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Tim Sherwood

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Full Name Tim Sherwood
Date of Birth 2nd February 1969
Place of Birth St Albans, England
Height 6ft
Position Midfield
Clubs Watford, Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Coventry City.


The highlights of his career include captaining Blackburn Rovers to the 1995 Premiership title and becoming a full international for England. He also won a runners-up medal in the 2002 League Cup Final with Tottenham Hotspur, coincidentally losing to his former team, Blackburn.

He made his debut for Watford against Sheffield Wednesday on September 12, 1987. 31 more league appearances followed in Division Two. He moved to Norwich City and notched up a total of 88 games and 13 goals in Norwich colours before joining Blackburn Rovers in February 1992.

As one of Kenny Dalglish’s first signings for Blackburn, he initially struggled to make the first team but became an integral part of Dalglish’s big spending Rovers side.

Tim Sherwood’s career at Rovers could not have started any lower and could not have reached higher levels. Kenny Dalglish signed Sherwood from Norwich’s reserves, after an argument with the boss about how football should be played, he was dumped into the second string. He’d already represented England under 21’s but his strong personality even at that early stage of his career saw him being allowed to leave and join the then 2nd Division Blackburn. From day one at Blackburn he was up against it- he was a cockney with long hair called Timothy- and the Rovers fans did not take to him. Dalglish tried to squeeze him into the side playing him right wing which was a mistake considering his distinct lack of pace. Left out of the side he was not even on the bench for the Play Offs and seemed on his way out.

With promotion achieved, Sherwood was then restored to the side and adapted to Premiership football far easier than the Nationwide. His ability to come deep for the ball, maintain possession and link defence with attack, and cover every blade of grass every game saw him slowly but surely win the fans over. He had a touch of class, matched with a fiery determination which was recognised by Dalglish when he made him Skipper. Once captain of the side, the team and Sherwood never looked back.

Terry Venables once pointed out that Sherwood had the ability to release the ball quickly allowing his team-mate time on the ball, Dave Bassett labelled him the best ‘nuts and bolts’ midfielder in the country. In 1994/95 he formed formidable partnerships with Mark Atkins and David Batty and at times carried the Rovers side through tough games.

Those that travelled away from home in the 94/95 season will have noticed Sherwood screaming at his players to lift them particularly after conceding goals in the midst of cauldron atmospheres. Sherwood’s captaincy throughout that season was a major factor in our success.

Under Tim’s captaincy, Blackburn finished second in the Premiership in 1993/94 before winning it the following season. At this point it was a surprise that he did not gain international recognition, adding only an England B cap to the England Under 21 honours he picked up whilst at Norwich.

Sherwood, not the greatest midfielder the club has ever had, but in recent times possibly the most important. went on to win England caps his career deserved after joining Spurs from Blackburn and if business interests don’t rule his future would make an excellent manager. Sherwood’s hands were the first Blackburn hands to hold the Premiership Trophy and may well be the last for the long and distant future.

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