Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand.jpg
Ferdinand playing for Manchester United
Personal information
Full name Rio Gavin Ferdinand
Date of birth 7 November 1978 (1978-11-07) (age 32)
Place of birth Peckham, London, England
Height 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m)[1]
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current club Manchester United
Number 5
Youth career
Eltham Town
1988–1990 Millwall[2]
1990–1993 Queens Park Rangers
1993–1995 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1995–2000 West Ham United 127 (2)
1996 → Bournemouth (loan) 10 (0)
2000–2002 Leeds United 54 (2)
2002– Manchester United 221 (6)
National team‡
1997–2000 England U21 5 (0)
1997– England 78 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:45, 4 June 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13:15, 30 May 2010 (UTC)

Rio Gavin Ferdinand (born 7 November 1978) is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and in 2010, became captain of the England national team, though an injury received prior to that year's World Cup forced him to be replaced by Steven Gerrard for the tournament. He has amassed 78 caps for England in total, and has been a member of three FIFA World Cup squads.

Known for his composure on the ball,[3] Ferdinand began his football career playing for various youth teams, finally settling at West Ham United where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his professional Premier League debut in 1996. He became a fan favourite, winning the 'Hammer of the Year award' the following season. He earned his first senior international cap in a match against Cameroon in 1997, setting a record as the youngest defender to play for England at the time. His achievements and footballing potential attracted Leeds United and he transferred to the club for a record-breaking fee of £18 million. He spent two seasons at the club, becoming the team captain in 2001.

He joined Manchester United in July 2002 for around £30 million, breaking the transfer fee record once more. He won the Premier League, his first major club honour, in a successful first season at the club. He missed a drugs test and was banned from competition for eight months, causing him to miss half a Premier League season and the Euro 2004 international competition. Upon his return, he established himself in the Manchester United first team and received plaudits for his performances, featuring in the PFA Team of the Year three times in four years. More club success followed with another Premier League win in the 2006–07 season and a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double the following year.

Ferdinand has two sons, Lorenz and Tate, with his wife Rebecca Ellison. He was born into a footballing family: brother Anton Ferdinand is also a centre back and former England international Les Ferdinand is his cousin. Off the pitch he is involved with film, music and television including the short-lived prank series Rio's World Cup Wind-Ups.

Contents

Early life

Formative years and education

Rio Gavin Ferdinand, born on 7 November 1978 in Peckham, London, is the son of Janice, a woman of mixed Irish and English heritage, and Julian Ferdinand, a Saint Lucian.[4][5] Ferdinand grew up on the Friary estate in Peckham and was part of a large family. Both his parents worked to support their family, his mother as a child carer while his father was a tailor. His parents never married and they separated when he was 14 years old. However, his father remained close, moving to a nearby estate, and he was keen to stay involved in his children's lives, taking them to football training and the local parks.[4][6] He attended Camelot primary school and was a boisterous child who numbered Mike Tyson and Diego Maradona among his heroes.[7]

Ferdinand had a good upbringing and was a happy child but he also had to learn to live without luxuries in poverty-stricken Peckham, a district of London where almost half the population is either poor or borderline poor.[8] Violent crime was a common occurrence in the area he lived. However, his parents drilled him with respectful instincts and he largely avoided the darker sides of the neighbourhood.[6] At school, he focused on maths and revelled in the opportunity to perform before an audience, portraying Bugsy Malone in a school play.[7] He also impressed his classmates with skill on the playground, constantly playing football, dreaming of turning professional and seeing new places.[6]

"I always as a kid wanted to do something different, I'd get bored very easily – even playing football or hanging around with my mates. So travelling away from home, meeting new people... I enjoyed it."[6]

