Jack Butland’s loss is Shay Given’s gain.
England international Butland has been ruled out for the season (and the European Championships) with a fractured ankle.
But that means his Stoke understudy – Ireland international Given – has been handed his Premier League debut for the club at the ripe old age of 39.
Given was non-playing member of Blackburn’s title-winning squad in 1994/95, which happened so long ago it feels like it was part of an entirely different form of football.
The goalkeeper made his top-flight debut for the club in a 1-0 defeat to Wimbledon – yes, the original Wimbledon – back in December 1996, and here are just a few things which happened more recently.
1. Channel 5 was launched by the Spice Girls
2. Tony Blair became Prime Minister
3. Men in Black was released
4. Katrina and the Waves won Eurovision for the UK
5. Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell made their MMA debuts
6. Liverpool defender Joe Gomez was born
7. Oasis released ‘Be Here Now’
8. Michael Jordan completed his second NBA three-peat
9. Stoke City appointed nine managers, including Chris Kamara, Johan Boskamp, and Tony Pulis (twice)
