The Premier League Hall of Fame will officially launch on April 19, the competition has confirmed, with two players set to be honoured as inaugural inductees and a further six to be included by fan vote.
The concept was originally set to launch last year but was pushed back owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, and will instead now debut this week with an initial raft of names.
It will be launched with a special television programme featuring the pair of individuals set to be honoured as part of the initial class of 2021.
What is the Premier League Hall of Fame?
The Hall of Fame will be the highest individual honour a player can be awarded for their service during their career in the English top flight.
Like other similar sporting institutions, it will be intended to highlight those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport on British soil.
Inductees will be awarded a personalised medallion, engraved with the year that they were added to the Hall of Fame, as a token of their inclusion.
Who will be eligible for the Hall of Fame?
To be eligible this year, the Hall of Fame has deemed that any player must have been retired as of August 1, 2020, before the start of the current campaign.
In addition, only a player’s Premier League career is to be considered in their candidacy, meaning that successes further afield or on the international stage will not be included when selecting those who will be honoured.
Who is likely to be in the Hall of Fame?
With two players set to be included automatically as inaugural inductees, speculation is rife over just who they may be.
Obvious candidates include Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time goalscorer, and Ryan Giggs, who has appeared in more top-flight seasons than any other player in the modern era.
The competition’s all-time record appearance holder, Gareth Barry, could be a dark horse, while David Beckham is also likely to be a favourite with the public.
Other players including Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and John Terry would all be eligible – though Wayne Rooney would not be, as the Derby County manager was still playing for the Rams earlier this season.
Whoever misses the cut is still likely to be in with a shout however, as the Premier League will unveil a shortlist of additional nominees this week for fans to vote on, with a further six names then set to be inducted at an unspecified date.
Premier League Hall of Fame: What is it, inductees & all you need to know
Fresh off the back of the announcement of a Premier League Hall of Fame, attention has immediately been drawn to which players will be inducted, what such recognition would mean and more.
Goal has everything you need about the inaugural Premier League Hall of Fame, set to be launched later this month.
What is the Premier League Hall of Fame?
The Premier League Hall of Fame will honour and celebrate the very best who have played in the competition.
Individuals will be awarded with a membership to the Premier League Hall of Fame, set to recognise the true greats of English top-flight football.
Only retired players will be eligible for induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame, and only their career in the Premier League will be taken into consideration during the selection process.
Once chosen, each Hall of Fame inductee receives a personalised medal engraved with their induction year.
The Premier League will announce the first two players to be added to the Hall of Fame on March 19, alongside a shortlist of nominees. Fans will be able to vote for their chosen inductee during this time.
In an official statement the Premier League said: “Membership of the Premier League Hall of Fame will be the highest individual honour awarded to players by the League.”
“Since 1992, the Premier League has been home to world-class players who have defined generations and provided us with compelling football season after season,” added Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
“A place in the Premier League Hall of Fame is reserved for the very best. It will be an occasion for our fans around the world to look back over the years and help us celebrate some truly exceptional playing careers.”
Who will be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame?
There have been no specific details on how many candidates will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in March, or how regularly former players will be honoured at a time – though information is expected to become clearer closer to March 19.
There has been plenty of discussion around which players deserve to be inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame first, as being an early inductee would be a massive sign of recognition.
Ryan Giggs has been mentioned as a top candidate, the Manchester United legend having won 13 Premier League titles with the Red Devils and is the player with the most appearances (632).
Ex-Arsenal star Thierry Henry is another inductee favourite, owing to his time with the Gunners’ famed ‘Invincibles’ side, who won the Premier League title without once falling to defeat.
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has also been tossed around as a name, despite never having won a Premier League trophy (though managing to do so with Blackburn Rovers).
Other potential inaugural Hall of Fame candidates include former Chelsea midfielder and current manager Frank Lampard, and ex-Red Devils midfielder Roy Keane.
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