We interrupt your usual broadcast to bring you this special program on an important matter: Barclaysmen.
A trend has swept social media over the past few weeks as fans of 2000’s-era Premier League football bathed in nostalgia while watching clips past players balling out to a soundtrack of indie music and guitar rock.
We’re not talking superstars from the so-called Big Six here. Your Wayne Rooneys, your Thierry Henrys, your Didier Drogbas. No, no, no.
We’re talking about cult heroes, the bang average players who pulled out moments of magic at random times. Your Morten Gamst Pedersens, your Rory Delaps, your Niko Krancjars. In other words, proper Barclays MEN.
The best of the Barclaysmen video compilations
It was all kickstarted by two Twitter accounts: 1899ine and the Cultras Podcast. We salute you, lads.
Barclays Premier League Years@1899INE x @thecultraspod#barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/efXSNgZ46h
— still not a wartime consigliere (@1899INE) September 11, 2024
Read – 10 of the very best Premier League ‘Barclaysmen’
Just look at all those Barclaysmen.
Never has a trend been more fitting as my entire personality is naming old Premier League footballers.
With that in mind, here is my list of 75 quintessential #Barclaysmen and it's better if you've got Naive by The Kooks playing in your head while reading. pic.twitter.com/fqT9B1Yq0H
— Mikey Traynor (@mikeytraynor) September 10, 2024
Explained – What is a Premier League ‘Barclaysman’?
No one deserves this moment more than Rory Delap.
My word. Not sure a compilation has ever gone this hard. The ultimate #Barclaysmen — Rory Delappic.twitter.com/cmLac38Kiw
— Jack Kenmare (@jackkenmare_) September 9, 2024
Now this is Barclays heritage.
All the #Barclaysman content I’ve seen reminded me of a niche feature on FIFA 11 on the PS2 where Rory Delap had a personalised long throw in commentary and animation that only he had in game. Ideal for recreating some prime Barclays action back in the day @thecultraspod pic.twitter.com/Z7YzpT923i
— Rhys Jones 🏴 (@Rhysj37) September 10, 2024
It really makes you feel something.
Football fans in their mid-20s to mid-30s after watching a 2 minute compilation of Rory Delap drying the ball on his shirt before hurling it into the mixer with Catfish and the Bottlemen playing in the background: pic.twitter.com/N9TH2uZ5Ye
— Alfie | HITC Sevens (@HITCSevens) September 12, 2024
Now here’s a montage to bring a tear to your eye.
Since we’re on the theme of #Barclaysmen
It’s time to bring this to the table – the 2011/12 season…
The greatest season in Premier League history, matched with one of the greatest montages ever made.
pic.twitter.com/CfxxL92Z9Z— Ryan Dilks (@RyanDilks1) September 11, 2024
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This was a clever twist on the trend.
Red cards x The Pulp #Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/A7F54oYaSv
— 🏎Adam🏎 (@NYKRATTA) September 10, 2024
Wigan grew Barclaysmen on trees…
Wigan Athletic. Pure Barclays 🥹#Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/DomElLSj55
— Dan Stacey (@DanStacey03) September 10, 2024
…while Stoke City was a breeding ground for them.
Glenn Whelan x Hey ya pic.twitter.com/1UgWp0mSoZ
— ethscfc (@Ethscfc) September 10, 2024
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Wolves are the definition of a Barclaysteam.
The McCarthy Era #wwfc pic.twitter.com/or2jmePrmP
— 𝒄𝒕 (@ctwwfc) September 11, 2024
The trend grew so big that even clubs got in on the act.
😎 Now everyone’s had their turn, it’s time for the real #Barclaysmen to stand up…
Wigan Athletic X Franz Ferdinand 🎵#wafc 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/1sZm0Agimz
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) September 11, 2024
Fulham = #Barclaysmen.
Who have we missed out? pic.twitter.com/VVYuGVNVS6
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 10, 2024
Kevin Doyle x Sticks 'N' Stones#Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/3iOL9eHmBP
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 11, 2024
Bent x Bloc Party#cafc | @DarrenBent pic.twitter.com/0vISWnAn4b
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) September 10, 2024
Gaizka Mendieta X Razorlight 🔥#Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/aRZcwiwYBy
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) September 11, 2024
Bony x Michu x Black and White Town 💥#Barclaysmen | @premierleague pic.twitter.com/qheKJ8xoiA
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) September 11, 2024
Fittingly, Blackburn Rovers made a big contribution this week.
