End Of An Era In The Premier League

After the close of what has been a fairly mediocre season, we at The Tab thought that you’d like a little round-up of all the players who’ve made the Premier League so special in years gone by. So here we are, seven of the best whom we wish a very happy retirement!

Paul Scholes

There’s having skill, and then there’s having Scholes – the closest thing England has produced to the tiki-taka pass masters currently dominating the global stage. ‘The Ginger Prince’ has been a mainstay of a side which has overwhelmed the Premier League since its inception with his outstanding vision, precision passing and blistering shooting, serving many a Manchester United team over his two decades in the top tier of English football. Mistimed tackles aside, his footballing brain alone has been the source of plenty of success for his team, and he retires for a second time this summer (typically under the radar). Robin Johnson

                                                            Michael Owen

Ever since scoring on his debut as a 17 year-old at Selhurst Park, Michael Owen has been the epitome of the modern day poacher. Quick, good in the air and with lethal finishing ability, Owen was dubbed the ‘saviour’ of Liverpool in his early days at the club. An £8-million transfer to Real Madrid followed, where he continued in his scoring ways. However, a series of severe injuries blighted his return to England, and effectively ended his international career. Despite bowing out of the game a shadow of his former self, Owen can still lay claim to being England’s fourth highest goal scorer of all time – and the man who scored a hat-trick against Germany. James Dennison

Jamie Carragher

As a childhood Everton fan, Jamie Carragher could not be more Liverpool at heart. 17 seasons, 737 appearances and 11 trophies (unfortunately no Premiership title, a fate that ominously awaits his mate Steven Gerrard) and 1 haircut: that kind of loyalty is rarely seen these days. Able to play all along the back four, Carra showed that natural talent isn’t everything, with his huge endeavour and steel to fight for every ball. In another era he would have collected far more than 38 caps for his country. He now looks set for a job with Sky Sports (hopefully with a translator). Sam Crabb

                                              Phil Neville

One of the original ‘Fergie’s Fledgings’, the younger Neville brother has made his name as one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League over the last ten years. His ability to play in both defence and midfield made him a valuable asset to both Manchester and Everton, captaining the latter since January 2007. Although not quite as gifted as his older brother, Neville went on to make 59 appearances for England, being chosen for three European Championships along the way. Although not the most exciting player, he is one of very few who can lay claim to winning six Premier League titles and a Champions League in his career. James Dennison

Steve Harper

The Magpies’ longest serving player may or may not be retiring, but it is unlikely he will be seen in the Premier League again. Along with his playing career, Harper is an F.A. recognised referee and ever-present attendee of club charity events. Although much of his career was spent on the bench, he was an undoubtedly talented keeper, holding the record for keeping the most clean sheets in a season for Newcastle. Even when offers from Tottenham came in (they eventually signed Carlo Cudicini, a credit to Harper that he was first choice), he stuck to Newcastle and became known as one of the gentleman of the Premier League. A true professional and Newcastle legend, he will be sorely missed. James Dennison

Stiliyan Petrov

Stilyan ‘Stan’ Petrov has retired as a result of his on-going fight with Leukaemia. The Bulgarian has enjoyed a 7 year stint at Villa Park, after joining from Celtic in 2006. Petrov first rose to fame at Celtic, where he attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs. He then joined Aston Villa and former manager Martin O’Neill in a very promising young side that were, at one point, challenging for a Champions League spot. He remained an ever-present fixture in the side until he was diagnosed with acute leukaemia. He is now becoming a coach in Aston Villa’s youth setup. I’m sure every football fan wishes him well in his continued                                               battle. All the best, Stan. Jonny Rye

Mark Halsey

He may not be a player, but his tenacity and contribution to the nation’s top division firmly warrants the man who José Mourinho described as “the only referee I like” a place on this list. Halsey began refereeing in 1989, becoming a fixture on the Premier League’s Select Group Referees list since it was established in 1999. In August 2009, Halsey was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, news which came only a matter of months after his wife began suffering from Leukaemia. Despite this, just one year later, Halsey was refereeing the opening day Premier League fixture between Wigan and Blackpool after winning his battle with cancer. The fact that he was still keeping up with Premier League footballers into his 50’s is testament to his professionalism and fitness levels. James Dennison