"Sol Campbell's decision to walk away from Tottenham Hotspur and join fierce rivals Arsenal at the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2001 is etched into British football folklore. Just 26 years old at the time and at the peak of his powers, Spurs fans were already wounded by Campbell's decision to leave on a free. But it was his choice of club that really stung."
"Campbell was greeted by a hurricane of boos, whistles, hurled projectiles and foul-mouthed songs throughout a bruising encounter that also saw opponents his own former team-mates stick the boot in. I actually think the reaction inside the ground shocked a lot of my Arsenal team-mates, remembers Campbell, who made 73 England appearances between 1996 and 2007. I'd expected it, of course. And the lads knew I would be booed, but none of them anticipated just how bad it would be."
Sol Campbell left Tottenham Hotspur to join Arsenal when his contract expired in summer 2001 at age 26. The move intensified fan anger at Tottenham because he left on a free and chose their fiercest rivals. Campbell made more than 200 appearances for Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. His first North London Derby in Arsenal red, a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane in November 2001, prompted extreme hostility from Spurs supporters. He was greeted with boos, whistles, projectiles and abusive songs, and even faced mocking from former teammates. The severity of the reaction reportedly surprised many inside the Arsenal camp.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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