Ex-Premier League and EFL player George Boyd comes out of retirement to sign for Wythenshawe Town, who play in the 9th tier.
The 38 year old started his career as a left winger in the early stages of his career, before being used more frequently as an attacking midfielder as his career progressed.
Boyd played at youth academy level at Charlton Athletic, and then joined Stevenage, who at the time played in the Conference in 2001.
He made his first-team debut for Stevenage in 2002, at the age of 17, spent five years there, and netted over 30 goals.
He signed for League Two club Peterborough United for a fee of £260,000 in January 2007, and won successive promotions in the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons.
He went to Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the 2009–10 season, before returning to the Posh and was part of the team that won promotion back to the Championship during the 2010–11 season.
Boyd made the loan switch to Hull City, something that remained for the 2012–13 season, helping guide the club earn promotion back to the Premier League during the three-month agreement before being made permanent.
Boyd was part of the Hull team that made the FA Cup final in 2014.
He signed for Burnley, who also played in the Premier League, in September 2014, spending three seasons with the Clarets.
In that time, Boyd gained coverage for his running statistics, running the highest average distance per game in the Premier League during the 2014–15 season and went on to help Burnley back to the Premier League during the 2015–16 season.
Boyd signed for Sheffield Wednesday in July 2017 and made 50 appearances over two seasons there, then returned to Peterborough for the 2019–20 season and then spent the following season at Salford City of League Two.
Boyd announced his retirement from playing professional football in October 2021, but over two years later, he’s putting his boots back on again.
His new side currently sit 6th of the North West Counties League Premier Division, just outside the playoff places, with 42 points from 24 games played, 8 points behind league leaders Wythenshawe FC.
More moments like this to come at Ericstan Park 💙 https://t.co/UzdFykYLPY
— Wythenshawe Town FC (@WTFC1946) December 18, 2023
George Boyd, Wythenshawe Town! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/APH28typCK
— Wythenshawe Town FC (@WTFC1946) December 18, 2023
— Wythenshawe Town FC (@WTFC1946) December 18, 2023
Youth career
1996–2001 – Charlton Athletic
2001–2002 – Stevenage Borough
Senior career*
2002–2007 – Stevenage Borough – 126 games (32 goals)
2007–2013 – Peterborough United – 297 games (75 goals)
2010 → Nottingham Forest (loan) – 6 games (1 goal)
2013 → Hull City (loan) – 13 games (4 goals)
2013–2014 – Hull City – 41 games (2 goals)
2014–2017 – Burnley – 123 games (12 goals)
2017–2019 – Sheffield Wednesday – 50 games (4 goals)
2019–2020 – Peterborough United – 25 games (1 goal)
2020–2021 – Salford City – 13 games (0 goals)
2023– Wythenshawe Town
Total – 694 games (131 goals)
International career
2005–2006 – England C – 6 games (1 goal)
2009 – Scotland B – 1 game (1 goal)
2013–2014 – Scotland – 2 games (0 goals)
Honours
Peterborough United
Football League One runner-up: 2008–09; play-offs: 2011
Football League Two runner-up: 2007–08
Hull City
Football League Championship runner-up: 2012–13
Burnley
Football League Championship: 2015–16
Individual
PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08 League Two, 2008–09 League One
Burnley Player of the Year: 2014–15
This is how Twitter users reacted as the ex-Premier League and EFL player comes out of retirement to sign for Wythenshawe Town…
@JohnVerrall: Proud to announce I am now a Wythenshawe Town supporter
@yremogtnomnagol: What is going on in non-league
@LarryClaret1: Oh wow. The most beautiful hair in the entire EFL and Premier League at one point. I wonder if he still conditions? I can’t believe he’s signed for you to be honest, but I wish him and you well.
@IPLRCrompton27: Bit of a mad one that. Decent!
@Sugar_Mosley: Good luck boydie 🔴⚪
@HaydenMclaren7: Class signing that 👏💙
@meresideposh72: I mean he’s got legendary status @theposh as one of our greatest ever players but you focus on the big boys 😂
Enjoy his genius GBFG 💙
Up the Posh
Up the Wythy
@MarshyMaBFC: Always be a Claret! Look forward to seeing him play against Barlick.
@MaxCasper10001: 285 appearances over seven years for Posh, more than any other club.😏 #Legend
@TheHuddleYT: Cracking player
@LyonsTruths: The most beautiful man in football.
@DouseGeoff: Bet he is still useful especially at that level.
@Tobyypufc: Up the wythenshawe town 🫡
@epouvantail: Blimey! One of my local clubs. Another reason to get along to a game.
@jnurrish_: walking in a boydy wonderland 🎶
@JGAndrws: This is such a nuts signing ahahaha! Come on George 😮💨😮💨😮💨
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