Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Sportsmail's top 50 golden oldies to have graced British football
HAVE YOUR SAY... Who is the greatest golden oldie? As 35-year-old Sol Campbell makes a return to the Arsenal first team, who is the greatest veteran of all time to still cut it at the top level in British football? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Sol Campbell secured his sensational return to Premier League football earlier this month after re joining Arsenal on a free transfer.[LNB]At the age of 35, many have questioned Arsene Wenger's decision to hand the central-defender a top-flight return.[LNB]But there have been many 'golden oldies' who have defied their age (and bodies) to make an impact well into their thirties.[LNB]And here is Sportmail's top 50 veteran stars to have resisted the temptation to don their pipe and slippers and continue playing at the top level.[LNB]NOS 50-4150. Wilf MannionDescribed by England team-mate Alf Ramsey as the 'greatest soccerbrain in modern football,' the Middlesbourgh legend was nicknamed'Golden Boy' during the 1940s on account of his combination of blondhair and sublime talent. His desire to leave was the cause of thestrained relationship with Boro but he was still turning out for theclub in his 36th year and finally left in 1954.[LNB] Golden boy: Wilf Mannion[LNB]49. Gus Poyet The Indian Summer Poyet enjoyed during hiscareer came at Spurs - who were snapping up many players in theadvanced stages of their careers at the time - in 2001 and stayed until2004, past his 37th birthday. Under Glenn Hoddle, Poyet helped Spurs tothe, unsuccessful, League Cup final in 2002 but age caught up on theUruguayan midfielder who suffered from injuries and an influx ofyounger players at White Hart Lane.[LNB] Earning his Spurs: Gus Poyet[LNB]48. Nigel MartynThe first of a number of goalkeepers in outList - Martyn first came to our attention when he became the first £1mstopper after his move from Bristol Rovers to Crystal Palace in 1989 as a 23-year-oldbut he was still making the headlines during his time with Leeds, whowent so close to domestic and European glory early at the start of thelast decade. Martyn passed his 35th year in 2001, the year theYorkshire club made it to the Champions League semi-finals, and such ishis standing at the club that he was voted in to the greatest Leedsteam of all time by the fans in 2006.[LNB] Safe hands: Nigel Martyn[LNB] 47. Steve Ogrizovic Famous for his wonky nose and neverwinning an England cap, Ogrizovic would be a shoe-in for FabioCapello's side now, surely? Still going strong between the sticks forCoventry at 40 in the 1997-98 season, the FA Cup winner finally calledit a day in 2000. [LNB] Ogy Ogy Ogy! Steve Ogrizovic [LNB] 46. Paolo Di Canio The charismatic Italian enthralled as muchas he angered - for every remarkable flying volley there was a highlydubious Roman salute, still, there's no doubt he made the game a morecolourful spectacle, and he had the staying power, too. Aftersuccessful spells with West Ham and Charlton the striker moved back toItaly with Lazio and enjoyed two seasons, leaving the club where hestarted his career at the ripe-old age of 38.[LNB] Once a happy Hammer: Paolo Di Canio[LNB]45. Jim Leighton The former Manchester United stopperextended his career in top-flight football past his 40th birthday withAberdeen. The Scotland international won many plaudits during hiscareer, but none as famous as Brian Clough's, who once said: 'Leighton isa rare bird - a Scottish goalkeeper that can be relied on.' Leighton'sfinal league appearance meant he set the record - which has since beenbeaten - for the oldest player in the Scottish Premier League at 41years and 302 days. [LNB] Braveheart: Jim Leighton[LNB]44. Trevor FrancisAfter a reputation-enhancing spell in Italywith Sampdoria and Atalanta, Francis returned home in 1987 where spellsat Rangers and QPR came before he saw out his career with SheffieldWednesday. Despite approaching his 40th birthday, Francis remaineda regular in the heart of midfield and even won a League Cup winnersmedal in 1991 before his retirement three years later aged 40.[LNB] Midfield maestro: Trevor Francis[LNB] [LNB]43. Arjan De Zeeuw A late bloomer, De Zeeuw came intoprofessional football aged 22 after completing a degree in medicalscience - he's certainly not a typical footballer. The Dutchcentre-back was in his 35th year when featured in the League Cup Finalfor Wigan in 2006 and left at the end of the following season toCoventry. Still playing, just short of his 40th birthday, for Dutchamateur side ADO'20.[LNB] Arjan's alright: De Zeeuw during his Wigan days [LNB]42. Phil Parkes West Ham paid a then-record £500,000 to QPRfor Parkes in 1979, some thought it was a risk due to his troublesomeknees threatening to curtail his career but the Hammers boss John Lyallmust have known something the doctors didn't as he went on to becomethe No 1 at Upton Park for the next 10 years. He played for the eastLondon club until he was 40 before a short spell with Ipswich.[LNB] Vintage: Phil Parkes (right) shapes to make a save[LNB]41. Nigel Winterburn One-fifth of one of the finest defensive units the English game has seen, Winterburn spent 13 trophy-laden years at Highbury and celebrated his 35 by helping the Arsenal to the second double in the club's history in 1998.[LNB] Gunners hero: Nigel Winterburn[LNB]The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail's top 50 Premier League players of the decadeSportsmail's top 50 last-gasp goals in British footballSportsmail's top 50 footballers never to play at the World CupSportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail's top 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail's greatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail's top 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail's top 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail's top 50 Ashes heroes
