The Top 10 Oldest Premier League Players Of All Time

12 months ago

The Premier League has hosted some of the best players of all time. There were rising talents, veteran stars and everyone in between.

Although the league has revolved around a smaller group of players lately, the magic of seasoned professionals remains. James Milner has extended his contract with Liverpool for another year, making him one of the oldest players of the current era.

However, the 36-year-old is still a bit shy of hitting the record held by players of the past. In this regard, football The greatest players to ever appear in the Premier League are declining.

10. Edwin van der Sar – 40 years, 205 days (May 22, 2011)

One of the goalkeepers for Manchester United over the past few decades. Van der Sar was an impenetrable figure in goal, keeping 48% clean sheets in league matches.

Furthermore, he was also a four-time winner of the English Premier League, including the UEFA Champions League in 2008. His final match came on the last day of the 2010-11 season against Blackpool. Van der Sar scored 11 consecutive clean games in the league still without a break.

9. Teddy Sheringham – 40 years 272 days (December 30, 2006)

The only non-goalkeeper on the list. Sheringham knows something about record-setting in being outdated. The Manchester United champion is also the oldest English player to score in a Champions League final.

Furthermore, Sheringham holds the record for being the top scorer in the Premier League, along with holding the next three positions as well. His amazing longevity and fitness were a marvel.

8. Jens Lehmann – 41 years 151 days (April 10, 2011)

The happy-book goalkeeper was an Arsenal player in the mid-2000s. Lehmann was in goal as Arsenal played the 2006 Champions League Final. His last appearance came five years later, after his official retirement.

With all four of their guards injured, Arsene Wenger had to turn to his old hand. Lehmann played in the 3-1 win over Blackpool, his 200th appearance for Arsenal in all competitions.

7. Kevin Paul – 41 years 164 days (January 1, 2005)

Paul’s debut came before his last, nearly three years ago. In the first game of 2005, Paul was against Bolton Wanderers, who drew with West Bromwich Albion.

After leaving the Premier League, Paul went on to play for many years with Burton Albion in the Fifth Division. He eventually retired at the age of 48 in 2012. However, he was re-registered again in 2013 but did not see any action.

6. Neville Southall – 41 years 178 days (March 12, 2000)

A household name in the ’90s, Southall hasn’t appeared in the Premier League for over two years. He was signed by newly promoted Bradford City in 1999, but his chances of making his debut were bleak.

Once again, an injury crisis forced the hand of manager Paul Jewell. Southall returned to the First Division in a 2-1 loss to Leeds United, and that was for the famous goalkeeper of his era.

5. Mark Schwarzer – 42 years and 159 days (March 14, 2015)

Old Fulham champion, Schwarzer holds the record for most matches by a non-British player (514) in the Premier League. However, his last game in his long career with Leicester City came in his first season in the First Division. The Foxes drew 0-0 against Hull City, and relegation was almost certain.

However, they broke the table in the last couple of months to stay. Then the 2015-16 season happened with the bookmakers who realized that the 5000/1 bet never counted. Leicester City won the Premier League, but Schwarzer did not appear.

4. Brad Friedel – 42 years, 176 days (November 10, 2013)

Spurs champion in the 2000s, Friedel spent 17 years in the Premier League. He appeared only once in 2013-14, against Newcastle United. Tottenham lost 1-0 with a goal by Loic Remy spoiled the final for Friedel.

3. Steve Ogrezovic – 42 years 237 days (May 6, 2000)

Ogrizovic had already achieved a cult status with Coventry City 13 years ago. He was the goalkeeper when the Sky Blues won the FA Cup in 1987. His 601st appearance for Coventry is a club record, most recently against Sheffield United in a 4-1 win. Ogrezovic is fondly remembered across the club and was one of the greatest goalkeepers of his era.

2. Alec Chamberlain – 42 years, 327 days (May 13, 2007)

A special case in this list. Chamberlain’s final appearance took just a minute and came in Watford’s last game of the season. The Hornets were already relegated by then, and coach Addie Boothroyd gave Chamberlain a chance to end his career on the pitch.

However, it wasn’t the same as his solo debut in the top flight. Chamberlain played 27 games for Watford in the 1999-2000 season. Retired after a few days.

Alec Chamberlain
Image credits: watfordfc.com

1. John Burridge – 43 years 162 days (May 14, 1995)

Find all the players in the English Premier League era. Burridge proved that age is just a number by playing three and a half games for Manchester City to close out the 1994-95 season.

His case was helped by injuries and suspensions to the other three goalkeepers, but Burridge did not complain. The last timeout came against Queens Park Rangers, despite his team losing 3-2 on the day. After leaving City, he continued to play until 1997, when he ended his career with the Blythe Spartans.

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