Darren Anderton

8

D.O.B.

03/03/1972

Height

6' 1 (185cm)

Weight

12st 5lbs (78.47kg)

Nickname

Sicknote

Position

Midfield

Signed

8th September 2006

Fee

Free

Former Clubs

Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers

International

England - 30 caps, 7 goals

Pen Pic

Renowned as a player of huge potential, Anderton`s career has been constantly frustrated by injury earning him the nickname 'Sicknote`. He began his career at Portsmouth in Jim Smiths attacking side of the early 90`s. His performances soon drew the attention of bigger clubs when Tottenham Hotspur paid £1.75 million in 1992.

In 1994 Terry Venables gave Anderton his England debut against Denmark. He soon became a regular in the international side playing a huge part in the Euro 96 team that reached the semi-finals. Other players included Paul Gascoigne Alan Shearer and Teddy Sherringham.

Injuries and the emerging David Beckham limited Anderton`s international appearances. He was recalled for the Glenn Hoddle`s squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France starting above Beckham for the first 2 matches. He scored against Columbia but again injuries meant he couldn`t claim a regular place in the side.

Anderton`s form for Spurs during the early part of the season 2001 / 02 earned him his first call up to Sven-Goran Eriksson`s squad for a friendly against Sweden, however that game spelled the end of his international career as Eriksson failed to select him again.

Anderton continued to struggle with injuries missing more games than he played and in 2004 after 364 games for Spurs scoring 51 goals, he was released on a free to Birmingham City for the 2004 / 05 season. However he failed to impress and continued to struggle with injuries. He joined Wolves at the start of the 2005 / 06 season again on a free transfer, however after just one season in which he played 20 times, the Molineux management released him.

On 8th September 2006 he joined the Cherries on a pay as you play basis and went on to help Bournemouth stay clear of relegation under Kevin Bond.

His performances and fitness were enough to earn another 1 year deal with the club. However he retired in December scoring the winning goal in his final appearance.