With Pienaar returning to Everton and many rumours of other returns we cast our eye over some of the best returns in British history – taking in a whistle stop tour of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Hull City, and back to Goodison Park.
With Steven Pienaar on the verge of a permanent return to Everton and with the rumour mill churning the ideas of Carroll to Newcastle, Walcott to Southampton and Kaka to Milan; this summer could be the summer of the return. Who’s next? Torres to Liverpool? Cole to West Ham? Berbatov to Spurs?
So who has returned to trampled pastures in the UK and made it stick?
Dean Windass – Hull City; released as YTS, 1991-1995 and 2007-2009.
After being released by Hull as a trainee and re-signing in 1991; he left the Tigers again in1995 for Aberdeen. After a journeyman’s career; with 6 different clubs; he returned to Hull City in 2007. He helped stave off relegation in his original loan spell at the expense of Yorkshire rivals Leeds United before signing a permanent deal in the summer. Hull stormed up the Championship ladder that season making the Playoff Final against Bristol City where Windass’s solitary goal, a screaming volley, earned them a place in England’s top flight for the first time in their history.
And here is that famous Wembley goal.
Paul Scholes – Manchester United; 1993 – 2011 and 2012 – present
One of the greatest English footballers to ever play the game Scholes was already a Manchester United legend when he announced his retirement in May 2011. However after an injury crisis at his former club he was extraordinarily named amongst the subs against Manchester City for an FA Cup tie in January. He went on to play an integral part in the United team last season and signed a contract extension in May that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2013.
Here’s a collection of Paul’s best moments from 2012
Ian Rush – Liverpool; 1980 – 1987 and 1988 – 1996
A 1987 move to Italian side Juventus didn’t work for the legendary Welshmen and he returned to Anfield the following summer. He went on to cement his place as a Liverpool legend and; despite not meeting the dizzy heights of his first spell at Liverpool; he did score the winning goals in extra time to beat city rivals Everton in the 1989 FA Cup Final.
Here’s all the highlights from an emotional FA Cup Final. Never forget the 96.
Duncan Ferguson – Everton; 1994-1998 and 2000-2006
Affectionately known as ‘Big Dunc’ this was one player you didn’t want to mess with on the football pitch. After an injury struck period with Newcastle the Glaswegian returned to Everton in the year 2000. Despite continued struggles with injury he became a firm cult hero with the Goodison faithful with the highlight of his second spell being a typically classic header to beat Manchester United in 2004-05 to help Everton to an unprecedented 4th place Premier League finish and qualification for the Champions League.
Here’s that famous goal … and listen to that crowd.
Thierry Henry – Arsenal; 1999-2007 and 2012 (loan).
Arsenal’s record goalscorer left in 2007 for Barcelona and after finding his way to the USA with New York Red Bulls he provided valuable cover for African Nations players in the early part of 2012. Despite being far from his best he helped revamp Arsenal in their efforts to qualify for the Champions League and even scored a timely winner on his return, a trademark finish against Leeds United in the FA Cup.
Henry’s golden moment and again … the crowd.
image: © Magnus D
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