At 38, James Milner has faced his share of criticism regarding his age in the Premier League. The former Liverpool icon still falls short of claiming the record as the league’s oldest player both today and in history.
That distinction belongs to John Burridge, who made history in May 1995 by playing for Manchester City at 43. After eight seasons with the Reds, Milner moved on to join Brighton, becoming the first player in Premier League history to play 23 seasons.
Mostly remembered for his no-nonsense professionalism and fitness, Milner defies the odds in the Premier League, where youth continues to be heavily relied upon to dominate early. He’s logged over 600 matches in his career, including a career-high of 230 with Liverpool.
While his age has drawn attention, it pales compared to Burridge’s feat nearly three decades ago. Burridge became the oldest player to grace a Premier League pitch during a match for City against Queens Park Rangers. Burridge’s professional career spanned almost 30 years, and he played for 29 clubs, including Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle United. He made his most consistent appearances with Blackpool in 1971 [131] and Sheffield United [109] in the late ’80s.
Known for his unorthodox nature and commitment to fitness, Burridge’s longevity in football remains a benchmark for players looking to extend their careers. Records indicate that the marathon man studied sports science while also being an athlete, applying his studies to stretch his career.
While Milner may not hold the age record, his contributions to the Premier League remain significant. To crack the top 10, Milner would need to continue his career until age 41, a feat within reach in three seasons. Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar currently holds the 10th spot on the list, having played his final Premier League game for Manchester United at 40 years and 205 days.
Legendary goal scorer Teddy Sheringham would be another name Milner would need to surpass. Sheringham became the oldest English striker to score in a Champions League final in 1999 during United’s dramatic victory over Bayern Munich.
After joining Liverpool in the summer of 2015, Milner made 332 total appearances for the Reds, adding to a successful career that includes stints with Manchester City and other top clubs. Between his time at Liverpool and City, Milner earned a full trophy cabinet that holds a Champions League title, three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and more.
Milner is the third-oldest active player in the Premier League behind West Ham United’s goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and Everton’s left-back Ashley Young, both aged 39. Following Milner in age are Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy [37], Manchester United defender Jonny Evans [36], and Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana [36.]
