Little over a month ago David James was between the sticks for
his country as England crashed out of the World Cup.
But after turning down the advances of Celtic and Sunderland,
his next competitive game will be against Millwall for Bristol City
next Saturday.
City slicker: England international keeper James has
signed for the Robins
James completed his surprise move yesterday, signing a one-year
deal - with an option of a further season at Ashton Gate - that
will earn him around £15,000 a week after collecting a signing-on
fee in the region of £500,000.
The veteran keeper, who reaches the milestone of 40 tomorrow,
will be paraded today prior to City's preseason friendly at home
against Blackpool and his decision will doubtless shock many.
But James has a long-held ambition to help a club from the
region to the Barclays Premier League promised land.
Before joining Portsmouth, that club was almost Plymouth Argyle.
As James revealed in the summer of 2006 as he was pondering a move
away from Manchester City:
'I had decided I was going to join Plymouth Argyle. My missus
was in Devon; I would go down there and get them promoted to the
Premier League - the first South West club in the league. They
never knew anything about it, but it had to be Plymouth.'
There comes a time in every man's life when priorities must be
re-examined. If you can shave an hour off your commute to work, all
the better.
James tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Amanda Salmon
last weekend and while it might not be pipe and slippers time yet,
it is clear he had no desire to uproot his family from their
mansion in Chudleigh, Devon.
SOL CAMPBELL
Pompey to Notts County
Sol joined Sven’s League Two revolution. For one game.
TEDDY
SHERINGHAM
West Ham To Colchester
An illustrious career ended in Championship relegation.
KEVIN KEEGAN
Hamburg To Southampton
Hacks gasped as he walked into the press conference.
And Bristol City fans will be pleased to hear James' ambitions
have not been dulled with the passage of time.
'I've had offers to stay in the Premier League but it is more
important that I play football - which I love - for the right club
and be a family man. I know all about the plans for a new stadium
and desire to win promotion to the Premier League,' he said.
'The club is ambitious and that's what I am. The south west has
not had a club in the Premier League and that needs to change.'
Fitness permitting, James intends to carry on keeping until he
is 45. Plenty of time to achieve his ambition of making it Premier
League appearance number 574 with City.