Bournemouth midfielder Darren Anderton announced on Thursday that he was to retire after Bournemouth's game against Chester City at the weekend.
The ex-Pompey midfielder will be bringing an end to an 18-year professional football career which starting at Fratton Park.
Anderton was born and grew up in Southampton playing as a kid for Itchen Saints in the Southampton Tyro League before joining Pompey.
The young Englishman played 62 games in a Pompey shirt, scoring 7 goals for the Blues under Jim Smith, most notably in the semi-final of the FA Cup against Liverpool.
Through quality performances and a promising cup run from Pompey, Anderton started to turn heads, and after a two year period at Pompey, Anderton signed for Spurs for £1.75million.
This is where Anderton earnt such a good reputation, with 305 appearances and 37 goals for Spurs, before earning a call up to the England squad, and featuring as a key player during Euro 96.
Anderton went on to earn 30 England caps, and scoring 7 goals for his country.
After a successful 12 years at Spurs, having lifted the League Cup in 1999, the England winger moved on to play for Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth, at which he finishes his career on Saturday.
The players from Chester and Bournemouth shall bid farewell to the 36 year-old by forming a guard of honour before his 568th domestic game.
Darren will be missed by many, and his influence and performances in English football has been outstanding, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Darren the best for the future, as I believe he plans to do a bit of travelling with his girlfriend and put his feet up.
Good luck and Thank you Darren, you'll be missed.
6 comments:
good little piece that benjamin, i bet his doctors and physios aren't sad he's retiring unless he went private in which case they're probably gutted
Good, well written article which appears to have taken a lot of research.
Retiring? Does that mean he's still be playing?!
He had the nerve to come to the Wolves, I thought it was a France 98 reunion; was had Anderton, Ince, Hoddle and GASCOIGNE all involved with the club at one point!
Sadly, no Beckham or Owen though.
Great career sicknote, hope your retirement brings you better health!
Darren Anderton was a quality footballer back in the mid 90s, its a shame he had a career brighted by injuries. If you want to see a piece of Anderton magic, check out his goal for England against Sweden, one of the best I've ever seen.
Darren Anderton still plays? well.. obviosuly not now he's retired but i thuoght that happened a long time ago. always thuoght he looked like buzz lightyear.
wasn't great for wolves. played like a crab but was good for other teams...great career!
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