He chose to attend Blackheath Blue Coats High School, a school somewhat distant from his house, in order to meet new friends and he settled in well, feeling his confidence growing.[4] His second year was marred by the death of a fellow pupil, Stephen Lawrence, and the event demonstrated the ever present threat of violence.[7] Ferdinand enjoyed physical expression, taking part in not just football and gymnastics classes but drama, theatre and ballet too.[6] He was an able child: by age ten he had been invited to train at the Queens Park Rangers F.C. academy and at age eleven he won a scholarship to attend the Central School of Ballet in London.[4] He avidly attended the ballet classes, travelling to the city centre four days a week for four years. However, while the lessons surely improved his balance, it was professional football that he desired.[6]

Youth team career

Ferdinand's superior footballing abilities were evident even as a child: when he was eleven years old a youth coach, David Goodwin, remarked "I'm going to call you Pelé, son, I like the way you play."[6] Ferdinand was regularly playing in youth teams and at Eltham Town he played as an attacking midfielder but team scouts saw the young player had the potential to be a centre back instead. Teams vied for the young footballer's services and during his youth he trained with Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Millwall and Queens Park Rangers. Ferdinand was ever curious of different places and even travelled north to Middlesbrough's training ground, spending a good part of his school holidays in a bedsit just to be there.[6]

London team West Ham United was to be his footballing home, however, and he joined their youth system in 1992.[4] He signed his first Youth Training Scheme contract in January 1994 and played alongside players such as Frank Lampard at the academy.[6][9] Things were not just burgeoning at club level for Ferdinand; at 16 he joined the England youth team squad to compete in their age group's UEFA European Football Championship, gaining his first experience of international competition.[6]

Senior career

West Ham United

Originally scouted by Frank Lampard Sr., Ferdinand progressed through the youth team ranks, earning a professional contract and a place in the first team squad in the process.[6] On 5 May 1996, Ferdinand made his senior team debut as he came on as a substitute for Tony Cottee in the Hammers' last game of the season, a 1–1 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday.[6][10] In the 1997–98 season, Ferdinand won the Hammer of the Year award at the young age of 19.[11]

Leeds United

Ferdinand joined FA Premier League football club Leeds United in November 2000 for £18 million, then a British transfer record as well as becoming the world's most expensive defender. Despite an uncomfortable start to his career at Elland Road, beginning with a 3–0 defeat at Leicester CIty on his debut, Ferdinand settled well and became an integral part of the Leeds team that reached the semi-final stage of the UEFA Champions League, scoring with a header in the quarter-final against Spain's Deportivo La Coruña.[12] Other highlights during his spell in Yorkshire included goals against Liverpool at Anfield[13] and a scoring return to Upton Park.[14]

The following season, in August 2001, he became the club captain after replacing Lucas Radebe and turned in an impressive second campaign, despite United's failure to break into the top four and secure qualification for the competition they had figured in so prominently during the previous season. During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, rumours began circulating that the club were in dire financial trouble and that new manager Terry Venables would be forced to part with his star defender for a substantial amount of cash. Later that summer after Ferdinand's impressive World Cup for England, Leeds accepted a bid of £29.1 million due to their perilous financial position.

Manchester United

Ferdinand in a Manchester United shirt

On 22 July 2002, Ferdinand joined fellow Premier League side Manchester United on a five-year deal to become the most expensive British footballer in history, the world's most expensive defender again (a title he had lost in 2001 to Lilian Thuram). The fee included a basic element in the high £20 millions, and some conditional elements, which allowed Leeds to tell their fans that they were selling him for over £30 million. Leeds United later took a single payment in place of all the contingent elements when they were desperate for cash during their financial crisis. The final book value of Ferdinand's contract in Manchester United's accounts was £33 million.[15] This included agents' fees, with Leeds receiving just under £30 million. Ferdinand suffered from a lack of form at the start of his Manchester United career, particularly illustrated by his performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League and in a 1–0 defeat by his former club Leeds United at Elland Road.

