Loyalty in sports is something that has become more and more fleeting as the allure of big money deals tempts even the most faithful clubman to pastures $greener$.This Premier League season has seen some of the most loyal performers hang up their boots. Players who only ever donned the one jersey. Dedicated themselves to one club. fans will remember their allegiance and sing their songs and praises for years to come.
We did a little digging and here are five men who only kissed the one badge.
Ryan Giggs 963 appearances
Giggs has been an ever present for United during the Premiership years. Since his debut in 1991, Giggsy has won it all with Red Devils. His record of 963 appearances is a mark that few can see being surpassed. The original United superstar of the nineties is coming up on his 40th birthday and is still making telling contributions to the game when called upon.
Tony Adams 717 appearances
Adams embodied Arsenal. The gunners captain even looked out of place is a suit. He was an Arsenal stalwart who marshalled the back four of Dixon, Winterburn and Bould to Premier League titles and FA Cups. His goal in a 4-0 drubbing of Everton at the end of their title winning 97/98 season, typified Mr. Arsenal. An arms open celebration to the adoration of the only fans he ever knew.
Paul Scholes 720 appearances
Scholesy the Ginger Ninja is one of the greatest midfielders the Premiership has ever seen.His passing and shooting was some of the best you’ll ever see. Just ask the man who many regard as the best midfielder of our generation,Zinedine Zidane. Zizou remarked that Paul Scholes was ‘the complete footballer’, and admitted that he regrets never having played alongside the evergreen Manchester United midfielder. Well Zidane would have had to have joined United to have done so thanks to Scholesy’s loyalty.
Jamie Carragher 737 appearances
Carragher wore his heart on his sleeve. The local boy who scored on his debut. Carra will go down as a true legend in the Anfield annals and his leadership and dedication to LFC will be something that may be impossible to replace. As fans saluted him for last game on Sunday against QPR, many will be hoping to see Mr. Liverpool back at the club in a coaching role sooner rather than later.
Steven Gerrard 670 and counting
Once in a generation a player comes along to whom nothing seems impossible. Gerrard has dragged Liverpool from the mire on more than one occasion. The trophy room at Anfield would be a lot let shimmering without his immense contributions over the years.Power, pace, touch and a never-say-die attitude, Stevie G has it all, and rarely have these attributes been more apparent than when he skippered the Reds to 2005 Champions League glory in Istanbul. He came close to leaving Liverpool during the Mourinho years at Chelsea but the man bleeds red and the boyhood kopite will not look right in another jersey. Also has the honor of captaining his national side.
So there you have it. A collection of the lads who stayed loyal in a world where you’re as only as loyal as your options. A dying breed in today’s game and something to be truly admired no matter where your allegiance lies.
Honorable mention; John Terry, Matt Le Tissier,Gary Neville and Ledley King.
[Appearances Marked By End of Last EPL Season]
