Liverpool’s historical past with younger gamers is effectively documented and acclaimed, however they’ve additionally dabbled within the older, extra skilled market – as soon as doing so for less than 21 days!
Think about having your cellphone 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.
Properly, that’s what fell into the lap of out-of-favour Southampton goalkeeper Paul Jones in January 2004 – who was 36 years outdated when the decision got here.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 must treatment that.
You recognize that cellphone 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 count on, Jones wanted no convincing.
He signed a mortgage contract on the Friday, then skilled along with his team-mates later that day, earlier than turning into the Reds’ oldest debutant since World Warfare II the next day.
Discuss a whirlwind!
21 days of residing the dream
The date is January 10, 2004. Aston Villa are the guests within the Premier League and ’12. Jones’ is on the crew 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made his debut at an older age, that report was set in 1904 by Ned Doig, who was 37 years, 10 months and three days outdated.
“I simply had a smile on my face from the minute I spoke to Gerard Houllier, simply buzzing and couldn’t consider it,” Jones beforehand instructed the membership’s web site.
“It was only a no-brainer for me. What a possibility. I used to be late 30s then and I’d by no means get the chance once more, I’m positive.
“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 will be two.
Jones stored 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 coming back from damage forward of schedule, Jones watched on from the bench for the following two fixtures earlier than seizing the prospect 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 less than 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 mentioned.
“I’d performed at Anfield many instances, however to truly go within the house dressing room with all that historical past, truly placed on the shirt and run out, it was wonderful.
“It simply kind of flew by. As a lot because it wasn’t probably the most thrilling sport [home debut] for folks to observe, for me it was good!”
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 unbelievable simply how a lot can change with one single cellphone name!
