30 MADDEST MOVES OF LEGENDS
FourFourTwo UK|March 2024
Long before Lionel Messi headed to MLS, these stars also travelled the world - ending up in surprising places...
Tom Hancock
30 MADDEST MOVES OF LEGENDS

30 DIXIE DEAN

One of the greatest goalscorers in England football history, Dean joined Ireland’s Sligo Rovers in 1939. Understandably, that sent the locals wild – Sligo’s railway station was overcome with hordes of people, desperately clamouring to catch a glimpse of the striker. HOW’D IT GO? Dean netted 10 times in just seven league outings, although he had his cup final runners-up medal stolen – it was returned to him years later.

29 PETER BEARDSLEY

A little-known youngster for Carlisle United, Northumberland-born Beardsley headed to Canada in the early 1980s – signing for NASL club Vancouver Whitecaps under manager Johnny Giles, the former Leeds United star. HOW’D IT GO? His goalscoring form helped to earn him a transfer to Manchester United – that didn’t go brilliantly, so he was soon back at Vancouver again, before making his name in England with Newcastle United.

28 LES FERDINAND

These days, everyone goes to Turkey – that wasn’t the case when QPR loaned a young Ferdinand to Besiktas in 1988. It was the only time that Sir Les played abroad – and it yielded one of his two major trophies, the Turkish Cup under English boss Gordon Milne. MOST NOTABLE MOMENT Being instructed to release a dove on the pitch – he threw it up into the air, but it plummeted like a stone and crashed to the ground. Oh…

27 TARIBO WEST

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FOURFOURTWO UKView all
How Liverpool have changed under new manager Arne Slot
FourFourTwo UK

How Liverpool have changed under new manager Arne Slot

The Reds have had to adapt to life without their legendary boss Jurgen Klopp, But their new managers tactical tweaks showed highly promising early signs

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Why Cole Palmer is an absolute genius on a football pitch
FourFourTwo UK

Why Cole Palmer is an absolute genius on a football pitch

Chelsea’s attacking star attracts plenty of mirth for his interviews, but he often displays unrivalled intelligence in the heat of Premier League action

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
CORINTHIANS X SENNA 2018-19
FourFourTwo UK

CORINTHIANS X SENNA 2018-19

Kit connoisseur Phil Delves looks back at an ultimate 'collab shirt' from South America - one that heralded a black and gold craze

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
"THE MISSILE SIRENS WOULD START DURING TRAINING, SO WE'D HAVE TO GO INSIDE AND TAKE COVER"
FourFourTwo UK

"THE MISSILE SIRENS WOULD START DURING TRAINING, SO WE'D HAVE TO GO INSIDE AND TAKE COVER"

The Welsh international striker recalls growing up in Africa, humiliation at Derby and air strikes in Israel, not to mention a certain hat-tricks record...

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
"I SWAPPED SHIRTS WITH ETO'O AFTER MY DEBUT HE PROBABLY USED MINE ON HIS WINDOWS"
FourFourTwo UK

"I SWAPPED SHIRTS WITH ETO'O AFTER MY DEBUT HE PROBABLY USED MINE ON HIS WINDOWS"

The lifelong Magpie opens up about earning Sir Bobby’s trust, his new career in the Middle East, and how Ruud van Nistelrooy knew I wanted to kick him”

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
"SVEN GOT IN TOUCH TO SEE IF I'D BE KEEN ON PLAYING FOR ENGLAND THAT MADE ME SO PROUD"
FourFourTwo UK

"SVEN GOT IN TOUCH TO SEE IF I'D BE KEEN ON PLAYING FOR ENGLAND THAT MADE ME SO PROUD"

The former Italian shot-stopper tells FourFourTwo about following in his father’s footsteps at Milan and the game that changed Chelsea forever...

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
Why Thomas Tuchel is the perfect fit for the England job
FourFourTwo UK

Why Thomas Tuchel is the perfect fit for the England job

The new gaffer might not have been born and bred in Barnsley, but he’s long proved himself to be particularly astute in high-profile knockout competitions

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
GREEN SHOOTS
FourFourTwo UK

GREEN SHOOTS

Less than two years ago, Saint-Etienne were at real risk of relegation to the semi-professional third tier - unthinkable for a club who were the finest in France throughout the 1960s and '70s. Now Les Verts are back in the big time following last term's Ligue 2 play-off success. Oh, and they're also billionaires...

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
Why I love Scottish football
FourFourTwo UK

Why I love Scottish football

The legendary goal-getter recounts his strangest tales, featuring Graeme Souness punch-ups, broken sofas, Duncan Ferguson's errant pigeon and, of course, Gazza...

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
A MATCH WITH THE MONKS THE GREATEST COMPETITION PRIZE EVER
FourFourTwo UK

A MATCH WITH THE MONKS THE GREATEST COMPETITION PRIZE EVER

A globe-trotting FourFourTwo has gone beyond even Tanzania’s borders this month. American fan Matthew Eide of the Far Away Football blog ventured to equally mountainous Bhutan, after winning the most unusual of raffles...

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024