With the transfer window open, I was wondering when was the last time we signed a former top player in the twilight of their career and whether there are any around at the moment who might put a shift in for us?

In the past we've benefitted hugely from the likes of Birtles, Futch, Ivano and Whymark. Presumably there are similar players around now looking for one last chance to make a another name for themselves?

No. The big names now are absolutely fricking loaded and the majority wouldn't even think about dropping down a few divisions to continue playing.

In fact, even mid-level Premiershite players should have a few million in the bank (if they had any sense), so why keep on going? We'll not see anyone with the class of Birtles here again. Unless we somehow develop them as a younger player!

They all go to America to retire these days.

Quoted from Belfast Town

With the transfer window open, I was wondering when was the last time we signed a former top player in the twilight of their career and whether there are any around at the moment who might put a shift in for us?

In the past we've benefitted hugely from the likes of Birtles, Futch, Ivano and Whymark. Presumably there are similar players around now looking for one last chance to make a another name for themselves?

I admire your passion immensely but them days of attracting that quality of player are a distant memory at this moment in time. Them sort of signings will never happen under this current regime.

Ched Evans? ;)

Quoted from Belfast Town

With the transfer window open, I was wondering when was the last time we signed a former top player in the twilight of their career and whether there are any around at the moment who might put a shift in for us?

In the past we've benefitted hugely from the likes of Birtles, Futch, Ivano and Whymark. Presumably there are similar players around now looking for one last chance to make a another name for themselves?

Only if they are currently on York City's books.

They simply don't need the money anymore. Also, they keep themselves in better shape nowadays and play at the top level for longer, before retiring to their various villas to discuss making even more money with their image rights consultants and media gurus.

This weekends FA Cup has shown that the gulf is getting bigger and bigger from the top to the bottom. Nary a shock result to be had.

We're in the Conference now as well. Nobody wants to play at this level when they are in their prime never mind when they have millions in the bank and struggle to play once a week never mind twice. Why finish your career playing in the Conference with Grimsby when you could go somewhere warmer like Australia or the USA? Or even the three divisions above us if you want to stay at home. Of somewhere like Forest Green where there's more money but less pressure.

Very few names i could think of that we have played against from the former top level while we have been down here;

Edgar Davids (ultimate top level)
Lee Hughes
Alan Wright

beyond those three i cant recall seeing any other former recognisable top level players down here but i am by no means a football statto so there could be others.
Its just a different time now, former players becoming an insurance salesman or opening a sportshop in their last adopted town just doesnt seem to occurr either.  

Bryan Hughes is probably as close as we've got in recent years, definitely since dropping to this level.  Prior to that I can only think of Dean Gordon as someone who was nearing the end of his career, naturally coming down the levels.  

Lee Hendrie was very good still despite his age at this level.  Same can still be said for Oster too.

You're only going to get someone who absolutely loves playing or is completely broke.

Franny Jeffers. From Everton to Arsenal for a big fee, then tumbling all the way down to Accrington Stanley via the Newcastle Jets in Australia.

Brett Ormerod (if he counts) at Padiham

Quoted from Abdul19

Brett Ormerod (if he counts) at Padiham

Wrexham as well wasn't he?

Dele Adebola and Barry Hayles have played below us as well I believe.

Barry Hayles destroyed us first match of the season at Cheltenham.

Hayles was a sort of mid-level Premiershite player though and, though he undoubtedly earned a few quid at Fulham, it was ten years ago which was before the money went absolutely nutso.

Amazed to see he's still playing, actually! Good on him.

Quoted from Maringer

Hayles was a sort of mid-level Premiershite player though and, though he undoubtedly earned a few quid at Fulham, it was ten years ago which was before the money went absolutely nutso.

Amazed to see he's still playing, actually! Good on him.

Last time i saw him he was controlling centre mid...well he was that big no one could could run around him  :P

John Oster still playing well at 36, then you have someone like Owen Hargreaves who has just turned 34 and not played for 3 years, bet he's still got the skills.

I think Owen Hargreaves basically quit playing because his knees fell off didn't he? Years of trying to recover from tendinitis with loads of operations and he never got properly fit again.

A pity, really, as he did pretty well in those World Cup games (especially after Shrek himself sent off) and would have been a very useful for England to have available over the next few years if fit.

Quoted from Maringer

I think Owen Hargreaves basically quit playing because his knees fell off didn't he? Years of trying to recover from tendinitis with loads of operations and he never got properly fit again.

A pity, really, as he did pretty well in those World Cup games (especially after Shrek himself sent off) and would have been a very useful for England to have available over the next few years if fit.

Yeah he tried to prove his fitness back in 2011, posting his numerous training routines that went on youtube, but he didn't find another club, shame really.

[youtube]SMy-qBo0gbw[/youtube]

Chris Doig played Premier League didn't he?