2002 – 2006

Sammi Hyypia
League Cup Status – Winner (Liverpool) 2003, 2001

Hyypia moved to Liverpool in the summer of 1999 and has been a solid presence in the Liverpool defence since joining the Merseysiders. Hyypia was installed Liverpool captain in 2002; however Gerrards brilliance did capture the captaincy a year later. Hyypia has won the league cup twice with Liverpool, the FA Cup twice, the UEFA Cup and most importantly the Champions League with them.

Stewart Downing
League Cup status – Winner (Middlesbrough) 2004
Since making his debut in April 2002 against Ipswich in the premiership, Downing has been a permanent fixture in the Middlesbrough starting eleven. He has only won one major honour with the club, the league cup (Carling Cup) in 2004 as Middlesbrough beat Bolton in the final. He was part of the England football team squad of the 2006 world cup.

Matt Jackson
League Cup Status – Runner up (Wigan) 2006
Before starring for Wigan, Jackson featured in many teams, including Luton, Norwich, Charlton and Everton. He moved to Wigan in 2001 and his vast experience helped Wigan to promotion to the premiership during the 2004/05 season. In their first season in the premiership, Wigan finished in top half of the table and he helped carry them o the final of the league cup (Carling Cup), however Wigan lost the final 4-0 to Manchester united.