Connect with us

ARTICLES

Ledley King, we hardly knew ye

So, Ledley King’s career has drawn to a close with not a bang, but a whimper.

Published

on

So, Ledley King’s career has drawn to a close with not a bang, but a whimper. The news had been doing the round on forums and social networking sites for weeks now, but it was confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the 31-year-old was to be hanging up his boots. King had long been suffering from a problematic knee injury, news that had been known for years now.

His knee prevented him from training with the first team, restricting the former England star to pool work for the week to keep his fitness up before taking part in first-team duties prior to the upcoming encounter. His lack of activity never showed, however, game after game churning out top performance after top performance, despite having no cartilage in his knee.

Effectively playing bone-on-bone, 99% of players would’ve called it a day earlier on. But not King. The Tottenham Hotspur centre-back played through the pain barrier for the good of the team. Harry Redknapp described him as a ‘Rolls Royce’ of player. Martin Jol labelled him as a ‘freak’, in the nicest way possible. Jacques Santini claimed he would only sell him to Arsenal, if they were to bid for him, should they offer £20m, Sol Campbell and Thierry Henry in return.

The praise, on Thursday, has been high for King. Fellow pro’s have been paying homage to the classy defender via twitter, with the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Brad Friedel, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent all lauding the Spurs defender. It goes to show the respect that King had earned over his 14 years of service to the game.  

Fans, as well, have voicing their admiration for the defender via social media sites, many believing the number 26 shirt should be retired, a stature erected outside White Hart Lane and a stand in the new stadium named after him. And it is absolutely deserved for Ledley. Having seen him in the flesh on many occasions, every ounce of extolment is thoroughly deserved.

Many moments will forever stick in the memory of fans; his tackle on Arjen Robben during the 2-1 win over Chelsea in November 2006, his goal against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw in 2005, lifting the Carling Cup in 2008 – it’s the epitome of a player who, without injury problems, could’ve been England’s finest defender since Bobby Moore.

With England, his performance during the 2-1 defeat to France at Euro 2004 was one of the finest defensive displays this football fan has ever seen. Remarkable to think that he only played because John Terry was injured. King was never the loudest of defenders, but his exceptional reading of the game, positional sense, composure and assurance in the back four bred confidence throughout the team and was just a number of his traits that made him such a superb defender.

There is a never-ending list of superlatives to describe King. One of the greatest centre-backs to play the game in recent years, a sentiment echoed not only by Spurs fans, but from rivals as well. Henry claimed he was the hardest defender he ever played against; coming from a world class front-man like the Frenchman; that is some plaudit to receive.

Yet he never let the hype get to him. He could have played for any team in the world, with or without injury, but his loyalty shone through. At the end of the season, he confessed he would rather retire than play for another team. It is statements like this that won the hearts of every fan. The fact that he would rather call time on his career than pull on another team’s colours; it’s a rare characteristic in a game now dominated by money.

The pain barrier may have been an issue, especially in the second half of last season, but King wasn’t the type of player to give into it. Redknapp admitted he was injured, but it never stopped the 31-year-old. When Spurs were short of men at the back, he would happily pull on the shirt and give 110% each and every performance.

His loss will be massive, it’s fair to say, but I couldn’t think of anyone better to be appointed club ambassador. King represents all that is good about the club, as his work within the community shows. It’s a sad day for Spurs, that’s a given. It feels like a family member has been taken from us; picked from their prime when it should’ve been their finest hour.

His testimonial, scheduled for the end of the upcoming season, will an emotional affair. But while his playing time at White Hart Lane has come to a pre-mature end, the memories of Ledley King will forever live in the memory of the fans that had the pleasure of seeing one of, if not the, gracious defender to ever pull on a Spurs shirt.

Altogether now – Oh Ledley, Ledley….

Click here to follow To the Lane and Back on Twitter

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Spurs Transfer News

James Maddison heaps praise on Tottenham 'leader' Cristian Romero. James Maddison heaps praise on Tottenham 'leader' Cristian Romero.
ARTICLES14 hours ago

“Welcome and loved”- Tottenham new boy reveals why North London switch was the right move for him

James Maddison explains why Tottenham Hotspur felt the right move for him Tottenham Hotspur, known for their rich history of...

Dejan Kulusevski admits the Tottenham squad thought Harry Kane would stay in North London. Dejan Kulusevski admits the Tottenham squad thought Harry Kane would stay in North London.
ARTICLES16 hours ago

Kulusevski admits what Tottenham stars expected Harry Kane to do in the summer

Dejan Kulusevski admits the Tottenham squad thought Harry Kane would stay in North London In what was an unbelievably long-drawn...

Tanguy Ndombele failed to impress Ange Postecoglou on the first day of training at Tottenham Hotspur. Tanguy Ndombele failed to impress Ange Postecoglou on the first day of training at Tottenham Hotspur.
ARTICLES2 days ago

Report: Tottenham ace failed to impress Postecoglou ahead of summer departure

Tanguy Ndombele failed to impress Ange Postecoglou on the first day of training at Tottenham Hotspur Unfortunately for Tanguy Ndombele,...

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni left speechless with Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero against Ecuador. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni left speechless with Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero against Ecuador.
ARTICLES3 days ago

Ange Postecoglou played a keen role in securing Tottenham ace’s future this summer

Ange Postecoglou was a driving force behind Cristian Romero deciding to stay at Tottenham According to Alasdair Gold, Tottenham Hotspur...

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was desperate to offload Tanguy Ndombele this summer. Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was desperate to offload Tanguy Ndombele this summer.
ARTICLES3 days ago

Report: Ange Postecoglou was desperate to offload Tottenham midfield outcast this summer

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was desperate to offload Tanguy Ndombele this summer Tottenham Hotspur’s relationship with Tanguy Ndombele has...

Rasmus Hojlund was on Tottenham Hotspur's radar. Rasmus Hojlund was on Tottenham Hotspur's radar.
ARTICLES3 days ago

Tottenham Hotspur asked for 20-year-old star before Manchester United transfer

Tottenham asked for Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund earlier this summer Tottenham Hotspur fans were in for a surprise this...

New shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario sends a message to Tottenham fans. New shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario sends a message to Tottenham fans.
ARTICLES4 days ago

New Tottenham star on the bloc pays his respects to supportive Tottenham fanbase

New shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario sends a message to Tottenham fans Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham Hotspur’s new goalkeeper has taken to Instagram...

Tottenham looking to sort the future of Hugo Lloris this week. Tottenham looking to sort the future of Hugo Lloris this week.
ARTICLES4 days ago

Tottenham looking to sort out the future of out-of-favour veteran this week

Tottenham looking to sort the future of Hugo Lloris this week According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are looking to...

Gary Lineker urges Tottenham Hotspur to sign Evan Ferguson. Gary Lineker urges Tottenham Hotspur to sign Evan Ferguson.
ARTICLES4 days ago

Gary Lineker urges Tottenham to sign new Premier League star on the bloc

Gary Lineker urges Tottenham Hotspur to sign Evan Ferguson 18-year-old Irish striker Evan Ferguson of Brighton and Hove Albion scored...

Reliable journo refutes claims of £40m deadline day Tottenham bid for English star. Reliable journo refutes claims of £40m deadline day Tottenham bid for English star.
ARTICLES4 days ago

Romano refutes claims of deadline day Tottenham bid for Chelsea star

Fabrizio Romano reveals that Tottenham did not make a £40m bid for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher According to Fabrizio Romano...