When you’re young, there’s one player that you just love. You know that there are loads of other players that you really enjoy watching week in, week out, but one stands out. Well, mine was Trevor Sinclair.
The nightmare of every defender
He was an absolute joy to watch and everything you want when you’re watching from the stands or on the television. Quick, hard-working and the ability to pull a trick out of his pocket at any given moment. He was a defender’s nightmare.
It probably helped his cause that he formed such a fantastic partnership with Paolo Di Canio at Upton Park. When those two started together, you just knew that anything was possible. Alright, it didn’t always work out that way, but the dream was there, and sometimes that’s enough.
The iconic connection with Di Canio
Despite being fairly versatile, he was so at home on the wing. I’ll mostly remember him running towards goal in front of me in the Dr Martens Upper, so my imprint will forever be of him as a right winger. But so many will have memories of him on the opposite touchline.
His crossing was incredible and it’s some of his assists that will always bring a smile to anyone’s face – I think he provided an assist to Di Canio once against Wimbledon, didn’t he?! THAT cross from Trevor Sinclair to his mate Paolo is iconic in football. I can’t think of a better pair to make that work.
If Sinclair was passing that ball to anyone else, I just don’t think he’d be expecting a shot. And equally, the Italian knew that his teammate was the best man to read him on the pitch.
Etched into football memories
I was only nine-years-old when Trevor scored his famous bicycle kick for QPR, so my football interest was mostly West Ham and England related, and in its early stages. So imagine the expression on my face when I saw it after he had signed for West Ham.
This was pre-Youtube, so I had to wait until my first chance viewing on the TV. Wow! This guy plays for West Ham now. He went on to score my favourite West Ham goal against Derby on Boxing Day of the 01/02 season. Another moment that is absolutely etched into my visions.
I met Sinclair when I was about 10 and I was so star struck. Maybe even at the time, I didn’t realise how much of an influence he would have on my whole West Ham supporting life. When you’re that age, you don’t really think that when you’re in your thirties, this player will still be imprinted in your football memories.
The ultimate award for entertainment
When thinking about my favourite players, notable mentions go to so many. Picking a favourite player is a bit like telling people your favourite song – there’s one that rises above the others, but so marginally that you feel sorry for the rest.
Mark Noble will forever be one of my favourite men. I have such a soft spot for Adrián. John Hartson stole my heart. And I’ll rarely see a talent like Di Canio in the flesh. But for his pure entertainment value at a time when I was watching football more often than ever, Trevor Sinclair takes the award for my all-time favourite Hammer.
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