And he was at the time. His decision to leave Tottenham for Arsenal in 2001 unleashed a torrent of contemptible abuse. He felt very awkward indeed, embarrassed about leaving, whether it was to us or anyone else, because hed spent the best part of 10 years at the club. Campbell continued to play for England after Euro 2004, although his place in the international team had become less secure since the emergence of the central defensive partnership of Terry and Ferdinand, which blossomed during Campbell's period of absence with injury in 2005. Tottenhams effectively went the same way as they succumbed to Pires second-half winner. As soon as that appeared, thats when we accepted what the situation was. But not the ones who sent me and Sol racist messages, that kind of thing. It was a lot bigger than it had been for the rest of the team. The former England defender made a controversial move to the Emirates Stadium two decades ago, Don't miss any of the latest and best Spurs news - sign up to the free Tottenham newsletter for updates straight to your inbox. Does Frank Lampard need to work? Other honours in the game include being in the PFA Team of the Year three times, in 1999, 2003 and 2004. [26] The club's lack of progress in the league, his poor relationship with recent managers and the club's lack of support during the assault case left Campbell feeling disillusioned with Spurs. On 29 May 1998, aged 23 years and 248 days, Campbell became England's second-youngest captain after Bobby Moore[85] in a 00 draw against Belgium, though Michael Owen subsequently overtook Campbell after captaining England against Paraguay in April 2002. Does Jonathan Woodgate need to work? They never finished higher than seventh during Campbells eight years in their first-team. Sol was massive for us.. In 2006, he became the only player to have represented England in six consecutive major tournaments, playing in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 UEFA European Championships; and the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. [99][100][101][105] Due to his versatility and range of skills, as well as his ability to carry the ball out of defence and get forward, he was also capable of playing as a right back on occasion. Nothing. We were all pretty shocked. Im not disrespecting anyone. For about 15 years, one of the most dominant defenders in the world was a man they called Sol. [31][33] Years later, the anger from Spurs supporters remained. Arsenal had asked Andrew to be kept abreast of the players situation, but it was apparently only after Spurs confirmed a parting of the ways that a formal, face-to-face meeting was arranged. It doesnt even make any sense now, move on. From perceived broken promises, to a sales pitch delivered in the small hours over strolls around a landscaped garden in a sleepy suburb of north London, all via a whistle-stop tour of San Siro and a rejection of Barcelona, this is the story of one of the most acrimonious moves in Premier League history. In his quest for UEFA Champions League football and glory, Sol Campbell made one of the most surprising and controversial moves in Premier League history. People dont give him enough credit. [9], Following his experience at West Ham United, Campbell was reluctant to join another professional club's youth programme, but after two months of persistence from Tottenham Hotspur's chief scout Len Cheesewright, he eventually joined the Tottenham Youth team. There is a scratch of the chin, and a glance up to the heavens, before he delivers his answer. Former England international Sol Campbell has said the abuse he got from fans in his playing days was "sick". In reality, he had always been seeking evidence of progress. There are plenty out there who would not mourn this in the slightest. His latest Arsenal team, a group who would achieve an unbeaten league season a few years later, was taking shape. He is monstrous and, with his full power and also his ability to score a goal, you have an outstanding player. [7] He was a prodigious schoolboy talent and was part-educated at the FA's School of Excellence at Lilleshall, where he met table tennis player and later football agent Sky Andrew. Sol Campbell: Wishing someone is going to die? What world are we living in? Sol Campbell at his home in London this week. He has never taken any of his children to a football match. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Former Spurs defender is still abused 22 years on for joining Arsenal. Yet, within hours, details leaked that Campbell had rejected Spurs proposal. Were I to lose my job, Id probably get a few dozen people gloating on Twitter but that would be the end of it. It was only belatedly that the penny dropped among all in the hierarchy at Spurs, leaving them raging at their inability to wrest back some control. And so to those clandestine meetings conducted under the cover of darkness in that surprisingly rural corner of the English capital. Last updated on 22 October 201922 October 2019.From the section Southend. We'll also send special newsletters when big stories break or there's a special event happening. [130] He has a son from a previous relationship with Janet Tyler. [128], During the 2016 referendum on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of, or leave, the European Union, Campbell supported Brexit. Maybe that might have forced a shift in his stance over the