In 2003, he failed to attend a drug test, claiming he had forgotten because he was preoccupied with moving houses and instead went shopping. The FA Disciplinary Committee chaired by Barry Bright imposed an eight month ban from January 2004 at club and international level and a £50,000 fine, meaning he would miss the rest of the league season and some of the next along with all of Euro 2004.[16] Manchester United appealed against the verdict and sought to draw parallels to the case of Manchester City player Christian Negouai, who was fined £2,000 for missing a test. However, FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated that such comparisons are inappropriate due to differences between the two cases. Negouai had been stuck in traffic and was willing to take the test, while Ferdinand was charged with "failure or refusal" to attend the test.[17] Both the FA and FIFA sought to have the ban increased to 12 months (half the possible maximum). In the end, the original verdict was upheld.[18]

Ferdinand celebrating a goal with Cristiano Ronaldo

Ferdinand went on to win the Premier League title with Manchester United in his first season. He has also collected a winner's medal in the 2006 League Cup, with runners-up medals in the 2003 League Cup and the 2005 FA Cup.

On 14 December 2005, in a game against Wigan Athletic, Ferdinand scored his first goal for United, en route to a 4–0 victory. This was his first goal after more than three years at Old Trafford. He followed this up with a powerfully headed goal against West Bromwich Albion. He then scored a last minute winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford, possibly his most important Manchester United goal to date. In the corresponding fixture in the following season on 22 October 2006, Rio scored again in a 2–0 victory.

Following impressive and consistent performances in the league, Rio Ferdinand was named in the 2006–07 PFA Premiership Team of the Season alongside seven of his Manchester United team-mates.[19]

Ferdinand started the 2007–08 season well, he was part of a United defence that managed to keep six clean sheets in a row in the Premier League, before conceding an early goal to Aston Villa at Villa Park on 20 October 2007. It was also during this game where Ferdinand scored his first goal of the season, which was United's third goal of that game, with a left foot strike which took a very strong deflection off one of Villa's defenders. Just three days later, Ferdinand scored his first European goal for United by opening the scoring against Dynamo Kyiv, with a superb header. United dominated the game and won 4–2.

Ferdinand with Olof Mellberg in a match against Juventus

On 12 January 2008 Ferdinand bagged a rare Premier League goal in a 6–0 hammering of Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

In their FA Cup quarter-final match against Portsmouth on 8 March 2008 when Manchester United dominated, Ferdinand made a rare appearance as a goalkeeper, after Edwin van der Sar left the pitch with a groin injury and the replacement keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak, was sent off after conceding a penalty. Despite diving the right way, he was unable to save Sulley Muntari's spot kick, and Manchester United were eliminated from the FA Cup.[20]

On 6 April 2008, against Middlesbrough, Ferdinand limped out of the match due to a foot injury. He was rated doubtful whether he would face A.S. Roma in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg on 9 April 2008. He would play the full 90 minutes, though he received three stitches at half-time.[21]

Ferdinand as captain during the 2008–09 Champions League semi-final.

After United's 2–1 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League in April 2008 Ferdinand, angry at the defeat, swore at Chelsea stewards and tried to kick a wall in the tunnel, but instead kicked a female steward, Tracy Wray. Ferdinand claimed to have merely brushed her with his foot.[22] Ferdinand said he apologised and sent the steward some flowers. However Wray disagreed and in The Sun she showed the large bruise on her leg caused by Ferdinand 'brushing her with his foot'. Her husband also claimed that Ferdinand did not apologise or send flowers.[23]

It was announced on 16 April 2008 that, along with Michael Carrick and Wes Brown, Ferdinand had agreed to sign a new five-year contract, worth around £130,000 a week, which would keep him with United until 2013. The contract was finally signed on 15 May 2008.[24]

On 21 May 2008, Ferdinand captained Manchester United to a Champions League Final victory versus Chelsea.[25] He accepted the trophy together with Ryan Giggs, as Giggs was the on field captain for most of the matches during that season during Gary Neville's absence due to injury.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live he criticised FIFA's approach to tackling racism in football, stating that not enough was being done to punish those guilty of homophobic or racist abuse at matches. Regarding taunts aimed at Emile Heskey in England's 4–1 victory against Croatia in Zagreb, Ferdinand remarked:

