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Revision as of 11:18, 15 March 2008

Sol Campbell
Personal information
Full name Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
 Portsmouth
Number 23
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:49, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell (born 18 September 1974 Plaistow, London) is an English footballer. He is a defender for the English national team and is captain of Portsmouth in the English Premiership, having previously played for Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. He is the only player to have played for England in six consecutive major tournaments.[1]

Club career

Early career

Campbell was a prodigious schoolboy talent and was part-educated at the FA's School of Excellence at Lilleshall, before joining Tottenham Hotspur. Strangely he began his career as a striker.

Tottenham Hotspur

Campbell made his first team debut for Spurs in December 1992, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute for Nick Barmby, though he did not appear again that season. He played up front and in every defensive position over the course of the next two seasons before settling as a central defender. As club captain Gary Mabbutt's appearances became more limited because of injury and age, Campbell became Spurs' linchpin defender.

He was entering the last year of his contract with Spurs. Although Campbell successfully captained his side to a League Cup final win over Leicester City in 1998-99, Spurs never finished better than Seventh during Campbell's time there. This denied him his wish to play at Europe's top level, the Champions League.

In the summer of 2001 Campbell's contract expired. Mindful of the Bosman ruling, Tottenham offered him a contract which would have made him the club's highest paid player ever, but after months of negotiations and several public assurances that he would stay at Spurs,[2] Campbell stated his wish to leave the club in order to play Champions League football. With several top European clubs courting him, he joined Arsenal. Campbell had previously stated in an interview with Spurs Monthly that he would never play for Arsenal.[citation needed] Ever since, he has been labelled "Judas" by Spurs supporters,[3] who regard him as a "mercenary" and accused him of prioritising personal gain over club loyalty; Campbell has always maintained that he loved Tottenham, and that his decision was entirely professional [citation needed]. The fact that he left on a Bosman transfer (thus meaning Spurs did not receive a transfer fee) further angered Tottenham fans.

Arsenal

In his first season at Arsenal (2001-02), Campbell enjoyed immediate success, as he won both Premiership and FA Cup winners' medals as Arsenal won the Double. His partner at the back, Tony Adams, retired as a player at the end of the season leaving Campbell as the senior defender for both club and country.

In 2002-03, Campbell maintained his Arsenal and England place, but an injury he suffered towards the end of the season curtailed the Gunners' title chances and he also missed their successful retention of the FA Cup due to a suspension brought on by a harsh red card against Manchester United. The following season Campbell regained his place and his defensive performances were instrumental as he helped Arsenal regain the Premiership title without losing a single game.

Campbell continued to play for Arsenal, winning an FA Cup winners' medal in 2004-05.

In the 2005-06 season, Campbell was blighted both with injuries and a loss of form.[4][5] In Arsenal's 3-2 home loss to West Ham United on 1 February, Campbell was largely responsible for West Ham's first two goals, before being substituted at half-time. Unusually, he then left the stadium, not staying to watch the second half. His team-mate Robert Pirès commented that Campbell was facing a "big worry" in relation to his private life,[6] and Campbell did not make any contact with the club for several days. However, he resumed training with his team-mates on 6 February[7] and after 10 weeks away from first team action made his return in a draw away to Portsmouth on 13 April, although he sustained a broken nose in the process and had a short layoff while it was operated on.

He was back playing on April 25 in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal in Spain; a 0-0 draw on the night put the Gunners into the final. In the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris, Campbell scored the opening goal, a header from a free kick given after a foul on Emmanuel Eboue. However ten-man Arsenal went on to lose 2-1 to Barcelona.

On 8 July 2006, Arsenal announced that Campbell had parted ways with the club in order to seek "a fresh challenge".[8] In all, he played 201 times for Arsenal, scoring 1 goal.

Portsmouth

On 8 August 2006 he completed his move to Portsmouth, signing a two year contract. This was seen as a surprising decision by Campbell as he had told Wenger he was leaving Arsenal to play outside of the Premiership and it appeared he would sign for Olympique de Marseille. His time at Portsmouth started well, forming a successful partnership in the centre of defence with Linvoy Primus and helping them keep five consecutive clean sheets.

He scored his first Portsmouth goal in the 3-1 win over Sheffield United on 23 December 2006.[9]

He was named as captain for the 2007/08 season by Harry Redknapp. He has since signed a new 2 year contact with the club[10]

International career

He made his debut against Hungary on 18 May 1996, coming on a substitute. Although he had only one cap by the time Terry Venables selected his squad for Euro 96, Campbell made the squad as defensive cover. He came on as a substitute in England's 2-0 Group Stage match against Scotland for his second cap.

Over the next two years, Campbell became a regular member of new manager Glenn Hoddle's defence, partnering Gareth Southgate and Tony Adams. On 29 May 1998, at 23 years and 248 days, Campbell became what was then England's second-youngest captain after Bobby Moore[11] in a 0-0 draw against Belgium, though Michael Owen has subsequently overtaken Campbell after captaining England against Paraguay in April 2002.[11] Campbell started all four of England's matches in the 1998 World Cup.

