Liverpool’s historical past with younger gamers is properly documented and acclaimed, however they’ve additionally dabbled within the older, extra skilled market – as soon as doing so for under 21 days!
Think about having your telephone ring, you’re a boyhood Pink in your mid-to-late thirties and it’s Liverpool Soccer Membership on the opposite finish of the road prepared so as to add you to their squad.
Nicely, that’s what fell into the lap of out-of-favour Southampton goalkeeper Paul Jones in January 2004 – who was 36 years previous when the decision got here.
With Jerzy Dudek succumbing to damage and Chris Kirkland already sidelined, Liverpool have been left with just one match senior goalkeeper and located themselves in an pressing have to treatment that.
You understand that telephone name we alluded to above, did we point out Gerard Houllier can be on the opposite finish of the road from L4? As one would anticipate, Jones wanted no convincing.
He signed a mortgage contract on the Friday, then skilled together with his team-mates later that day, earlier than changing into the Reds’ oldest debutant since World Warfare II the next day.
Speak about a whirlwind!
21 days of dwelling the dream
The date is January 10, 2004. Aston Villa are the guests within the Premier League and ’12. Jones’ is on the workforce sheet making his membership debut on the age of 36 years, eight months and 23 days.
Just one participant within the membership’s total historical past made his debut at an older age, that report was set in 1904 by Ned Doig, who was 37 years, 10 months and three days previous.
“I simply had a smile on my face from the minute I spoke to Gerard Houllier, simply buzzing and couldn’t imagine it,” Jones beforehand informed the membership’s web site.
“It was only a no-brainer for me. What a chance. I used to be late 30s then and I’d by no means get the chance once more, I’m certain.
“It was simply the chance to play for Liverpool – I don’t care if it’s one sport.”
It will be greater than only one sport, it could be two.
Jones saved a clear sheet within the 1-0 win over Villa and was retained for the journey to White Hart Lane the next week, although that sadly resulted in a 2-1 defeat.
With Dudek getting back from damage forward of schedule, Jones watched on from the bench for the following two fixtures earlier than seizing the possibility to maneuver completely to Wolves.
The Reds have been admirable by permitting the shot stopper to chop his mortgage transfer quick, which means he was a Pink for under 21 days – however that takes nothing away from his expertise.
“It was there and again actually! They appreciated that I’d helped them out and vice versa,” Jones stated.
“I’d performed at Anfield many occasions, however to truly go within the dwelling dressing room with all that historical past, truly placed on the shirt and run out, it was superb.
“It simply kind of flew by. As a lot because it wasn’t essentially the most thrilling sport [home debut] for individuals to look at, for me it was sensible!”
After realising a childhood dream and emulating his “boyhood hero Ray Clemence,” Jones’ profession would take him to Wolves, Millwall, Watford, QPR and Bognor Regis City earlier than he retired in 2008.
And in 2012, he was a member of the Liverpool ‘Legends’ facet as they toured Thailand – isn’t it unimaginable simply how a lot can change with one single telephone name!
