding the new contract, Hasselbaink had decided to retire since he didn’t manage to find the new club. Legendary Nigerian, Jay-Jay Okocha, wore Hull’s shirt last year but failed to impress, mostly because of his injuries. Fourth famous pensioner was the legendary 39-year-old Dean Windass, striker and Hull’s bellowed child, the man whose goal ensured the historic success called promotion to Premier League in the play-off final at Wembley last year. Legend lives!

This season, we have got some few more oldies among Championship players. When we talk about keepers, we shouldn’t forget the legendary Hungarian Gabor Kiraly who is currently transfer listed at Burnley. There is also Roy Carrol, former Sir Fergie’s hope at Manchester United, now playing for Derby. Does someone remember a man called Neil Sullivan who gained his rep keeping for Leeds United and earlier for Tottenham and “crazy crew” from Wimbledon? Well ,he is a number at Doncasteer Rovers for three years now.

Among all oldies in the Championship, there is the biggest number of defenders. This not so demanding position is excellent for the experienced performers. Michael Dubbery, former Leeds’ legends, is now at Reading, but not playing so often due to injury. Two Bolton legends, Spaniard Ivan Campo and Tunisian Rahdi Jaidi are also in Championship this year, with Campo signing for Ipswich Town and Jaidi performing for three years now at Birmingham City. Same could be said for two former pillars of Portsmouth’s defense: Linvoy Primus came to Charlton on loan, since he was without a chance against Campbell and Distin at Pompeys. Former Serbian international Dejan Stefanovic is now the member of Norwich City and an irreplaceable mainstay of Canaries’ defense.

There is also a strong competition with the midfielders. The legend of Premier league, former Bolton and Newcastle’s member, record holder for the number of games played, Gary Speed, is flawless at Sheffield United, playing there for almost a year now, and he is close to 40. Lee Hendrie, mischievous boy of English football and Aston Villa’s great hope is also at Sheffield United, but his form is inconsistent and his injuries consistent. French Antoine Sibierski, former Manchester City, Newcastle and Wigan’s hope is now performing at Norwich City. Surely the greatest star of this transfer window, when it comes to oldies in Championship, is the Italian Damiano Tomassi, who signed for QPR is the closing moments, who is still without his debut since he didn’t pass the prep period. Tomassi is legend at Roma who played 25 games for Italian international team, been in Spanish outfit Levante for the last couple of seasons at the age of 34.

Strikers are next. Before all, Kevin Phillips who is still hitting. This time he is shaking for Birmingham, whenever McLeish’s rotations allow his to be in first XI. Phillips hadn’t sign new contract for WBA where he was the best scorer over the last couple of seasons and came to the safe arms of second league. His former teammate from the international team, and from Southampton’s glorious days, James Beattie, is Sheffield United’s best player and top scorer, whenever he is not injured. Manchesre United’s legend, Andy Cole is back in his hometown playing for Nottingham Forest, but is unconvincing as well as the entire team. He was with Byrlney last season. The only one left is Belgian ex-international, Emile Mpenza, who came to Plymouth Argyle this September, but still dint start a single game, but warms the bench most of the times.

Darren Anderton

Just to add, there is a lot of other former stars in all the low divisions of English football, still enjoying their playing days. One of them, Bruno N’Ghotty, the man who won the European Cup with PSG, also played for Milan, is now performing for Hereford United while he was the member of Leicester earlier on. Ex-English and Tottenham star, Daren Anderton, is successfully playing at Bournemouth for years now, where he is also the skipper.

All of the mentioned Championship oldies (if they were healthy and fully fit) might form a hell of a team that could make wonders in Premier League, won’t you think?

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