"Croatia were fined a few thousand quid. What's that going to do? That is not going to stop people shouting racist or homophobic abuse...If things like this keep happening you have to take points off them. Then the punters will realise the team is going to be punished."[26]

On 28 January 2010 Ferdinand was banned for four games after being found guilty of violent conduct for elbowing an opponent in a game against Hull City[27][28]

International career

At the age of 19 years and 8 days, Ferdinand earned his first full England cap as a substitute in a friendly against Cameroon on 15 November 1997, making him the youngest defender to play for England at the time (a record broken in 2006 by Micah Richards.) Ferdinand would have made an even earlier debut in September had he not been charged with drink-driving in the build up to England's 1998 World Cup Qualifier against Moldova. Ferdinand was named in the squad for this game and was a likely starter, however the public mourning for Princess Diana – whose chauffeur had been suspected of drink-driving – left Glenn Hoddle with little choice but to drop the talented teenager from the squad. After an impressive 1997/98 season he was selected for the 1998 FIFA World Cup squad as a back-up defender. However, he was not selected in Kevin Keegan's 22 man squad for the 2000 European Championships[29]

After his £18m move to Leeds United, Ferdinand was handed a start by caretaker manager Peter Taylor in a friendly match against Italy[30] and quickly established himself as a first choice player under Sven-Göran Eriksson. He was selected as one of England's two first choice centre backs at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, wearing the number 5 shirt. John Terry (who he would later partner for many years in central defence) replaced Ferdinand in the England side throughout his eight month ban until his return on 9 October 2004 in their World Cup qualifier against Wales. Ferdinand has played ten World Cup matches for England, he was substituted before Henrik Larsson scored for Sweden in the 2006 World Cup).

The Duran Duran song "Rio" has been used in football chants both for and against Ferdinand; in fact, in 2002, fan Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran's lead singer) promised to re-record one of the football chants if the team won. However, the team failed to win and the promise never had the chance to come to fruition.

Ferdinand has scored three goals for England, the first in the Second round of the 2002 World Cup match against Denmark (although some sources credit this goal as a Thomas Sørensen own goal[31]). The second was a near post strike that beat the Russian goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev in England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia on 12 September 2007 at Wembley Stadium. The third on 11 October 2008 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at home to Kazakhstan. England won 5–1.

On 25 March 2008 it was announced that Rio would wear the captain's armband for Fabio Capello's second game in charge of the national team,[32] ahead of John Terry, Steven Gerrard or David Beckham, who some believed would be named captain to mark his 100th cap for his country. An FA statement suggested that the decision to name Ferdinand as captain was part of Capello's plans of rotating the captaincy before naming an official captain for September's World Cup qualifiers.

On 19 August, however, Ferdinand lost out to Terry in retaining the captain's armband but named vice captain by Fabio Capello.

On 11 October 2008 Rio scored the opening goal in England's 5–1 win over Kazakhstan, a back post header in the 52nd minute. He was also named as captain for this game.

A blunder in the match between England and Ukraine in Dnipro on 10 October 2009 which led to the sending off of Robert Green led some to question his inclusion in the squad. A lack of match practice for his club and a series of errors such as he suffered in his early days as a footballer have led to criticism of his inclusion from several corners.[33]

On 5 February 2010, Ferdinand replaced John Terry as captain of England.[34]

As of June 2010, he has 78[35] England caps to his name, placing him level with Ashley Cole and one short of (now retired) John Barnes among the most capped black players to have appeared for the England team.[36] Although Ferdinand has been named in the last four England World Cup squads (albeit without playing in 1998), he has never been to a European Championship due to a ban for missing a drugs test and due to England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Although back and groin injury problems forced him to miss much of the 2009–10 domestic season, Ferdinand was selected to captain England at the 2010 World Cup. However, he suffered a knee ligament injury during the team's first training session in South Africa on 4 June and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.[37]

International goals

Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 15 June 2002 Niigata, Japan  Denmark 1–0 3–0 2002 FIFA World Cup
2 12 September 2007 London, England  Russia 3–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.
3 11 October 2008 London, England  Kazakhstan 1–0 5–1 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual.

