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: 13-07-19 Andrew G
Gerry Daly was my first football hero when I was growing up. Super player and scored goals everywhere he went. United broke my heart when they sold him a few months before winning the cup final in ‘77.
Updated: 13-07-19 Steve Oxenham
Yes I knew John as a boy in Gosport. He was 4 years older than me. I can remember we were playing football on "The Green" outside our houses and John took a turn in goal. I remember his making a flying save and in mid air he caught the ball between his ankles. Never seen it before or since.
Updated: 11-07-19 Brad
His daughter was born the day cobblers drew 1-1 with Man U, he used to tell me how the fans sang “joe is a daddio” when he came onto the pitch.
Updated: 11-07-19 James Ollis
Alan is in the same care home as my Nan, he’s doing well and seems very happy! Had a great chat with him about football as he spoke to me about his time at Bath City, which is my current club!
Updated: 11-07-19 Nick Cleary
Spent many happy hours down the Harvest Home Pub with Alan when he lived in Denmead. Out in his Toyota Supra, listening to music, he was a lot of fun and a really nice bloke. A great Pompey player.
Updated: 11-07-19 Glenn Burrell
Willie was the greatest! His little skip before taking a goal kick inspired me to do the same. I can still see him almost 60 years later. Supported the Rovers for all these years but he is the only goalie I remember. RIP Willie.
Updated: 11-07-19 alex sogutdere
We went to same school Millfields Hackney, playing football in the school yard He would always be the one to keep the ball and I would be the last player to challenge him ie the goalie...great memories.
Updated: 11-07-19 Bryan Watson
Was a massive fan of Norman,who was the best right winger that Dale have ever had and he really should have played at a higher level Remember him completely destroying Dave Clements(Irish International Full Back for Coventry City)in the FA Cup game at Spotland.Put the ball onto the head of David Cross for the first goal and remember his best ever goal,which was away at Wrexham when he blasted a 35 yarder into the top corner past Gordon West(ex Everton keeper!)
Updated: 11-07-19 Barry Manley
Mike had family in my hometown of Bandon in county Cork and used to come over often. I remember him as being a lovely guy who would have a kickabout with us in our improvised pitch. We all followed his career with interest and would like to wish him well today.
Updated: 08-07-19 Terry Sanders
Jim Sanders was my father, the first place I can remember living in was the George & Dragon in Derby, after that we moved a lot, The Wallpack Inn, Nuneaton, the New Crown & Cushion, Perry Barr a couple of other places as well. He was born in Hackney, London on 5/7/1920 and died Tamwoth 11/08/2003. I attended the funeral where I met his then wife. I had not seen him since my mother took me, and my sister's away from him in 1967-8. WBA attended the funeral as well, and I appreciated the gesture. Sadly his 1954 Cup medal was not to be passed to me, but went to his wife's child, it would have been a nice memory. A powerful man, stubborn, but I have some good memories of him.
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 and a look back at some of the best strikers to grace English football.
If you know of any other stories that may interest fellow fans, please do let us know.