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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Updated: 18-06-19 Dennis Dalzell
Johnny was a real hard man on the pitch. At half time Charley Hurley would say "Johnny, sort out number so and so". Johnny would reply "OK CHAS" and the request was always carried out.
Updated: 20-04-19 Steve Peak
This is for the St Mungo's lads. Tony and his wife Christine live in the Blackpool area. I am sure Tony would be happy to get re-aquainted with his old school pals. His address is as follows: 137 Hardhorn Road, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, FY6 8ES. See Tony down at Blackpool FC, even drove him and Christine home a few weeks ago. Still one of the nicest humble guys you could ever meet and an absolute legend at Blackpool.
Updated: 20-04-19 Andy Garrick
Brian Dear presented league winners medals playing at shad well park floodlight football. This was in the mid sixties... I can't remember our team's name but our manager was Mr Ramsey......anyway, thanks again for taking the time Mr Dear.
Updated: 16-06-19 Ewart Henry
Undoubtedly one of the greatest all round sportsmen at school he actually excelled in everything not just sports but academically as well !!
Updated: 17-04-19 John Swithinbank
Me and my mate used to gatecrash the odd Latics training session when we were about 15 on 'Little Wembley'. I was in goal and Ray Wilson urged Les on to cross it to my mate by shouting 'Chip it Chappie' to the amusement of all around. Also, who remembers that 'shimmie' by corner flag at the Rochdale Road End in around '66 when he was a mere youth?
Updated: 17-04-19 Jim Fitzpatick
Hi I was raised in the same Street as Alan and at the same time. But did't get to know him, we were up our 'own end' as they use to say. However now I'm a volunteer with Balsall Heath History Society and we are putting together a booklet of 'Stars of Balsall heath`. I have the (nice) job of researching Alan, his career and his connections to BH. The person above who went to school with Alan I would like to hear from, also the guy with the trophy - a family member?
Updated: 17-04-19 davie laing.
Bobby is the only player I am aware of who scored a goal without touching the ball i.e.a superbly convincing dummy that fooled everyone including the keeper.
Updated: 17-04-19 Flossy2507
My mum Mavis Steele went to school with David Layne and Gordon Banks in Tinsley
Updated: 17-04-19 Mark A Duke
After Billy stopped playing he bought a papershop on the high street in Wombwell. I was a paperboy for him for several years and he had lots of great stories from his playing days.
Updated: 17-04-19 Rob Waribg
Great player and amazing Grandfather. Scored on debut like his son Terry. First father and Son to ever score on debut and both play pro football at the same time. Jackie died May 1997 peacefully in the Worcester Royal Hospital.
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.