Meet the EFL’s Most Loyal Players: A Tribute to Longevity in Football
Milton Keynes, UK - May 3, 2015: Dean Lewington of MK Dons jubilantly marks the team's ascent to the Championship.
The Changing Landscape of Modern Football
Modern football has made us all get used to the fact that basically any manager could be sacked at any moment and that it doesn’t really matter if the transfer fee paid for a player is nine figures long – you don’t perform, you’ll simply get removed from the squad.
While EFL, in this case, the second, third, and fourth tier of English football – not counting the Premier League – is not as financially powerful as some other European and Middle Eastern leagues, wages and transfer fees still have to be paid. Even without all the lucrative deals, there are players who have been a part of the same club for years in EFL.
Let’s take a look at some of the most loyal players who have decided to stay with their clubs through thick and thin.
Top 10 Longest Serving Players in the EFL
- Joe Jacobson – The Welsh international has been leading the defensive line for Wycombe Wanderers for 9 years and 66 days now. Deployed both as a central and left back, Jacobson started his career at Cardiff, and before moving to Wycombe, played for four different clubs both on loan spells and permanent deals.
- Jay Fulton – After moving to Swansea in 2014, the Scottish international has only had two short loan spells at other clubs. While only 29 at the moment, it’s almost certain that Fulton will most likely break the 10-year mark at the club, with his current time spent at the club being 9 years and 216 days.
- Alan Browne – While born in 1995, Alan Browne has never made a single move during his senior career. He’s been playing for Preston for 9 years and 245 days now. Cork-born Ireland international has made 32 caps and scored 5 goals for the national team.
- Jonathan Hogg – Middlesbrough-born midfielder has moved to Huddersfield Town in 2013 which means he’s been at the club for 10 years and 38 days. Hogg has made 314 league appearances and scored 4 league goals for the Terriers.
- Sam Long – Sam Long has been at Oxford United for 10 years and 66 days. While almost 30 years old now, Long became a part of the first team only around five to six years ago and has been a crucial part of Oxford’s defense ever since.
- Craig Forsyth – Both Craig Forsyth and Sam Long share the same spot on this list – 10 years and 66 days. Forsyth is in fifth place only due to the fact that he’s made more league appearances for his club – Derby County – 264 compared to Long who has only made 171.
- Jamie Vardy – Even if you’re just a casual, you already know who Jamie Vardy is. A modern Leicester City legend has made 375 league appearances for the Foxes and scored 156 league goals during his 11-year and 66-day stint at the club. The former English international is currently 36 but he will most likely improve his numbers, especially during this season.
- Joe Ralls – Considering the fact that Joe Ralls was a part of the Cardiff City academy before he even made his senior debut, his time at the club is slightly over 12 years and 66 days long – but we’ll stick to the senior numbers only. Ralls has only been on loan for one season during his senior career and has made over 300 league appearances for Cardiff.
- Liam Palmer – Palmer has been a part of Sheffield Wednesday for 13 years and 66 days – exactly a year longer stint compared to Joe Ralls. The Scottish midfielder and right back has also made over 300 league appearances during his career and has also had only one short loan spell at a different club.
- Dean Lewington – The MK Dons legend has been a part of the club for almost two decades now – 19 years and 64 days to be exact. Lewington has been a part of the club even before the Dons relocated to Milton Keynes and has made almost 800 league appearances in the process.
Loyalty in Lower Leagues: The EFL Context
It’s not just the numbers that make these players exceptional; it’s the emotional and psychological stamina it takes to stick with a single club for so many years. While the glamour and fame mostly hover around the Premier League players, the heart and soul of English football often reside in the lower tiers. These players become cultural icons in their local communities, inspiring younger generations to pursue the sport. It’s about more than just loyalty; it’s about becoming a part of the very fabric of the club, its history, and its future. This deep-seated commitment from players in the EFL deserves to be celebrated, as it demonstrates that even in the high-stakes world of professional football, there’s still room for long-term dedication and love for the game.
