sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Legendary Premier League goalkeeper comes out of retirement to 'score' hilarious winning goal at 53

Home> Football> Premier League

Published 16:23 19 Mar 2024 GMT

Legendary Premier League goalkeeper comes out of retirement to 'score' hilarious winning goal at 53

The ex-Premier League goalkeeper might've been wasted between the sticks.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

A former Premier League goalkeeper came out of retirement to score a free-kick for his local Sunday League team during their title run-in.

Players who've stepped away from the game still have an itch to get involved every so often. Just ask Ronaldo Nazario.

While they might not be able to play at the top level, they can stroll onto any local pitch and boss the proceedings. Even goalkeepers will be more technical.

To find that out, you only need to look as far as AFC Hutwood. The City of Southampton Sunday Football League (CSSFL) were shocked last week when David James rocked up to bend home a 25-yard free-kicked. Check out the footage below.

Advert

James represented Aston Villa, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City and Portsmouth during his career.

The ex-England international, who earned 53 caps for the Three Lions, is an FA Cup winner with Portsmouth too.

He started in goal for Hutwood, then decided to try his hand in midfield. Opponents Madeinheath United didn't know how to handle it.

The 53-year-old had the chance to leave his mark on the game before the full-time whistle. He made it count with a free-kick that hit the post and the opposition goalkeeper en route to hitting the back of the net.

James taking his free-kick. (
X)

James, who started the game after the club filled a donation box with old boots, revealed post-match he was begging to be substituted.

"I kept asking the manager to take me off. Fortunately he didn't as we got a free-kick, which I smashed goal bound. It hit the post, then hit the goalkeeper and went in," James explained to BBC Radio Solent.

"The idea of the campaign is to keep boots in the community.

"We want people to have them that want to take part in football but maybe can't afford them. The aim is for anyone to be able to play, not matter who you are."

It's not the first time James has experimented playing outfield.

James representing England. (
Getty)

Former City manager Stuart Pearce famously played James as a striker on the final day of the 2004/2005 season.

With a game against Middlesbrough locked at 1-1 and City desperate to find a winner, Pearce launched his first-choice goalkeeper up top to find the winner.

Despite the moment going down in City folklore, he failed to find the target.

Featured Image Credit: AFCHutwood/X

Topics:Ā Premier League, England

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

Man Utd's 15 transfer targets to fill four key positions as at least six prepare to leaveGetty ImagesDennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridarts

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • Getty News
    an hour ago

    Arsenal's home shirt for 26/27 season leaks online and fans are divided

    Arsenal fans have let their feelings known on social media on the leaked kit for the 26/27 season.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Mo Salah considering shock move to country nobody expected

    Of all the places for Salah to end up.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ignored ex-Manchester United player hyped as next Ronaldo

    The 13x Premier League-winning coach ā€˜never spoke’ to the player.

    Football
  • Getty
    11 hours ago

    Adam Wharton enters transfer talks with Premier League giants as saga takes new twist

    Wharton is expected to leave Palace this summer.

    Football
  • Spurs' first post after winning first Premier League game of 2026 has divided supporters
  • Chloe Kelly's winning Euro 2025 penalty faster than any Premier League goal last season as insane speed clocked
  • Premier League players have to pay surprise fee which comes out of their wages
  • Jamie Vardy revealed astronomical amount he earned from each goal during Leicester's Premier League-winning season