The first part of this interview can be found here.
Spells at Portsmouth, Notts County and Newcastle United, as well as a short-lived return to Arsenal followed Campbell’s 17 years in north London. The England international was most successful at Portsmouth, captaining his side to a first FA Cup trophy in 69 years.
After Arsenal, you moved to Portsmouth, played under Harry Redknapp for three years and won the FA Cup. How did it feel winning it with Portsmouth, who weren’t really one of the big clubs in England at the time?
SC: They certainly weren’t one of the biggest clubs! Winning that, some teams have had fantastic players and not even come close to winning the FA Cup, so it shows just how difficult it really is to win the FA Cup or have the right rounds and teams. There’s a lot of things that can go for you and a lot more that can go against you as well, a giant-killing.
For us, winning the FA Cup and being captain as well, it was a magical moment for me because [Nwankwo] Kanu, an old Arsenal legend as well, scoring in the semi-final and then in the final, it was magical. But to see 250,000 people across Portsmouth and Southsea, watching the bus go along, that was something special.
It shows how much the FA Cup means to fans up and down the country, especially for a team that hasn’t won the cup. Actually, they were the longest team to hold the cup because of the war, but 250,000 people watching the parade, that’s a special kind of moment and it just shows what the FA Cup really means to the British people.
While enjoying success at club level, Campbell also played 73 times for England, scoring once in the 11 years he played at international level. On a number of occasions, they came close to World Cup and European glory, but the moment never came.
Along with playing at Arsenal and several other clubs, you had quite a good international career, playing plenty of games for England. What would you say was your favourite game of all?
SC: One of my favourite games, it’s a shame we actually lost the game, but one of my favourites is probably Argentina. I don’t really like saying one of my favourite games was one we lost, but the feeling around the game, what players went through and the performances, the drama, the ups and downs, the goals, the characters involved, it was probably one of the best games I’ve been involved in.
You could probably go to some of the Argentina players and they’ll say it’s one of the best games they’ve ever played in, World Cup wise, because of the whole drama. It’s almost like watching the games back in the day, the Brazil – Italy, all those amazing goals. It was like that, it was like proper old football. Quality, drama, skill, disaster, and it didn’t happen for us but I’d probably pick that game.
Campbell retired in May 2012, winning nine major honours at five clubs in a playing career that spanned 20 years. He became known for his interest in politics following football, even announcing his interest in being in the running for the Mayor of London election, to take place next year.
Since you’ve retired, you’ve not really been involved in football and coaching but more into politics. Was management or coaching ever in the back of your mind as a player?
SC: Well, I’ve almost completed all of my badges. Just got a little bit to go, and I’ve done most of the hard stuff, just got a few things I can finish in two days and have completed by March. I don’t really know where I’m going to take my badges or what I’m doing.
Sometimes, I almost feel you have to have a separation with football, and regardless, people say if you stay out of it for too long, people will forget about you. But I think if it’s going to happen, I’ve always been the person to think it’s got to be right for me and that I’ve got to be ready, and if it’s not palatable for people to say what are you doing, you should be in it straight away.
Trouble is, there’s some people who go in it straight away and then they’re sacked. You know, the average manager now is 13 months. What kind of career is that when you get three-four times before you get a steady job? I don’t want to do that, but you know, we’ll see what happens. I think separation from the game and then slowly get back into it.
Sol was speaking at the Europcar Fans Of The Season launch event. Go to https://www.europcar.co.uk/arsenal-fan-of-the-season for your chance to win five tickets to Arsenal vs. Chelsea plus more great prizes.