During the 1998 World Cup, Campbell was involved in a highly controversial incident in England's second round clash against Argentina.[12] With fewer than ten minutes to go, the score was 2-2 and England were down to ten men after David Beckham was sent off. Campbell headed a corner into the Argentinian net. He wheeled away to celebrate his first international goal, which looked likely to put England into the quarter-finals, but a push by Alan Shearer had caused the referee to blow for a foul. Campbell was still in the corner of the pitch dancing round the corner flag as Argentina restarted the game and counter-attacked. England eventually lost the game on penalties.

Campbell was his country's first choice centre-back and played in England's successful qualification campaign for Euro 2000 and in all three group games at the tournament, which England exited after defeat by Romania.

After the retirement of Tony Adams, Campbell partenered Rio Ferdinand and embarked on the Three Lions successful World Cup qualification campaign for the 2002 tournament to be held in Korea and Japan.

Campbell scored his first England goal at the 2002 World Cup in the opening group game against Sweden. England drew the game 1-1, but then beat Argentina 1-0 in the next match; Campbell's partnership with Rio Ferdinand was part of a strong defensive performance throughout the tournament which saw him the only England player to be named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. England progressed to the quarter finals, where they lost to eventual winners Brazil.

Campbell maintained his place in the centre of defence as he took part in England successful qualification campaign for Euro 2004. During the tournament, Campbell had a late goal disallowed as England fought to make progress in their quarter-final clash with hosts Portugal, with the score tied at 1-1, Campbell won a header in the opposition six-yard box to score what seemed to be a late winner for England. However, the referee, Urs Meier, decided that John Terry had pushed Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo and gave a free kick. The game ended 2-2 after extra time, and England lost the penalty shootout. Meier received threats to his life afterwards and felt forced to retire for his own safety.

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 John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, which blossomed during Campbell's period of absence with injury in 2005. Nevertheless, in October 2005 he won his 66th cap and earned himself (jointly) a place in the top 20 most capped England players.

Campbell was named in England's squad for the 2006 World Cup, but was third-choice centre back, with coach Sven-Göran Eriksson preferring the partnership of Ferdinand and Terry. However, after a knock to Ferdinand, Campbell came on as a substitute in England's group game against Sweden, which made him the first player to represent England on the pitch at six consecutive international tournaments. As of June 20 2006 he has played 69 times for England, scoring one goal. After Sven Goran Eriksson's resignation, new coach, Steve McClaren, choose to look elsewhere for central defensive strength and was dropped for his first game in charge against Greece in August 2006.

After a great first season at Pompey, ahead of England's friendly with Germany, after injuries to Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson along with Jamie Carragher retiring from international football, Campbell was recalled to the national team a year after being dropped by head coach Steve McClaren. However, an injury forced him to pull out of the squad for the fixture.

McClaren recalled a fit Campbell for England's Euro 2008 qualifers against Estonia and Russia in October 2007. This time, Campbell was selected for the game and won his 70th cap after Terry suffered a knee injury in training. Campbell played three more times under McClaren as England's qualification campaign failed and the coach was dismissed.

New coach Fabio Capello did not select Campbell for his first squad when it was announced in January 2008. Campbell currently has 73 caps.

International Goals

Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored
1 2002-06-02 Saitama, Saitama  Sweden 1–1 2002 FIFA World Cup 1

Film career

Campbell made an un-credited appearance in Guy Ritchie's film Snatch, as a bouncer at an un-licenced boxing fight. His only line was:- 'Sorry gents, private night tonight', spoken to Mike Reid's character 'Doug the head' and Dennis Farina's 'Avi'.[citation needed]

Family life

Campbell is of Jamaican descent, via his Jamaican-born parents. He has a son, Joseph Jeremiah Tyler-Campbell (born April 2004), by Janet Tyler. He currently resides in Gloucestershire, having paid a reported £12 million for a luxury development on the South Cerney Lakes estate.

He used to go to Lister Community School.

Accolades

Preceded by Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Captain
1997-2001 		Succeeded by
Tim Sherwood
Preceded by Portsmouth Captain
2007- 		Succeeded by

Honours

Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal

Portsmouth

England

  • Member of FIFA World Cup All-Star Squad – 1998
  • Member of FIFA World Cup All-Star Team – 2002
  • Member of UEFA European Championship All-Star Squad – 2004

References

  1. ^ "Inside the mind of Sol Campbell". The Independent. 2006-08-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "The Sol Campbell Saga". FootballTransfers.co.uk.
  3. ^ spiked-life | Column | Offside, 23 November
  4. ^ "The strange case of Sol Campbell, still missing in action". The Guardian. 2006-02-03. Retrieved 2006-11-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Hansen voices fears over Campbell". BBC Sport. 2006-02-02. Retrieved 2006-11-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Arsenal offer support to Campbell". BBC Sport. 2006-02-04. Retrieved 2006-11-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Campbell attends Arsenal training". BBC Sport. 2006-02-06. Retrieved 2006-11-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Campbell in surprise Arsenal exit". BBC Sport. 2006-07-08. Retrieved 2006-11-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Portsmouth 3-1 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 2006-12-23. Retrieved 2007-05-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Kanu signs one-year Pompey deal". BBC Sport. 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b "England Records". EnglandFanzine.co.uk.
  12. ^ "England pay penalty again". BBC Sport. 1998-06-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sol_Campbell&oldid=198388127"