As well as being one of English Football’s most recognizable Icons, Teddy Sheringham will also go down in history as one of an elite class of Upton Park Greats after his short and sweet two spells in East London.
But, just how did he forge his fantastic reputation? How would be turn out to be influential in two different ways in Claret and Blue? And where is he now?
Teddy Sheringham
Ironically, Edward Sheringham would begin his Career with our bitter rivals Millwall, after a youth spent with Non-League Leytonstone and Ilford FC.
The young forward was already showing great promise in South London in his late teens, becoming the all-time Highest Goal Scorer at The Den in just four seasons.
Having notched 37 Division Two In his final season for The Lions, Nottingham Forest came calling in a deal thought to be in the region of £2 million.
Intriguingly, the England star would score the first ever Live Sky Sports goal, against Liverpool for Forest in 1992.
But, Sheringham would join up with Spurs in the near future, starting one of the great 15-year spells in English Football History.
After scoring close to 100 goals in close to 200 appearances at White Hart Lane, the now 51-year-old departed for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 1997.
Sheringham would win all there is to win at Old Trafford, four Premier League Titles, an FA Cup, Charity Shield and Continental Cup. However, surely the high point of his Career would come on a special night at Camp Nou.
The striker grabbed the first goal on United’s path to a comeback victory over Bayern Munich that evening but would be forced into a move back to Spurs under Glen Hoddle at the end of his Contract.
While his powers began to fade back at Tottenham, his goal-scoring ability didn’t, but Silverware with The Lilywhites still eluded him with defeat in the 2002 League Cup Final to Blackburn Rovers.
As he approached 40, Sheringham was not offered another deal in North London but was keen to stay in The Premier League, joining Pompey at the age of 38.
Despite, ten goals in his one and only season at Fratton Park, Portsmouth decided to move him on as he finally found his way to The Boleyn Ground under Alan Pardew.
Sheringham joined at a time of worry in East London, as we rotted away in The Championship, having been defeated in the previous season’s Play-Off Final.
However, with the help of 21 League goals at the age of 38 from the former Aldershot Town loanee, we returned to The Top-Flight with victory at the same stage over Preston North End.
Many believed the Promotion was going to be Teddy’s final curtain call, but he had other ideas and an ambition to become The Premier League’s oldest ever outfield Player.
In a crazy Career ending two years, Sheringham managed a Professional Poker venture with his Hammers duties and was even linked back with an England call, five years after his retirement from International Football.
Remarkably, the tall frontman managed seven Top-Flight goals at the ripe old age of 40 and three the campaign after as he progressed into his forties.
In doing so, the boyhood Hammer became the third oldest Player to appear in an FA Cup Final, the oldest outfield star to feature in The Premier League breaking his own record, a feat that he also achieved to become the oldest scorer in December 2006 against former Club Portsmouth.
However, in the summer of 2007 aged 42, Sheringham waved goodbye to The Top-Flight with an outstanding record, reputation, and legacy.
He embarked on a move to Colchester United, but would only make three Championship appearances as his Career ended with Relegation, retirement had become a sad reality for the veteran at the age of 43.
Despite this, Teddy could not stay away from Football for long as he made his second debut at The Boleyn Ground, this time as Attacking Coach under Sam Allardyce.
His appointment led to a fantastic goal scoring season, where Diafra Sakho picked up The Premier League Player of the Month Award for October 2014 after being inspired by Sheringham.
Unfortunately, the former England man couldn’t resist the idea of a Managerial Career and joined up with Stevenage at the end of the 2014/2015 season.
In an extraordinary turn of events, the then 49-year-old registered himself as a Player, but never made his Boro debut and was subsequently sacked in winter of last year due to poor form.
Nowadays, after taking a year away from the Game to consider his options, the 51-year-old manages Atletico De Kolkata in the extravagant Indian Super League.
Teddy Sheringham may currently go down as one of the most astonishing and remarkable Legends in all of English Football History. But, one would feel that the best may be still yet to come from the Cockney despite his “Joke League” Job.
Even if he does go on to continue to Manage when he is 100 years-old and over.