14 Facts About John Scales

John Robert Scales was born on 4 July 1966 and is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender from 1984 to 2001.

John Scales notably played in the Premier League for Wimbledon, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town as well as playing in the Football League for Bristol Rovers.

John Scales became part of the Wimbledon Crazy Gang that graced the top flight of English football and that won the FA Cup in the famous 1988 final against future club Liverpool.

John Scales played as a substitute in the final, though unusually playing as a forward after coming on for striker Terry Gibson.

John Scales has said that although the Liverpool team he was in had the talent to win the Premier League they lacked the focus and discipline needed to be champions, though they did win the Football League Cup against Bolton Wanderers in his first season there and were FA Cup finalists a year later, finishing fourth and then third in the Premier League.

In 1996, Liverpool accepted offers from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur for John Scales, who decided to again join up with Spurs manager Gerry Francis who he had played for whilst at Bristol Rovers.

John Scales had a disappointing time at Tottenham Hotspur due to injuries, being in and out of the team and the instability of the club.

In July 2000, John Scales signed for new promoted Ipswich Town but made only two Premier League appearances before succumbing to injury and was released in the summer of 2001.

John Scales won three caps for the England national team in 1995.

John Scales was a member of England's squad for Le Tournoi de France but did not play.

John Scales was England coach for the Danone Nations Cup in 2007.

Later in his career, John Scales went on to coach the England beach soccer team.

John Scales is a member of the Wimbledon Old Players Association and has played for the AFC Wimbledon Masters XI.

John Scales has co-commentated on football matches for BBC Radio 5 Live.