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: 01-03-26
I was working at the Crest Hotel South Mimms when Malcolm Macdonald was transferred from Newcastle to Arsenal 1976. I think he had two adjoining rooms in the hotel that he and his family shared for a couple of months when he first arrived. I just think how today he would have been fettered by a Premiership club and given a house to live in instead of a 3 star hotel being a record transfer.Updated: 01-03-26 Richard Akenhead
Played in the same side as Colin at Dunston Hill Junior School and at Anfield Plain Secondary Modern. Tremendous schoolboy footballer!Updated: 01-03-26 brendan muldoon
Played for Jim at Bolton institute of higher education early 90s. I captained the team to win the Enhlush colleges Cup final in Stafford we won on penalties. I turned up first training session in a Celtic top had no idea who he was but had amazing chats with Jim. He took me to some football trials and got to spend time in his company in his car. He relayed his times playing for Celtic and I sat in complete jealousy of his career. Fantastic man and a proper football man. Often wondered how he was and hope he had a great retirement.Updated: 01-03-26 alan darlington
everything that has been said about stan his true-good &possiply bad! best player i saw at CREWE ALEXANDRA in 60 yrs. played for crewe between man city & carlisle, never missed a game in almost 2 seasons. was warned off going to other clubs by allison and joe mercer, sent out on lone to bury,came to crewe and never looked back. first touch of the ball i could tell he was CLASS. followed his career to qpr & england. saw the record goals he scored for you in europe. would have had many more caps if he applied more dedication or with a different manager-jago/sexton. finally heard he wore odd boots for england & was paid by both sponsers!Updated: 01-03-26 Baz
Was priviledged to watch george at oldham he was a brilliant footballer many memories too numerous but i remember two goals he knocked in from range at sunderlandUpdated: 01-03-26 John (Hendo) Henderson
Played with Peachy at Gillingham for the youth team. Lovely guy. Hope you are well.Updated: 27-02-26 Terry Jamieson
Brian Ellis yes played with Bob and you, still in regular contact with George Bowers.Updated: 27-02-26 Christine
Hi Tom I knew you back in the day along with Toma Martin. I am trying to locate Toma and wondering if you have heard from him in the last few years or if you have any info regarding Toma. I’m a bit concerned as he has always kept in touch over the years.Updated: 27-02-26 david england
Gary and I were in the same class and were both picked to go play in a match i played right wing and gary centre back . Imissed the bus and didnt go. The following day Gary asked what happened so I told him that was the day a boro scout turned up looking for apprentices. Gary said I was miles better then any of the others and the scout picked a lad playing right wing as an apprentice and also Gary. So as a footballer i literally missed the bus.Updated: 27-02-26 Mike
Paul Massey was an England junior badminton player, but his dad stopped it as he wanted him to be a footballer.
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: Ex-footballers who retired and got normal jobs, Did Tresor Kandol Score the Most Important Goal in Leeds United’s History?, Arsenal Greats, 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.
Where are they now? – some other celebrities.
If you know of any other stories that may interest fellow fans, please do let us know.