Surrey’s Two Finest Footballing Exports

Football is more than just a game; it’s a reflection of a community’s spirit and its ability to foster extraordinary talent. While the leafy and picturesque county of Surrey doesn’t have a single football league club to its name, it has sparked the journey of several sons whose names are etched in the annals of football history. It might not be known to many, but these two former – and one current – Premier League stars both come from Surrey.

Will Hughes

A talented midfielder with craft and guile, Will Hughes is one of Weybridge’s own. He’s currently a Premier League regular with Crystal Palace and has made 18 appearances in the Premier League this term. The Eagles, however, haven’t had the best time of it. At present, websites offering both free bets casino and sports have made them a contender for relegation this season. In fact, Betfair have priced the South East London outfit at 13/2 to suffer the drop this term.

As a youth, his skills were already turning heads, and he consequently became Derby County’s youngest ever debutant in 2011. Though the beginning of his career was marked by injuries, the playmaker persevered and earned a reputation for being the creative fulcrum of the Rams’ midfield.

His vision and skill on the ball made him an influential figure in the Championship, drawing the attention of Premier League giants, including Watford, where he would later make his mark. He made over 100 appearances with the Hornets between 2017 and 2021 before he made the switch across London to Crystal Palace, where he remains today. Now at the mature age of 28, he remains an integral part of the midfield at Selhurst Park and will be crucial if the club is to survive the drop.

Rob Green

A goalkeeper of steadfast resolve and imposing presence, Rob Green also hails from Surrey, specifically Chertsey. His strength between the posts is perhaps his biggest asset in a career marked by a series of heroic goalkeeping performances. These came to a crescendo during his tenure with West Ham, particularly during the 2006-2007 season, where he famously saved a last-minute penalty against Tottenham Hotspur and secured his place in Hammers folklore.

The recently retired shot-stopper went on to represent England at the highest level, featuring prominently in the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, his team in South Africa won’t be remembered fondly.

The Norwich City Academy product famously spilt a Clint Dempsey shot in a 1-1 draw against the USA in England’s opening game, which cost him his place in the team to the veteran David James. Not that he would fair any better, mind you: David James conceded four goals as England crashed out to Germany in the second round.

His journey took him to clubs such as Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United, where he continued to be a reliable last line of defence. More recently, he ended up with arguably one of the best jobs in football as he became Chelsea’s fourth-choice goalkeeper for two years. He pocketed a nice paycheque without ever making a Premier League appearance.