contract. The problem is it wont be my decision alone.. [127] In the list of four candidates chosen in July 2015, Campbell was not shortlisted. It is important the fans understand that. And I got out of that. We were approached by every top club in world football, says Andrew. A concrete offer was put on the table. You couldnt get away with it now. is kevin campbell related to sol campbellhow to get incineroar hidden ability. [58], Campbell was back playing on 25 April in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Villarreal in Spain, where a 00 draw on the night put the Gunners into the final. It was a sour end to the reign of caretaker manager Gary Waddock, who had been in charge since Kevin Bond left on 6 September. I tried to lighten the mood a bit by saying, As you know, Sol came from Spurs. He can still put himself about in training at the age of 45 and almost a decade after hanging up his boots still looks in superb nick. Sporley 1 yr. ago. WebKevin Campbell has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. Which direction is the club going in? Over a protracted period of time, I felt the chemistry between us was positive. Others sensed the same. There was Sol at Arsenals training ground being introduced as an Arsenal player, says Clemence. It was a cheap deal. Hes very deep, very private and, despite being 100 kilos of man and muscle, is difficult to read. Jon Boon. This was happening several times a week but it was important, because Sol is a special guy, adds Dein. Clearly it wasnt for the money. Its even tougher.. Retrieved 19 April 2010. ^ McCarra, Kevin (3 February 2006). "The strange case of Sol Campbell, still missing in action". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 November 2006. ^ "Hansen voices fears over Campbell". The case did result in the disclosure of the salaries being earned by Tottenhams players, with the homegrown captain apparently unamused to discover just how far down the pecking order his 13,500-a-week wage package was. [61] Campbell also holds the distinction, alongside Teddy Sheringham, Steve McManaman, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, as one of six Englishmen to have scored in a Champions League final. Tuesday marked 19 years ago to the day since he arrived on at White Hart Lane as Arsenals No 23 and stepped off the team coach into a din of poisonous abuse, 4,000 white balloons bearing the word Judas and banners condemning his defection. At one stage I remember Campbell being interviewed by the media and saying no one at the club had Its a fitting analogue for Campbells own journey and as the conversation turns from the coach to the man, it feels an appropriate time to delve a little deeper into one of English footballs most enigmatic personalities. [8] Campbell had a short spell at West Ham United, beginning his career as a striker. backing a winding-up petition against the club. Photo by Kevin Barnes CameraSport via Getty Images Wengers ideology, in contrast, felt more established. Campbells former team-mates were on a pre-season camp at the La Manga resort in Spain, drifting back into the hotel lobby after a training session, when the news flashed up on the big screen behind reception. As the players fell, Parlour landed on Campbells right ankle, twisting the joint back into spasm. Discover Sol Campbell's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. They invited Campbell out to Milan and, having met up with his friend Dean Gordon, the Middlesbrough defender, he stopped off in Monaco en route before making the four-hour drive across the border into northern Italy. I have been at Spurs for 10 years and my commitment to the club during that time is there for all to see. Once youre in the training ground, its fine. He doesnt want to sit down and talk, never mind make demands. Some of his team-mates, the likes of Carr and Anderton, backed his decision and agreed a player of his calibre should be playing in the continental competitions. [60] However, ten-man Arsenal went on to lose 21, although Campbell was at least involved in the best defensive run of any team in the history of the competition, with opponents failing to score against Arsenal in ten consecutive matches and a total of 995 minutes. Were he to get sacked, or relegated, there are thousands of people who would take a weird, macabre pleasure in it. We got a lot of that, of course. Concentrate on the people who are there for you. [4] His father was a railway worker and his mother, Wihelmina, was a Ford factory worker. Shane Callaghan. [37] He made his debut for the Gunners on 18 August the opening day of the 200102 Premier League season, in a 40 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Arsenal, double winners in 1998 and Premier League runners-up in each of the three seasons since, had built a side with a French flavour that appeared the closest to wresting the title back from Manchester Uniteds grasp. A bit odd, was a frequent comment. I went on Sky (Sports) News and said that it was a total, absolute lie. [48] The unbeaten run continued to a record 49 matches before Manchester United defeated them 20 at Old Trafford on 24 October in a match that would become known as the "Battle of the Buffet". For the incoming major shareholders, retaining him would represent an early coup for their ownership. plus all the related posts. The January transfer window offers his first chance to