the cult footballers

  • The Cult: Nobby Solano

    Almost two decades after he first arrived in England, Nobby Solano remains beloved of Newcastle fans and trumpet aficionados everywhere.

  • The Cult: John Terry

    It’s hard to think of many footballers who are loved by so few and loathed by so many, but John Terry thoroughly deserves his supporters and his detractors. Adore or abhor him, Terry is unquestionably Cult.

  • The Cult: Andrey Arshavin

    Andrey Arshavin was on another plane of thought to his teammates, but lost the ability to express his genius. How exactly that happened, nobody seems to know.

  • The Cult: Pavel Nedved

    Having made his breakout at Euro 96, Pavel Nedved’s blond mop became an iconic feature of Serie A. He was fiercely loyal to Juventus and his own intense brand of football, and for that we induct him into The Cult.

  • The Cult: Joe Allen

    Though he's now plying his trade in the heart of Brexitland, Joe Allen is very much a European – rather than British – footballer. As divine in his midfield performances as he is in appearance, the Welshman is a worthy inductee to The Cult.

  • The Cult: Ally McCoist

    This week's inductee to The Cult was a boyhood Rangers fan who went on to become one of the club's greatest goalscoring heroes. But, during an uninspiring spell as manager, Ally McCoist learned that you can't have it all.

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  • The Cult: Roy Race

    As a comic strip, ‘Roy of the Rovers’ was so famous that it entered the English lexicon forever. Sometimes forgotten, however, is the dark and tragic life of its protagonist.

  • The Cult: Ronaldinho

    Ronaldinho was a footballer unlike any other, and a showman par excellence. For his infectious exuberance, warmth and flair, we induct him into The Cult.

  • The Cult: Neil Lennon

    Having enjoyed successful spells at the club as a player and manager, Neil Lennon is a genuine Celtic legend. But the combative midfielder faced considerable challenges off the pitch, battling both with depression and sectarian abuse.

  • The Cult: Gabriel Batistuta

    This week's addition to The Cult wrote his name in football history as a prolific goalscorer for both club and country. It was for this reason that Gabriel Batistuta became better known as "Batigol".

  • The Cult: Teddy Sheringham

    In the nineties and early noughties, Teddy Sheringham was one of the most effective strikers in the Premier League. Despite all those goals, however, he remains somehow unloved.

  • The Cult: Robbie Savage

    As a player and a pundit, Robbie Savage has always made himself difficult to ignore. Thus, we have relented to the Welshman's demands for attention and inducted him into The Cult.