Les Ferdinand

Fondly known as 'Sir Les', the powerful centre-forward was a worthy addition to the hallowed list of Newcastle No. 9s when he was signed to replace Andrew Cole. He became the first United player to win the PFA Player of the Year award and subsequently formed a revered strike force with Alan Shearer.

Les began the 2000-01 season partnering Sergei Rebrov up front for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring with a header in the 3-1 defeat of Premiership newcomers Ipswich Town in the opening game. Looking lean and focused, he returned to the exciting form that he had displayed in his younger days and netted regularly throughout the campaign to finish as the club's leading scorer. Probably his finest performance in a Spurs shirt came in the home game with Leicester City when he almost single-handedly destroyed the opposition defence with three superbly taken goals. Ironically, Les did not get to take the ball home with him that day after a disappointed City defender kicked it into the crowd in frustration, and it was only after a public appeal that he received his prize several weeks later! Strong, pacy and good in the air, he received his reward with a new two-year contract.

After concluding the 2002-03 campaign with West Ham United, Les retained his Premiership status when he agreed a one-year deal with newly-promoted Leicester City in July 2003. He then moved on to Bolton Wanderers with another 12-month contract which was cancelled by mutual consent in December 2004. He then joined Reading with a contract to the end of the season.

Les joined Watford in September 2005 on non-contract terms.