Another #Rovers legend, another certified #Barclaysman 🤩
Tugay x Maximo Park 🎶#Barclaysmen 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/taBGjwE7uO
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) September 11, 2024
Not much love being given to the defensive #Barclaysmen so far, so let's change that 🔥
Chris Samba x Kasabian 🎶#Barclaysman | #Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Y9wKDmPoKb
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) September 10, 2024
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The EFL made a more than worthy contribution.
We can't ignore the ballers of the #EFL 😤
Take it away Lee Trundle 🔥 #EFLMen pic.twitter.com/htbIrEZIMd
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) September 11, 2024
Even Sevilla got involved, kicking off a wave of wistfulness in Spain.
You’ve had #Barclaysmen…
Now let us introduce you to #BBVAmen
Álvaro Negredo x Two Door Cinema Club pic.twitter.com/vayJcIBZVd
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) September 11, 2024
Read – The best value Premier League transfers of the summer
They don’t get much more Barclays than Tugay.
🇹🇷 Tugay Kerimoğlu x Doves pic.twitter.com/XS4cfozBl3
— 𝖓𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓 (@TheTattedRover) September 11, 2024
Read – Five of the best Turks to play in the Premier League
Unless you’re this guy.
We had to jump on this trend with the most quintessential #Barclaysman of them all 😅
Morten Gamst Pedersen x The Subways 🎶#Barclaysmen | #Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/lb1dE6v6FE
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) September 10, 2024
Jay-Jay Okocha might be the best quality Barclaysman of all time.
Jay Jay Okocha – Get Sqaured. #Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/2uTTV19YWn
— Santi™ (@ThePeakSanti) September 11, 2024
Steed Malbranque is a player that could have existed in the Barclays era.
Steed Malbranque x Stereophonics#SAFC #Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/PN2qqkOm9v
— Rusty Shackleford (@Rusty12x) September 10, 2024
Michu’s time as a Barclaysman was short but sweet.
Michu x two door cinema club #Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/pzkwOsmtYb
— Froom (@harveyfroom1) September 10, 2024
He often gets left out of the conversation, but Stewart Downing absolutely belongs here.
Downing x Dakota#Barclaysmen #Boro pic.twitter.com/rnLQgaoTYa
— Dom Brown (@domthomasbrown) September 10, 2024
Read – Five of football’s biggest ever statement signings
Juninho straddled the Carling and Barclays eras, but this deserves a shout.
Juninho X Brazil (don’t care that it’s not a 00s banger it fits)#Barclaysmen #Boro pic.twitter.com/eajAw1SR5f
— Eddie Turner (@eddieturnerr) September 10, 2024
Read – How Juninho overcame the ‘monstrous cold’ to become a Boro legend
A Premier League winner, but Shaun Wright-Phillips is worthy of inclusion.
Shaun Wright-Phillips x Goodbye Mr A #Barclaysmen
pic.twitter.com/VmCiKTDjUX— 🥷🏿 (@Bk8iP3) September 10, 2024
We couldn’t have said it better than this man.
Never agreed with a video more #Barclaysmen @D33Wain pic.twitter.com/mRSHfTnaN3
— Cultras Football Podcast (@thecultraspod) September 10, 2024
It’s just not the same anymore.
Look what the VAR mob have taken from us. Can’t celebrate a goal like this now because a nerd on a laptop wants to draw his little lines. Grow up. #Barclaysmen pic.twitter.com/H9uhkSz0q2
— Cultras Football Podcast (@thecultraspod) September 10, 2024
It’s been a great week. Let’s do it again sometime.
Me liking all the #barclaysmen compilations with some random indie tune on it pic.twitter.com/nV2WDbleZB
— Herbie 🏴🇾🇪 (@herbiesmfc) September 9, 2024
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See Also – 10 of the best Premier League ‘Barclaysmen’