Top 5 British/Irish Exports
With Joey Barton and David Bentley being the latest Englishman to move abroad, we decided to count down our top 5 British/Irish exports who have adapted to different foreign clubs over the years. Barto and Bento take note!
5. Tyrone Mears: Marseille
What were you doing on the 29th August 2008? Everybody remembers what they were doing the day Tyrone Mears went to Marseille. Controversial, sure, but Tyrone Mears’s move to the south of France got everyone talking. Leaving Derby behind without permission to fly to Marseille, an understandably livid Paul Jewell claimed Mears would never play for Derby County again, and right he was. It didn’t take long for Mears to settle in at Marseille, and he was straight in the side to make his debut in mid – January in a UEFA Cup tie against FC Twente. A long term injury to the other right back Laurent Bonnart further cemented Mears’ place in the first team as he went on to make another 6 appearances in all competitions. Although Mears didn’t sign permanently for Marseille, with the club refusing the option to do so, he has gone down in Marseille folklore. Many believe that L’OM have never been able to replace the right sided maestro.
4. Steve Finnan: Espanyol
Before he joined Espanyol, Finnan was already an established full back who had played across all 4 divisions. A move abroad meant the Irish international would cap off an illustrious career in some style. Finnan found his true football abode when he joined Espanyol. He made 4 barn storming appearances which were topped off by a mutual termination of his contract. When people look back at his career it will be his time at Espanyol that really stands out, sure, he amassed a combined total of 621 appearances for other clubs but he never shone like he did for the Periquitos. To say Finnan was a success abroad is an understatement and is actually a little offensive, Finnan was not only a success he's the benchmark.
3. Rohan Ricketts: Various Clubs
Rohan Ricketts has played for a string of top foreign clubs; Toronto, SV Wihelmshaven, Dacia Chişinău, Diósgyőri VTK and Dempo and all at the age of 29? It’s unfair to call him a journeyman as they’re often ridiculed for their lack of success on the pitch, Steve Claridge being the perfect example. Unlike Claridge, Ricketts has achieved playing abroad time and time again and that’s why he makes this list. He was the joint winner of the Canadian Championship golden boot, with 2 goals. An award he shared with Roberto Brown and Eduardo Sebrango. He also made 1 appearance for Diósgyőri VTK during their infamous relegation campaign in the ’09-’10 season. It seems wherever Ricketts goes, success soon follows. He hasn’t made the top of this list but he’s still ‘playing’ and in a few years time this list might have to be re-evaluated solely for him.
2. Steve Kean: Academica Coimbra
Truth be told Steve Kean could have been numbers 1 to 5. His career is made up of a ‘whose who’ of top European Clubs, Alloa Athletic, Bath City and so on. However he is perhaps most fondly remembered during his time at Academica Coimbra where he spent the majority of his career and won the most silverware. Over three seasons Kean amassed 12 appearances one goal and no trophies. His time at Coimbra is so regarded by the fans that there is almost no record of him ever playing there. Rumour has it that the Coimbra Ultras, more widely known as ‘The Keano’s’ stole the record books and now use it as a barometer of the success for their current crop of players (this has not been confirmed by the fans or the club). However no pictures can be found of Steve during his time at Coimbra so the rumours are likely true.
1. Stan Collymore: Real Oviedo
People think that Stan Collymore had his best days behind him when he joined Real Oviedo in 2001. Well think again. He made 3 substitute appearances scored no goals and retired at the top soon after. To put that into perspective, he made just as many appearances for Oviedo as he did for England. It’s a fantastic achievement and one that shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s not only in because of the impact he made in La Liga, he’s also in because of the legacy that suceeded him after he left. Oviedo spent 13 straight seasons in La Liga before Collymore arrived, that same season they were relegated and haven’t returned to the top division since; they now play in the highly regarded Segunda Division B (Division 4 to you and me). That speaks volumes about his success abroad, and that’s why he’s our number 1.