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[38] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
West Ham United 1995–96 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1996–97 15 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 17 2
Bournemouth (loan) 1996–97 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 11 0
West Ham United 1997–98 35 0 6 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 46 0
1998–99 31 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 33 0
1999–2000 33 0 1 0 3 0 3 0 6 0 46 0
2000–01 12 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Total 127 2 9 0 12 0 3 0 6 0 157 2
Leeds United 2000–01 23 2 2 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 32 3
2001–02 31 0 1 0 2 0 7 0 0 0 41 0
Total 54 2 3 0 2 0 14 1 0 0 73 3
Manchester United 2002–03 28 0 3 0 4 0 11 0 0 0 46 0
2003–04 20 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 27 0
2004–05 31 0 5 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 42 0
2005–06 37 3 2 0 5 0 8 0 0 0 52 3
2006–07 33 1 7 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 49 1
2007–08 35 2 4 0 0 0 11 1 1 0 51 3
2008–09 24 0 3 0 1 0 11 0 4 0 43 0
2009–10 13 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 1 0 21 0
2010–11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 221 6 24 0 12 0 67 1 7 0 331 7
Career total 412 10 36 0 26 0 84 2 14 0 572 12

Statistics accurate as of match played 9 May 2010[39]

[40]

England national team
Year Apps Goals
1997 1 0
1998 4 0
1999 3 0
2000 2 0
2001 9 0
2002 9 1
2003 5 0
2004 3 0
2005 8 0
2006 12 0
2007 8 1
2008 8 1
2009 4 0
2010 2 0
Total 78 3

Honours

Club

Manchester United

Individual

Outside of football

Personal life

Ferdinand in 2004

Ferdinand grew up in the Friary council estate, Peckham.[7] He has several brothers and sisters: one brother and three sisters on his father's side and a brother and sister from his mother's remarriage.[4] His brother Anton Ferdinand is the Sunderland defender, while former England striker Les Ferdinand is his cousin.[7] On 15 March 2008, it was reported that Rio's half brother Jeremiah had been training with the United first team under the eye of Alex Ferguson.[41] In 2006 in Manchester, Ferdinand's girlfriend Rebecca Ellison gave birth to their son Lorenz.[42] Whilst Ferdinand was on holiday with friends and family in Las Vegas in July 2007, he proposed to Ellison and she accepted.[43] The couple had their second child, a boy named Tate, in August 2008. The names of their children stem from the name of one of the couple's favourite actors, Larenz Tate.[44]

Ferdinand detailed his upbringing and outlook in a 2007 book, Rio: My Story.[45] Ferdinand is one of a small group of sportsmen to receive over £1 million as an advance for an autobiography.[46] Ferdinand's experiences growing up in Peckham inspired him to set up the Rio Ferdinand Live the Dream Foundation in December 2009, with the aim to nurture and develop young people from deprived communities seeking careers in sports and entertainment. The foundation has received support from the UK Government and industry.[47]

Television, film and music

In 2005, Ferdinand, along with an old school friend, created the record label White Chalk Music.[48] To date, there are two artists signed to the label; Melody Johnston and Nia Jai, the latter is due to release an album on 6 October 2010 and features Ferdinand rapping.[49]

In June 2006, on the day of the England national team's opening World Cup group match against Paraguay, Ferdinand made his debut appearance as a television presenter. Hosting Rio's World Cup Wind-Ups, the England defender found himself in a Jeremy Beadle-style role, playing tricks on his fellow England World Cup squad members including Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Gary Neville.[50] A follow-up series went into production, entitled 'Rio's All-Star Wind-Ups'. However, it was cancelled following a number of filming problems.[51]

