Sol Campbell: A true North London legend

It is rare that a footballer playing in North London will cross the divide between the two fierce rivalries of Arsenal and Tottenham, Sol Campbell has not only done that but also established himself as a legend in North London.

It all started back in 1992 when Campbell arrived on the scene at White Hart Lane as a fresh faced 18 year old striker, scoring on his debut against Chelsea as a substitute.  Standing at 6 ft 2 and built like a body builder, Campbell’s attributes saw him convert from attack to defence, becoming a lynchpin at centre-back for the next nine years for Spurs. Campbell’s defining moment for Tottenham came in 1999 when he captained the side to a League Cup success over Leicester City.

What was to follow two years later not even the famous Mystic Meg could have predicted…

After amassing 316 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, the then 27-year-old had come to the end of his contract, and declared his desire of Champions League football. A host of European clubs were after his signature, but not fazed by what Tottenham die-hards would think, Campbell made the short move down Seven Sisters Road to join the Gunners on a free transfer.

Calls of ‘Judas’ and ‘traitor’ rang loudly from Tottenham fans into Campbell’s ears, but the towering defender ignored the taunts of betrayal and went on to enjoy success with Arsenal, winning the Premiership and FA Cup double in his first season.

The next campaign he was a key member of Arsenal’s ‘invincible’ side in which the Gunners conceded just 27 goals. Campbell went on to become a formidable figure in Arsenal’s defence for the next six years, winning another Premiership medal and two more FA Cup winner’s medals to go around his neck.

He experienced a career high and low in the 2005 Champions League final with Barcelona. The high was rising in the box to send a thumping header into the net, Arsenal 1, Barcelona 0. The low saw keeper Jens Lehman sent off for the Gunners which proved costly, ending in a 2-1 defeat. After 197 appearances, Campbell left that summer to join Portsmouth.

Last year saw Campbell make a brief return to The Emirates. On his 200^th appearance for the club, he buried a header against FC Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League. The 36 year old then ended his affliction with Arsenal that summer to join Newcastle United.

He is a former England international with 73 caps, 316 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur and 211 appearances for Arsenal... whether you are a Gunner or a Spurs fan, nobody can deny Sol Campbell’s legacy as a true North London great.

Sol Campbell... I salute you.

WTTGT Writer: Daniel Cox

Comments

[Adam]

Whatever you want to say about Campbell's abilities I have no respect for him. To move accross to Woolwich Arsen*l is bad enough but do do lap of honour at the end of the season before he left and then to leave Spurs with no money from the transfer is a discrace. Maybe he was too thick to realise what he was doing. He didnt go abroad as too thick to learn another language and had a choice of other top English sides but chose the only club that would betray 9 years of support from the faithfull.

Clearly from whatever side you come from, if your objective about it he's just like many overpaid footy mercenries, unloyal. He owed Spurs as a club and the fans far more than that.

[Tottenhamfans]

Go **** yourselves - poster & judas, if this is just you yourself Judas, absolutely exciting stuff, legendary charade indeed, way to go public person, show them what integrety is about...

[Charlie]

Behave yourself OP he's a dog nothing more nothing less.Stick to uour own team and issues......fool

[Vic]

Legend? - No
Bell end? - most certainly!

[spurs guvnor]

Judas C@NT

[THFC]

campbell is the scum of all scum and will never ever be a legend...ever! he is all that is wrong about football, a lying, unloyal, selfish mercenary. a totally disgusting human being!

[frontwheel 2]

Daniel Cox i think you must be having a wind up,surely? I suppose by your reasoning Tevez must be top legend of all

[We own the Spuds Forever!]

Whatever the score on Sunday....Arsenal will have a weakend team and the Spuds will have a loanee up front who is only there because Madrid are waiting for his price to come down and Modric wants to leave......
But the point is this...Spurs and Spurs fans have always been jealous of Arsenal...especially for the last 25 years....THEY HAVE NOTHING...WON....NOTHING....DONE NOTHING!!....Always in shadow....and thats why the dont get it!!!!

[col]

Your post says he ignored the calls of judas etc.No he did,nt he shrank every time because he never expected the level of hatred thrown at him and whenever he could be injured to avoid playing for the scumarse he was injured allegedly.I have seen him shrink and nearly cry when he got slagged off and needed Arsenes cuddles to support him.The man could have left having done the honourable thing and made sure Spurs got a fee for him,but instead he sold his sole or something to Arse.The man is and always will be vile filth in the real North London clubs eyes.Iwish he would fuck off and retire and disappear so we dont have to listen to his vile spew and look at his ugly mug.Legend my arse he is a lying scumbag bellend shitbag.