England and Manchester United star Neil Webb reveals he is now working as a delivery driver – and is flogging his shirt and cap for £15,000 to boost retirement fund
- Webb, 59, played 26 times for England and is selling his 1987 debut shirt and cap
Former England footballer Neil Webb works as a delivery driver 26 years after retiring from the game.
The ex-Man Utd and Nottingham Forest player, who has also been a postman, lives with his wife of 25 years, Dawn, who works in a GP’s surgery.
While Webb, who played 26 times for England, admits that he made good money during the height of his footballing career, it was ‘a world away’ from the millions of pounds Premiership players earn today.
Casemero, who plays in the same midfield position as Webb did for Man Utd, is reputed to earn £350,000 a week.
Webb is now selling his debut England shirt and cap for £15,000 to boost his retirement fund.
The 59-year-old, who lives in Reading, Berkshire, was the 1,000th footballer to represent England, in a friendly match against West Germany in Dusseldorf in 1987.
He came on as a 64th minute substitute for Glenn Hoddle and wore the red Umbro number 14 shirt.
The Germans won the match 3-1, with Gary Lineker getting England’s goal.
He is now selling the mementos from the night with Graham Budd Auctions, of Wellingborough. They are expected to sell for £15,000.
He sold off his footballing medals in 2009.
Webb said: ‘I’ve had numerous jobs over the last few years and at the moment I am a delivery driver.
‘My generation earned good money and you could buy a nice house, a nice car and put your children through private education.
‘But it is a different world for today’s players. I always knew I would have to work after I played.
‘I can’t relate to the incredulous wages players get today. Even £100,000 a week – I can’t relate to that
‘I’m turning 60 in July and it would be good if the shirt and cap goes to someone who will appreciate them. It will boost my retirement pot.
‘It has hung on the wall in our home and if nobody decides to buy it I’ll happily keep hold of it.
‘When I look back on my career I can say I played under Mr Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Robson, three of the best ever British managers.
‘I would have loved to play for Pep Guardiola. I admire the way he makes players better and moulds his teams.’
Webb, who scored four goals for his country, was part of the England squad which got to the semi finals of the 1990 Fifa World Cup, losing on penalties to West Germany.
He said: ‘I didn’t realise I was the 1,000th player until a journalist told me after the game.
‘I remember going on against West Germany and thinking international football is a lot quicker than I was used to. It was an eye opener.’