He made his first foray into the world of cinema in late 2008, financing and becoming an executive producer of Alex de Rakoff's film Dead Man Running. The film features Danny Dyer and 50 Cent in a gangster-themed plot. Ferdinand will share production credits with England team-mate Ashley Cole.[52]

Ferdinand is presently filming a documentary about Peckham, aiming to persuade youngsters away from a life of crime.[53]

On 15 January 2009, it was announced that he would be publishing his own digital magazine called Rio in February 2009, working in conjunction with digital publishing company Made Up Media Ltd.[54] In conjunction with this, Ferdinand was guest editor of the February 2009 edition of the Observer Sport Monthly, providing interviews with people ranging from Gordon Brown to Usain Bolt.[55]

Controversy

In September 1997, Ferdinand was convicted of drink-driving and given a one-year driving ban. He had been breathalysed after driving on the morning after a night out, and was found to be one point over the limit.[56] This conviction caused England manager Glenn Hoddle to drop Ferdinand from the squad to face Moldova in a World Cup qualification match on 10 September, meaning he lost out on the chance at 18 years and 10 months of age of becoming the youngest ever England international, surpassing Duncan Edwards.[56][57]

In 2000, Ferdinand briefly appeared in a sexually explicit video filmed at the Ayia Napa resort in Cyprus along with fellow English footballers Kieron Dyer and Frank Lampard. Channel 4 aired a brief clip as part of their 2004 documentary "Sex, Footballers and Videotape", claiming it was used to "remind the viewer that this is based on real life".[58]

In May 2005, Ferdinand was criticised by the magistrate as he received his fourth ban from driving and a fine of £1,500, after being caught by traffic police "travelling at an average of 105.9 mph (170.4 km/h) over a distance of nearly two miles" on the M6 motorway. On setting the penalty, the magistrate said Ferdinand "should be a positive role model for young people in society and this does not give out the right message". It followed two previous bans for speeding, in 2002 and 2003.[59]

During a radio interview on The Chris Moyles Show in October 2006, Ferdinand attracted two listener complaints and criticism from gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell when he called Moyles a faggot, followed by "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm not homophobic", after Moyles had jokingly suggested he was homosexual. BBC Radio 1 later dismissed the exchange as banter, while Tatchell said "since [he] very promptly apologised, I am happy to accept his regret and leave it at that".[60]

