Top British Players of the 1990s
As the Premier League transformed British football in the 90s, one constant was the abundance of exceptional players hailing from the Home Nations.
From memorable moustachioed goalkeepers to some of the era’s most prolific strikers, we present what we believe to be the finest of the lot.
Continue reading for a generous dose of 90s football nostalgia!
Neville Southall
At his peak, Neville Southall was potentially the world’s finest goalkeeper, and the Welsh icon continued to excel between the posts throughout the 90s.
With 92 caps for Wales, he amassed a club-record 751 appearances for Everton before departing Goodison Park in 1997, adding the 1994/95 FA Cup to the trove of silverware he collected on Merseyside in the 80s.
Colin Hendry
A pivotal figure for Scotland during Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, the dynamic centre-back Colin Hendry achieved success in both northern and southern leagues throughout the 90s.
Having celebrated Premier League triumph with Blackburn in 1994/95, earning his first of two PFA Team of the Year selections that season, Hendry completed a domestic treble with Rangers in 1998/99.
Ally McCoist
As Rangers’ all-time top goalscorer by a significant margin, Ally McCoist propelled the Glasgow club to an astonishing eight consecutive Scottish titles from 1990 to 1998, scoring 34 league goals in both the 1991/92 and 1992/93 seasons.
Renowned for his instinctive striking ability, the future A Question of Sport captain and the jolliest pundit on television netted the winning goal for Scotland against Switzerland at Euro 96.
David Seaman
Having signed with Arsenal in 1990, David Seaman quickly made a name for himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the English league, playing a vital role as the Gunners claimed the title in both 1991 and 1998.
By the time of Euro 96, Seaman was England’s number one, receiving a nomination for the 1998 Ballon d’Or while keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League during the 1993/94 and 1998/99 seasons.
Ian Wright
Discovered from non-League in his early twenties, Ian Wright had only five years of experience in professional football when the 90s commenced, but he quickly became one of the most intimidating forwards in the game.
His £2.5m transfer from Crystal Palace to Arsenal in 1991 made him the Gunners’ record signing, yet his remarkable tally of 185 goals in 288 appearances made it seem like a steal, leaving on a high as a double winner in 1998.
Andy Cole
Andy Cole’s surprising £7m transfer from Newcastle to Manchester United in 1995 set a new British transfer record, and United were more than satisfied with their investment as he had previously netted 34 Premier League goals for the Magpies during the 1993/94 campaign.
‘Cole the Goal’ notched nearly 100 goals for the Red Devils before the end of the decade, notably creating a lethal strike partnership with Dwight Yorke during the treble-winning campaign of 1998/99.
Teddy Sheringham
The inaugural Premier League Golden Boot winner, Teddy Sheringham dazzled for Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Manchester United, and England throughout the 90s.
A technically skilled striker who also thrived in a creative role, Sheringham’s most iconic goal was during the final year of the decade—his equalizer against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, a goal that helped complete United’s treble.
Paul Scholes
As a distinguished member of Manchester United’s Class of ’92, Paul Scholes solidified his role as a crucial element of Alex Ferguson’s midfield by the decade’s end.
Having collected two Premier League winner’s medals with United already, Scholes played a significant role in the treble-winning season of 1998/99, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess by hitting double figures for the third time in four seasons.
Tony Adams
An exemplary old-school centre-back, Tony Adams led Arsenal with distinction throughout the 90s, securing titles in both the First Division and the Premier League, the latter as part of a double in 1998.
Formidable and daring, Adams was honored with inclusion in three PFA Teams of the Year during the 90s, and he captained England at Euro 96.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen made his senior debut towards the end of the 1996/97 season, but his rapid and impactful emergence established him as one of the standout players of the 90s.
As Liverpool’s primary centre-forward at just 17, Owen shared the Golden Boot in his first full Premier League season, received the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and scored that unforgettable solo goal against Argentina during the 1998 World Cup.
Paul Ince
As a relentless midfield enforcer, Paul Ince was vital to Manchester United’s early Premier League successes, being named in three consecutive PFA Teams of the Year from 1993 to 1995.
Equally significant for England, Ince became the Three Lions’ first black captain during a friendly match against the USA in 1993 and was part of the squad at both Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup.
David Platt
A talented goalscoring midfielder, David Platt was named PFA Player of the Year for the 1989/90 season and became a key player for England as they reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup.
His stellar performances at the tournament earned him a transfer from Aston Villa to Italy, where he clinched the UEFA Cup with Juventus and the Coppa Italia with Sampdoria, later returning to England to help Arsenal achieve double glory in 1997/98.
Paul Gascoigne
Regarded as the most talented English player of his generation and immensely entertaining, Paul Gascoigne delighted millions with his performances at the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96, guiding his country to the last four in both competitions.
Moments of brilliance seemed effortless for Gazza, with highlights including a stunning free-kick for Tottenham against Arsenal in the 1991 FA Cup semi-finals and that memorable volley in England’s Euros win over Scotland.
David Beckham
Highlighting his exceptional potential with a now-iconic goal from halfway against Wimbledon on the first day of the 1996/97 season, David Beckham ascended through Manchester United’s youth ranks to become a key figure for the club.
Named the 1996/97 PFA Young Player of the Year, Beckham—who earned his first of 115 England caps in 1996—brought exquisitely accurate crossing and set-piece execution to Alex Ferguson’s side, clinching three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions League from 1996 to 1999.
Ryan Giggs
Well-established at Manchester United by the time the Premier League launched in 1992, Ryan Giggs emerged as one of the leading wingers globally by the end of the decade.
A two-time PFA Young Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993, the Welsh maestro secured ten major trophies with United during the 90s.
Alan Shearer
As the ultimate Premier League goalscorer, Alan Shearer was on track to achieve a record 260 goals by the decade’s end.
Winner of three consecutive Golden Boots between 1995 and 1997, Shearer began the 90s at Southampton, enjoyed title success with Blackburn in 1994/95, and later moved to his boyhood club Newcastle in 1996 for a then-record fee of £15m, having topped the scoring charts during Euro 96, leading to the tournament’s semi-finals.
