The “Barclaysman” is a term thrown around in general pub chat while watching the Premier League Sunday fixtures with a few mates and a few more beers. But what is a “Barclaysman”? Often used to describe a player with cult status amongst fans, not necessarily the best players, but one that embodied what it was to be a footballer in the Premier League during the Barclays Bank sponsorship era from 200 to 2016.

With that in mind, we have devised a starting XI full of prime Barclaysmen. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

Goalkeeper – Brad Friedel

We start in goal, and already a tough decision to make. So many great goalkeepers to choose from, notably Petr Cech, most certainly the best goalkeeper on the list, but arguably not the most Barclaysman of goalkeepers. A couple of more eccentric names, of Shaka Hislop and Ali Al-Habsi, come close with some incredible performances for their respective clubs. In this XI, however, Brad Friedel stands between the sticks. A true Barclaysman and a difficult one to argue with

Friedel famously went over eight years without missing a single league game for Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham. An incredible achievement, and the longevity of the man cements his place in this XI. Not only that, but Friedel also scored in a 2-2 draw for Blackburn against Charlton.

Right Back – Glen Johnson

A slightly easier decision at right back. A smaller pool of players to choose from. You could go for club icon Tony Hibbert at Everton simply for playing that many games, even if he did not score a single goal for the club. Phil Neville, perhaps, is an option, but maybe didn’t fit the mould as much as Glen Johnson.

A brilliantly attacking right back, representing a plethora of Premier League clubs. Arguably, Johnson’s best moment came against Hull City in 2008 while playing for Pompey. Arriving at high speed, taking the ball on his chest and releasing an unstoppable volley on his weaker foot to beat Boaz Myhill, and of course for wearing numbers 5 and 8 at right back. Barclaysman.

Centre Back – Brede Hangeland

At centre back, we start with the Norwegian giant Brede Hangeland. A Fulham stalwart. At 6 feet 6 inches, not many were as formidable as Hangeland. His performances for Fulham stood out, and his contribution to one of the greatest European underdog stories cannot be forgotten. Playing a crucial role as Fulham defied the odds in the 2009/10 season and reached the Europa League Final, ultimately losing to Atletico Madrid after a brace from Diego Forlan.

Centre Back - Christopher Samba

There are many names that can be thrown in alongside Brede Hangeland, the likes of Scott Dann, Sylvain Distin or even West Ham’s James Collins. Partnering Hangeland in this XI is Congolese man mountain Chris Samba. Another giant at the back, standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Samba made his Barclaysman status at Blackburn Rovers, becoming a cult hero of the club for his no-nonsense approach to defending. Bonus points are awarded for being Congolese. Only one of five players to represent the nation in the Premier League.

Left Back – Leighton Baines

A straightforward decision here in Leighton Baines. Some could argue for Patrice Evra or Ashley Cole, both more successful during this era, and it is hard to argue that they are the better players, but neither of them holds the title of Barclaysman as much as Leighton Baines does. Known for his wicked deliveries on that left foot and some incredible free-kicks for Everton. Coming in third on the list of most assists for defenders, it’s difficult to leave Baines out of this XI, especially as he rocked the mods and rockers haircut for years.

Defensive Midfield – Papa Bouba Diop

Moving into midfield and is there a better option than the man they called ‘The Wardrobe’? Another giant presence with his best years coming at Fulham, Diop was loved by all. His name alone is something that rolls off the tongue and gives proper Barclaysman vibes. Scoring sublime goals against Chelsea and Manchester United, you could just sense that Diop savoured every moment of being on the pitch, living out every fan’s dream. A true Barclaysman that will never be forgotten, may he rest in peace.

Central Midfield – Rory Delap

In this XI we are playing a 4-3-3 and in midfield it’s only right to have a defensive-minded player, an attack-minded player and one out-and-out central midfielder. So many come to mind here, Jimmy Bullard is unlucky not to feature with his joyful demeanour and crazy antics. The most unfortunate to miss out is probably Nike Kranjcar. The Croatian became a staple of Harry Redknapp’s teams, but simply cannot be in this XI over Rory Delap.

