Sol Campbell

Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell, better known as Sol Campbell (born Newham, London, 18 September 1974), is an English footballer with Arsenal and England.

Campbell, a powerful central defender, was a prodigious schoolboy talent and was therefore part-educated at the FA's School of Excellence before joining the ranks at Arsenal's deadly North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

He made his first team debut in December 1992, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute for Nick Barmby, though didn't appear again that season. He eventually became Spurs' lynchpin defender over the course of the next two seasons.

Campbell was picked for the England team which faced the Republic of Ireland in 1995, but lost the cap and had the game struck from his record because violence among supporters forced the game to be abandoned. He had to wait more than a year for his "next" debut, which came against Hungary in May 1996, coming on as a substitute. Although he had only one cap by the time Terry Venables selected his squad for Euro 96, Campbell got in as defensive cover, and came on in England's famous 2-0 win over Scotland for his second cap.

Over the next two years, Campbell became a strong and brave presence at the heart of England's defence, largely displacing Gareth Southgate in the race to partner Tony Adams. The pairing were first choice as new England coach Glenn Hoddle shaped his squad for the 1998 World Cup in France.

Campbell was involved in a highly controversial incident in England's second round clash against old footballing foes Argentina. The game was locked at 2-2 with fewer than ten minutes to go (and with England down to ten men after David Beckham was sent off) when Campbell managed to head a corner into the Argentinian net. He wheeled away to celebrate his first international goal, which looked certain to put England into the quarter finals, but a push by Alan Shearer had caused the referee to blow for a foul. Campbell was still in the corner of the pitch with England supporters as Argentina restarted the game and counter-attacked. England went out on penalties but Campbell emerged a hero.

Campbell played in England's successful qualification campaign for Euro 2000 and in all the three group games at the tournament, which England exited after defeat by Romania. His club career, however, was starting to evoke major concern among Spurs supporters and interest within the media because he was entering the last year of his contract and was stalling on a new deal. Word spread that he was determined to achieve domestic honours, something which Spurs had failed to do.

In the summer of 2001 Campbell's contract expired and, with several top European clubs courting him, he stunned football (and left Spurs fans raging) by joining Arsenal. Ever since, he has been labelled Judas by Spurs supporters, though Campbell always maintained that he loved Tottenham, and that his decision was entirely professional. Away from Tottenham, the rest of football admried his guts for taking such a decision, which was vindicated further when he won the Premiership and FA Cup in his first season. His partner at the back was Adams, who had retired from England duty late in 2000, and would do so with Arsenal at the end of that 2002 season, leaving Campbell as the senior defender for both club and country.

Campbell scored his first England goal at the 2002 World Cup in the opening group game against Sweden. England drew the game 1-1, but then beat the old enemy Argentina in the next match (in which Campbell was outstanding) and ultimately progressed to the quarter finals, where they lost to eventual winners Brazil.

In 2003 Campbell maintained his Arsenal and England place, but an injury he suffered towards the end of the season curtailed the Gunners' title chances and he also missed their successful retention of the FA Cup. He did, however, help his country qualify for Euro 2004.

After a successful domestic season for Campbell in 2004, when Arsenal regained the Premiership title without losing a game, Campbell yet again had a late goal disallowed as England fought to make progress in a major tournament.

Against hosts Portugal in the quarter finals, the game was locked at 1-1 with a minute to go when Campbell won a header in the opposition six-yard box to score what seemed to be a dramatic, late winner for England. However, the referee, Urs Meier, once more noticed a push by an England team-mate (this time Campbell's defensive partner John Terry) and gave a free kick. The game ended level after 120 minutes of football, and England failed to progress to the next stage after a penalty shootout. Meier was beseieged with threats to his life afterwards.

Campbell continues to play for Arsenal and England and has 65 caps. Though now past the age of 30, he shows no sign of ageing and will be a key member of the 2006 World Cup squad should England qualify. He is one of the country's most respected footballers both among players and supporters, apart from those who frequent the terraces at Spurs.

As a single man, Campbell is often photographed on evenings out and has dated some high-profile women in showbusiness, but he has also kept much of his private life private. He has most recently been linked with Dido, the singer who is also a devout Arsenal fan.

Campbell has a son, Joseph, from a previous relationship.

External links

Sporting Heroes (http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/searchresults.asp?ButtonLeap=0&countryLinkDescription=+matching+search+results&FootballHeroName=Sol+Campbell&FootballHeroClubCountry=&FootballHeroDecade=Select+One&SearchButton=Search)et:Sol Campbell pl:Sol Campbell