Players Who Looked Old Even When They Were Young

[Cyclops]

As a lad I attended my first professional football match (in the old first division) in 1953 at Fratton Park. Pompey were in their pomp winning the FA Cup and Div One around this time and challenging for the title again in 1955.

My memory of the day was being seperated from Dad and passed down the crowd over their heads to the front from which I could hardly see over the concrete wall. But my most vivid memory was how old the players looked. Many were full English internationals and of course Jimmy Schooler was still with the club. Many were probably smokers - and it wasn't that long after the deprivations of WW2 - but their faces were so gaunt. It was a different world - and maybe goes some way to explaining why footballers like Fred Keenor look so ancient to modern-day eyes.

[fingers]

moyes.jpg I know it's fake but still gives me a giggle

[jon1959]

Gaz is looking rough.

bale old.jpg

[splott parker]

As a lad I attended my first professional football match (in the old first division) in 1953 at Fratton Park. Pompey were in their pomp winning the FA Cup and Div One around this time and challenging for the title again in 1955.

My memory of the day was being seperated from Dad and passed down the crowd over their heads to the front from which I could hardly see over the concrete wall. But my most vivid memory was how old the players looked. Many were full English internationals and of course Jimmy Schooler was still with the club. Many were probably smokers - and it wasn't that long after the deprivations of WW2 - but their faces were so gaunt. It was a different world - and maybe goes some way to explaining why footballers like Fred Keenor look so ancient to modern-day eyes.

Jimmy Who????

[MacAdder]

Gaz is looking rough.

bale old.jpg

Is this some app you've used to age a picture or some proper artwork?

Brilliant picture 👏

[Bobby Dandruff]

Pat Jennings

Gordon Banks

Kav

Stantona

Terry Mancini

[Cleve van Leef]

Derek Hogg.

[JumpersforGoalposts]

Also managed Palace

I met a Doctor at a corporate hospitality event at Ascot who had been doing Lombardo's medical for joining Palace earlier that day. He said he was the fittest footballer he had ever tested and that they had to keep "enhancing" the test to try and get his heart rate up to a sufficient level to get any meaningful recovery data.

[Cyclops]

Jimmy Who????

@splutting parker: least I saw him play...

[blue sky]

Roger Milla. Although i think he was just really old when he burst into public consciousness and his age was understated at that time.

He’s the only player I’ve seen score from a cross/pass to himself.

[splott parker]

@splutting parker: least I saw him play...

I’d have loved to have seen him, Siklopps, bit of a beast apparently.

[splott parker]

Derek Hogg.

I mentioned young Derek further up the thread

[KingOfSiamIAm]

Roger Milla. Although i think he was just really old when he burst into public consciousness and his age was understated at that time.

He’s the only player I’ve seen score from a cross/pass to himself.

After receiving a pass from Jamilu Collins, Rubin Colwill passed the ball to himself, then played a through ball to himself, then did a hop-skip, and a leap-and a-bound between two players, before smashing the ball into the back-of-the-net against Bristol City the other week.

The more I think about it, the more I rank it up there with John Buchannon’s goal against Swansea Town all those years ago.
Maybe after Rubin retires, I might have a re-evaluation and move it up above my all-time (along with Whitts) City hero’s goal.

[tforturton]

Ernie Curtis was 19 when he played in the 27 Cup Final, but in every photo I've seen of him, he looks about 40. Times were hard in those days.

[blue sky]

After receiving a pass from Jamilu Collins, Rubin Colwill passed the ball to himself, then played a through ball to himself, then did a hop-skip, and a leap-and a-bound between two players, before smashing the ball into the back-of-the-net against Bristol City the other week.

The more I think about it, the more I rank it up there with John Buchannon’s goal against Swansea Town all those years ago.
Maybe after Rubin retires, I might have a re-evaluation and move it up above my all-time (along with Whitts) City hero’s goal.

Hmm. Not sure if Colwill’s was a pass.

Roger’s was more of a through-ball/cross

[Baloo]

Jonny Williams

[NYCBlue]

Alan Gilzean.

[Madassa]

Alan Gilzean.

Dai Davies 👴

[alan_corneli]

Any players from the 1920's and 1930's, looked like you had to be 38 or so before you could play football.