When it comes to defensive midfielders, it does not get much better than Paul Ince. In many ways he redefined the role of a defensive midfielder, kicking off a trend in modern football that has resulted in the rise prominence of players like N’Golo Kante.
Steely, aggressive, intimidating with a ‘never say die attitude’ to match his footballing ability. He was also no stranger to finding the net, managing to score 81 goals over the course of his 22-year career – a very respectable figure for a midfielder in a primarily defensive role.
Ince grew up a West Ham supporter and naturally got his start in the West Ham Youth Academy when he was only 14 years old. He eventually made his first debut in 1986 against Newcastle. A year later he was a regular first team player. Paul soon caught the attention of many large clubs. His extremely versatile style of play and well-rounded skill set were difficult to ignore. His combination of speed and strength coupled with a crunching tackling ability and powerful shot set him apart from many other midfielders at a very young age.
However, despite brilliant individual performances from Ince in the 1988-1989 season, West Ham could not escape relegation. The following summer he completed a move Manchester United.
Ince went on to win a plethora of honours in Manchester, growing into the superstar he is known as today. He collected a total of 10 trophies with the club including two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup. In addition, he achieved a great deal of personal recognition, being named to the Premier League PFA Team of the Year three seasons in a row, from 1993 to 1995.
Furthermore, Ince acted as a trailblazer at international level for black footballers across England. In 1993 he became the first black player to captain the English national team, inspiring other black athletes throughout the country. It was fair to say that there were fewer players who were as passionate about playing for their country than Ince.
A winner of 53 England caps, one of the most iconic images of the player was of Ince, as England captain, driving the Three Lions on against Italy in a World Cup qualifier in 1998 with a blood-soaked bandage around his head. Never had the phrase ‘bleed for your country’ been so appropriate.
Despite cementing himself as United’s key midfielder between 1993 and 1995, manager Alex Ferguson ended up selling Ince to Inter Milan for a total of £7.5million which, at the time, was one of the largest transfer figures involving an English club. The move caused a great deal of unrest amongst United fans who had grown to love the young Ince.
After two years in Italy, he realised it was time to return home. He turned down a new and improved contract offer from Inter and completed a move to Liverpool, a surprising transfer given his history at Manchester United and the rivalry between the two clubs. Following over 60 appearances for the Merseysiders he turned out for the likes of Middlesborough, Wolves, Swindon and Macclesfield before hanging up his boots.
After his playing career was over, Ince remained a trailblazer for the black football community. After winning the League Two title in his first season as manager of Milton Keynes Dons, he signed with Blackburn in 2008, becoming the first black Briton to manage a team in the highest tier of English football. However, despite struggling as a manager in the Premier League, his accomplishments as a player will never be forgotten.
His success as a player is rivaled by few others in England and the way he redefined his position can still be seen today.
Now it’s time for Ince to rediscover his influence on sport when he takes part in the ICONS of Football tournament at The Belfry in June, where a team of former England football ICONS take on a side built up of some of the greatest Icons from the Rest of the World.
Tickets for Icons of Football 2017 are available now at icons-series.com