See also

References

  1. ↑ White, Jim (2008). Manchester United: The Biography. London: Sphere. p. 425. ISBN 978-1-84744-088-4. 
  2. ↑ David Pleat (2009-05-09). "Chelsea ban scandal: The secrets of the sting". London: Mail Online. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1211309/Chelsea-ban-scandal-The-secrets-sting.html. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  3. ↑ Rio Ferdinand (1997-11-15). "Rio Ferdinand Profile, Statistics, News, Game Log". ESPN Soccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=7825&cc=5901. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Jackson, Jamie (12 August 2007). "His name is Rio". London: The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/aug/12/sport.obsmagspecial4. Retrieved 5 November 2008. 
  5. ↑ Parker, Helen (29 March 2008). "Caribbean property: Rio Ferdinand is ahead of the game". London: The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2008/03/29/oprio129.xml. Retrieved 5 November 2008. 
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Llewellyn Smith, Caspar (1 June 2008). "A united front". London: The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/01/manchesterunited. Retrieved 6 November 2008. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Jones, Chris (21 June 2002). "Rio Ferdinand: The silver lining". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2000/newsmakers/2057425.stm. Retrieved 6 November 2008. 
  8. ↑ "The Best Possible Life Chances". Southwark Council. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourCommunity/NunheadPeckhamRye/thebestpossiblelifechances.html. Retrieved 6 November 2008. 
  9. ↑ Hytner, David (19 May 2008). "Old boys' reunion will not prevent Cole from taking care of business". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/19/championsleague.chelsea. Retrieved 6 November 2008. 
  10. ↑ "West Ham 1(0) – 1(0) Sheff Wed". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=260501. Retrieved 22 April 2008. 
  11. ↑ "Hammer of the Year". West Ham United Supporters Club E&OE. http://www.westham-supporters.co.uk/hammer/hammer.htm. Retrieved 22 April 2008. 
  12. ↑ "Spaniards humbled by Leeds". BBC. 4 April 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/1257903.stm. Retrieved 4 November 2009. 
  13. ↑ "Leeds shock Liverpool". BBC. 13 April 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1273915.stm. Retrieved 4 November 2009. 
  14. ↑ "Leeds see off hapless Hammers". BBC. 21 April 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1285934.stm. Retrieved 4 November 2009. 
  15. ↑ http://dps.twiihosting.net/manutd/doc/content/doc_10_139.pdf
  16. ↑ "Ferdinand banned for eight months". BBC Sport. 19 December 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3333091.stm. Retrieved 26 August 2008. 
  17. ↑ Harris, Nick (18 December 2003). "Motive is always considered in deciding guilt". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/motive-is-always-considered-in-deciding-guilt-576995.html. Retrieved 26 August 2008. 
  18. ↑ "Ferdinand ban upheld". BBC Sport. 18 March 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3514462.stm. Retrieved 26 August 2008. 
  19. ↑ "Ronaldo secures PFA award double". BBC Sport. 22 April 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm. Retrieved 26 June 2008. 
  20. ↑ "Man Utd 0–1 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 8 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7272806.stm. Retrieved 26 June 2008. 
  21. ↑ "Manchester United 1–0 AS Roma Result". Premiership Latest. 9 April 2008. http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/manchester-utd-10-roma-result-tevez-goal-559652.html. Retrieved 26 June 2008. 
  22. ↑ Ian McGarry (28 April 2008). "How United lost the plot". The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1097887.ece. Retrieved 20 August 2008. 
  23. ↑ Ian McGarry (30 April 2008). "This is what Rio did to my leg". The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1107020.ece. Retrieved 17 March 2009. 
  24. ↑ "Ferdinand signs new Man Utd deal". BBC Sport. 15 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7354524.stm. Retrieved 15 May 2008. 
  25. ↑ Gemma Thompson (21 May 2008). "Report: MU 1 (6) Chelsea 1 (5)". ManUtd.com. http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=5928153. Retrieved 26 June 2008. 
  26. ↑ "Ferdinand condemns Fifa on racism". BBC Sport. 8 October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7659284.stm. Retrieved 8 October 2008. 
  27. ↑ "Ferdinand gets four-match ban for violent conduct". The Times of India. 2010-01-28. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/english-premier-league/top-stories/top-stories/Ferdinand-gets-four-match-ban-for-violent-conduct/articleshow/5510364.cms. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  28. ↑ "New skipper Ferdinand has scandals of his own". Express.co.uk. 2010-02-06. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/156572/New-skipper-Ferdinand-has-scandals-of-his-own. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  29. ↑ http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12098_6180424,00.html]]
  30. ↑ "Gattuso wonder goal sinks England". BBC News. 15 November 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1025379.stm. 
