Hard hats to hat-tricks: Famous footballers who worked in construction

As England prepares to face Ghana on Tuesday as part of the FIFA World Cup, Construction Wave looks at famous footballers* who at one time or another also wore a pair of steel-toe boots and got their kicks by being on site. 

Born in Woolwich, Arsenal veteran Ian Wright had trained as a plasterer and then worked as a labourer, before getting his break in football at age 21. 

He began his sporting career in earnest as a striker for Crystal Palace after being scouted by the club and would sign his first contract in 1985.

One-hundred-and-seventeen goals later – and having taken the Eagles to the first division (later the Premier League) – Wright would secure a deal with Arsenal in 1991.

Arsenal won the Premier League with him on its side in 1997 (a feat they would repeat 22 years later in May 2026) and the FA Cup in 1998. 

A record scorer, and building his professional football career at a time when racism in the sport was rife, Wright would also become a cultural icon. 

He retired in 2000, having subsequently played for West Ham, Nottingham Forrest, Celtic and Burnley, becoming a much beloved pundit for the sport.

Danny Drinkwater 

In 2022, Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater bid farewell to football after almost five years with the club, and now works on building sites, as well as making his living flipping houses on plots he owns.

In an interview on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, he said he had been around construction all his life, with his father in the industry and his close friend owning a building company.

Drinkwater began his career at Manchester United Academy in 2008, before playing midfield at Leicester City between 2012 and 2017, winning the 2015-16 Premier League, before moving to Burnley FC.

Charlie Austin 

Southampton striker Charlie Austin worked as a bricklayer in Basingstoke before being scouted in 2009 and signed by Swindon Town FC.

In 2013, he joined Queens Park Rangers, before moving to Southampton in 2016 where he played in the Europa League, League Cup final and FA Cup final.

Last year, Austin became a pundit for Sky Sports and received his football coaching license.

Vinnie Jones 

Born in Watford, midfielder Vinnie Jones began his career in the 1980s, playing semi-professional football for Wealdstone of Alliance Premier League.

Alongside this, he was a ‘hod carrier’ on construction sites, before being signed by Wimbledon in 1986.

After 15 years playing for various football clubs, he retired in 1999, pivoting to acting and making appearances in several Guy Ritchie films including as “Big Chris” in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and “Bullet-Tooth Tony” in Snatch (2000).

Stuart Pearce 

While working as an electrician, Stuart Pearce spent five years semi-professional in Wealdstone before signing with Coventry City in 1983.

He eventually moved to Nottingham Forest, where he continued working under his electrical business at the club, wiring houses in the afternoon and training in the morning, which he did for three years while playing professional football. 

He retired in 2002, while playing for Manchester City, and in 2005 was promoted to manager of the club, a position he held until 2007.

Lee Roche

The Manchester United defender, Lee Roche retired at the age of 30, moving to work on a construction site. 

He began his career at Manchester United Academy under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Champions League player has since become a qualified plumber and reportedly owns a cavity wall insulation business.

*This list is not conclusive.

Main image(s) credit: Wikimedia Commons/Austin Osuide/James Boyes from UK/5 CREATIVE (respectively).

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