Teddy Sheringham became only the second outfield player to play Premiership football at the age of 40 when he came on as a substitute against Charlton Athletic on his birthday. Here the veteran striker reflects on his glittering 22-year professional career and reveals the desire that enables him to continue producing the goods at the highest level of English football...
First of all Teddy, how does it feel to be 40?
"I've been trying to keep it quiet, for obvious reasons,
but everyone else keeps going on about it! To me, it's just
another birthday, I'm 40 and that's it. I suppose the
interest is because of the fact that not many players are still
playing at my age, but it's not something I have really thought
about, to be honest.
"I can't explain it - I don't feel 40, or whatever 40
is supposed to feel like! It's not a big deal to me and I
won't be dealing with the game any differently - or expect to
be treated any differently - just because I'm 40."
Have your younger team-mates given you a bit of stick about
the milestone?
"I get a bit of ribbing, but no more than I give out. I must
admit to feeling a bit old when the music in the dressing-room
comes on, but you've got to move with the times and I don't
mind some of the R 'n' B stuff that the younger lads play.
The difference is that I also go back to Rod Stewart and that sort
of music, which is never played in the dressing-room!"
So what is the secret behind your longevity?
"I've been very fortunate with injuries, which I think is
a big part of it. I've never had any major knee or ankle
problems, my joints are good, and while I feel okay then I will
continue to play.
"A lot of players have had to finish early because or been
hampered during their careers with injury, but that hasn't been
the case for me, and I'm very grateful for that. I'm also
probably lucky with my genes - my dad is a tall, slim man and
I've followed in his footsteps in that sense."
Have you had to change the style of your game in recent
years?
"I don't think so. I think my game evolved at the age of
about 26, when I changed from being an out-and-out striker to
playing in the hole behind a front man. That was after I had joined
Tottenham from Nottingham Forest, and I've been playing that
role ever since.
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What have been the biggest changes in football since you started
playing?
"On the field, the main thing is that the game is so much
faster. The backpass rule has meant that there isn't as much
time-wasting as there used to be, the ball is lighter and the
pitches are better.
"Off the pitch, it's got to be the money. I've said it
has increased ten-fold, but it's probably more like a
hundred-fold. The TV guys have come in and poured money into the
game, and it's obviously made a big difference to the players
financially."
Looking back over your career, what highlights would you
pick out as the greatest?
In the early days, getting promoted with Millwall to the top flight
for the first time in the Club's history was a fantastic
achievement. Most of us were young lads who had progressed through
the youth ranks, and it was the first taste of real success for us.
For England, my involvement at Euro 96 was something I will never
forget - especially that 4-1 win over Holland. Playing for England,
at Wembley, scoring two goals and picking up the man of the match
award - it's every schoolboy's dream.
Then of course there was the Champions League victory and treble
with Manchester United - 11 days that I wouldn't change for
anything. It was truly amazing to be involved in and lovely to play
such a memorable part in it."
Did you always believe you would be playing at the very top
for so long? "Not at all - there have been times
during my career when I thought I wasn't going to make it. I
remember my second game for England was against Norway in a World
Cup qualifier, we lost 2-0, I got taken off at half-time and I
thought that was the end of my international career. I ended up
playing 51 times for England, but I've never taken anything for
granted and, even now, I'm still striving to prove myself every
week."
How much does it mean to you to be finishing your career at
the Club you supported as a boy?
"It means everything. I can remember coming here as a seven
year-old and thinking: 'I'd like to play for West Ham one
day.' And here I am now living that dream. It might have come a
little bit later in my career than I would have thought, but
I'm so pleased that I eventually got here.
"The last 18 months have been fantastic, I've enjoyed
every minute of it and that is the key reason behind the fact that
I'm still playing. The atmosphere around the Club is
tremendous, it's a great place to be at, and I enjoy coming
into work every day. At my age, job satisfaction is the most
important thing, and I've got that here."
Have you made any plans for your future yet?
"Not beyond the end of next season. I'm quite happy to be
signed up for another year, but I can't look any further than
that. If I'm still enjoying my football and feel able enough to
do a job, then maybe I will continue, but it's not something I
can even think about yet.
"I wouldn't count anything out in the future, though. If
it could provide me with job satisfaction, then I would contemplate
it and make my decision from there. Coaching is something that I
might consider, but I'm not definitely set on it or planning to
head down that route. At the moment, I'm still enjoying playing
too much, and long may that continue."