Where Are They Now is designed for you if you are a football fan who is as curious as us to find out what happened to your favourite footballers after they retired from playing.
Have you ever wondered what happened to all of those players that you have seen come and go over the years? The heroes and the villains? The saints and the sinners? The stars that you talked about for years after they had retired and those you instantly forgot?
If so, Where Are They Now? is definitely for you!
Not all players end up running pubs or become TV pundits! It's no secret what Gary Lineker is up to these days but what about the many thousands of players who have slipped from public view? The first edition of "Where Are They Now?" uncovered some fascinating post football stories including the former Arsenal striker who became Iceland's Finance Minister; Millionaires; Bankrupts; Vicars; Comedians; Singers; a Phil Collins lookalike... and one or two publicans!
Select Club
Updated: 13-11-18 Michael King
As a young boy I worked for Len in his paper shop situated rounded the corner from where I lived. I remember him as a huge man with huge hands but a big heart. Even in the days when I turned up late, not unusual for me as a boy, he took it in his stride and never got angry. A true gentleman.
Updated: 12-11-18 Roderick Leafe
Dick was my great uncle. Took me to watch West Ham play at Lincoln City 1957-1958 season. Hammers won 6-1. Dick introduced me to manager Ted Fenton and the West Ham team. Also took me to Wembley to watch England v Scotland. Before the match in the hospitality lounge Dick introduced me to the Beverley Sisters - the Spice Girls of their day. One married to the England captain Billy Wright. Great memories.
Updated: 12-11-18 Aiden Serjeant
I played with Mick when we were in Cubs together back in the early 1960's in Enfield (north London). He was a real scrapper of a player and we were usually put on opposite sides so as to balance the teams. I really enjoyed playing both with him and against him and had no idea he went professional until a couple of years ago. Perhaps I could have as well but didn't as I moved to Canada in 1967. Fortunately, I got to keep playing until last year when, at 67, I decided to pack it in. Most memorable players for me were Mick Docherty and Ben Johnson (in Canada). Most memorable goal... a left footer in the top right corner a week after my 65th birthday. Great sport and great players :)
Updated: 12-11-18 Stuart Frew
In contrast to a remark about Henry above. My own experience of Joe Baker was very different too.
Updated: 10-11-18 Leslie Butler
Roger Hoy, Crystal Palace and Spurs legend of the sixties, has died in an aged care home in northern New South Wales from the side effects of dementia. The former tough tackling defender fought the disease in typical rugged style but finally succumbed early on Friday morning (Nov 9) with family and friends at his bedside. Roger was 71.
Updated: 08-11-18 Les Ker
Played with Jim at Luton Town. It's great to hear he is in good health. Spoke to him again many years later when I was looking after the Portsmouth Players Coach as it arrived at Ayresome Park Middlesbrough. He spotted me first as I stood there in full Police Uniform.
Updated: 08-11-18 Bob
Did Martin once manage Talk of the North night club, in Eccles, Manchester?
Updated: 07-11-18 N/a
Len unfortunately died peacefully a few years ago in Queensland Australia.
Updated: 07-11-18 Paul Mason
Played cricket with Syd and Franny Lee in a 3 a side tournament at Heaton Cricket Club about 1970. Great time - I was 13!
Updated: 06-11-18 Roland Birchby
As a youngster,growing up on the Burnden Park terraces,he was my footballing hero- not only known as "Wyn the Leap",his heading ability (less said about his shooting skills!) had him very affectionately known on the "Lever End" as "Nod'em in Wyn"! I treasured an A4 colour print of him for many years,until it faded to yellow on my bedroom wall! Many thanks for those great memories of long ago Wyn - I wish you well!
When we researched the first printed edition of 'Where Are They Now?' in the 1990's, footballers were already incredibly well paid by conventional employment standards but prior to that, players had to find a new career once they had hung up their boots.
This meant that we unearthed plenty of interesting and un-expected stories, many of which are found on the site. Sadly, there were some we could not re-produce for legal reasons - sorry!
Playing professional football, particularly at the highest level should ensure that modern players should not have to worry about money for the rest of their lives. Thankfully, this has not limited the number of fascinating tales for us to tell. For example, were you aware that former Sheffield United midfielder Curtis Woodhouse became British light welterweight champion when he took up professional boxing, having apparently 'fallen out of love' with football? If the rumours are true, he was not just a winner in the ring! At one point, he was considered to be 50 to 1 outsider to win the title and a successful £5,000 scooped him a cool £250,000 when he defeated defending champion Darren Hamilton.
As well as our regular club based pages, we also occasionally add more detailed player pages and would welcome your feedback. See: Roy Bentley, Trevor Francis, Gavin Peacock, Carlos Valderrama, Graham Potter.
If you know of any other stories that may interest fellow fans, please do let us know.