JOHN BURRIDGE, the last to arrive in the Premier League | OneFootball

At 43 years and 147 days, JOHN BURRIDGE became the Premier League’s oldest debutant, coming on for Manchester City in April 1995. Called up by Brian Horton in 1994 to back up Toni Coton and Andy Dibble, he waited for months. He replaced the injured Coton against Newcastle, kept a 0-0, then played the final three matches.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he turned out for 29 clubs across nearly three decades, at times switching four times in a season. In 1994 alone he was registered with six.

‘Budgie’ was a showman, hanging from the crossbar, sitting on the ball and throwing somersaults. In 1983 with Wolves he bet £100 with Kevin Keegan, warmed up dressed as Superman, and was ready to play if allowed.

With Queen’s Park Rangers in 1983 he helped reach a final against Tottenham, yet the manager picked his league first-choice. The tie went 1-1 then 1-0. He did win a League Cup with Aston Villa and another with Aberdeen.

Behind it all stood a meticulous professional. He neither drank nor smoked, embraced nutrition, fish and fruit smoothies, even baby food. An early latex-glove adopter, he promoted a brand, buying at £12 and selling for £15 to colleagues.

That cameo also left him as the oldest to play under the Premier League name, a mark that could yet fall, while the all-time top-flight record belongs to Stanley Matthews. Burridge retired two years later, beyond 45, and needed treatment for depression.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo