When Sol Campbell crossed the line into North London in 2001, it generated such a stir that his teammates at Arsenal jeered him during practice to make him ready for the blow he would get from Tottenham.
Few football players, living or dead, inspire as much animosity among their fans as Sol Campbell does among Tottenham’s present followers.
The only move as seismic as Campbell’s switch from Spurs to Arsenal, a rival team in North London, was perhaps Luis Figo’s 2000 move from Barcelona to Real Madrid. Even though it’s difficult to believe now, Campbell was once a darling among Tottenham supporters after rising through the youth levels to become one of the finest centre backs in the world and captain the team.
But to many who formerly held him in high regard, the former England player is now only known as “He Who Must Not Be Named,” or, to put it simply, “Judas.” Campbell’s surprise unveiling as an Arsenal player on July 1, 2001, is largely responsible for it.
Nobody knew what was going to happen except Campbell and his agent, chairman David Dein, and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.Just two journalists were there when it was reported that he had switched from the Lilywhites to the red and white team. They thought they had been called to the club’s London Colney training base to see the introduction of Richard Wright, the former custodian for Ipswich Town. Rather, Campbell’s massive frame entered the space.
The remainder is the history of Arsenal. Campbell had two successful stints with the team. The first, from 2001 to 2006, saw him win two Premier League and FA Cup doubles, including a 2003–04 “Invincible” season.
Even if N17 trembles at the thought of him, Campbell still has no misgivings about the transfer. The fact that he was so excellent and that he selected Arsenal are both contributing factors, but the shock factor was increased by the opaque nature of the announcement and the months that preceded the transfer.Spurs extended an offer to Campbell, who was nearing the end of his contract and would have become the most paid player in club history. He also assured Spurs in public many times that he would be “staying” before declaring that he had to go in order to compete in the Champions League.
Tottenham supporters could have anticipated Inter Milan or Barcelona, but not their neighbours from Highbury. Spurs were even more devastated to learn that they would receive nothing at all for the player they had shaped since 1989 due to the Bosman verdict.
At the time, Campbell gave his transfer to Arsenal’s success as justification, saying, “I’m ambitious, I dream about playing football at the top level and this is why I’m here.”
Playing with their old rival was initially awkward even for Campbell’s new Colney teammates. They reportedly jeered the defender throughout practice, but it was simply to get him prepare for the onslaught of hate he would face.
When questioned about the jeers, Wenger told the German magazine 11 Freunde, “They did that, and they also made jokes about it.” Sol informed me later how bad the situation was and how stressful it was for him.