  31. ↑ Source: The Complete Book of the World Cup 2006, Cris Freddi
  32. ↑ "England squad finalised". The FA. 22 March 2008. http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2008/03/EnglandFrance_Squad_Final.htm. Retrieved 22 April 2008. 
  33. ↑ BBC Sport – Ferdinand must sharpen up
  34. ↑ BBC Sport- John Terry stripped of England captaincy by Capello
  35. ↑ Smith, Rory (4 June 2010). "Rio Ferdinand: England defender and captain at World Cup 2010". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/players/6597998/Rio-Ferdinand-England-defender-and-captain-at-World-Cup-2010.html. 
  36. ↑ "England's Most Capped Black Players". England football online. November 2009. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamBlack/PlyrsBlckMtchUsage/PlyrsBlackMostCapped.html. Retrieved 2010-06-04. 
  37. ↑ "Rio Ferdinand out of England World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 4 June 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8722236.stm. Retrieved 2010-06-04. 
  38. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
  39. ↑ "Rio Ferdinand". StretfordEnd.co.uk. http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/ferdinand.html. Retrieved 22 August 2009. 
  40. ↑ http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=2210
  41. ↑ "Rio's bro checked by Fergie". The Sun. 15 March 2008. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article920525.ece. Retrieved 24 March 2008. 
  42. ↑ Ferdinand, Rio; Shaun Curtis (2007). Rio: My Story. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0755315332. 
  43. ↑ Box, Greig (20 July 2007). "Rio Ring Surprise". The Daily Mirror. http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2007/07/20/rio-ring-surprise-89520-19483757/. Retrieved 6 November 2008. 
  44. ↑ "Rio Ferdinand names his kids after actor Larenz Tate". The Daily Mirror. 14 August 2008. http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/3am/2008/08/14/rio-ferdinand-names-his-kids-after-actor-larenz-tate-115875-20696475/. Retrieved 6 November 2008. 
  45. ↑ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/63835/Rio-My-shock-at-race-jibe.html
  46. ↑ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Why+Faria+Alam+is+a+not-so-sweet+FA.-a0137244187
  47. ↑ McGrath, Mike (9 October 2009). "Ferdinand plans showbiz charity bash". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ferdinand-plans-showbiz-charity-bash-1800228.html. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
  48. ↑ "The record doctor: Rio Ferdinand". London: The Observer. 19 June 2005. http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1506393,00.html. Retrieved 26 August 2008. 
  49. ↑ "Rio Ferdinand makes his rapping debut". 7 August 2008. http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2008/08/07/rio-ferdinand-makes-his-rapping-debut. Retrieved 26 August 2008. 
  50. ↑ Kelso, Paul (18 May 2006). "Rio plays for laughs on TV". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/may/18/sport.media. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  51. ↑ Smart, Gordon (21 June 2007). "Rio's wind-ups get the red card". The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article237864.ece. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  52. ↑ "Ferdinand & Cole to produce film". BBC Sport. 21 November 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7743044.stm. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  53. ↑ Brennan, Stuart (17 October 2008). "Rio's a changed man". Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1073259_rios_a_changed_man. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  54. ↑ The Sun newspaper, 15 January 2009
  55. ↑ Ferdinand, Rio (2008-02-01). The Rio Ferdinand issue. The Observer. Retrieved on 2009-02-03.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Davies, Christopher (24 November 2000). "From Del Boy land to Del Piero's equal". London: Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/2993300/From-Del-Boy-land-to-Del-Pieros-equal.html. Retrieved 29 January 2010. 
  57. ↑ Moore, Glenn (3 September 1997). "Ferdinand taught lesson by England". London: Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ferdinand-taught-lesson-by-england-1237297.html. Retrieved 29 January 2010. 
  58. ↑ Stephen Naysmith (15 August 2004). "Channel 4 to show alleged Premiership sex video". CBS Interactive Inc. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20040815/ai_n12590242. Retrieved 10 May 2010. 
  59. ↑ "Rio Ferdinand banned for speeding". BBC News. 25 May 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/4578495.stm. Retrieved 26 August 2008. 
  60. ↑ "Ferdinand brands DJ 'a faggot' on air". London: The Guardian. 2 October 2006. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/oct/02/broadcasting.football. Retrieved 26 August 2008. 

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Sporting positions
Preceded by
Lucas Radebe		 Leeds United captain
2001–2002		 Succeeded by
Dominic Matteo
Preceded by
John Terry		 England national football team captain
2010		 Succeeded by
Steven Gerrard
Manchester United F.C. – current squad

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