This man scared the life out of every Premier League defence. Not for his footballing ability, although he was a steady player, but for his famously long throw-ins. Tony Pulis often talks about the day he discovered this trait on podcasts and talk shows, and for good reason. Such was the fear of Delap’s long and flat throws, Boaz Myhill of Hull City remarkably opted to kick the ball out for a corner when pressured, as his team favoured defending them as opposed to Delap’s long throw. To impose that much fear into a side from throw-ins alone made Delap an icon and one worthy of being a Barclaysman.

Attacking Midfield – Tim Cahill

One of the most difficult positions to choose now, and one that has been swayed simply because he is personally my favourite Barclaysman of all time. Easily put you could put ten different names in here. Kevin Nolan, Jay-Jay Okocha, Adel Taraabt and Hatem Ben-Arfa are all true Barclaysmen, but I simply had to get Tim Cahill into this side, even if it is pure bias.

*Tim Cahill With His Iconic Corner Flag Celebration*

Possibly the most consistent header of the ball in the Barclays era, it was astonishing how often Cahill got above his man and timed his leaps to win the ball in the air. At a modest 5 feet 10 inches, Cahill did not stand above the Premier League centre backs of the time, but to have scored 22 out of his 56 Everton goals with his head is truly remarkable. On top of this, exactly half of his record-holding 50 international goals for Australia came with his head. With an iconic celebration to go alongside, Tim Cahill, a true Barclaysman.

Right Wing – Zoltan Gera

The right wing was a tricky position with not as many to choose from as you may think. Not wanting to play players out of position or even swap sides for wingers, we land on the Hungarian Zoltan Gera. Most definitely a Barclaysman, Gera is a cult hero for two different clubs, which is why he comes into the team. Part of the West Brom team that made the great escape from relegation in 2005 and stuck with the club following their eventual relegation to bring them back to the Premier League, he was loved by the Baggies.

In 2008, Gera made the move to that famous Fulham side that reached the Europa League Final, and he himself scored some vital goals in the run, including the winner against Hamburg to send the Cottagers to the final. Returning to West Brom in 2011, he made a name for himself by scoring some spectacular goals. A deserved place in this XI.

Striker – Yakubu Ayegbeni

Such a difficult decision to make here. Roque Santa Cruz is unlucky to miss out on the XI. Without wanting to include Michu or Amr Zaki as they simply didn’t do it for long enough, we land on ‘The Yak’. This man was an absolute beast of a striker and is simply the mid-table hitman of his generation.

The only man in the 21st century to score a hat-trick for three different Premier League clubs, he famously chose his Everton shirt number as a goal to match the number in goals for that season. A true cult hero of the Premier League, and with his chant of ‘Feeding the Yak’, there is no doubt that Yakubu is a true Barclaysman.

Left Wing – Morten Gamst Pedersen

Of all the options on the left wing, there is no other choice than to include the quintessential Barclaysman. Pedersen is the embodiment of the Barclaysman. No other name is said more when discussing this topic than the left-footed Norwegian. A cult hero of Blackburn, his ferocious left-footed shots gave the wow-factor to any spectator.

Pedersen had all the traits needed to be on this team. Incredible goals, moments of brilliance, the Barclays era Blackburn kit and even his hair made him into the ultimate Barclaysman. To be dubbed the ‘Norwegian David Beckham’ is enough to cement his place in this XI.

*Quintessential Barclaysman Morten Gamst Pedersen*

Manager – Sam Allardyce

To manage this team, there were just two standout applicants. Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce. A tough decision, the ‘Wheeler Dealer’ or ‘Big Sam’. Ultimately, landing on Big Sam. A tough decision to make, but the fact that Allardyce was a part of more standout Barclays teams gives him the advantage.

He managed Blackburn during the Samba and Pedersen era. He managed Bolton with the likes of Kevin Davies and Jay-Jay Okocha and even took the Wanderers on a European adventure. Following his move to West Ham, it almost seemed like he wanted to bring in Barclaysmen with the signings of Kevin Nolan, Matty Taylor, James Collins and Jussi Jääskeläinen. To sign that many Barclaysmen shows that he understood what it meant to be a Barclaysman, and to do that whilst looking like the bloke you see down the chippy is why he manages this ultimate Barclaysman XI.

Written and Researched by BSc Cavan Campbell

A “Barclaysman” Starting XI

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