refresh the squad and the experience of Macclesfield last season offers a template for the great escape. He spent nine years at Spurs, scoring 10 goals in 255 appearances, and captaining the team to victory in the 1999 Football League Cup Final against Leicester City. Why did you tell the media that? I didnt say that, I didnt say that, chairman. Ian Holloway said something that most Lilywhites fans hated a couple of weeks ago by suggesting on talkSPORT that Campbell is perfect for the vacant managers position on the white half of the North London divide. Sol Campbell: His Arsenal career in pictures Feature When players swapped one big club for another New signings: Sterling to give Chelsea a clinical edge New signings: Occasionally testy without ever straying into awkwardness. Once the tape is off, we talk some more. Campbell added value to the outgoing regime. Rohan Ricketts and William Gallas would go from Arsenal to Spurs in the years after Campbells defection. Mauricio Pochettino has first Chelsea signing 'confirmed' after Todd Boehly makes 52m decision, Chelsea transfer news: The Blues may already have the answer to their difficulties in front goal evidenced this season, Frank Lampard delivers blunt Mykhailo Mudryk assessment as 27m Arsenal question surfaces. Yet the reality is both Sugar and his successors, the acting chairman Daniel Levy and executive vice-chairman David Buchler, all yearned to extend their captains stay at White Hart Lane. Steve McManaman may have upped sticks at Liverpool and signed a pre-contract agreement to join Real Madrid in January 1999, one of the first elite players to capitalise on the new registration regulations, but clubs were still coming to terms with the need to plan extensively ahead. [133], In 2009, Campbell launched his charity "Kids go live" which allows inner city children to see a variety of live sporting events such as Wimbledon, the Olympic Games and rugby internationals.[134]. And that's it, you're all set. That first late-night meeting, with the Arsenal manager in tow, had been an opportunity for Dein and Wenger to sell their vision to the potential new recruit, if largely in hope rather than expectation, given the interest that had been expressed from abroad in his signature. The League One side have been without a permanent boss following the resignation of Kevin Bond six weeks ago, with the Shrimpers currently eight points from safety in 22nd place in the league table. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. He insisted that, if we were going to meet, it had to be very, very discreet. Staying in London would involve less logistical upheaval. Campbell then rejected an approach from Turkish side Fenerbahe. Wenger had mentioned the possibility in passing ahead of that FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, mischievously floating his admiration for arch-rivals Tottenhams talisman, but most considered the interest optimistic. The next year, he made a brief return to Arsenal before ending his career with Newcastle United. There are people who didnt like both. When he described himself as one of the greatest minds in football, lots of people laughed, none of whom actually knew him. The switch was certainly a controversial one at the time, with Cambell then being labelled as Judas and being courted by boos when lining up against his former employers. [38] During the season, Campbell was partnered at the back by either Tony Adams (who would retire at the end of the season) or Martin Keown. Perhaps the timing of that investment turned takeover ultimately confused the issue, leaving the player with a new set of owners to gauge. To the fans of the team he had left, nothing would have vindicated his move (to Arsenal), adds Andrew. Manchester United and Leeds United offered 18 million for Campbell in the summer of 2000, bids that would have demanded consideration if Tottenham had known for certain that the player had no intention of staying. Thierry Henry thought he was crazy. I explained to Sky that was all fine, but we were here to trade, so I asked if we could meet Sol. A great team, manager the set-up is geared up to win. Thats what surprised me most about his decision. (modern), Sol Campbell, pictured at Southends training ground, says: Yes, I have faults. Its not going to happen overnight but the clock is ticking., Tough times demand bold choices. Whereas contemporaries such as Gareth Southgate and Steven Gerrard walked straight into high-level coaching roles after retirement, it took Campbell seven years to land his first job at League Two Macclesfield. In truth, while they publicly pushed for a positive resolution, Sugar, Pleat and the manager George Graham always suspected the centre-half had no interest in either re-signing or leaving until his deal was far closer to its expiry date, and his hand strengthened as a result. The clubs head of communications was actually abroad on holiday, caught on the hop as much as everyone else, with a deputy ushering the writers into the main building at the complex and upstairs into an area more usually used as the players canteen. After a long period out with viruses, Campbell returned to bench duty in January, making his first appearance in two months as a substitute in Newcastle's 20 win over Birmingham City on 15 February. difference between refresh tears and refresh relieva,
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