premier league - five facts you (probably) didn't know.

5 historical premier league facts!

The first Premier League season was in 1992-1993. Whilst this might seem like a long time ago, the highest tier of English football is actually quite young. By the time the Premier League was founded, the USSR had already dissolved and Margaret Thatcher had already resigned as the British Prime Minister. Whatever the relative youth of the top English division, how many of these 'Historical Pub Quiz Specials' do you know?

Here they come - 5 Historical Premier League Football Facts.

John Burridge - The oldest Premier League player.

Oldest Player in the Premier League
The oldest Premier League player was John Burridge, aged 43 years, 5 months and 11 days. The veteran Goalkeeper appeared for Manchester City on May 14, 1995, in a 2-3 home defeat to Queen’s Park Rangers. Having played his first league game back in 1969, that really is quite an achievement! Burridge didn't finish his playing career until 1997 when he served as player-manager at Blyth Spartans. What a career and what a piece of history.

Matthew Briggs - The youngest Premier League player.

Youngest Player in the Premier League
The youngest Premier League player was Matthew Briggs, aged 16 years, 2 months and 4 days old at the time. He appeared for Fulham in a 3-1 away defeat to Middlesborough back in May 2007. Briggs would go on to play for Millwall, Colchester United, Barnet and at the time of writing, was playing for Maldon and Tiptree in the Isthmian League North Division.

Philippe Coutinho in Liverpool colours.

Highest Transfer Fee received by a Premier League Club
The highest transfer fee received by a Premier League club at the time of writing (March 2019) was for the services of attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho in the 2017/2018 season, who left Liverpool for Barcelona in LaLiga. The fee was rumoured to be in the region of GBP105 million, with clauses that could see the fee rise to over GBP140 million. 

Stalwart defender Richard Dunne.

Most Own Goals by a Premier League Player
This is probably the least wanted ‘football history pub quiz’ accolade of all for a football player. The most own goals scored by any Premier League player goals goes to Richard Dunne, with a total of 10. Dunne player for Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Queen’s Park Rangers during his career, as well as making 8- starts for the Republic of Ireland. Second is retired England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, with 7.

Derby County in the dismal 2007/2008 season.

Fewest Points in a Premier League Season
This honour goes to Derby County from the East Midlands. Derby endured a torrid season in 2007-2008, accumulating just 11 points. Kenny Miller was Derby County’s top scorer with just 4 in the Premier League. Derby managed to accrue just one win, which came on 17 September 2007 against Newcastle. This was supplemented by 8 draws. One of these was also against Newcastle.  

​We hope that you enjoyed those historical football facts.

Patrick OShaughnessy (@historychappy)