Edwin van der Sar and Andrew Cole have received nominations to enter the Premier League’s Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates the exceptional skill and talent of individuals who have graced the Premier League since its inception in 1992. It is the highest individual honour awarded to players by the league.
Fulham made headlines in 2001 when, fresh from winning the old Division One, we pulled off a remarkable transfer coup in persuading van der Sar to join from Juventus.
The Netherlands number one certainly did not disappoint. In his four seasons at Craven Cottage he made 154 appearances and kept 52 clean sheets – an impressive figure in a newly promoted side.
His finest match arguably came at Highbury in 2003 when the Whites held a brilliant Arsenal side to a goalless draw, pretty much single-handedly thanks to van der Sar. It was the first time the then league leaders had failed to score at home in 47 matches.
Cole remains the fourth most prolific scorer the Premier League has ever seen, with 12 of his 187 goals netted during his solitary season with Fulham.
Cole was 33-years-old by the time he moved on from SW6, but he had still showed that predatory instinct which had served him so well in his career, top scoring for Chris Coleman’s side who finished comfortably mid-table.
The other players nominated are Sol Campbell, Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe, Cesc Fabregas, Les Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Eden Hazard, Gary Neville, Michael Owen, David Silva, John Terry, Yaya Touré and Nemanja Vidic.
Voting is open now until 12pm on Monday 8th April. Fans can vote for two players, and two will be inducted through a combination of the public vote, in conjunction with votes from the Premier League Awards Panel and those of past inductees into the Hall of Fame.
