It was not so long ago that a few forty-somethings got on the field in the best league in the world, and some were even in really unsportsmanlike shape. One such example is the famous match of goalkeeper Neville Southall, which he played exactly 25 years ago.
Oldest Premier League players
Despite what was said in the introduction, even in the 2024-25 season, there were several players who are approaching the age of 40 and are still very relevant on the field.
The oldest players in this Premier League season are West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (born April 18th 1985), Everton defender Ashley Young (born July 9th 1985), Brighton midfielder James Milner (born January 4th 1986) and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy (born January 11th 1987).
Milner is currently out with a long-term injury, but they are all still regulars in their teams' lineups.
Which players were the oldest to appear in a Premier League match in history? Most often, they were (naturally) goalkeepers, mostly substitute goalkeepers, but there is also one legendary striker in the list.
But let's start with the eccentric goalkeeper Neville Southall.
Back with Bradford
When Bradford City faced Leeds United in the Premier League on March 12th, 2000, the Bantams had a goalkeeping problem. Both of their goalkeepers were injured, and Southall had to step into the role.
The Welsh goalkeeping legend, who rose to fame with Everton in the 1980s and 1990s, was once considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. When Southall returned to the pitch for Bradford, he had not played a big match for several years and had gained weight.
Southall played this match, which Leeds won 2-1, at the age of 41 years, five months, and 25 days. He is the sixth oldest player to ever play in the Premier League - five other goalkeepers were even older.
Oldest goalkeeping veterans
The oldest player to ever make a Premier League appearance is goalkeeper John Burridge, who was 43 years, five months, and 11 days old when he played for Manchester City against Queen's Park Rangers in 1995 - City lost the game 3-2.
Burridge made his debut for Workington in 1969, therefore, he had a career spanning almost three decades. His Premier League tenure was admittedly limited, with just four total appearances in the competition.
Nevertheless, Burridge was very well known in English football. He became famous for his very specific warm-ups before matches.
The second oldest player in Premier League history was goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain in 2007, when he replaced Ben Foster in Watford's 1-1 draw against Newcastle.
He was 42 years, 10 months, and 23 days old. It was his first appearance in the top flight since the 1999-2000 campaign.
Among the oldest players to ever play in the Premier League are some really big goalkeeping names, such as Brad Friedel, Mark Schwarzer, Jens Lehmann, and Edwin van der Sar.
Veteran outfield player
The only outfield player on the list is striker Teddy Sheringham.
The former Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and England international also became the oldest player to score a goal in the Premier League, and the only player to do so above the age of 40.
He achieved this while playing for West Ham United in the 2006-07 season.