Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King yesterday confirmed his retirement from football, at the age of 31.
Let us cast our minds back to the 2006 Premier League match between Tottenham and Chelsea at White Hart Lane. Chelsea were highfliers, fortified copiously with expensive and worldly talent the likes of which the league had never seen before.
Spurs were no slouches however, recapturing the tenacity and expressive play that had won them silverware in yesteryear.
The atmosphere throughout the stadium was telling of an eagerly anticipated derby from the start.
The early exchanges were even until the fourteenth minute which saw Arjen Robben – still able to sport a coif of hair – beat the offside trap from a lofted pass and advance on the goalkeeper.
The Chelsea’s blue end stood to attention; breathless expectation rendering them momentarily silent.
The Spurs’ white end covered their eyes and dipped their heads, listening out for the foreseeable adulation from their fierce rivals across the rafters.
Players reacted too; Robben was the quickest player on the pitch with a 10 yard head start over the defenders behind him.
As he loomed on goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, the Spurs players had all but given up; the Chelsea players looked on; the scorekeepers had practically already added the goal to Chelsea’s tally…
“What a tackle!” exclaimed Sky Sports’, Richard Keys. The wrong fans were exuberantly gleeful.
Blink and you would have missed it – Robben sure did; the most amazing coverage of grass and execution of a tackle you will see for years from the one person who never gave up – Captain, Ledley King.
That’s how I remember his contribution to football – a never-say-die attitude coupled with ice-cold composure in the most inexorable situations. Never panicky; rarely wasteful with the ball at his feet yet ready to stick his body in where it hurts.
He won almost 270 caps for Tottenham across a 14 year career in which he netted 10 times. His performances merited call-ups for England duty; but for the reliability of Ferdinand and Terry, King would have been a definite starter; maybe even captain.
However, for a long part of his career, King has battled with the debilitating effects of a chronic knee injury that never allowed him a full week’s training nor the ability to play a match more than once weekly.
Today, the masterful defensive tower, Spurs legend and fastest goal scorer in Premier League history has hung up his boots and called time on a career chock full of remarkable moments.
He will now remain with Tottenham in an ambassadorial role, and possibly eventually take up his coaching badges.
Here are some tweets from fans and fellow professionals, paying tribute:
Mezza Allegro @MezzaAllegro: Ledley King. a true legend from the Lane! thx for everything! LONG LIVE THE KING! #26
Piers Morgan @piersmorgan: Best compliment I can pay Ledley King is that I’m bloody glad he’s retiring.
Darren Bent @DarrenBent Sad to see Ledley King has been forced to retire. A truly great player, working with him has made me a better player. Wish him all the best!
neil lucas @neilyid84: What a shame about ledley king #longlivetheking
Rio Ferdinand @rioferdy5: Sorry to see Ledley King retiring from football, top player. Hope he passes on some of his football skills/knowledge to the next generation.
Andy Quin @Quinny72: Ledley King – a true legend. All hail the king of white hart lane
Gary Lineker @GaryLineker: I see Ledley King has announced his retirement from football. A truly wonderful player and credit to his sport. Wish him well. #spurslegend
Mikey @mikeylees_1: Ledley king was always injury prone but still a great player.
Rafael van der Vaart @rafvdvaart: Sorry to hear Ledley King has to retire from Spurs due to an injury. A great player and a true Spurs club man!
oliver abrams @oliabrams: ledley king – 326 appearances, 14 goals, just ten bookings #longlivetheking
How will you remember Ledley King? How good could he have been if not for injury?
image: © illarterate
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