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!
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Where Are They Now Books
This whole project began with a book entitled 'Where Are They Now? - Life After Soccer'.
This proved to be incredibly popular and led to the formation of this site as well as a number of club specific titles. So far, the series comprises of Manchester United, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Huddersfield Town, Aston Villa and Liverpool. Forthcoming titles include Arsenal, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion - watch this space!
Updated: 03-03-21
All I can tell you is that Chris went to St Gregory Catholic school, Ardwick Green, Manchester where he was spotted by Man City F.C.Updated: 03-03-21 Robert Watt
I played with Ian as a boy in Clydebank for Spurs BC when we were 15 around 1970. Andy Gray played in the same team a year or so earlier than that. I remember playing with Ian in a Boys Brigade match. We won 15-2. Ian scored 13 goals and I got 2. He was a special talent and even then people knew he was going onto greater things.Updated: 03-03-21 Marilyn sawyer
I went to the same school as Roger & Brothers John & Peter. All football crazy. Roger played for Hull City & then became a Teacher. I think he now lives in Cyprus.Updated: 03-03-21 Patricia Green
I remember going to Villa Park for the cup semi final against my team Chelsea, it was so exciting and remember the Liverpool players running out and this colossus of a man came towards us, I had never been that close to a player before but he looked huge and his legs shone with oil, they were huge, I will never forget that sight. Also those were the days, supporters were all in together, no segregation and a wonderful day out. I cried at the end and this lovely Liverpool male supporter hugged me, took my scarf and said he would wear for me at Wembley. I will never forget that occasion, wish people weren’t so hateful now, it is sport.Updated: 03-03-21 Ted McCoy
Peter Dobing my hero. I remember in the sixties the game at Chelsea was called off because of snow. And Peter took 4 large Stoke City scrap books back to Stoke for me. He took them to the training ground every day and got all the players to sign them for me. He will always be king of the Boothen End.Updated: 03-03-21 Steffie Richards (need Knapp)
I recall being taken along on boxing day when I was about 14 years old to watch Tony (my uncle) play for Tranmere Rovers against Shrewsbury . The weather was foul and snowy and freezing cold. By the time the match ended we were nearly frozen stiff! He drove a Lancia Flavia I think then and we were so glad to get back in the car afterwards and get a warm drink! I think we slept all the way back - I was allowed to take my boyfriend at the time along too - thank heavens - I’d have been lost on my own! Jerry Buckley !Updated: 02-03-21
Peter is still well. He is a member at Weymouth Golf Club.Updated: 02-03-21 Barry Silkman
Just saw the above Vince O’Kane passed away. Not seen him in many many years but played with him and Carlo (David Carlton). Carlo and I also played in the same Fulham youth team. He was both footed and really skillful. Yet his best asset was he bowled a fantastic googly in cricket. Some fantastic memories from a long time ago . Gutted about Vince. Used to see him greyhound racing 30-35 years ago. Where does time go?Updated: 02-03-21 Keith Moore
I had poster made at Hook Gala nr Goole saying Leeds Utd pay £350 000 for Darren Moore (our son). This was in 1973. Mick got all the great Leeds Utd squad to autograph it for me. Mick is a lovely bloke and was a talented player.Updated: 02-03-21 Ron Barrett
I met Ron Yeats during National Service days 1960’s. We played in the RASC team that won the Army Cup. Alex Young of Everton was also part of the team. Ron & Alex were good mates. I used to arrange for free train tickets for them for week-ends. We had a very strong side with International players. Ron and Alex played for the British Army. They needed to play a friendly match prior to playing against a strong French Army side. They decided to play us, as we were then the strongest team n the British Army at that time. Ron Yeats was centre half, I played centre forward for 6 Training Battalion RASC . Normally playing with Ron, first time in opposition, I shouted at him, he would have a problem. After 20 minutes, I hit a screamer into the Army goal. We played 10 minutes over time until the British Army side made it 1 - 1.
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: Ruud Gullit, Roy Bentley, Trevor Francis, Gavin Peacock, Carlos Valderrama, Graham Potter, Matt Holland, Liverpool's 2005-06 FA Cup Winning Team, and a look back at some of the best strikers to grace English football.
When do you think that the Premier League should re-start?
Where are they now? – Boro players who played League Cup’s season opening game 8 years ago.
If you know of any other stories that may interest fellow fans, please do let us know.