Former Toon Players The Biggest 'Turncoats' In Football?

14 October 2012 12:10
A fans website has named two former Newcastle United players in their list of "Biggest Turncoats Ever!"

In 14th place comes Alan Smith, and top of the pile is none other than 'Roly-Poly' Sol Campbell. Mind you, neither were involved in "turncoat" deals with Newcastle United.

14. Alan Smith – Leeds to Manchester United.

Upon Leeds’s relegation from the top flight in 2004, it became obvious all the club’s assets would be sold off.

The prize possession was local boy and serial badge-kisser Alan Smith, whose name the Elland Road faithful wore on the back of their shirts in their thousands.

It was quite a shock then that Smith chose rivals Manchester United as his next destination and his popularity came to an abrupt end.

Although Smith cited afterwards that United were the only club willing to pay the full asking price up front and wavered his signing-on bonus to his stricken hometown team, this wasn’t enough for the Leeds fans.

Even when talk of Smith’s return to Leeds arose last year, it still divided opinion amongst the fans who resent that decision to make the fateful trip across the Pennines.

1. Sol Campbell – Arsenal to Tottenham

Big Sol was the darling of the White Hart Lane terraces having risen through the academy to skipper the side.

However, with Spurs struggling in the Premier League at the time, Campbell decided to let his contract run down in order to leave the club.

What happened next was rather unsavoury.

Having promised to not join those in red a few miles away, Sol did just that and on a Bosman as well.

To rub salt into the wounds, he proved highly successful with the Gunners, winning a hatful of trophies.

Just the name Sol Campbell sends a wave of hatred and anger down the spine of any Spurs fan.

 

Source: FOOTYMAD